Bulletin Board, round 2

Ah, bulletin boards...

They look beautiful once they're done but are certainly quite the pain to put up!  (Read more about the process {here}).

On the first day of school, I had my students select a cactus to color:

I put their names on the potted part and then laminated them. 

I used a hot glue gun to attach the laminated cacti to clothes pins:

Which would then hold their work:

The banner says "our class is sharp" and looks better in person.  We (the hubs and I) finished up late Friday night and the lights to the pod were off.  

I have three kiddos that never turned in their "all about me" forms, so I guess they'd better get that done before Thursday's open house.

The Process

Bulletin boards might be the bane of my existence.

Tip 1: Measure Twice...

Make sure you buy fabric in the correct size:

I thought I snagged a twin sheet at Goodwill, but it appears I bought a table cloth.  Oops.  Luckily I'm only out a few dollars (and hopefully my mom can reuse the fabric for some quilts).

Tip 2: Teamwork 

It's just easier this way.

Tip 3:

Use fabric.  It's more expensive, but doesn't fade.  I was able to grab some inexpensive fabric (under $10 for three yards) for attempt two.

I used green mesh (Joann's clearance center) to make the border.

To make the cacti arms, I cut up manila folders and wrapped them with mesh.

I attempted to create a quasi-envelope layer and stuff mesh inside, but it was time consuming and only moderately successful.  I eventually switched to just stapling mesh right to the wall to cover the manila folder. 

I added pipe cleaner spikes and the tops of fake flower bouquets to make my cacti bloom.

I decided both sides of the bulletin board needed traditional cactus arms, so I repeated the process.

I bought pastel colored card stock and printed mini cacti to glue on clips.  

 

It's on our first day plan to color these and write their names on the potted portion.  I'll then laminate and attach to the board.

I snagged these precut banners and stickers at Target:

It's slowly been a work in progress.  The banner will say "Our class is SHARP!" when I'm done.  My goal is to finish it today, but we will see if that actually happens.

Not pictured: The cats aggressively smelling everything and knocking glue sticks on the floor.

I'll be finalizing my bulletin board by Friday, so stay tuned.

 

Classroom Prep

I had every intention of being super productive over the weekend, but a nap happened instead.  (We spent most of Sunday visiting B's aunt who had surgery yesterday, so I in no way feel bad about that.)

Here's where I'm at in terms of classroom set up.  Our official first day back is this Wednesday, but since I'm still not 100%, I needed extra time.

The classroom itself...

B was kind enough to come in on Friday afternoon and help move furniture.  He even helped the teacher next door, which just solidifies that he's a stand up fellow.

I have all of my bookcases along one wall and really like how the room feels open.  Granted, it's easy to feel open when I'm the only one in the room.  My two wardrobes line the back wall near the kidney table.  The long, rectangular space will be our classroom meeting space for read alouds.

Command station...

I try to set up a command station for my students to be self-sufficient.

I've found the easiest space is right inside the classroom door.  It's not complete yet (because I can't find my electronic pencil sharpeners) but it's getting there.

The teal crate is where students will get back their returned papers.  I haven't put names on tabs yet because my roster keeps changing.  The sharp & not sharp pencil buckets are this {freebie from TpT} attached to dollar store polka dotted bins. 

The Batman cup will hold pens for the bathroom sign out, which will also be found here.  Inside the desks will be where I keep my Lakeshore {privacy screens} for testing times.

The football holds my keys, the open library pass, and my simplified version of brag tags.  The black lanyards are my "math coach" badges for students to be clearly identified as helpers.  The other lanyards say "ask me about the goal I met today" to encourage praise from others about growth.  I have two other Reading Ranger lanyards (our zone's reading program) that I'm going to transform into graduate and half-graduate brag tags.

My desk space...

I've decided this is one of the few areas that I will let be "cute" and decorated.  Most of the classroom is bare because I fill the walls with activities or charts that the students and I make together.

The bulletin boards...

I have three: one outside and two inside.

The outside board isn't quite done.  I'm finalizing the sign that says "writers on the move" on white and red chevron print paper.

The border is made up of overlapping post cards.  

I was given them by a friend and had way too many, so I donated the extras to friends in kindergarten to use as a writing center.

I changed my mind about the inside boards (naturally), but here they are:

My Reading Ranger Board

It's an expectation that we have a board set aside to Reading Rangers.

I've included graduation tickets (I assume we're doing them again, they were very successful last year), graduation expectations, and the key for how book colors correspond with ZPD ranges.  

The white board will say "under five" club and students will place a clothespin (with their names) on it when they're close to graduating.  I saw something similar in another room, so I'm going to give it a try.

The rest of the board will have printed out badge reports for my students (I think) or some similar data display.

Underneath is where I have my 3 drawer tubs of math supplies, construction and lined paper, extra supplies, clipboards, etc.  To the right of this board is our 8 math practices, another {freebie} from TpT.

The other board

This one will display anchor charts that we've used in (and made) in class.  I originally snagged these gray tubs at Joann's for the purpose of supply table buckets, but I think I'd rather use them for books.  

We're picking up another black organizer this afternoon and then these will be filled with books.  The black storage racks will line up with the bookcases to have a room bursting at the seams with books (no apologies).

I've also hung my chart about {responding cups} at the front of the room on one side of the white board.  The nearby white board contains my never ending classroom to do list.

The other side...

Is where I have a classroom motivator (10 10's in specials leads to a 10 minute recess, which is a free and healthy reward), a class sign, and where I'll (theoretically) post our standards.

The white board (lined in burlap) is where I'll put our class daily schedule.  

 
Instead of using a bulletin board for our class business, I decided to put everything on the white board behind my desk.

I'll have their GATE/TAGS schedule, specials schedule, and other need to know forms up front for easy access.

Paperwork...

Business Cards
 
I've redone my business cards to include my new last name.  I'll be printing them on pink card stock and laminating them for parents.  I intentionally didn't include my classroom work number because I don't like answering the phone nor do I like listening to messages.  I know I have to include the phone number on my class welcome letter, but that doesn't mean I have to include it on my polka dot business cards:

Like them? They were free and you can snag them {here}.  Just be sure to leave the creator nice feedback.  The shop also has some colorful options if black & white isn't your thing.

I've also already made a lot of copies...and had a fight with the copier.

Half Grads

I made a half grad sheet last year, but don't love it.

So I redid it! 

 

Then I tweaked it for fellow teachers to fit their classroom themes:

Today's agenda? 

I've got a planning meeting with the other coaches this am, another visit to the ENT, and then a planning session with Mrs. H at school.  B is coming in to help this afternoon and then we're going out to dinner.

My goal is to have my classroom be totally done tomorrow so I can focus on planning and copies on Thursday.

Less than a week 'til I meet students!

#year8cantwait

Something New

The past three years I've been blessed with the opportunity to grow as an educator...in the form of very difficult students and a lot of escalating classroom drama.

So this summer meant a nice break from teaching in the form of complete disconnect. 

I didn't sub.  I worked on long range plans for about two hours a week, but only with a friend.  I read a few books but they were ones I wanted to read.  I spent a lot of time thinking about who I want to be (and a lot of time with Netflix).

As a result, I'm headed into August feeling excited about a new year.  (Exhausted, but excited.)

One of my new things for the classroom this year?

Less colors. 

While bright colors are welcoming and create a warm environment, I think they had an adverse effect on some of my students and only heightened their dramatic personalities.  

This year, I'm going with calming grays and blues.  I'm strongly leaning towards a nautical theme, so I see hints of red and white dispersed throughout the room. 

I'm headed into my classroom on Thursday (after a planning meeting with the other coaches) and am excited to get started.  I will also need to be very honest with myself because I'm still healing from surgery and will not get everything done in one day.

Something else that's new?

I'll be co-teaching with the GATE teacher.  I won't have any SPED students (except possibly speech) and instead of my students leaving for GATE (Gifted & Talented Education), they'll receive their extension services as a push-in model. 

I also just finished this:

I borrowed it from our counselor.  The teacher version has been on back order for what seems like forever, but Amazon tells me it will be shipped out soon.  Some of the stuff wasn't super applicable to the classroom, but there were some good ideas for shifting my instruction.

The biggest take away was choice.  Giving students the opportunity to choose between two options (both of which I'd be okay with) and allowing them to feel control over their classroom and life.  

The second big take away was to get away from the savior complex in which I'd want to solve all of their conflicts.  In doing so, I deprive them of the opportunity to grow and practice creative problem solving.  I'm hoping by setting the norm that I won't be interfering with their small problems will eliminate me hearing about most of their small problems. This doesn't mean I won't listen, this doesn't mean I won't care, it just means I won't fix their lives for them.  Larger problems, like those involving administration or CPS will definitely be addressed quickly and respectfully.  But I don't want to have anymore hallway conversations about the theft of pencils.  It was draining and I don't want another frustrating year like last year (hopefully).

I also saw this book floating around the message boards of my PLN (Professional Learning Network):

So I tossed it into my Amazon cart.  From the reviews, it seems to be just what I need!

Checking In

August is off to a bit of a rocky start.  The police report from last month's hit and run indicated that it was a Penske truck, not a Ryder one.  The Ryder representative was extremely helpful and polite throughout the ordeal, but now I have to start another claim with Penske. 

I know it's a long shot, but it's worth pursuing.  I called the hotline and did not speak with the most helpful representative.  She wasn't grasping that I don't have the driver's information, plates, or vin number because it was a hit and run.  Eventually she just gave me the email address to start a claim online so I could send in the police report (which I did).  To no one's surprise, I haven't heard back from them (not even a thank you for reporting this, here's your claim number email).  So,I'll begin emailing them again next week to start.

I still don't have my car back from Chevy.  I also got to visit Enterprise and pick up updated tags.  My own car's registration and smog check is due later this month, so it'd be great to get my car back next week.

This week's social calendar was quite full!  Here are some highlights:


Crepe Expectations

This charming family owned restaurant in the heart of Henderson is one of my favorite breakfast spots!  I met up with two gal pals who were unable to attend last week's bridal shower and they treated me to breakfast.  I never say no to mimosas and crepes!

B's Company Picnic

We took Waffles and she had a blast at the splash pad! Technically it's for children...but since she's well behaved and didn't go to the bathroom in the water, no one minded.  I got to spend the day with my good friend Stephanie, so that's always a plus!

Speaking of our pup, she got a new toy!

She did manage to damage it several minutes later, so now it's in the never ending repair pile.

I also had a really productive meeting with my new and old admin team about our time frame for rolling out professional development on close reads. 

I finished my future MIL's birthday wreath:

Her birthday falls two days after mine (at the end of the month) and I wanted to make sure I got it done before the chaos of the new school year. I used a new type of burlap this time (not wired, looser material) and it's not my favorite.  The S is glued on, but since it's a larger one, I also used floral wire to attach it in several key spots.  I then painted over the black floral wire so it would blend in with the S.  My favorite part is that the flowers are just attached via clips so she can change them out seasonally.  She wanted a wreath for fall and winter, but it's a little difficult to capture both.  I went with a solid deep red and a soft white to compliment their front door. I'm sure I can find some pine cones in a few months to make this appear more "winter-y".  She gets it on Monday and I hope she likes it!


Not pictured highlights?

I had another super productive planning session with Mrs. H.  We've got another time next week to start picking specific passages to go along with our standards.  Ms. P (wait, she got married, Mrs. H #2) is joining us because it's her first week with students.  She joined our staff last year in the middle of the year, so she's eager to plan her first weeks with students.  I don't know if I'll have any SPED students this year, but I still look forward to collaborating with her in grade level meetings!

Mrs. H (#2) and I also had a Starbucks gal pal catch up because she was camping with her new hubby during my bridal shower.  She got me the most adorable table runner and place mats while I got to hear all about her fabulous honeymoon to Hawaii.  She's adjusting well to married life and so happy, which makes me happy for her.

We enjoyed the 51s game with several of my coworkers.  I wasn't aware there was a fireworks presentation after, so that added an extra dose of excitement to the evening.

Our officiant got her marriage forms, so she can legally marry us in 96 days (not that I'm counting or anything like that...)

I got to see Mrs. K, who just moved back to the neighborhood with her new hubby.  They're still unpacking and getting settled, but I am very excited to help them decorate and organize when the time is right.  (As much as I'd like to do it now, I realize it's impractical if they're still opening boxes.)  She's also in the process of setting up her new classroom and posted this shot of her bulletin board yesterday:

She's a lady after my own heart with all the polka dots!

I finally picked up my under the wedding dress shape wear garments.  Even better? I snagged them for half off!  Hooray for the outlet mall!  I've got them all set for today's bridal fitting (which is followed by lunch with a friend, so winning all around!)

I got a new ID badge and the picture is halfway decent.  I however will need a new one in a few months and this badge was more for the teacher discounts rather than actually wearing it at my school site.  Although with a new principal, I'm not quite sure how strict she'll be with the whole badge situation.

 A former colleague started her {own store} on TpT and I've been able to share some helpful hints.  She's got some super cute products up and is definitely one to follow (especially if you teach primary)! 


However, this week has also been a bit rough:

I had blood work and paid my hospital co-pay ($400, yikes!).  I still have a few more videos to watch before my surgery on Monday.  B's mom had the day off of work and will be with me at the hospital.  It's a one day procedure, but since I'll be under anesthesia, I need someone to drive me home.  I have to be at the hospital (that's on the other side of town) at 6 am for a 7 am procedure, so she's spending the night tonight to make the process easier. I'm having a septoplasty to fix my deviated septum:

Nifty, right? I've heard the healing process is painful so I guess I'm super grateful that I've got lots of close friends who are promising to bring over soup and smoothies.  I'm hopeful this will reduce or eliminate my chronic sinus problems and that I'll be able to breathe normally.

I also had to come to the realization that I have to go back to work and this means beginning to lesson plan.  I busted out some large chart paper and started making a list of all the things to do during the first week.  Once it's completed (and discussed at Tuesday's planning session), I'll post a picture!

Frustrations with other people aside (because I don't believe in airing dirty laundry on social media), I also had the added excitement of once again calling poison control because of Waffles.

A few weeks ago, she ate an eye drops bottle.  The bottle was a sample size (2 mL) and mostly empty, so it didn't really impact her.  She was more interested in chewing the lid.

This week? She helped herself to B's (brand new) stick of deodorant.  Again, it was spit out on the carpet and the chew marks were on the lid.  The deodorant was left on the bathroom counter, which must mean one of the cats knocked it off for her.  The three of them are in kahoots to drive me bonkers!  Luckily, she didn't ingest much (if any) and wasn't exhibiting any medical signs of poisoning.  She actually looked quite pleased with herself...again.

However, it's really, really hard to stay mad at this face:

Yes, that is her pink stuffed unicorn and yes, she does cuddle it.  I often wake up to her and toys in bed with me.  I guess it's good practice for motherhood in a few years?

I also started my back to school teacher training videos.  

Yup, we're expected to watch these and no, we aren't given contract time (paid time) to do so.

What I've done:

...and what I have left:

While the content hasn't changed, the format of the videos have.  I can no longer press play and walk away.  No, I must click the next button every minute or so.  The system also logs me out if I've been idle for too long.  Alas, this will be the next week of my life.

Up next for August?  In addition to having my septum straightened and finishing those required videos, I'll be finalizing decorating for fall and ordering the groomsmen gifts.  Yes, I know it's ridiculously early, but fall is my favorite season and I want to enjoy the pumpkins for as long as possible. 

I've got two more thank you's to write and I'm done with my bridal shower ones!  (Until my work bridal shower in October).

Naturally, I have help and yes, it's going quite well as you can tell:

Chloe is just upset that I took a pen away from her.  I know, meanest pet mom ever. 

I also should be getting copies of both engagement pictures (round 2) and my bridal shower this week.  

 I also ordered this month's {Younique kudos}:

I'm super excited for the light pink splurge shade!  Plus Younique has teamed up with {defend innocence}.

I'll also be setting up my classroom (with B's help because I'm not allowed to lift anything heavy or bend over for weeks after surgery).  I'm excited for the new year and want to get back in my classroom so I can get everything ready.  B's excited because we'll have our garage back!

Most importantly?

I will get in all the naps I can!

#BestYear

Even though we don't go back for a few more weeks, I acknowledge that the start of August means it's time for back to school.

For me, that means a tango between actively avoiding those aisles at Target...

...and gleefully couponing/cartwheeling to stock my classroom.  I am super excited that I picked up some new gray bins and polka dot fabric for a bulletin board (no one should be surprised that polka dots are involved!) for a super sale price.

 The bins were on sale and significantly cheaper than Target's price.  The fabric was on sale.  If I spent $40, I got $5 back on Ibotta (join my saving adventure with code uvnspet).  But when I got to the counter, I joyfully discovered that my entire purchase was an additional 25% off as a teacher appreciation day sale.

Naturally, that had me like:

 But I was in public, so the excitement had to be kept to a socially acceptable level.

I'm trying a lot of new things in the classroom this year.  We're doing a lot of integration and emphasizing technology, history, and critical thinking.  We're being more creative and that excites me because I function well with freedom.

I'll have the GATE kids, so the fluidity between subjects will be a nice structure for my outside of the box thinkers.   

After a few rough years, I'm optimistic that this year (#8!) will be my best year ever.

With that theme, I'd like to share that it's the annual TpT back to school sale:

And my {entire store} is 20% off for the next few days.  Happy shopping!