Classroom Photos 2015 -2016

I am finally getting a chance to share pics of my classroom for this year!! Granted, here in Michigan we are only in the second week of school so I am still swimming up stream to say the least. I'm not sure how every year I can forget how tired I am in September, and this year is no exception. Thank heavens Saturday is close by, I may not get up until noon! :) 

Last year I moved into my current classroom space, and even though I loved how it turned out there were still parts of the room that just didn't "work." I was eager to get in to school when August rolled around and just have some time to play with the furniture arrangement, and try to see if I could make things fit a little better.  Well, I am happy to say I feel like I fixed what I didn't like about it last year, and although my color scheme stayed the same, I am loving this room arrangement much more!! 

If you want to take peek (because seeing other classrooms is so much fun!) I tried to take pictures from many angles. 

Love my little rolling cart from Ikea

My new IB Classroom Clip Chart found here: Clip Chart
My new magnetic note board from Ikea 

Student Coat Hooks - Please ignore the stacks underneath.. still finding room or things!
Chrysanthemum turned out so cute! She can be found here

Student Meeting Area

Back Corner

3D word wall 

New shelves courtesy of my husband... thank goodness for storage!

My tiny little writing area and reading library/reference wall
My phonics reference wall posters can be found here

View from the back

My tiny little teacher area :) 

Listening Center Area
My IB Learner Profile display found here

Teacher Appreciation - Appreciate Each Other

For many teachers school is about to begin (or may already have).  If you are prepping for your upcoming school year you are CRAZY busy like I am.  There are a hundred little things to do and no one understand this better than your co-workers! After all, we tread the same waters folks! :) 

If you are also like me, you rely on these co-workers to see you through the year.  These are the people you call last minute when you wake up to sick child, and you need sub plans STAT! These are people who ask you how your day is going and comfort you when things are tough, or encourage you when you need it most. These people are the same ones who sit across from you in PD and understand your thoughts from just a sideways glance.  These are the people who will send a student with a lunch menu to your door with a note saying "I think we need to have a working lunch today!" They may even be the same people who send a student carrying a dictionary to your door, which you in turn know is code for "can this little kiddo hang with you for a bit, we NEED some time apart!!" 

They are your peeps, your pals, your sidekicks.  I think it's so important that we take a minute to show these people how much they mean to us, and how important they are to have around. Because, not everyone will run to the copy machine for you on their prep just because YOU ran out of copies. :)  It just plain feels good to be appreciated and in turn be the person to appreciate others.  

This picture was posted by a teacher friend and made me just laugh out loud.  In her teammate's closet was this little hidden stash! How awesome would it be to have a teammate that knows you this well?! (and I can't help but giggle at the "note to self" on the 
Cheez-its in the background: more enjoyable when shared with friends!) 

So, in a conscious effort to appreciate my own teammates I made a few little treat tags that I plan to use 

with my teacher pals this year as well. (Stacey if you're reading close your eyes now! :) ) They include 8 different treat options that you can brighten someone's day with.  Here are some examples:

Classroom Design (A tribute to my larger classroom that someone new now owns)

Classroom design, it's all consuming.  Try furniture here... try furniture there...the kids go to gym and they come back and things have moved. :) I feel like every August I am always trying to create the perfect space.  One that's functional, organized, and works for all of us.  

Last year I had the job of moving classrooms.  You know the drill, spending several days weeks of your summer just schlepping every thing you own (and I own a lot) down the hall.  It's all kinds of fun! Honestly, that wasn't my biggest issue, the actual moving.  It was the size of my new space. It was smaller, considerably smaller, than what I was leaving.  Cue the gasps!! Storage, what's that? I had a huge wall of built in storage closets in my old space, every child had their own coat cubbie (which if you live in the north you understand the real need...snowpants, boots, mittens, hats... OY!)  and not to mention the ever coveted bathroom en suite.. not one but two...yes two! Oh yes, I was a spoiled gal, and I knew it! 

Once I got over my personal pity party about losing that awesome room I started trolling online blogs, watching for classroom reveals.  I became inspired to change color themes (go big or go home right?).  I can honestly say in the end I love my new room.  I think it's cozy and I have no real regrets about moving at all. After all, we spend more of our waking hours in this space than our own homes, so we need to love it right?! 

Since it's one of my most favorite times of year (seeing all the online classroom tours) I will show you my old room.  I have kissed it goodbye and only on days when it's sunny do I miss it #onewindownow #usedtohaveawholewallfull. Maybe you will get an idea or two from the pics. If you want to see my new space just click on the tab above labeled My Classroom.

If you are posting pics of your own classroom please be sure to comment below.  I would love to check them out! 

(these photos were taken around Halloween, the purple and orange table cloth/pumpkins is not part of my everyday style) 

:)

From One Kindergarten Parent to Another :)

Dropping your child off for their first day of Kindergarten is definitely something you will always remember.  Your emotions are running high and your Kindergarten child is beyond excited to meet their teacher and see their bright new classroom space filled with friends and fun! 

In my teaching career I taught Kindergarten for only two short years! But in those two years I remember clearly being so focused on welcoming the students and making sure I was doing all the right things to help them get settled on their very first day.  I remember the parents lingering by the door and peeking in my windows.  In order to help put the parents minds at ease after ushering the littles to their tables I would hand out this poem and tell the parents we would see them in just a few short hours.  I was given this same poem when I dropped my boys off at Kindergarten both times.  Each time I cried as I left the school, but a sense of security was also there as I read the words handed to me on this piece of paper.  I remember thinking..this will be a great year for them and me!! 

There are two versions of the poem included - a boy version and a girl version.  I have also added a black and white copy to save on ink :) that can be printed on some brightly colored paper.  

Teaching Students to Take Action

Working in an IB (International Baccalaureate) school we spend a lot of time cultivating students that are globally minded.  We strive to teach our students guiding principals in life based around our learner profile traits.  We also spend a great deal of time talking with our students on how they can take action in their lives, and how their actions effect the lives of others.  In my classroom I have an action cycle posted.  This action cycle is referenced when behaviors are noticed.  This may be behaviors that we want to celebrate or sometimes it's even behaviors that we want to change.  Talking with my students and pointing out desired behaviors and how these behaviors impact those around us helps my class to start noticing when other students "take action." Since I am brand new to TPT I have posted this action cycle as a freebie in my store.  If you would like to have a copy of the Action Cycle just click to grab one.  Teaching children to take action can be done in any classroom.  Just taking the time to actually notice students actions and behaviors, and verbalize them with your students makes them aware of how they treat others and the impact they can have.  

Have a great Sunday!! ~ Kim 

And a blog was born...

I have been reading teaching blogs for what feels like forever.  I decided it was finally time to join the party! I am always inspired by the creative ideas and tips that so many educators share and couldn't be more proud to call myself part of this great profession.  

Thank goodness I have several weeks still left of summer to continue to learn this process, because it sure can take a while to teach an old dog new tricks!  Enjoy your remaining days of sunshine and freedom!