I wish I were in a before and after kind of place. I’m going to be exhausted after all this ‘vacation time’.
Today, as I mentioned in my last post, I was determined that my class wouldn’t look like a bomb went off. It was a productive day and the shrapnel has been cleaned up. (OK so I know nothing about bombs and I’m not sure if shrapnel is the right word, but you get the idea.)
I booked my husband for two days of help and today was day two. The best part was he finished all my bulletin board borders. With that, and the chaos more under control, I feel soooo much better.
I’ll give you a full tour when AFTER comes, but for now, you just get a bit of BEFORE and DURING.
Before:
During:
It would be better if I had taken it from the same angle, but the important part is that the desks are clear.
I still have a few piles around the room to deal with (like those dictionaries on the left) but I’m getting there. It took me a week to be able to put all of that away because I was making sure I organized my closets while I put things away. I will know where everything is. I can’t wait until all my labeling is done and I can show you.
Here are a few highlights of today:
I was staring at my desk, thinking about how I end up with my plan book in the middle of it all the time and I never do work there. My new room doesn’t have a kidney table and the table it does have is too low to work at without killing my back, so I need to be better about having work space on my desk. Then I had this idea:
It’s funny how happy the little things can make me. I’ve had that black thing for files for years. Why didn’t I think of this before?
By the way, I think everyone’s drawers look adorable with the scrap paper, but I’m a practical girl. I want to be able to see what is in there. That’s why I love see through organizational things. (I did get my husband to spray paint it with left over filing cabinet paint though.)
Speaking of things that make me happy! We have 3 5th grade classes and we name the groups of students after a college. My homeroom students have the pleasure of being named after the University of California Santa Cruz, my alma mater. Our mascot is the banana slug.
I should pause here. Yes. The banana slug. We had them all over campus. Here is a real one:
I put a little banana slug on the ledge of my white board. I also broke out my favorite new toy and made some repositional stickers like the one below. I had fun adding banana slugs throughout my room.
Heather says
Your room is looking good! I have never heard of a bananna slug. We have the regular old grey ones.
Heather
I'm having a giveaway! I'd love for you to enter:)
The Busy Busy Hive
Mercedes Hutchens says
Thanks. My students probably haven't heard of them either. They are only in redwood forests.
Stacy says
Can't wait to see more! I'm your newest follower and a new blogger also. Hope you will stop by and check out my blog sometime
Stacy
Leading and Reading
Mercedes Hutchens says
Thanks for following!
Megan says
Hello Mercedes! Just found your blog through the Fabulous Find Blog Hop! I felt like I was either having an "aha!" moment or a "duh!" moment when I saw the picture of the black plastic file holder that you now are using for your planbook/clipboard! I have one of these as well and was about to throw it out because I hate how messy papers look when I keep them in there, but now I plant to use it for MY clipboard/teacher binder/ gradebook! Thanks for the idea, I will be stopping back to see the finished product of your room. I am new to the blog world and would love if you stopped by and linked up with my blog as well! 🙂
Happy new (school) year!
Megan
teacher-wife.blogspot.com
Mercedes Hutchens says
I've had that thing for years. I have no idea why it took me so long to think of that. 🙂
luckeyfrog says
Okay, I think I might need one of those black file things. Genius!! I love all the blues in your room- my room is almost all blues and greens!
Thanks for stopping by my blog! I'm a new follower!
Jenny
Mercedes Hutchens says
Thanks! My plan was blue, greenish, and purple but I didn't get to the purple.