Organizing STUFF...

Okay so one of my biggest problems as a teacher is where to put all the stuff: supplies that are being used, extra supplies, manipulatives, center stuff, and I could go on and on. I think this is a problem most teachers have. One advantage I have over some is that I can not stand clutter, so if I don't use it or have not used it recently it's not in my room. Here are just a few ways I organize stuff! 

My favorite purchase ever is the 9 cube organizing shelf. Please ignore the two shelves to the left and the right, it is my classroom library. I am still in the middle of swapping over my theme. (to the left was my theme if you are wondering exactly which colors I used). I use these to store all extra supplies that I receive from the students, as well as any extra I may buy when things go on sale. For example, I put extra pencils, extra crayons, extra colored pencils, glue bottles (we don't use them often, I prefer glue sticks), rulers, headphones (for listening centers), highlighters, and so on. Keep an eye out at Target for both the shelf and storage cubes to go on sale. The shelf is worth the money, it does not budge, as compared to other 3 to 5 shelf systems. 

Now of course I have to label them, so here is what I do. I use the plastic name tag holders and clips! Easy enough. You can make your own name tag to place inside or just use the sticker names tags, label, and slide them right in!

You can get these as Office Depot or even Wal Mart, they come vertical and horizontal

Attach these to the badges, and clip them on the handles

The sticker name tag labels I used in my room.

Okay my next favorite piece of organizational item is my picnic utensil caddy! I love these. I have used them two ways: one put them in the middle or on a middle desk of a group, or place them on a shelf near a group. Using these really cuts down on the students have to dig in their desks or get up and go to a location that you keep supplies in. I use to have a teacher assistant pass out supplies as I needed them, but that also go to hectic and took forever. I have the students store their scissors, glue sticks, hand sanitizer (one bottle for each group, I am a germ-a-phobic), and anything else we use on a regular basis. If you want to use these in your room, you better jump on it! They are considered seasonal. I found mine at Hobby Lobby and plan to add some ribbon around the edges. Target does have some metal ones, but they are limited in supply and color...and are on sale right now! You can also find plastic ones that are similar, but those are usually for the bathroom (college dorms) and don't have the right amount of space for supplies.

again please ignore the pic, just wanted you to get the idea

The plastic ones tend to take up more space than I prefer

Keep an eye out for more to come!

Color Theme Ideas

I have collected a few pictures and such to help some of you determine or come up with a theme for your own classroom. I hope this helps. I am working on writing a classroom management post, because believe it or not that first day of school is just around the corner and getting a management plan together does take some work. So keep an eye out for that post! Enjoy the pictures:

Same colors I used, just lighter

Love this idea, just not sure what or where I would use it. Some may have a writing center, but I also love the colors

I am struggling with this one, it looks nice but I am not sure if the polka dots would get too busy

http://www.clutterfreeclassroom.com/campingtheme

I LOVE THIS!!! This website also offers other themes...if I am not mistaken.

Getting Started (Continued)

Okay so I know my three followers are just dying to know what colors I picked for my classroom! (one of which is my own sister, who cares nothing about classrooms) Here you go!

Well my first few years of teaching, before I completely became the organized freak that I am now, I had chosen primary colors. Everything was still new to me, I didn't know what I would have to have on my bulletin boards, I was still "testing" my behavior plan, and so on. I found that it was still too busy for me, three colors that is. 

So I went with lime green and navy blue. I loved it! That was until I decided to accent with a frog here or there. Well there is one thing you will find out, it is that if you have ANY sort of theme in your classroom be prepared for themed gifts GALORE!!! My students would always ask, "do you like frogs or something?". I had to explain that while I did like frogs (but don't decorate with frogs in my own house), I started out with only one or two frog accents, and over the years it grew and grew and grew! I didn't mind the gifts and some of them I adored, but after 7yrs of frogs I was done. I packed up all the frog stuff: accents, borders, stuffed animals, trash can, frames, and such into two large boxes and put them in storage. 

TIP: When you do choose your accent try to stick with one to two types of that accent, don't go buy EVERY frog thing you see. 

I thought these were adorable, but keep in mind they have A TON of colors in them

Maybe use this one instead, because it has your colors blue and green

Drum Roll Please....This year I decided to go with black and red (accent white), with polka dots here and there. Now I will probably use some ladybug accents and brace myself for the theme to begin, but maybe I will enjoy it as long as I did the frogs. 

When starting to decorate my room I always start with my classroom bulletin board. I think because they are such a main feature of my room (due to the fact that I don't like clutter so my walls are not completely covered...and furniture covers most of them anyway...a post I will expand on later). Huge tip...INVEST in fabric!!! Mine lasted over 4yrs. Decide how many boards/sections you will make first, then purchase fabric and border. I shopped the fabric first and made sure to do two solids (black and red) and two print (polka dot). I stuck with only white dots, tried not to over stimulate myself with red fabric and black dots...and so on. Then took my fabric with me and purchased border. I made sure to buy, once again, two solids and two prints. This is how it turned out, so far!

So Excited...

Yep, I am that excited. Thanks to a little insomnia and google help, I FINALLY figured out how to get rid of the pesky borders that showed up around all my pictures and clipart. Yes I am slightly anal about things, but I'm okay with that.  So I thought I would share, now this is what worked for me can't guarantee it will work for everyone. 


First: once signed into your blog, you should be at your dashboard. Click design (in your manage blogs square)


Next: in the top left, click on Edit HTML


Then: your HTML code will appear...yeah it's Greek to me too! Under the header Edit Template check the box next to expand widget templates (this won't change much to the HTML illiterate eye, like mine but it helps)


Now: you have to search for a particular word, instead of scrolling through the massive code just click CTL-F (this will allow a little find box to appear on the bottom of your screen)


Next: in the find box type   moz  Then click highlight all

It should highlight every moz word in your HTML, if it doesn't...well sorry I don't know how to help you. If you scroll through and find them you need to delete the entire entry or even entries, it will look something like this:

-moz-box-shadow: 0 0 0 rgba(0, 0, 0, .1);
-webkit-box-shadow: 0 0 0 rgba(0, 0, 0, .1);
box-shadow: 0 0 0 rgba(0, 0, 0, .1);
}

Once that is done, preview your page before you save...the borders should be gone...if not make sure you found ALL the moz codes (I had two). Then save! 

Hope this helps! Now to drink caffeine.

Getting Started...

Okay so I am going to start a new page on my blog...Classroom Corner. Hopefully I can give the teachers out there some ideas and help when it comes to setting up their classroom, as well as maintaining and organizing it! Once I get back into my classroom I will post pics of my room as well as others (as long as I have permission) that have great ideas. I think one of the biggest parts of teaching is SHARING! If you see something you like, or know me and know of something you want just message me or comment and ask. I am so fortunate to work with a school and team that share, I know from experience and word of mouth not all schools or teams are like that. 

First things first...if you are a new teacher this is easier for you because you have a blank slate, for veteran teachers this may be a little more difficult. When thinking of your classroom first come up with a theme, this ties everything together and can really help with organization believe it or not. Now when I say theme I don't mean cats, dogs, and goodness me frogs (I say that because I ended up with a frog theme for over 7yrs). I mean a color theme. This is easier than picking an animal or something, because you will have more options later. To help decide I like to look at teacher supply magazines, walk around in a teacher supply store (don't buy...I know it's tempting), and visit other classrooms. If you are a veteran teacher look around your current room and see what colors you tend to go toward the most. After you have decided on your colors begin looking at A FEW patterns or "themes" (now I mean frogs, bees, cats, etc.) that go with your colors such as zebra print, polka-dots...but don't go crazy and don't go too trendy (once the trend is over you will never find that stuff again)! Think accent ONLY!!!! This is were browsing comes into play. 

DON'T go trendy (it will eventually become difficult to find things to help you build your decor), Stick with 2-3 colors any more and it becomes overwhelming. 

LOVE these colors together, but it would be very hard to match the green

Color ideas: Blue/Green, Red/Black, Blue/Red/Green, Black and pretty much any color, Pink/Green, Red/White/Blue. If you want to pick a pattern such as Zebra (make it black and white) and add an accent solid color: pink, red, blue. 

Think this...so your color palate is red, white, and black

NOT this!!!!!

Things to keep in mind: Will I be able to find enough items of these colors to continue to decorate my classroom? Are these colors easy to match (such as a particular red shade)? You will have both boys and girls in your class, so try to stay neutral. 

Again, love these colors but a little girly

Land of the Free, Home of the Brave

As you BBQ, hang out with friends, enjoy your family, and watch the fireworks...take time to remember why we celebrate. I am not fancy with the words but nothing can express my pride and gratitude to my numerous friends who have served and currently serve our country.

Some of you may know but I come from a wonderful family of military members. I think of them everyday and am grateful to have such strong, selfless people in my life. Thank you to my brother, nephew, husband, and sister. 

Especially thinking of my sister as she is currently deployed overseas...only 2 more months! Love you and miss you!

I know this poem's history is not much related to the 4th of July, but its message is a strong one!

In Flanders fields the poppies blow
      Between the crosses, row on row,
   That mark our place; and in the sky
   The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
   Loved and were loved, and now we lie,
         In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
   The torch; be yours to hold it high.
   If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
         In Flanders fields.

By: John McCrae

Auction Madness...

Okay just participated in my first Smockadot FB auction, and the rush is unreal...trying to comment first, making sure you type in the right email address...It's CRAZY! So I guess I will see if I won anything later tonight or tomorrow. Check out their FB page if you are interested, really cute stuff! Click on the picture below: 

http://www.facebook.com/Smockadot