After An Educator's Journey
Out of the classroom & into the universe
recent posts
about
Once upon a time, I taught 2nd, 3rd, and 4th graders. Now I’m retired and working on new ventures.
Category: classroom set up
-
The Daily Five Tip of the Week had a wonderful cover story this week. In it, Lori Sabo writes about the lasting impact Joan Moser had on a former first grader, recent high school graduate. In the end, the former student describes her current self through the books she loves. Beyond the well-deserved thanks that Joan…
-
How do you define your classroom space? I like to call mine collaborative classroom design. As a follower of Responsive Classroom, I know how important it is for students to feel ownership and have a voice in designing the space we share. When I walk into my classroom space for the first time after a summer break, I…
-
It rained last Thursday. Which isn’t really news-worthy unless you are a teacher with just a few weeks left of summer break. A rainy day is usually the impetus for me to start readying my classroom for the first day of school. This year I am a bit more behind the eight ball than usual…
-
In the upcoming school year, I will be changing grade levels and classrooms. Honestly, I am not sure which of those two is more scary – learning a new curriculum or moving my collected treasures. The move to a new classroom is at once exhilarating and deflating. I do welcome the chance to vigorously downsize…
-
This week my principal approached me with an intriguing question – would you be willing to loop to fourth grade with your students? I needed a little time to think about that, but not for the reasons you might assume. My hesitation had nothing to do with a repeat year with my students, some of…
-
I broke down today and started to work on a room arrangement. I am planning on 24 kids – already have 23 on the roster – and have a contingency for a 25th. Here are some “before” shots from last June: Step one was to move shovemy desk out of the way. I have a…
-
I’ve been spending a bit of time thinking about what the physical atmosphere and arrangement of the classroom projects. I am a packrat. There, I’ve said it. I saved egg cartons – must have had to toss about 50 of them when we moved 16 years ago – knowing in my teacher brain that I…
-
I’ve been at this for 23 Fall startups now and I’ve yet to find the “perfect” room configuration. Over time, I’ve managed to get the task of setting up – at least for Day 1 – down to a two-day affair, but it is not without angst. My students do not sit in rows –…
-
Hours put in since the last post: 6+ Yesterday I met with our Team’s new Special Education Teacher, Melissa. I don’t know about Melissa, but I am definitely feeling the overwhelming panic that encompasses the start of a new year. The weird dreams have already begun. It will be good to get back to school…
-
Time 4.5 hours After cleaning and arranging the large items in my classroom, it is time to start prepping for the students’ arrival. I purchased an additional 10 cardboard magazine files to be used as book boxes. That makes a total of 24. I am prepping for 24 because that, in theory, is the maximum…
After An Educator's Journey 