Decorating the Classroom

I always thought that when I got my first classroom, that I would bedazzle it to the heavens. That definitely wasn't the case. Even though I have had this position since last January, I couldn't think all summer of how I wanted to organize the student desks, let alone how I was going to thematically decorate this classroom. Despite all the headaches, here are some things that did get put together in time for the first day!

BEFORE

(I am so happy I cleaned and organized before leaving for the summer, and to my surprise, I was given new desks! My old ones were awful - the tops were drawn on, screws would come out randomly. It was a disaster.)

... And then this is my desk once I pile all of my "stuff" on it to get to work.

Blackboard all set-up with the weekly planner on it for students to look at. I love the bold masking tap from Staples.

The counter below has my new classroom set of Chromebooks on it that I received a grant for! I was so excited - as I spent a lot of time in the computer lab last year. I put them in dish drying racks, as the other teachers who have Chromebooks said this was the easiest way for students to keep them organized.  I also got those cork boards from Walmart for $5.

These markers though >>> I love them! I purchased the wrong ones originally so I am getting new ones. They write like dry erase markers, but on a chalk board. I always have trouble with the kiddos erasing stuff because they just want to touch the board. Jokes on them this time - the only was to erase this liquid chalk is with water. Hopefully they don't figure that out. 

Here is an example of how they look:

I found this map at Walmart for $4 and then bought a frame and matting at Hobby Lobby. I love it, and I receive so many compliments on it.

This board is right when you walk in my front door. It has classroom expectations, classroom signals (trying this out for the first time), along with our athletics calendar and a monthly calendar. I found the monthly calendar at the Dollar Store and laminated it so that I could write on it with white board markers. Chances are the students are going to take this over with their birthdays once they realize they can write on it.

And that's it for the classroom tour. I am still trying to figure out how in the world to organize my desks so that my kiddos can see the board and not be tempted to talk to others when I am presenting information. However, I do want the desks to be easy enough to move back and forth for group work. If you have any ideas - HELP!

Good luck with the start of your school years!

Much love,
Kendra

Meet the Teacher!

For my first blog post, I am linking up with Stephanie @ Falling into First for a "Meet the Teacher" linky party. What a great idea to do at the beginning of school year, let alone for my first blog post! Link up with her too by clicking on the linked picture at the end of this post.

My name is Kendra, and I am 23 year old Social Studies teacher in Wisconsin. I was very fortunate to graduate in December and find a long term subbing job. In April they offered me a full-time position, and that's how I landed my first real teaching gig! :) I teach 8th grade Social Studies and 9th grade World History and am coaching HS volleyball for the first time this fall. I started this blog to log my first year experiences and connect with teaching gurus along the way.

THESE ARE A FEW OF MY FAVORITE THINGS...
Volleyball. Target. Starbucks. Traveling. Francesca's. Working out. Reading. Cheetah print. Shopping for new school supplies {guilty}. The Badgers. War movies.

 IF YOU WEREN'T A TEACHER, WHAT WOULD YOU WANT TO BE?
It was between teaching and being a doctor because I wanted to help people. Since Science and I didn't get along ... ever, I decided that teaching was the way to go. Oh yeah, and blood grosses me out. ;)


THREE LITTLE WORDS THAT DESCRIBE YOU.

Fashionista. Spunky. Determined.

FINISH THE SENTENCE, "________,  SAID NO TEACHER EVER!!"
"I'd love to volunteer for my 500th committee!" 

Q: IT'S YOUR BIRTHDAY AND YOU CAN INVITE ANYONE {DEAD OR ALIVE} TO THE PARTY. WHO ARE YOU INVITING?
Jennifer Lawrence - LOVED her in The Hunger Games trilogy.

Q: IF SOMEONE WROTE A BOOK ABOUT YOUR LIFE, WHAT WOULD BE THE TITLE?
"Diaries of a Free Spirit"


 Q:YOU GET TO PICK ONE SUPERPOWER. WHAT IS IT?
Teleportation - My family is known for being late, and I dislike long drives.
Q: WHAT'S YOUR FAVORITE QUOTE OR SAYING?
 

Q: IF YOU HAD TO SING ONE SONG ON AMERICAN IDOL, WHAT WOULD IT BE? 
"Happily Ever After" by He is We.

 Q: ARE YOU A MORNING PERSON OR A NIGHT OWL?
Although I function better with a Starbucks in hand, I would consider myself a morning person. I usually get to school super early when no one else is there to work. After a long school day, all I want to do is go home and take a nap.

Q: SHARE SOMETHING WE MIGHT NOT KNOW ABOUT YOU! 
I am a Pinterest addict. I have 25+ boards and more than 5,000 pins. How did I live without it? I find great teaching ideas, reasons why I want a bigger closet, and the cutest home decor. My students always ask if I got our project ideas from Pinterest.

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Now you can join the party. Click on the picture below to go to Stephanie's blog and meet other blogging teachers.

- Kendra