Moving In

Thanks to my niece and her friend, we were able to move my junk treasures to the media center. No need for Zumba when you're moving six years worth of teaching materials to another part of campus. We really got a work-out.

This week I have been busy unpacking and setting up the media center.  I never realized there were so many little closets and storage areas in the media center.  The school Cricut and laminator have been hot - figuratively and literally. I was able to take several "before" pictures, but only one "after" picture.  The custodian had to put me out. Time sure does fly when you're having fun.

I didn't like looking at the back of the bookcase through the window.  With bulletin board paper and my Locker Talk Cricut cartridge, it looks better. I'll add a quote or use it to display rules. The poster will stay for now. 

This unused Room is the new home for the Cricut and Book Hospital.

This is one of the small closets.  Right now it holds some outdated technology and decorations. It will probably be used for decorations and props, once the techy stuff is removed.  There's another small closet across the room, which is mostly used to store Book Fair set-up items.

I am in the process of re-doing the bulletin board and windows on this wall. Instead of doing a theme, I'm using blues, yellow, and green dots to decorate.  It will be easier to work polka-dots into the Book Fair themes.  The PBIS window will remain, but with my polka-dot color theme.  The "Library Star" board will be used for an "Author Study" or theme.

I will only work one or two days next week.  I would like to take a mini vacation before the teacher work days start.

Homemade Kidney Table

This is What I've Been Waiting For

I have been trying to get a kidney table for years.  There was an antique, horseshoe table with attached seats in my classroom when I first started teaching.  First I posted a project on Donors Choose.  I didn't have any luck with that.  I had mentioned to my daddy that we might need to build one. I was determined to get a table, so I got rid of the "dinosaur".  When a friend transferred to another school, I thought I would be able to get the one in her old room.  Someone else beat me to it.  I tried working at a rectangular table, but it was not effective.

Making a Template

 I priced the materials to build one, took measurements of the chair and carts that I wanted to fit under the table, and then checked the prices of assembled tables.  I found one that was about $50 more than what I had priced the materials for.  I placed the order, and then the shipping charges were applied a day later.  Because of the size and location, the shipping charges were over $100.  CANCEL that order!

I presented the original plans to Daddy.  We made a trip to Lowe's Home Improvement to get the lumber.  I wasn't happy with any of the legs that were available.  Daddy said that he had some folding table legs that he could cut down.  That was even better.  I really wanted a laminate table top, but we decided to paint it for now.  I can add the laminate later. 

Almost Ready for the Paint

I wanted you to see how Daddy signed the bottom, but I realized that he put his full name.  He's not ready for big orders yet. ;)  He added the date and put "For my no. 1".  I am his first child, so it works. LOL!

Primed

Painted

Delivered 

On the last day before we got out for Winter Break, I saw a familiar face at my classroom door.  I started jumping up and down, and screaming.  The students probably thought Santa Claus was coming.  Yep!! Santa came early.  The students had heard so much about my table, they were almost as excited as me.

Close-up of the Frames

The reading strategies were taped to the other table, but there will be none of that on this table.  The table is perfect.  My nieces helped me rearrange the furniture.  I will switch my leveled books to the bookcase behind the table, and make a few more changes on our workday.

Scrabble Storage

I have organized and reorganized my word work station so many times.  I think I finally have it the way I want it. 

Thanks to Melissa at F is for First Grade for one option during word work.  Which Word is Worth More? is a favorite word activity.  The students choose which spelling words to make, and then do the math.  I've bought the Scrabble Apple, but there are not enough letters.  So I found some printable Scrabble tiles, copied them onto yellow paper,  and laminated them.  For storage,  I bought four pill organizers.  I painted the tops blue.  While the paint dried, I found some Scrabble tile printables.  

After the paint dried, I used Mod Podge to adhere the tiles.  I had two students put the laminated tiles in each compartment.  Another blogger gave me the idea to store each word work activity in storage drawers.  Now students can easily access the vocabulary maps, "Stamp It, Write It!, and Scrabble activity sheets and supplies.

Thanks to Mel at Seussstatic Classroom Inspirations for this idea.