A Big 'ol Mess!

I don't know about you, but I am one of those people that when I clean or get the itch to organize, I have to take everything (and I mean everything) out of the drawer/closet/pantry, wipe it all down, and then slowly decide what to put back in an orderly fashion. It drives my husband crazy because I usually decide to clean out the kitchen cabinets around dinner time, or my bedroom closet when he wants to go to bed.

Today, I ran up to school because my kiddos were all at different activities and the school has already waxed all of the floors! Woohoo!!!  Last year I taught 3rd grade, but this year I'm moving up to 5th after taking the place of a retired teacher. (A teacher that taught me and then I taught with before I stayed home with my kids.) I am so excited about the move, but have so many things to do to prepare. The first thing on my list is to get my room organized. You should see that list. But we'll talk about lists another time, I'm sure.  For now, I give you exhibits A and B:

 

All of the back cabinets have been emptied out on to the desks. The shelving that runs the length of the window wall in Exhibit A has also been cleared. Exhibit B is the shelving behind my teachers desk area and will be the last shelving I go through. I plan on keeping one set of shelves for every subject I teach back there, which is basically how the teacher I am replacing did it. I am OCD in the fact that everything must have a place. Right now I'm a little stressed walking in to this room.  Let's face it, who wouldn't be? But, I'm taking my deep breaths, I'm feeling good about the fact the floors are already waxed and done, and I know that it always has to be messy before it can be organized. I think it's safe to say I've got me a BIG 'ol mess!

I can't wait to share with you all the "After" pictures! Until then, happy organizing!

Megan

Where to begin??

We have been on summer break for 20 days now and it feels as if school is going to start tomorrow!  With 64 days left of this treasured time of year, I find myself already feeling overwhelmed and not sure where to begin.

A little bit of a back story:  I returned to the classroom last year after staying home for 12 years raising our family of four boys! With most of them in school full time, I thought I might get back in the game. (Heck, I was at school all the time anyways, I thought I might as well get paid for it.) Anyways, I taught 3rd grade last year and really enjoyed it, but while staying home I coached high school basketball and had taught upper elementary/high school before staying home, so third grade wasn't exactly my comfort zone. This year I made the move to 5th! I am super excited although I'm really going to miss the other 3rd grade teacher.

I ran across this cute blog The Applicious Teacher and saw she was doing a linky party ALL summer! I love getting ideas from all of you wonderful teachers, so I thought I'd link up as well.

Unfortunately I don't have pictures of my room last year, but I went with a sports theme. (4 boys, a husband that played college football, and me who played 3 sports AND coached basketball, it seemed only fitting.) I want to keep that theme, but our school is going with a Super Hero theme as well. Somehow I want to figure out how to mesh them both together. All I have to show right now are the "BEFORE" shots, but continue to check back regularly as I am going to begin going up to the room to decorate and organize beginning next week.

After scouring the different blogs and of course Pinterest, I know I want to include the following in my design.

 I am LOVING the SuperHero poms, and I think the Homeworkopoly will be a wonderful motivator. I also want to do something to my ugly teacher desk. I'm just wondering what would be the best way to attach the fabric. I was thinking velcro strips. What do you guys think?

One thing is for sure...I have A LOT to do! By the end of summer I'm definitely going to feel like Superwoman if I get it all done. Until then, Happy Decorating and don't forget to check back with The Applicious Teacher for more great topics through out the summer!

At First Glance

I had the chance to peek inside my classroom awhile back, and then I had baseball every weeknight and weekend, then they were waxing my classroom  floor, and then the hallway. And if I've heard anything after accepting this job, it's DO NOT walk on the newly waxed floors!

So not knowing how long it would be before I could get back in, I snapped some pictures with my new ipad the boys got me for Mother's Day.