Smart Classroom Library Transformations

I so love that my classroom is large enough to have a small library in the corner.  I think a HUGE part of encouraging kids to read is to "sell" it.  What sells is better than a comfy couch that is also attractive?
   Last year when I arrived in my new classroom I was so happy that some generous person had donated a couch for our reading corner.  It looked like this.

Last year I found four  2 dollar fleece blankets at Wal-Mart to cover it for my Zebra Theme.

 The kids loved it.

For my nautical theme this year, I wasn't sure what to do with the couch.  I didn't want to spend a lot of money, but yet a Zebra Couch in a Nautical Theme classroom was NOT going to work.

Then last week at Target a shower curtain caught my eye.  It was even on sale!  Perfect!  I had some navy fleece at home left over from a project and  in just a few minutes--Zebra gone-hello Nautical.

While vacationing in Cincinnati I found a clearance sale pillow at IKEA!  Also, while on vacation, I found an end of the season sale on a red Adirondack chair at Kroger.  We squeezed it in the van and now it sits perfectly in the classroom library!

So, for less than $30 dollars the library has a fun new nautical look!

Where have you found some classroom library treasures?

Amy

The Teacher Next Door Makes Life Interesting

Yes, it's me.  I'm that teacher next door.  I am that person that might go out early on a cold February morning to get the newspaper in some crazy dress-up week outfit.  You might see me return from the public library with a huge crate of kids books. You might even see me drive to school in my pajamas or a Laura Ingalls Wilder dress.  I am the neighbor who returns back home many mornings just a few minutes after leaving for school because I forgot  some needed supply such as the cabbage juice for a science experiment. Well, last night, I was that teacher out in my backyard spray painting  my teacher stool.

 Do you ever wonder what the neighbors think about your "teacher mannerisms"?

Last night was perfect painting weather so I took the time to redesign my teacher stool.  My teacher stool has been with me for about 20 years.  I think is was a Target purchase for $9.99.  For many years it was basic black with blond wooden legs. And then-- tragedy struck--the black vinyl seat ripped!!! Not wanting to part with my stool I recovered my stool with Duct Tape.  This "reducting" is now a yearly event as I design my stool to match my classroom theme.

In 2012 my stool was the "Zebra Stool."

 Last year it was transformed into "Polka Dot Perch."

Since this "Polka Dot Perch" would greatly clash with this year's Nautical Theme, I was outside into the dark evening painting and "ducting." 

2014 brings . . . The Captain's Chair!

I am sure that my neighbors are wondering about my new house decor.  Perhaps, they think that I am being a little over patriotic.  Or they have just gotten used to the strange things that occur--with the teacher next door.

Have your teacher projects ever caused curiosity in your neighborhood?

Amy

Smart Reading Rotation Boards

Ahoy Mateys!  Time to decorate the classroom! 

This year will be my 29th year of teaching and I am still amazed at how long it takes to decorate the classroom for a new year!  Yesterday, I journeyed to Michael's and JoAnn Crafts to be inspired. Michael's slogan is "Where Creativity Happens" so let's see if that is true!

 I purchased a few items that were on sale-red burlap, netting border, and some twine-- not exactly knowing how I was going to put everything together.

Today, I spent 7 hours at school trying to put it all together!  The result is my new:

 Reading Workshop Rotation Board 

Reading Rotation Board by  Amy's Smart Designs

My Reading changes so much during the year, depending on the needs of the students and the genre we are studying,  so I wanted a board that I could change quickly.  I pinned the stations on for a quick change if I decide on new station topics or  when I have a couple weeks of literature circle groups. Then I can pin the book title up.

Station pinned on for a quick change

Since my classroom theme is nautical  this year, I couldn't pass up this twine I found at Michael's.  I bought it for my students' reading bins, but I had enough left to use for this project too.

The boats can be easily rotated by hanging them on the paperclip hook.

Boat tags available in my store--Tons of Tags-Just click

Do you have a rotation board for reading?  What changes are you implementing this year?

Amy

Smartly Organizing your Students for Success

One of the elements that surprised me most when I entered teaching many years ago was how much time had to be spent on teaching kids to be organized!  I grew up in a home where my mother was an amazing organizer.  I am still in awe at how she managed and organized our household of five children!

 Many students come to school either lacking organizational skills because they haven't been exposed to such an environment,  a parent tends to do "too much" for them, or the student just doesn't make organizing a priority.

To help organize a student's day many teachers put up a schedule or schedule cards.  Today, I was lucky enough to spend time in my classroom (all cleaned, floors waxed!) and I mainly worked on setting up my schedule board.

My calendar dates head my schedule board.  Since its my sister's birthday today I hung up the birthday cupcake above the number, snapped a picture and sent it to her. (She texted back that teachers shouldn't be at school in July and that I should go home and celebrate her birthday--she's a teacher too--who practically lives at school!)

My schedule cards stick with magnets to my whiteboard. After laminating and cutting them out I discovered I was missing my Social Studies/Science page--guess I need to get organized!  So I will need to reprint or search for them.

Each morning I write the students' assignments on the whiteboard after each schedule card.  When they arrive at school they copy down the assignments in their assignment notebooks.  Sometimes the assignments may change depending on how the day goes, but at least the students have a good start to organizing their day when they arrive in the morning. I check their assignment books once before lunch and at the end of the day to make sure they are completing this important organizational task.

My nautical theme schedule cards and calendar are available at my  TpT store.

What new things are you doing to help organize your students this year?

Amy

Smart and Meaningful Home Office Finishing Touches

In June my home office went from this . . .

1990's wallpaper and blah beige

to this  . . . . . . .

calm 2014 "Ocean Kiss"

Mission Possible: Keep my office uncluttered and calm as an ocean.  I have worked hard to keep it that way despite the growing amount of projects that I am presently working on.

I  have taken my time to add the remaining decor simply because I fear that it will get cluttered.

My goal is to make the decor attractive since it is the first room guests see when they enter through our front door, yet meaningful since it is my teacher office. 

Here are some meaningful items that I have added lately.

I was puzzled about whether to add a chalkboard/ memo board or add photos of my family on the office wall.  Today, I found this Memo Board at Bed, Bath and Beyond!  Perfect!  It is magnetic so it works perfectly for both attaching memos of reminders and the kids photos. Just couldn't pass this up!

My memo/picture board

No more blank wall--memo board looks great!

 My bookshelf holds the projects I am presently working on, but it also displays some meaningful items.

A" must read" book each year and two angels given to me by two special students.

This bear has been with me at least 15 years.  It is a great reminder of another special student who had a very wonderful and thankful mother.  I think I should have given her the bear for all the support she gave to me.

This awesome project from http://iheartorganizing.blogspot.com/ is my favorite. ( I so love Jen's blog and she is even from my hometown!)  A couple summers ago my daughter and I each made one.  It is so handy to carry around the house when working on projects. Last year I had it at school. (Container is from Target--I saw them there this year and was tempted to make a few more!)

 This is my view when I walk out of my office.  The cross is not only my strength each day, but it was made by a former colleague who inspired me as a teacher more than he will ever know.  The bag is also another gift from a student appropriately named "Grace."

Amazing Grace

What special items do you surround yourself with to continue to give meaning to your workspace?

Amy

Smart Splashes of Color

Summer is a time for fun and COLOR!  I spent the whole school year in a room with beige walls.  Many of my walls at home are a neutral color.  I was starting to feel like I was living in someone else's house.  Sometimes we paint rooms a safe color "just because."  So . . .

I took the plunge and choose my favorite color for our front door--Tapestry Teal.  I had been thinking about it for years!  But our front door remained a "safe" tan color for TEN years.

 This weekend between rain storms I braved it out on the front porch and added some color.

 Yes, it's a BIG change that not everyone is happy with!  No names mentioned to protect the family.  I think I even heard some gasps from some early evening walkers.

 But when you add flowers, Pier One pillows, and Fourth of July decor, I am glad I took the plunge!

 Because what is life without a little color.  I am sure that from now on I will often hear  . . .

  Oh, I know the house . . . . the one with the door!  

What COLOR project  will spice up your life this summer?

Have a colorful 4th!

Amy