Clutter Free Challenge Week 2: It's in the bag!

http://clutterfreeclassroom.blogspot.com/2012/01/clutter-free-classroom-project-week-2.html

My little sister and I took JoAnn Fabric's offer of 20% off the entire store on Saturday. 

We went and bought the fabric below. I love, love, love polka dots! This will go around my round table once I replace my desk.

 

This is the ribbon to go around the top of the fabric on the round table.  I'm hoping I can call in a favor with one of my friends who knows how to sow!  So, that fabric and trim on the table below.

I also picked up these nifty plastic snap lock containers instead of using the baby food jars (see below).  I figured the less glass I have in my classroom, the better.  Plus, they're a little bigger (bonus!).  I'll still use the ribbon and magnets, though. 

Then, I walked next door to Big Lots and picked up these lovelies.  The containers were only $1 a piece, and the mini organizer was less than $10.  Yes, please!

Then I saw this cute crafting bag for $2.  Perfect for hauling my new finds into work tomorrow!  Yep, it's in the bag!



Winter Poetry Unit

Part of this unit was inspired by Becky at Dots-n-Spots (the haiku part).  Check out her post on this at http://www.dots-n-spots.com/?p=718.

If you'd like to pick up a FREE copy, go to my TPT store:
http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Winter-Poetry-Unit

Nominations, but Not for President!

Awww.  I was nominated for the Versatile Blogger Award by Scipi at Go Figure!

http://gofigurewithscipi.blogspot.com/

It certainly is flattering to be called versatile since the people I admire the most are also the most versatile.  You know, the teachers that wear so many different hats (educator, significant other, philanthropist, volunteer, crafter, exercise guru).  I'm nowhere near that versatile outside of work, but I sure do love hanging out with people who are!  They inspire me to try new things or keep up good habits. 

Speaking of versatile, you should check out Scipi's blog.  What a great teacher!

Now, on to the serious stuff.  Here are the Versatile Blog Award rules:

A. Thank the person who presented the award to you and link back to them.
B. Tell seven things about yourself. Hmmm.  This may be harder than I thought, but here goes:

1.  I worked in an ICU as an Administrative Associate (AA) for almost eight years before I got my teaching degree.  This may be where I became obsessive with organization.

2.  While going to college, I usually had two or three jobs at a time.  In addition to the AA job, I also worked as a babysitter, Sylvan lead teacher and private tutor.  Whew!  That makes me tired just thinking back on it and it was only four years ago!

3.  I have a wonderful boyfriend of 3 1/2 years. 

4.  We just bought our first house together in March of 2011.

5.  I despised (with a capital D) math class when I was a kid, but I love teaching it now.  Funny how time and something other than drill and practice will change a person, isn't it?

6.  I have been part of the Big Brothers Big Sisters (BBBS) program since 2001. 

7.  I have a "little" sister through BBBS who is now 16.  We've been matched for eight years!  Oh my, it's bitter sweet to think of how the time has flown by!

Now, I am to pass the award on to 15 newly discovered blogs and let them know they have received this award.  Since I'm new to the blogging world, many of these blogs aren't new (just new to me).

• http://literacymathideas.blogspot.com/
• http://teacherpark.blogspot.com/
• http://www.thesciencepenguin.com/
• http://teachinginroom6.blogspot.com/
• http://teachingmycalling.blogspot.com/
• http://www.simplycenters.com/
• http://takinggrades.blogspot.com/
• http://messyjofu.blogspot.com/
• http://4theloveofteaching.blogspot.com/
• http://asurvivalguidetomiddleschool.blogspot.com/
• http://fabulous-fourth.blogspot.com/
• http://sciencegal-virginiastudiesgal.blogspot.com/
• http://mrsnthebookbug.blogspot.com/
• http://charmedinthirdgrade.blogspot.com/
• http://classroommagic.blogspot.com/

Why don't you check them out, and if you like what you see become a follower?

My Classroom "Before" Pictures

http://clutterfreeclassroom.blogspot.com/

Target #1: My Teacher Desk Area

This is the view behind my desk.  I'm not sure I if I need to keep everything here.  I really don't like all the materials up top.  I have the high interest school library books, award baskets (yes, two) and beanie babies up there.  The beanies are part of a reward system.

This is the complete view of my desk and the materials behind it.  Kind of blah, isn't it? 

The top of my desk.  This is about the average amount of clutter for me.  Soooo.... I'm thinking of switching my round small group table and teacher desk.

This is the round table.  Can I put this in my desk area and my desk here?  Here's a Pinterest pic of what I envision the round table to look like if I swapped it for my desk.

I would dress up the sides of the desk with writing center posters and turn it into the writing center for the students.

Here's what I need to do with all the office supplies to make this happen:

For daily lesson plans and materials:

For the miscellaneous office supplies (pens, pencils, rubber bands), I have a large magnetic chalkboard in that area and a desire to do some crafts:

Whew!  I can tell this is going to take some time!  I hope I'm not biting off more than I can chew.  I'm trying to stay realistic.



Top Reasons I Want to Get Organized

As I mentioned in my last post, The Clutter Free Classroom is having a "Get Organized Challenge" and I'm on board!  One of the things asked was "Why do you want to get organized?"  Well, I "borrowed" her thought board and added some reasons of my own below.

1.  More time on task (both for me and my students).  If everything's in its right place and clearly labeled, all of us will spend less time "looking" and more time "doing."  Which leads me to my second reason.

2.  Find things quickly.  See reason #1.

3.  Student self-efficacy.  This also ties into "find things quickly."  If students know where to look, they will do so more often on their own.

#4, #5, #6:  "Create a calming space" leads to "less stress" leads to "more time to relax."

I'm serious about this, and I have it scheduled to start taking and sharing my "before" pics tomorrow. 

I would love any and all suggestions you have for me once you see the pics!

Spelling City Giveaway

http://teachingmycalling.blogspot.com/

Cara is offering a FREE year's membership to Spelling City!

You can enter by leaving a comment for each of the following on her blog. Each comment will count as one entry, so make sure you make separate posts. Please include your email address, so she can contact you if you win. The contest will end on Monday, January 9, 2012, at 5:00 PM CST.

Leave a comment of why you love VocabularySpellingCity.

Follow her blog (or tell her you are a current follower) using the Join This Site button on the left.

Grab her button to display on your blog. Please leave the link to your blog in your comment. (I'm sure others will want to follow you!)

Like her blog on Facebook, or tell her that you already do. Please leave your Facebook name if it is different than your post name.

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Follow VocabularySpellingCity on Twitter, or tell her you already do. Please leave your Twitter handle in your comment.

Spread the word about this giveaway. You can create a post on your blog, send a Tweet, create a Facebook post, etc. Paste the link into your comment.

Wow! Eight ways to enter! Remember, each entry will count as one chance, so leave separate posts.

Clutter Free Classroom Link Up

The next several posts will probably be dedicated to this:

If you haven't read about this, be sure to go to http://www.clutterfreeclassroom.blogspot.com/.

Here are the questions I will be thinking about as I begin snapping "before" pics of my classroom.

1. What were your thoughts when you took your before pictures?

• I have been wanting to get rid of my desk for a loooong time.  Can I repurpose it as a writing center instead?
• Can I finally use some of those great Pinterest ideas I've been saving?

 2. Was your "current state of affairs" better or worse than you thought.

Honestly, it was about what I thougt it would be.  It needs some work, but it's not awful.

3. What are you most excited about tackling?

Probably the desk/small group/teacher material area.

OOOOOH, my mind is turning with all these ideas!