This past week I began the tough process of getting back into “the routine.” Yes, teachers have to do this too! No more late nights during the week, sleeping in past 8 a.m. (I know – that’s half the day gone already – lol!) and lounging in my pjs til noon. I set my alarm for 5:30 a.m. and tried to get into school at least a few of the mornings to start putting our room back together from summer cleaning.
Here is what I have been working on:
After my reading course this summer, I decided to create a special space in my classroom dedicated to working with small groups. I have always worked with small groups through the day, however, now all my materials will be right at my finger tips! What a concept!
I’ve moved around our work tables and centered the meeting rug to the middle of the room. The rug is not touching any walls or bookcases, which hopefully will make the children sit up better using their core muscles during Morning Meeting!
This closet just had a makeover! I wish I had taken a “before” picture, you’ll just have to trust me when I say it was packed full of stuff with no rhyme or reason. Now we have a literacy shelf, math shelf, games (that are in good condition – I tossed all the ones with missing pieces) on a shelf children can reach and my lifetime supply of bulletin board boarders within easy reach. Let’s hope it stays this clean throughout the year!
Another newly organized area is my treasure box shelves. After 6 years, I have put on labels and made sure all the “treasures” are good ones. The empty box is now filled with a new surprise I bought at Lakeshore Learning! (Ms. Purdin has impulse buying issues when it comes to that store!)
After all that moving and organizing, I took a break on Friday from coming into school and spent the day at the beach in Marblehead with friends. The ocean was freezing! But nothing’s better than your feet in the sand and a good book to read!
Enjoy the weather this weekend!
Ms. Purdin 🙂
