Although I made it into my classroom 3 days this week, I was only there for a few hours each time. I can't say I got a ton of stuff done, but every little thing I did this week is something I WON'T have to do next week when we go into 10-hours-a-day mode.
Rosie hangs out in the hallway while Loyal Niece Maddy works on the hallway bulletin board.
We hung the curtains. They help to soften our view, which is mostly of the gravel-covered flat roof top of a lower level of the building. Ug-leeeee.
And on Friday...
I did some priming and painting.
I even used a power tool! It looks like I'm just posing and not really doing anything, but appearences are deceiving. I removed the doors to some shelving that I decided would be better as open shelves filled with student supplies. It's a good thing my friend Julie was there to help me, though. I lack certain foundational power tool skills.
Jules did the same thing in her classroom. Shhh. Don't tell our principal that we took such liberties with school property. We'll put those doors back on at the end of the year! If we can find the screws!
What will go on this bulletin board? Probably my word wall. In my school district, kids are expected to leave Kindergarten knowing how to read and write 25 basic sight words. In first grade, we need to teach 125 additional words. Those numbers may be different (higher) this year. I haven't checked the curriculum changes that have been handed down from on high.
It was fun having Rosie in the classroom with me. She was a good girl, very chill, but slightly...
...just a little bit...
...distracting.
Next week: Meetings galore, and more classroom prep.
I loved Rosie, watching Maddy, but carefully positioned mid-hall, in front of the doorway, so that She Would Not Miss ANYTHING!!! A canine strategy not unlike Hans and Nick use here in the mid-west: sitting or lying on the seventh of fifteen steps guarantees omnipotence.
Posted by: Karenth | August 19, 2011 at 06:44 PM
And look at those spotless unscuffed floors! Good job! You are really working hard, you deserve a break now.
Posted by: Pam L | August 19, 2011 at 06:44 PM
You got a LOT more done than I did and it's so much prettier. You can tell that I'm a mere high school teacher. (no talent with bulletin boards although I put up lots of posters)
Posted by: Margaret | August 19, 2011 at 09:07 PM
Rosie and Maddy are great helpers. It all looks so organized if I may say so. I hope that you get only nice, smart well behaved muffins this year. I would have one closet locked at all times while talking in a mysterious voice about kids that tattled and were mean last year. It will help set the tone. perhaps that is why I do not teach ...
Posted by: the bee | August 19, 2011 at 11:26 PM
I love the curtains and I love the little purple table! I got a little startle seeing the hall ("OMG THATS'S OUR ELEMENTARY SCHOOL!!") before realizing that no, it's just that most elementary schools have the same look.
Posted by: Swistle | August 20, 2011 at 05:41 AM
To The Bee:
Your comment is a definite clue to the fact that YOU may have missed your calling. Is it too late?
At the very least, you could publish a book of such suggestions on classroom management, self-preservation, parent-teacher relations, lesson plans for dummies(not the kids!). Or audio suggestions and coaching for teachers - MP3 w/ear buds for teachers who need a little voice in their head to get through the day. Maybe?
Posted by: Karenth | August 20, 2011 at 10:31 AM
I second the motion. Get busy, Bee.
Posted by: Miz S | August 20, 2011 at 10:39 AM
Oh, what fun! I should show these photos to my daughter who one day soon (after more school and more college loans) hopes to be just like you! :)
Posted by: Belle | August 20, 2011 at 06:29 PM
Tape the screws to the doors you took off and they will be there at the end of the year.
You look quite at home with that power tool.
Posted by: FC | August 20, 2011 at 10:09 PM
I'm getting a real education (ha!) about everything involved in getting ready for the new school year.
Love those curtains. Nice touch. And so great that your niece is helping out. And Rosie--what a sweetie!
I love that photo of you with the drill. But, what's with the flannel shirt? It's still August up your way, isn't it? Must be school air conditioning.
Posted by: Anne | August 21, 2011 at 06:14 PM
Any chance you could planters on the roof outside your windows? With some nice trees in them? Is it inaccessible? Good job tackling the classroom...I'm still in denial. (But I don't have to go back for another month...)
Posted by: Lorraine | August 21, 2011 at 08:32 PM
Your room is SO much better than mine. Mine is still very, very overwhelmingly out of control. It's sloooooooooooowly getting better and yet time won't stand still . . . the kids WILL show up on Tuesday morning. Sigh.
Posted by: Liza Lee Miller | August 21, 2011 at 11:58 PM
It is a happy room. GREAT colors
Posted by: Margaret | August 23, 2011 at 12:33 PM
Hey! I came here to read about the earthquake. Get cracking. All we have to talk about is hurricanes. Oh, wait, we sent Irene to you. How are you?
Posted by: Cathy S. | August 24, 2011 at 08:24 PM
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Posted by: wrehibra | April 13, 2012 at 03:52 AM