My big classroom from last year got turned into a computer lab over the summer. Which is great, because we really needed a nicer one! However, that meant that I was moved across the hallway to a classroom that is divided in half with a makeshift wall. And is full of 8 computers, even though I only have 2-6 students at a time. I primarily teach math, so I can easily see that those numbers don't match up. What this insane amount of old computers is doing taking up space in my cramped little classroom, I do not know. But I'm trying to get the custodians to find another place for about half of them. And then maybe we will be able to breathe better in my room. In the pictures, you won't see the computers, because they were behind me when I was taking them.
So here it is...welcome to my classroom:
Yup, that's it. Lots of furniture shoved into a little space. The desks are positioned to a place where you can't move them one inch forward or backward, or it will mess up the whole set-up, making it impossible for students to pull out their chairs far enough to sit down. And I don't have a bulletin board. I'm going to hang a calendar and put some things above the dry erase board to make it a little less boring. But really, I don't have much to work with here.
90% of our time in my room is spent at the kidney table together. During the times when there are 6 students there, we all get to know each other really well, because we are practically sitting on top of each other.
At least we're all cozy, and it doesn't feel so huge and lonely like my classroom did last year. I'm trying to look at the bright side.
And I almost got rid of this table because it's so big, and I thought I needed the space. But then I realized I have virtually no storage space in the room, so I decided that we needed to keep it. It is now our "Supply Table."
I put everything there that the students need, if they need to borrow anything. This was actually a strategic move, to keep kids away from my desk. It's not that I don't want them to visit me at my desk. In fact, I'm never at my desk while students are in my room. But last year I kept a lot of supplies at my desk for students to borrow, and by the end of the year, I would find lots and lots of my personal supplies missing. If you read my post about how in love I am with school supplies, you probably realize that this did not make me a happy camper. This year I think I did a great job of making sure that the students have absolutely no reason to be at my desk. Problem solved.
Yup, that's it. Lots of furniture shoved into a little space. The desks are positioned to a place where you can't move them one inch forward or backward, or it will mess up the whole set-up, making it impossible for students to pull out their chairs far enough to sit down. And I don't have a bulletin board. I'm going to hang a calendar and put some things above the dry erase board to make it a little less boring. But really, I don't have much to work with here.90% of our time in my room is spent at the kidney table together. During the times when there are 6 students there, we all get to know each other really well, because we are practically sitting on top of each other.
At least we're all cozy, and it doesn't feel so huge and lonely like my classroom did last year. I'm trying to look at the bright side.And I almost got rid of this table because it's so big, and I thought I needed the space. But then I realized I have virtually no storage space in the room, so I decided that we needed to keep it. It is now our "Supply Table."
I put everything there that the students need, if they need to borrow anything. This was actually a strategic move, to keep kids away from my desk. It's not that I don't want them to visit me at my desk. In fact, I'm never at my desk while students are in my room. But last year I kept a lot of supplies at my desk for students to borrow, and by the end of the year, I would find lots and lots of my personal supplies missing. If you read my post about how in love I am with school supplies, you probably realize that this did not make me a happy camper. This year I think I did a great job of making sure that the students have absolutely no reason to be at my desk. Problem solved.So do I love my new classroom? No. But I'm getting used to it, and I don't hate it, either.
And even though I don't love my classroom, I do really like my students! I find it to be so funny that when I was in college, I was so sure I would want to work with the youngest students possible. I loved kindergarten and first grade and even preschool. Now that I've worked with kids from preschool all the way through 6th grade, I find that my opinion has completely reversed. My favorite students to work with are my 5th and 6th graders. 3rd grade is the youngest group that comes to my room, and I am finding that they are my least favorite group to work with. I spend about half of my time with them reminding them not to poke each other with their pencils and to keep things out of their mouths and/or noses. Ew. The 6th graders are a little more mature and responsible, and I don't ever have to tell them not to pick their noses. Haha!
The school district is gracious enough to give us both Friday and Monday off for Labor Day weekend. Hallelujah! I really need a 4-day weekend! I do not remember feeling this way last year. Although this is kind of a weird week for me for various reasons. I'm just not feeling like myself. I'm predicting that next week will be MUCH better :-)
On my 4-day weekend, I plan to SLEEP IN (Oh, how I miss sleeping in already!) read to my heart's content, watch movies, get some projects done around the house, start decorating my house for fall, enjoy the cooler temperatures (it has been in the 90s all week, and the temperatures are supposed to drastically drop on Friday. Hallelujah, again!) and hopefully spend some quality time with Luke. We've been busy doing our own things this week, and even though we live in the same house, I feel like I miss him! Another contributing factor to my ugly mood this week!
Have a great day! I am off on a mission to trade in this ugly mood for something better! Ha! (Just keeping it real!)
(And just to make a comparison, HERE are some pictures of my classroom last year...before it was completely decorated...BIG difference, right?!)
And even though I don't love my classroom, I do really like my students! I find it to be so funny that when I was in college, I was so sure I would want to work with the youngest students possible. I loved kindergarten and first grade and even preschool. Now that I've worked with kids from preschool all the way through 6th grade, I find that my opinion has completely reversed. My favorite students to work with are my 5th and 6th graders. 3rd grade is the youngest group that comes to my room, and I am finding that they are my least favorite group to work with. I spend about half of my time with them reminding them not to poke each other with their pencils and to keep things out of their mouths and/or noses. Ew. The 6th graders are a little more mature and responsible, and I don't ever have to tell them not to pick their noses. Haha!
The school district is gracious enough to give us both Friday and Monday off for Labor Day weekend. Hallelujah! I really need a 4-day weekend! I do not remember feeling this way last year. Although this is kind of a weird week for me for various reasons. I'm just not feeling like myself. I'm predicting that next week will be MUCH better :-)
On my 4-day weekend, I plan to SLEEP IN (Oh, how I miss sleeping in already!) read to my heart's content, watch movies, get some projects done around the house, start decorating my house for fall, enjoy the cooler temperatures (it has been in the 90s all week, and the temperatures are supposed to drastically drop on Friday. Hallelujah, again!) and hopefully spend some quality time with Luke. We've been busy doing our own things this week, and even though we live in the same house, I feel like I miss him! Another contributing factor to my ugly mood this week!
Have a great day! I am off on a mission to trade in this ugly mood for something better! Ha! (Just keeping it real!)
(And just to make a comparison, HERE are some pictures of my classroom last year...before it was completely decorated...BIG difference, right?!)
Wow, I can't believe they store the computers in there too! It is a small classroom.
ReplyDeleteI'm sorry your week has been so rough so far! If it gets worse, please send me an e-mail or something - I've been worried about you this week since your last e-mail.
Last year, they took away my classroom and divided me between three rooms, three rooms that were too small and ill-equipped for my classes. I know just how you feel. So frustrating. Trust me, it did get easier:)
ReplyDeleteI think your classrooms is great! I know its a lot smaller than you are used to but you're right, its cozy! And I think having a table for supplies is a very smart idea!
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