Small Victories!

So today is August 1st already! Just 11 days until teachers have to report to work. 18 days until our new babies step into the classroom. Yikes! It always seems like there is never enough time when August comes around so I'm trying to be really ahead (in my world) and finish by next week. Seeing as though we have kindergarten orientation on the 15th that's even less work time before the kids come so I feel really good about starting "early".

I've been into my room three times already. The first time I unstacked all the tables and chairs and did a preliminary arrangement which is sort of similar to my last year's setup. There are some differences but so far I'm sticking with what I've got. The second time, which was yesterday, I put up my bulletin boards and word wall letters as well as made a list of things I needed to do, purchase, create, etc. Today, I did some really tedious tasks but they made me really happy. First I covered this ugly, old bookcase with contact paper from Marshall's. It now looks more presentable and doesn't have exposed splintered edges all over the back! Yay for safety! The second thing I did was scrape the tape and stuff off of ONE SET of closet doors. Man does my right arm hurt from all that work! I thought I'd finish all the closets but I underestimated the time (and pain lol) it took to complete one set so I left the others for another day. The last thing I got done today was AGAIN scraping these stickers off of another bookcase unit. Those stickers had to have been there for more than 5 years so you can only imagine how tough they were to get off! All in all, I felt that today was very successful in my quest for cleanliness and organization this year. Small victories are what I am striving for this year!

Below are some pictures of my classroom so far. I will be back in there next week and I'll be sure to post some more progress pictures. So far so good though. Hope everyone else's classroom and/or plans are coming along well!

Who else walks into a classroom with piles of furniture? Good thing I worked out this summer! :)

Preliminary furniture setup

Back of the room...same as last year.

Beginning of the library. I need some floor cushions or a small comfy chair.

Computer area. I've never had it SO close to the door but I think it'll be fine.

Beginning of my math board. I have some good ideas for this area.

This will be my reading board.

Word wall

Work board probably

Birthday board which will have their pictures on it.

Before picture of bookcase. YUCK!

Another bulletin board in the room.

Lovely covered bookcase (back)

See that one sticker hanging on for dear life? lol

Front of the newly covered bookcase

Tape covered closet doors. Ewww!

Nice and clean doors! 

Starting Anew...

So last year I tried to get this whole blog thing together but it just didn't come together. I am going to give it another try for the new school year. And although the school year just finished up, I feel myself looking forward to the new school year and the new things I'd like to try. It's a gift and a curse that teachers love their job as much as they do. Even when you try to take a mental break you find yourself thinking about what you're going to do differently and what you would like to remain the same. Ugh! lol

Anyway, this coming school year is bringing about tons of changes in my school. I am finally going to try my hand at being the grade level chair which is exciting! I just need to be super organized and show my principal what I can do. I will also be having a new grade level teammate who is Nationally Board Certified. That is going to be a tremendous asset to the kindergarten team so I can't wait to see how we interact. Unfortunately, I am losing a grade level teammate whom I have grown very fond of working with. She is moving to 5th grade! I know she will do great but it will be different not having her next door to collaborate, complain, etc. etc. 

Additionally, it seems that there are so many new initiatives and directives coming down the pipeline. Everything from full Common Core to Writers Fundamentals to Co-teaching. All of this at once (or so it seems) makes my head spin. But I am looking forward to meeting each challenge head on and continuing to improve my craft. This will be my fifth year teaching already!! Wow, time flies! 

In preparation for the new school year I attended a school level training on Co-teaching a couple of weeks ago and am currently attending a district training on Writer's Fundamentals which lasts for two full days. Thankfully, it is a paid training but it also gets my mind working on things I might otherwise not think of. Okay, enough for now. I hope to write some about both of those trainings soon. Just put some thoughts and feelings down while it is still fresh. 

Until then,

Norma :)