Classroom Tour and Beginning the School Year

The end of summer seems like a race to the finish. School begins on the 19th for us. Teachers report back on the 17th. Likely, I will only have the afternoon of the 17th in my classroom to get ready. The rest of the time is taken up by meetings. Having the room ready by the 18th in the afternoon is tough. Students are allowed to come in with their families then to see their classrooms and meet their teachers. So this week? It is the marathon and I am exhausted. No matter how much you work, it never feels like enough and there is always, always, something more you could do. 

Last week I mailed off the "Football Field" letters. (More on what those are HERE.) This week I mailed letters to my new students. It really reminded me of the cyclical nature of teaching - saying goodbye, and then saying hello. It made me mourn for my students who have left, but feel excitement over the class that is to come. Some folks on Twitter and Facebook asked if they could see my letter to my students. I don't think it is anything fabulous, but I send a variation of this home each year. 

Last year I shared a video tour of my classroom on this blog. Many people commented that it was helpful and last week I began to get messages to see if I could do it again. There isn't a whole lot of change from last year, but I did do an updated video if that helps. I love checking out other classrooms, so I'm glad to let you all into mine. One quick tip that I'm not sure if I have ever mentioned - my bulletin board are painted. (Regular paint and a roller) I abhor cutting the bulletin board paper, getting it up, etc. I went with a calm color, the same on all boards, and it has held up for five years so far. 



Wishing you all the best school year yet! Thanks for visiting. 

Classroom Tour Update - Video

Some friends asked on Twitter if I’d do another video tour of my classroom since I got rid of my teacher’s desk. Here it is! Sorry it’s so speedy. My kids were almost done with P.E. Enjoy.

My "to read" shelf

Today I was trying to explain to a student why I owned a copy of Bad Island by TenNapel but it wasn’t in my classroom quite yet. Trying to explain to a ten-year-old why over a hundred books sat in my bedroom. I read a lot, but not enough to keep up with all the books coming in my home. Too much in – not enough out. Hmm. I have this issue with calories as well.

At any rate, I told them I’d videotape my “to read” shelf. I am embarrassed by it. I’ve read 339 books this year so far and it still looks like this. My husband, Chris, would say that it’s an easy problem to fix. Stop buying books! Sorry, honey, not going to happen.

As I taped I was well aware of shelves of friends that, I am positive, have more books than this. And I also knew if I took you on a tour of our home you’d find stacks of books by the front door, back door, in baskets downstairs, etc. I did ponder as I taped – I have PD books at school and PD books at home. Educator friends – where do you keep your PD books? I don’t know if I have a reason for the sort – other than if I’m “using” one for ideas for lessons, it’s usually at school. Thoughts?

So here’s my bedroom and shelves in all of their glory. Please forgive the headboardless bed – we remodeled and moved into this room just over a year ago but I just can’t find the exact bed I want. Or, to be truthful, I have found it but it costs a ridiculous amount so I wait to see if I truly want it. Welcome to my shelves.

One more thing - as I taped this I realized I do not own any PD books by the two great Dons - Murray and Graves. If you needed to start reading their amazing works - which ones would you suggest? Thanks friends!