Love to my Momma!

I just had to take a picture of this and share it with all of you! (Sorry, my picture of the picture isn't that great...) I found this picture of my mom and I several years ago, and I framed it for my classroom. Then I found this cute quote from Emily Buchwald that was perfect! It says, “Children are made readers on the laps of their parents.” My mom taught Preschool forever and she has taught me sooooo much about being a teacher. Although, somehow, her early childhood training has been thwarted by her grandchildren, who can pretty much do no wrong…

The kids enjoy seeing me when I was little, and I tell them that I have been reading forever…Since the picture is in black and white, I think they really do think I’m about 100 years old! Happy Friday!

Book Jacket Junkie!

I heart book jackets. I do. I hate throwing them away, but leaving them on the books just doesn't work with little first grade hands. They're like works of art, but what to do with them? I've been collecting them forever, and a few years ago I decided to decorate with them. Behold- my book jacket wall!

From the ceiling...

 and the bottom...

I was super-sad at the end of last year when they said we had to take EVERYTHING off our walls so they could clean them. It takes awhile to get the jackets exactly where you want them and it's not exactly a quick and easy job. I decided that I wouldn't do it again if I was going to have to take them down because of the time involved, but then I decided to take a picture of them before I took them down. I just came up to school and stapled them (using my picture as a guide) and it took no time at all!

Cheap and easy decorating...Well, you buy the books, but I would do that anyway...

I read a question somewhere (probably the 2sisters website) about classroom design. It asked, "If a stranger walked into your room, could he/she tell what you value?"

I hope it's clear! :)

There’s a method to the madness…

Yikes! Each year, my classroom tables always look like this. Some teachers can come up for three hours the day before back to school night and it looks picture perfect. Um, not me. I usually start going up in July, just a few hours here and there. I load everything on the tables and then move junk materials around and around to other tables until everything is put in the right spot. Just thought you’d like a glimpse into the madness… Are you a neat un-packer or crazy like me?

Target Vinyl Wall Decals

Yesterday I was alone at Target. Alone. I may or may not have stayed for 2 hours. It’s not really relevant. Anyway, I was strolling through the aisles (did I mention my kids weren’t with me?) and I ended up on the hardware aisle, with Goo Gone, drawer pulls, and painter’s tape (which they now make in zebra print, if you ever need some- you’re welcome). I came across these pretties:

Hungry Caterpillar and Brown Bear vinyl wall decals

Dr. Seuss decals

How fun! I have the Seuss bulletin board set, but the decals would probably work on our red cabinets. I switched to Dr. Seuss décor last year, and I can’t really justify changing just yet, so I may have to add these to my wishlist! Any new Target finds I need to know about?

Classroom design

The more I read the greats, (Daily CAFE, Teaching With Intention, Pinterest) it has become clear to me that my classroom design needs some tweaking. I've always had the four standard rectangle tables, one kidney table (that doubled as my teacher hovel desk, and then all sorts of other furniture treasures I've acquired along the way. At the end of last year, my principal asked me lots of questions (she could tell I wasn't thrilled with my room arrangement) and encouraged me to think outside the first grade box and work on an arrangement that suited my personality and teaching style. I do lots and lots of one-on-one conferencing, a tiny bit of small group instruction, and whole-group mini-lessons. 

There are not a lot of times when every kiddo in my room needs to sit at a table at the same time, so I'm really thinking of following the advice of the 2 Sisters and getting rid of some furniture. I'm a little nervous about it, but when you are in a room of 22 little ones, you really need an open space that flows well. What are your thoughts on seating?