Classroom Wish List

Every summer I'm faced with the decision / dilemma of how much money I want to spend on materials for the upcoming school year.  Yes, school has only been out for about 2 weeks, but I'm that person who's already planning and plotting out what items I want and what sales to hit.

I try to keep my out of pocket spending to around $100 or less if I can help it.  Our school's PTA graciously reimburses us for supplies up to $100, so I usually not to spend a whole lot more on top of that.  For the most part, after completing 7 years of teaching I have accumulated a pretty good collection of supplies.  BUT, as with anything, after 7 years some of that needs to get upgraded and replaced.  

Right now, I think my big splurge might be one of Erin Condren's Teacher's Lesson Planners.  It's a bit of a splurge considering they start at $59 and I've made my own plan books and grade books for the past couple years.  It's sooooo tempting to have EVERYTHING all in one nice neat organized place and on top it that something that is sooooo cute as well!  One of my friends bought one last year and LOVED hers and said that she's planning on getting another one for next year.  It appears that everyone online that has one thinks they're pretty awesome as well!

Another item I am considering is some new supply / book bins for my classroom.  I have a set from Target that have lasted 5 or 6 years, but are starting to show some wear and tear.  I managed to snag mine the first year Target carried them and only paid $1 each.  Target realized what a gem they had, though, and now I believe they run $2.50 or $3 each.  We'll see...  I may just replace the broken ones or possibly splurge on these pretty ones from Really Good Stuff.

Another temptation I've recently had is to change up my classroom theme.  I've been using Creative Teaching Press's Poppin' Patterns collection pretty much since the beginning of time.  I still love that collection, but with my vast collection of K-State decor I am really tempted to go with a cute purple, black, and white theme.  Much of what I have already goes with that color scheme, so it would mostly involve investing in some new borders and a few other things.  I know how OCD I can get, though, which is why I have previously selected such a bright and colorful theme.  Once again, we'll see.  

Other than that, there really aren't that many special items I'm looking to get for my classroom.  As I get more into this Teachers Pay Teachers thing I'm realizing how much I can make on my own!  My district has a copy center that I can submit jobs to online and get many of my goodies printed.  If I go with a new color scheme I will be sure to create most of my own decorations to go with that theme!

What's on your classroom wish list for next school year?

What do you think is worth a splurge?

Anyone out there have an Erin Condren Teacher Planner?  Do you love it?  I'd love your feedback and input!  

Back to the... Classroom!

My summer break is officially seeing it's ending and this past week I decided I needed to make a trip to school and get a little work done in my classroom.  I'm totally the type that goes in super early and then takes the last few days before I go back for relaxation and fitting in appointments.  

I made a point this year to take some "before" pictures of my classroom.  I'm allowed to keep a decent number of things up on my walls, so that helps in some ways.

The first thing my brother and I noticed when we walked in?  Yup, this saw!  It was just laying on the table in the middle of my classroom.  #thatsnotsupposedtobethere

The other thing I noticed?  This gaping hole in my ceiling!  I'm guessing they're working on replacing the ceiling tiles that got wet last year and the job just didn't quite get completed.

This is the view from the door.  Nothing spectacular...  Just a lot of work ahead staring back at me!

This area is what was my classroom library.  It's been my library corner for 6 years, but I've decided to change things up!  I'm hoping my new ideas will work out the way I want them to.

And my corner of the classroom...  What a mess!  

Stay tuned for the "after" photos!  I assure you they'll be much better than these!

Classroom Pinspiration

We're not even finished with spring break and I'm already starting to think about next school year!  Yup, I'm already getting a to do list made for things I would like to accomplish and make for next year.  Of course, Pinterest is partially to blame for this!  I thought I'd share a few of my biggest pinspirations and how I'm going to incorporate these ideas into my classroom.

Source: glitzyinfirstgrade.blogspot.com on Pinterest

I love this arrangement with the round table and stools for group work. I have a "teacher table" (U-shaped table) in my classroom, but I think one like this would be great for when the kids are working on their own on group work.

Source: theverybusykindergarten.blogspot.com on Pinterest

I really like the drawers for organizing papers. I have baskets for various things right now, but I like the way the drawers hide some of the clutter. These types of drawers are good space savers as well!

Source: Uploaded by user  on Pinterest

These crates are great for the classroom. I have 6 setup as shelving and storage for my Lakeshore collection and other center activities. I really like this idea for storing group supplies so that the kids have things handy and in one convenient place.

Source: heerenshappenings2.blogspot.com on Pinterest

For several years I've had the lingering thought that I'd like to come up with more free time activities other than "read your AR book." This is a great idea to give the students choices and it allows you as a teacher to change things up or even let the students select what their choices are going to be.

Source: msnoblesclass.webs.com on Pinterest

There's nothing particular that I want to do here, but I just love how organized this classroom looks. It's got a lot going on without being too much... I feel like with my lack of wall space my room can feel very visually cluttered, but at the same time I don't feel like there's much I can do about it.

Are you already planning for next school year?  

What projects are on your to do list for next year?

Math Tools & Storage ~ Part 1

One of my goals for the new year was to work on balancing my blogging and getting back to writing about teaching-related things.  I've kind of been at a loss on what to post about, though.  

To draw inspiration, I've been looking around my classroom at some of the things that I think work and make things run a little smoother on a daily basis.  

One of those things took a few years to develop, but it totally works for my classroom...  

My math storage drawers!

I changed my manipulative organization when we switched to Everyday Math a few years ago.  I knew that since the curriculum spirals I needed to have these tools on hand for the kids all the time.

You can find these drawers at places like Wal-Mart and Target, most frequently during the back to school / dorm shopping season.  I found these at Big Lots for less than $20.  I designated 1 drawer for each table group.  This has 5 drawers and I typically only have 4 groups, so we usually put the extra supplies in the "Group 5" drawer.  (My aunt is a first grade teacher and she bought 4 of these drawer sets and uses them for all of her phonics and reading skill activities!)

Within the drawer we keep math tools that the kids need access to on a daily basis.  It's not all of the manipulatives, but it's enough to get them through most of their daily work.  Inside each drawer you'll find calculators, clocks, unifix cubes, rulers, tape measures, money, Everyday Math cards, and pattern blocks.  (Some items I just have a small set in a plastic baggie and we take out the full set on an as-needed basis.) 

Within the drawers I have some smaller plastic tubs to keep things in a little bit better order.  Those smaller tubs are from the Target dollar section.  We also store the Everyday Math cards in travel soap containers.  My old principal saw that idea somewhere (since the cards are the same size as regular playing cards), so she bought a huge lot of soap dishes on eBay.

What makes this organization work?  It's totally accessible to the kids.  We go through everything at the beginning of the school year and I tell the kids that pretty much except for the calculators, they can grab and use whatever tool they need whenever they need it.  If they're doing independent work I don't even make them ask me first...  They just know to go get it from their group's drawer and where it goes when they are done.  

Check back here on Wednesday for part 2 of my math organization to see how the students store their own tools at their desks!

Happy Monday!

Team Spirit {EMAW!}

It's pretty much no doubt that I love my K-State Wildcats!  I loved going to school there and I'm very proud to be not only a fan, but alumni of the best college ever.  (You can disagree with me on that last statement, but at least hand it to me that we're definitely the best in the Big 12!)  

Source: someecards.com via Sarah on Pinterest

My love for K-State is also pretty apparent in my classroom as well.  I've actually contemplated doing my whole room in a black, white, and purple K-State theme.  (I may very well still do that someday!)  It's a pretty common topic of conversation at our open house at the beginning of the school year and my students are always giving me adorable K-State gifts, both store bought and handmade.

     

Of course there's always a little rivalry around the building (although a majority bleed purple) and there are some that *shakes head* are fans of that other school in Kansas.  Ugh.  Despite that, though, I think showing some team spirit for colleges is a neat way to get kids excited about college and think about going there someday.  It's not just about the sports, but it's about also about becoming a lifelong learner.

I always tell my kids that if they come back to me 10 years later and tell me they're going to be college, no matter where they go I'll be incredibly proud of them.  I'll just be even more thrilled if they tell me they're going to be a K-State Wildcat!

  

And of course, the reason I chose this post for today?  Tonight is the Fiesta Bowl!  

Source: Uploaded by user via cayse on Pinterest

I sooooo wish I could be there for the game, but it wasn't quite in the budget and today was my first day back to school.  (The kids start tomorrow!)  I'm wearing my new Fiesta Bowl shirt, though, and I'll be cheering on my Cats to a victory this evening!

EMAW!!!

Go Wildcats!!!

Classroom Sneak Peek: Table Organization

I promised I'd get some more school related posts on the blog, so here's a little one for ya!  Instead of doing a big post of classroom pics, I thought it would be fun to give you some sneak peeks at various things around my classroom.

Today I wanted to share my new table organization system.  It's something I've thought about for the past few years, but just this year got around to.

The desks in my classroom are grouped into 4 or 5 with one of these little plastic bins in the middle.  My awesome custodians fulfilled my request to get all of my desks raised or lowered to the same height so that the tubs can rest evenly in the middle.

The tubs have 3 sections that I created labels for.  There's a place for hand sanitizer, another for pencils, the largest for dry erase markers and erasers.  (BTW, we're using baby socks as erasers this year and they work like a charm!  Sooooooo much better than the junky erasers that came with the boards.)

This system has worked out really well and has eliminated the need for students to get up all the time for supplies or sanitizer.  I was a little worried at first, but it's been a great storage and organization solution.  

I got these tubs at Michael's and Target.  I wanted different colors (and colors that go with my bright color scheme), so I had to mix and match, but thankfully they're all basically the same style and size.  It took a few trips to the stores to get different colors, but it all worked out!

The tub above is a little different because it's for our "teacher table" where I work with small groups of kids.  This one hold supplies for the students and I to use during work station time.  I try to have it all there so that there's no wasted time getting up and getting supplies during our work time together.

And finally, a peek into my classroom.  I wanted to show the desk setup and how the tubs sit in the middle.  

I'm hoping to get a few more sneak peek posts up in the next few weeks.  Remembering to take my camera to school will definitely help that out!  We're in the middle of conference week, but the kids are off tomorrow and I have a lot of free time due to the fact that I only have 2 conferences scheduled.  Maybe I can fit in some picture taking time! ; )

Sneak Peek Into My Classroom

I haven't take a full tour's worth of pics of my classroom yet, but I did manage to snap a pic before our open house last week!  This is the view from the door as you're walking into the room.  I really like the way my classroom turned out this year and this picture doesn't even show my favorite parts!  Anyway, hopefully one of these days I'll actually remember to take real pictures so that I can do a full blog post "tour."  Until then, this will just have to be your teaser!