Sneak Peek!Sometime before Christmas
Here's a collection of images, ideas, layouts, floor plans, designs, and other fun stuff that have gotten the creative juices flowing. I shared some of the images with my students and here's what they are most excited about: 1. Chairs with cushions - I know this has become redundant, but, in my space, this is really all they care about getting. 2. The standing height tables in the back of the classroom. 3. The potential to have a "fun" area at the front. I've had a revelation during the incubation process. I told my students that I would be willing to give up my teacher space so that we could have a small group/collaborative/"private" area in the room to conference, discuss, or talk in small areas. My students were concerned that I wouldn't have any space to sit or work. I told them that it wasn't fair for me to have a nicer area than they do. If the seats aren't good enough for me to sit on, then they aren't good enough. I should be able to work anywhere in the room, no matter if it's a student space or not. I shared this with my kids, and I think they appreciated what I was saying. Then, they looked at my stuff and their own empathy kicked in. They know I need somewhere to put everything, but then they also told me that I also deserve somewhere nice to sit and work because I put in so many hours at school. Sometimes, those guys melt my heart! |
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Draft 2!
This is really happening!
January 13th
I saw a final mock-up of my classroom. I felt like I had a moment of panic (one of several during this process) where I questioned everything. I know I am not alone in this. I know all of us are staring into the great unknown and having a moment where we feel like the ground is shifting beneath us, and will soon open up and swallow us whole. I think this will be my Wonderland experience: some bitter, some sweet, but all wonderful. As much as I want to post some teaser pics, I am going to hold off until the big reveal. Between now and then, I am going to start working! There's a lot to get done between now and then!
I saw a final mock-up of my classroom. I felt like I had a moment of panic (one of several during this process) where I questioned everything. I know I am not alone in this. I know all of us are staring into the great unknown and having a moment where we feel like the ground is shifting beneath us, and will soon open up and swallow us whole. I think this will be my Wonderland experience: some bitter, some sweet, but all wonderful. As much as I want to post some teaser pics, I am going to hold off until the big reveal. Between now and then, I am going to start working! There's a lot to get done between now and then!
Okay, I changed my mind...
January 17th
This is not about quitting, I promise! I hadn't planned on putting up any spoiler pictures, then I remembered that Rachel asked us to post pictures of any changes that have occurred in our rooms over Christmas Break, and I realized I need to show some progress pictures... I mean, what fun is the makeover if you don't get to see the progress along the way. So, pictures on the right are color schemes, and updates to the room. Before anyone gets the idea that I let my two-year-old pick all the colors, there's something you should understand about me: I LOVE COLOR! I know you won't think that looking at the grey on my walls, but I thought that it would tame my desire to just choose every color known to man for my classroom. I won't give away where you may see these colors in the room, but here they are nonetheless! The other picture are the updates to the woodwork and back wall. I can't believe how a simple paint job makes my room feel like a totally different place! The kids thought that I got brand new casework, that's pretty amazing! Putting in the work... |
January 25th
I'm letting Colin Powell's words inspire me right now and I'm putting in the hard work right now. Below is a picture of my assignment. I think this is one of the most valuable activities I've done since I started teaching. It's an Opportunity Map, and it's designed to get us thinking about our daily routines/activities in class. I'm grateful for the opportunity to sit and think about what I do, what works, what doesn't work, and how to prepare for the next phase. As a teacher, I think I am constantly reflecting, but there's something about focusing on the important aspects of my day-to-day routines, which are so ingrained at this point that I don't pay much attention to them anyway, that makes this activity so powerful. The minutiae does not get lost in the grand scheme of things. I'll update soon about how I like this process... So far so good! |