Another, Made it

For my second Monday Made It! I am happy to announce.....I did not make anything, well almost.  My husband took pity on me and my many boxes and put together all my purchases from Ikea.  The smaller human?  That is my ever helpful son.  The adorable rug is also from Ikea, the couch, Ikea (at least 10 years old and was originally in my house.  They don't even make the slip cover anymore. Bummer!)

Six teal stools for my reading table.

Close up of old couch.  I added the grey euro shams this year.  Some pillows might end up on the floor.    Sham's are from...Ikea.

My new rolling carts and coffee table.  All from...you guessed it, Ikea.

The boys worked for 4 hours lining up screw holes and twisting on wheels.  They were completely worn out at the end of the day.  They finished building it all so I can concentrate on the rest of my classroom.

You would think that Ikea is in my home town.  Nope, it requires a road trip.

I did make this.  The easel was on sale at Hobby Lobby, I added flowers and ribbons.  I think I will write the assignments for my reading groups on this.  Super cute, right?

My First Monday Made it!

I am so excited to participate in my first Monday Made It!

While at the lake my wonderful mother-in-law helped me make curtains for my new classroom.  I cannot sew at all and she has helped me with many projects over the years.

My mother-in-law is the quilter in the family.

The fabric I found at fabric.com is designed by Michael Miller designs.  He has wonderful designs and the doodle damask was my favorite.  I am pairing it with black and teal.  It concerned me that it may be too dark but I am happy to say it does not appear to be, yet.

A finished stack of 8 panels.  I'll show the curtains hung up after I am able to get back into my classroom.  I am waiting for the maintenance crew to be done cleaning and move furniture back.  I have a ton of things sitting in my sunroom as well.  My husband can't wait to have the room cleaned out.  On a totally different note look what came to my house!

A brand new dishwasher!  I am so excited to run the first official load...maybe tomorrow night.

SDE Conference for Extraordinary Educators

Today was amazing! 

I am fortunate that my school district has allowed me to spend a few days in the beautiful city of Chicago.  While I am here, I am attending the SDE Conference for ExtraOrdinanary Educators. The fabulous Downtown Chicago Marriott Hotel on the Magnificent Mile has been the home of the event.  The location is perfect good food, shopping, people watching, the list goes on.

My sessions started this morning, CARA CARROLL, from the First Grade Parade presented all about math program and how she teaches in her classroom.  She has amazing ideas all over her blog then to hear her talk about her class and what they do daily was great.  One of my take homes from her seminar was her "Math Mouth" book of anchor charts.  She went into detail about how she works with her kids to breakdown math vocabulary, create mini anchor charts to show their definitions and picture support and then then keeps them in a central location.  Then the students can reference the book when they needed.  She talks just like her blog reads.  (If that makes sense.)  I know she is just a regular teacher like the rest of us, but it was exciting to meet someone who I only follow online and don't really know but I feel like I know.  Since this whole blogging world is new to me anyway it is super exciting.  I was however brave enough to ask for a picture with her.  See that's us.  Poor thing was mobbed by people at the end of her seminar for pictures.  If I was her I would have spent the rest of the day celebrating my successful presentation.  Shopping and drinks for all!

Who should be at the same meeting to support her bud?  Abby Mullins from The Inspired Apple.  (Excuse the HUGE bags under my eyes.  The sirens kept me up from 3:00-5:00 AM last night.  Love the big city!!)  Just chatting with her  about life and about adopting and school, regular stuff.  She is presenting on Monday.  Yes, I am going to be there.  I'll share all about that next time.

Then after a full afternoon listening how to make science notebooks and motivating my African American boys (more on that later)  I had dinner with my husband's best friend and his wife.  They live near the city and drove in just for a little dinner with me.  They picked a winner too, the pasta was amazing.  I love spending time with them and it was certainly unique since my husband was not there to reminisce with his best friend.  The beautiful the wife is a teacher too so we always have TONS to talk about.  I wish we lived closer.

What a first day!  I can't wait to see what tomorrow brings.

Moving on Up and Down

I am moving up and down this fall!  Up to a new grade level, I'll be teaching second grade next year.  Down to a new classroom in the lower level of our school.  I am so excited to move into a new space.  I have been teaching in the same classroom for the last twelve years while I taught first grade.  I loved teaching first grade but I am ready for a new challenge.

I am working on a totally new design and color scheme in my new classroom.  This is what it looks like right now with some of my furniture and before it was cleaned.

View from the door.  See the half wall?  I love the little foyer.

Still at the door.  This boy is mine.  He loves coming to school in the summer.  Can't you tell?

This is the view from the couch.  The remnant carpet is going bye-bye.
My new rug is still rolled up  in the plastic.

View from the couch of the built-in cabinets and my little foyer.

This yellow and blue wall will be painted.  (Just did it today!)

I love the idea of a sink and places to store cleaning supplies.

The front of my classroom with a Smartboard, white board and map.

The view from the front looking to the back.

They are cleaning my classroom this week and when they are done I can get all my boxes unpacked.  I am excited to get started on the 2013-2014 school year.

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