Classroom Set Up Part 1 1/2

So I went up to work in my classroom ALL DAY Friday and got a lot done! However, this post is entitled Part 1 1/2 because I did not take very many pictures. I was that busy and focused to get things done that didn't think about capturing too many of the changes. Thought I would post again next week before our first day anyway. ;) But here's a few pics...

This was my daily file organizer I've used for years...

BEFORE

I didn't like that I couldn't store everything I needed, besides handouts, and needed something with a little more space. 

AFTER

I got these Sterilite organizers at WalMart and stacked them to make a daily storage system. I think I will like this a lot better! Not sure what I will be putting in the "Extra" drawer but that is why I named it that...a place to store some of the extra stuff we might do throughout the week. :)

Here is my "Essential Questions" board where we write our learning targets ...

BEFORE

AFTER

There was nothing necessarily wrong with it before...just like the cleaner look of the bright typed words!

Since I had changed out my ABC strip/Word wall headers, I also wanted to update my Class Compliment Reward system labels. You can see them on the old ABC strip here...They are the little leopard print squares you see up there. Yeah, see? It's hard to tell.

BEFORE

AFTER

So now you can see the labels better as I made them bigger and added a bright blue star, compliments from Krista Walden from Creative Clips! In this picture you can see the "Dance Party" label on the "D". :) To read more about how I use this Class Compliment Reward System, go to the post -> HERE

A few more pics of some of our class rewards. ; )

The last thing I captured from my LONG day in my classroom...the part I was dreading the most!

My storage cabinet!!

The custodians had to completely take everything out to move it out of my room so the floors could be waxed. All of my storage items were tossed into a gigantic trash can during the waxing process and most of my containers had opened up and things were scattered everywhere! It was going to be quite the task and I was procrastinating!

BEFORE

AFTER

Aw, organized. 

A few years ago my sister, who is an organizational wizard, got me all these bins and containers, made labels and sorted and organized all of these supplies. She continued to come up before school started to reorganize what I had messed up over the year. However, this past year, I did much better at returning everything in the right spot! And then the custodians, despite my best efforts to convince them NOT to move this cabinet, (I put a sign on it and used clear packing tape to tape the doors shut!) they still needed to and I had to start over anyway!

 I also had organized my "desk drawers". I use the large sterilite containers under my kidney table as my desk drawers and they were in dire need of attention. Glad I got that done!

I arranged my desks into their sections, partly set up my bulletin board and tried to pick up all the lamination scraps around the room. By 4pm, I was ready to call it a day!

I'll take more pics before our Meet the Teacher night next Thursday. The room should be in tip top shape by then!!

Thanks for reading!

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Hi friends!

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Good luck!!

Classroom Setup Part 1

I went up to school on Tuesday (finally!) to start the process of cleaning out, setting up, etc. But I found myself just wanting to work on the fun stuff, like switching out some classroom decor.

I had created a few classroom decor sets for TpT recently and decided why not create a little something for my room too. Without completely overdoing it and switching out my safari/zebra theme, of course, I really wanted to brighten up the room with bright, almost neon, colors and rid my room of the primary colors and the dots on black combo I've had for years.

Sooo...thought I would share my mini classroom makeover in two parts. This post will be Part 1...what I finished on Tuesday and Part 2, well, it hasn't happened yet but I will be working ALL day Friday to finish.

To get started, I had a few rolls of zebra paper left over from my border I used on the top part of my walls that I had put up (with the help of my very tall husband) five years ago!

 I decided to cover the tops of the lockers...

I had my mom's help, a retired teacher. She's the best!

Ta-Da!!

I think it looks so much better!

Next up was my ABC/Word Wall area. As you can see here, my ABC strip was starting to come down and I really wanted to change out the dots on black border.

I decided to go with my Neon Brights Chevron ABC posters.

You can get these HERE as a part of the Classroom Decor Set.

I also switched out my border to this fun, bright chevron print. 

I thought this with my zebra print would compliment each other well. 

I got this from our local Teacher's Tools store.

So here it is!

I had to space them out a little to stretch them down the wall. Plus since these are also my word wall headers, I needed to be sure I had enough space for the bigger words under each letter. 

 Oh and have you seen my bright word wall words?! I love them!

I made a bunting banner saying, "Mrs. MeGown's 2nd Grade Safari" to hang at the front of the room. 

Just has the glare from the laminating but it really looks pretty cute!

Then I updated some of my signs/labels around the room...

BEFORE

 AFTER

I teach 2nd graders and yes, they even need this simple reminder. 

I also updated our job board...

BEFORE

AFTER

Bright and still safari themed!

Then I just added a few more things to match the bright theme...

Numbers for my Morning Work board

Then I needed a "Morning Work" sign. I mean, why write that every day, right?! :)

I also typed up a Target the Question and Number of the Day signs. 

(It's like a domino effect...once you change one part, there will be more to follow!)

So that led my to changing up my Smile Sparkers too.

Here is a picture from last year's front board. Smile Sparkers are the leopard print signs above the board we display throughout the year. When someone makes another student smile, they can write about it on a Smile Sparker, present at the end of the day and then it goes up on our wall.  I just laminated them and wiped clean every few weeks. 

Since I wanted everything to match my Bright Safari theme, I made these....

 This also shows my example Smile Sparker. ;)

I don't have Before pics for the rest of what I'm sharing today but I think it looks a lot better!

This is my anchor chart wall where I hang up those anchor charts that are good reminders for the class. 

Writing Process Posters (I plan to upload these to TpT as a freebie soon!)

Book Hospital

I simply added a different border around my Teacher Guidelines poster to update it.

Super blurry pic, I will update it when I have a chance to retake. 

Found these zebra containers in clearance section of Hobby Lobby for $3 each. 

And lastly, I hung my adorable wooden letters that my good friend, Amanda, painted for me over the summer! I love them!!

Thanks, Amanda!!

Well, that's all for Part 1. 

Part 2 will not be as exciting since it will be more of organizing the pile of mess in the center of the room. I have things shoved in lockers and supplies scattered everywhere. Yes, perhaps I should have done that part first but I'm procrastinating...

After all, I slightly believe this to be true...LOL!

Stay tuned!

Timing is everything...but I'M not the one in control, I get it.

So I went up to school yesterday to get just a few things done and this happened. Well, hard to tell but I twisted my ankle. Slipped on the freshly waxed floors on my way to turn on the laminator. I hopped up so quick, brushed it off and thought I was fine. Knew my ankle hurt a little but definitely manageable. I continued to work in my classroom, hang border, stand on a stool to take down my word wall from last year...totally fine. 

Once I got home and sat still for dinner, that's when the pain kicked in. Couldn't put any pressure on it at all. Immediately iced it with a bag of frozen edamame and kept it elevated. As I am laying there, I couldn't help but think of how this is NOT good timing. Last full week before we go back to work and I have barely made a dent in my classroom. I had planned to be up there all day today. Plus, we are having family come in town on Wednesday and a BIG family reunion this coming weekend to celebrate my grandmother's 90th birthday. All I'm picturing is how my grandmother and I will have matching walkers. UGH!

Of course, things don't work out according to my timing. I know that. I'm not in control. 

(BREATHE) 

Because if I WAS in control, well, this wouldn't have happened as well as me having to go to the dr the day before for possible bronchitis/sinus infection. (Um, yeah...the dr didn't know what I had but just gave me a Z-pack.)

This is DEFINITELY God's way of telling me to SLOW DOWN. I'm often impatient when I can't get everything done and have a one-track mind until I do. Ugh, just a weakness of mine but I hear ya, Lord...loud and clear!

So, kept my leg elevated for 4 hours straight last night (and hubby loaded me up with 3 Aleve) while I cut out laminating and watched a movie. Like a whole 2 hour movie...don't do that very often. I don't like to be still for that long unless I'm at a theatre. Too much to do around the house...and 2 littles running around.

Anyway...fast-forward to this morning and I'm remarkably so much better. I can point and flex my foot and can put pressure on it. Not 100% but definitely not doctor-worthy. My husband went and got me an ankle brace and I will be fine in no time. I promise to take it easy today but I WILL, I repeat...I WILL be up at school tomorrow. 

I might need to stay secluded in my house just to ensure that no bad luck comes my way. And continued pleading and prayers to the only One in control!

Until then...

It's Saturday night...

...and this is what I'm doing. Typing up my word wall words. You know you're jealous. 

We have just 8 more days of summer before we head on back to work. It's been quick, but it's been fantastic! SO many fun memories from this summer. I just don't want to let go of just yet.

But this marks the life of a teacher...working in the summer to get all things ready and prepared for the upcoming school year. I promise to savor this last week and not work too much! Reality is...there's still so much on my to-do list (my personal at-home to-do list) and new things are being added to my school to-do list. Have I mentioned that I haven't been up to work in my classroom yet?!?

((slow, deep breaths))

I refuse to actually work in my room until August and here we are already.

Sooo... I'll be going up on Monday.

How are you spending your last days of summer???

And they are FREEEEE!

Ready, set, GO! 

As promised, I have 2 FLASH FREEBIES today only (8/8). If you snag them for free, please rate and give feedback!

In fact, my Chevron & Cursive Alphabet Posters set NEEDS a rating! 

So, if you are FIRST to rate on TpT AND comment on this blog post that you did, then there's another Freebie for you. You may choose anything in my store under $5 and it will be free for you as a thank you for rating and giving feedback! 

Pretty sweet deal.

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