Sunday, September 25, 2011

Classroom Tour!

School is kicking my b*tt, argh, but I finally have pictures of my classroom to share! I actually got them a few weeks ago, but am just now getting time to post them. We have a new, rather complicated policy on taking pictures in our classrooms, but I'll spare you the details! :)

This is my classroom in our new building! These were taken before school started and before I was completely done, and I've already changed things (of course!), but you can get a feel for the space. I do love my room, and it's a good thing since I spend more time there than anywhere else! ha!

Love my pennants! I found the idea here. Around the whiteboard are these adorable teddy bear lights from Urban Outfitters, although they don't seem to be on their website anymore. They look so awesome turned on with the lights dimmed! The new Ikea red rug is super soft too, and the kids love it!


The plain black part in the next picture is my magnetic, chalkboard that I made for my old classroom. Now it looks more like this.

Next is this wall area, next to my Guided Reading table. Even though I teach math/science, all teachers teach one hour of Guided Reading, so I still need to have a space for reading strategies, etc. My green "bulletin boards" are twin flat sheets from Wal-Mart for $5, a Pinterest idea!

My Guided Reading table is to the left here, you can't see it, and these tables now hold the 6 student laptop computers. Nice! The two bulletin boards here now have Science posters on them covering things we've been studying...lab safety and the scientific method. Fun stuff! The blue bookcase is full of math manipulatives, games, etc that the students can play with. To the right is a blue locking cabinet for supplies and a restroom. You can barely see the super cute curtains to the left, also from Ikea.

This year our school is working to join the "No Excuses University" and really push college awareness. Every classroom "adopted" a university and ours is Texas A & M at Kingsville...the Javelinas! I cannot tell a lie...I Googled Texas colleges and picked my top 3 choices based on mascot colors! lol! I just couldn't risk purple or orange and brown!

Below is the favorite area of the kids...the library! I got the cool canopy thing at Ikea, it kind of inspired the whole room. I cleaned this old carpet the best I could, it's had 2 tough years already! ha!
Below is behavior stuff, class rules, class jobs, and not shown is a birthday cupcake graph poster we made the first week of school. The door is the entrance to the room.


This pic is by the front door entrance, there are two blue bookcases that hold lots of frequently used supplies. The silver box holds our classroom "clickers" to use with Smart Board software, very cool! You can kind of see the teddy bear lights better here, although they are not turned on. See the little white signholder for 99 cents from Ikea? It's going to hold something like this. So many ideas still, so little time!


Another view of the front:


Hope you enjoyed the classroom tour! Like I said, it's very different already (and much more full with walls covered!), so I guess I need to start the process of getting more photos taken!


Hopefully I will stamp again someday! In the meantime, thanks for stopping by! Hugs and happy everything!

Saturday, September 10, 2011

CQC#101: Friendly Phrases



Happy Saturday! Hope things are well in your world! Let's just say I'm glad this week is behind me and looking forward to a new one! ;-)


I loved the colors in the CQC#101 challenge this week, so decided to play along. I *really* heart Pool Party, and I found this little card had been stamped and abandoned, so what a perfect starting point!


Thanks for stopping by! Hugs and happy stamping!


Recipe
Stamps: Delicate Doilies, Friendly Phrases.
Cardstock: Pool Party, Whisper White.
Ink: Rich Razzleberry.
Accessories: Rich Razzleberry polka dot ribbon, Etsy crochet flower, Whisper White designer button, In Color polka dot brad, Corner Rounder.

Monday, September 5, 2011

CAS-ual Fridays #18: Forever Young


Happy Monday and Labor Day! I'm so grateful for our long weekend and for the COOL weather in Dallas, finally! I got up to 69 degrees this morning, SO heavenly!!


I squeezed in time for one card today, yippee! The challenge over at CAS-ual Fridays is to create a project inspired by a book, and use the colors black, red, and white in honor of International Literacy Day on September 8th! Seriously, how could a teacher not participate?! :)


I used the SU set Forever Young, and my design is based on the book The Picture of Dorian Gray. I embossed the images using Versamark ink and black embossing powder, then fussy cut the little frame. A lot of sunlight in the picture, sorry about that!


Thanks so much for stopping by! Hugs and happy stamping!


Recipe
Stamps: Forever Young, Bring on the Cake.
Cardstock: Cherry Cobbler, Very Vanilla, First Edition DSP.
Ink: Memento Black, Versamark.
Accessories: Black Embossing Powder, Heat Tool, 5/8" Black Grosgrain Ribbon, Basic Black designer button, sewing machine, black thread.