Friendship In The Room

Kids are just like adults in the manner of finding security in friendships. You can see it in their smiles.

It doesn't matter if it is an art activity or math. The community of learners mold together.

Maybe it is reading or writing. I'd rather share with someone.

We learn from each other. Talk. Discuss. Sharing.

I have to think that memories are made from the friends that we share experiences with. 

It is December??? Really???

How is this possible--December? I think it doesn't seem real because our weather has been so mild. I live in Tennessee and should we really be mowing the grass still? But, anyway, I am linking with Farley's Currently.

I am listening to Jimmy Fallon--he constantly amazes me with his talents in singing! Did you hear the Adele and Jimmy "Hello" using kid's instruments? Love it! Just as amazing are all the pictures of beautiful Christmas trees on Instagram. Each one is different but also special. I have two trees decorated--such memories for a lot of the ornaments.  I am thinking that since it is December after all, that probably means that I should be busy--gifts to buy, goodies to cook and bake, cleaning to do! It is a terrific time. Nice that we get to end each year with such a celebration. Mr. Spouse is "visiting" a casino tonight. I haven't heard from him in a couple of hours. This could be a bad sign! Why, why, why did I think that this would be a good time to re-stain the steps since the before mentioned Mr. Spouse is away. Does looking at them make them dry? I may be in trouble! It's supposed to dry in 6 hours. Well, that time has arrived and guess what? Not dry. Nada. Not at all.

• I like faux trees. They can be used multiple years. No watering. No fear of fire. So much easier to put up and take down. And...I can decide when the time is right to put the trees up.  I am a spur of the moment type--so if I get the idea to decorate it is a step away to the garage.

I hope you are enjoying December.

Classroom Tour

Oh--the trials and tribulations of classroom design! After all, we spend more time there than in our own homes for a great portion of the day, week, month,--you get it! Trying to place things in an absolutely perfect location for both teacher, instructional assistants, students, is of a priority. And, we want to make sure it has a pleasing decor. Homelike. Comforting. Inspirational. I recently retired but I just realized I never posted pictures of my classroom. It was my absolutely favorite. 

Wouldn't you know that the summer after I retired the carpet was replaced? Bye-bye orange/red in your face carpet!

However, I do love carpet when it comes to letting the kids be all over the place--especially reading with each other!

And reading to self! I snagged this area rug at Target in a large size. Love, love, love the gray touches!

When I decided on the colors I was dreaming of aqua colored pocket charts. Again--Target to the rescue. This was the way I worked with the work station rotations. We were required to work in small groups during the short time the Instructional Assistant was in the classroom. In order to move quickly and meet with everyone, I had my kids in four groups. She met with two groups and I met with two groups each day--so everyone had instruction.

Hobby Lobby has the best fabrics that are of a good "first grade use" quality. It was easy to cover the crates with chevron in my color choices.

This was an in-project pic of the "corner". Half of the word wall is displayed on one side of the SmartBoard projected whiteboard. (That is a do-it-yourself projector displayed on the whiteboard using a SmartSlate). 

I covered all the bulletin boards with fabric and they lasted several years. I made the banner out of printed triangles filled with a chevron pattern. After laminating them I hot glued them to ribbon. Easy!

The inside of my door was decorated with a chevron wreath. I got the burlap ribbon at Hobby Lobby on the week they had 50% off ribbons.

This shows the corner with finished boards. I displayed our objectives to the left side of the Word Wall. I purchased the common core objects from TPT.

I was so glad to get rid of quit using the foam squares in the bright colors.

The blue and aqua baskets house parts of my classroom library: aqua is non-fiction, blue is famous authors.

The blue pocket charts served the purpose of hiding bookshelves crammed housing our old reading series books. They were good to use for reading to self. The yellow bins holds fiction books and were sorted by genres.

I purchased Ikea stools to use at my teaching table and used the crates at this table. My IA used this area for her small groups. She is the BEST ever!

We had four student computers and used those for several small group activities/station. Loved the long bulletin board over the back of the room. However--climbing on the computer tables to hang work was a bit challenging. It is a wonder I didn't fall/step on the keyboards.

When we started Daily 5 I used this area to show what it looks like and sounds like. I think I reminded those kids several times as we practiced, practiced, practiced!

I laminated aqua colored construction paper and hung it above our sink. I could showcase 18 of the kids' work. To the right of the board I added additional pages to use since I had 20 kids.

Wal-mart has these black bookcases for under $20. I covered the cardboard backs with more chevron fabric and used them at the end of the groups to make finding their book boxes easier.

All, in all, we have some great memories of Room 109!

September!!!! Currently

I am so glad to welcome September! August has been a bummer (my mom passed away on August 2 and my husband has been sick most of the month). I am linking up with Farley.

I am listening to the air conditioner run (thankful it is working though!). Our weather is still HOT for Tennessee. Today it was 90.  But that leads me to loving the summer weather! Can't believe it is September!  I seem to be thinking of what I need to accomplish on my TO-
DO list. My mind jumps from one thought to another--mostly as soon as I wake in the MIDDLE of the night. YIKES.  I think that I'll take care of the pedicure tomorrow.  And my goals: Positive thinking Organization Creativity It is a need to think positively when trying to say goodbye to my mom. She was 92 and lived by herself until she went in the hospital and died four days later. What a blessing to be independent for her. I am in the process of organizing her estate. When we settle the estate the house will be put on the market. I am ready to make a few changes to my home. I am thinking I will become very close to a bucket of paint, a paintbrush, and a roller! With the dark days of winter coming I want to lighten up the wall colors. We will see! I hope you join in the linky party with us. Remember to comment on the two above your post!

Currently--July!!!

How can this be? Summer is here! 

I am linking up with the Oh, Boy, 4th Grade.

I am listening to Hoda and Kathie Lee. They just played one of my favorite songs--When I See You Again! We've Come a Long Way--that certainly pertains to my family in the last few years. I recently retired, my husband and son have gone into a business which has changed our lifestyle. Lots of changes. (Maybe I should also listen to Changes!) Needless to say there isn't much need to talk about the season of Summer. It is the freedom of being outdoors, enjoying the wonders of nature, walks in the summer breezes, grilling out, eating outdoors, etc. It is an amazing time of the year here in Tennessee. Since I have retired it seems my mind is always focusing on what I can do around the house. Those blogs I read and drool over other's homes and projects are getting me in trouble!  I just returned from Vegas two weeks ago! Three weeks too early to be able to visit with so many teachers at the convention. We stayed at the Palazzo--the same area that many of my blog buddies will stroll through! If I wasn't retired it would make more sense! I really do need a pedicure! My latest home project left me with teeny tiny polka dots on one of my toes. Now if they had splashed on as stars or stripes it might be right in with July 4. It's a rainy, rainy, stay in the house kind of day so maybe a pedi is on today's agenda. And last--it's hard to share what I consider a STAR. That is a bit against my thoughts of bragging on myself. But I do feel that I have compassion for those who are going through troubles. My compassion leads to sadness. A family just said goodbye to their ten month old baby. Yes, compassion. Yes, sadness, Which leads to prayers.  And to those who are going to Vegas--enjoy your time together. And to those who are feeling sadness or difficulties--know that others do feel compassion and remember you in our prayers!