My New Classroom; Flexible Seating and Organization

One of the hardest things about moving schools was settling into my new classroom.  (Duh, I know.)  I am a sucker for efficiency and organization, so when those were semi-lacking the first few days of school I was a little nuts. 

I started out using three-drawer carts by Sterilite that I got from Walmart right before school started, but as I loaded them up with books I quickly realized that they were never going to hold up like I needed them to.  Plus, the kids needed more room than sharing a drawer with a classmate like I had planned.  

So, I brought the carts back and bought 3 nine-cube organizers instead.  That way, each student could have their own cubby to make a mess of call their own.  I did not put the 5 optional backing pieces on the cubes because they would have been destroyed quickly with the books going in and out.

One of the first things I told the students was that this room was a reflection of their love and care.  I explained that I would not be in charge of their items or cleaning up after them.  They work together to keep the room spic and span and make sure it's cleaned up before they go home.  They have been doing an amazing job!  One thing that has helped, though, is labeling everything with a number.  This way the students are held accountable for things left out.

Here are a couple of pictures of my current room.

The room is changing all the time due to what the students need.  They know that they can bring any piece of seating anywhere they choose as long as they aren't saving it for a friend or using it incorrectly.

One seating item that I will NOT purchase again is the bean bag chairs I got last year.  I got them for $7 on clearance one random morning at Meijer, which was awesome at the time because they usually go for well over $30 normally.

They started to flatten rather quickly and were a PAIN to refill because of all the paneling inside.  Once they have died and gone to chair heaven this time they will go in the trash.  Bummer, dude.

What awesome flexible seating options do you have?

Thanks for reading!

Mrs. B

Hey There!

So, during dinner the other night, my father-in-law turned to me and asked, "So, did you abandon that Paste thing?"  I laughed and said, "Kinda, sorta, not really?" (I'm super touched that he was interested enough in this little blog to ask!)

I have definitely been MIA over the last year.  I would have to attribute it to good old teacher burnout.  

Yup.  

I had it.

I was enjoying my life, don't get me wrong!  However, my school was 45 minutes away from my house, I was a TAP Mentor Teacher (which I loved and miss), I was leading a team that was falling apart in a school that was sinking (but I loved and had been there for seven years), and I kept having to sacrifice time with my husband and daughter to keep up with work and I was still failing miserably at doing so.

I knew I needed a change.  My family needed a change.

Over spring break I applied to two school districts near my house.  I was confident and not confident all at the same time.  What if they didn't want me?  What if I wasn't good enough? What if I HATE IT?

The first one I applied to never called back.  It's also the same district my husband works in.  That was a bit of a hit for me.

However, within 21 days of hitting submit on my second application, one all elementary principals interview I had a job offer for 4th grade!  At a school 10 minutes from my house!  

It was a real struggle not to scream and shout and dance around since I was on a walk with my daughter and not in our neighborhood.  Hahaha!  I didn't need these people thinking I was crazy!

Long story short, I'm happier than ever.

Though, I miss my colleagues and friends every day and miss the relationships I had build with them and the students, the people in my life have been commenting on how much more relaxed I am.  How much more I smile and seem to enjoy what I'm doing.

My new class is A.M.A.Z.I.N.G.  They are taking risks and growing their brains like weeds.  I enjoy them immensely and I *think* they like me, too. :)

My daughter is thrilled that I am FINALLY able to drop her off at preschool and pick her up any day she wants. I'm pretty darn happy about that, too.  My awesome husband was shouldering all of that and he deserves an award or something.

Hopefully, I'll be able to pop in on here more often now!

Until next time, 

Mrs. B