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| border by Coffee, Kids, and Compulsive Lists |
It's all about the collaboration of ideas, the online support, and the belief that these fellow bloggers have become your friends...not in a grown-up version of an imaginary friend...but a virtual friend...and that is amazing.
Some of my bloggy friends have generously donated to my virtual treasure chest of prizes. So please show them some bloggy love and appreciation by following their blogs, FB pages, and TpT stores. There's a lot of talent out there!
Arlene from LMN Tree
one lucky Pirate will get:
Sally from Elementary Matters
one lucky pirate will get:
Kim from Finding Joy in 6th Grade
one lucky Pirate will get:
$10 from KPM Doodles
Jeannie from Kindergarten Lifestyle
one lucky Pirate will get:
Molly from Classroom Confections
and from Me
one lucky Pirate will get:
one lucky Pirate will get:
Fern from Fern Smith's Classroom Ideas
Fern from Fern Smith's Classroom Ideas
Kim from Finding Joy in 6th Grade
one lucky Pirate will get:
$10 from KPM Doodles
Jeannie from Kindergarten Lifestyle
one lucky Pirate will get:
Molly from Classroom Confections
and from Me
one lucky Pirate will get:
I want to thank all of you that have read my ramblings, peeked inside my classroom, and took the time to follow my blog and fan page. It.means.a.lot!
As always, I would love to hear from you! How did you stumble into the blogging world? How has it impacted you and your classroom?
The first thing for me would be to get the furniture where I want it so that my inspiration and take off from there. Congrats :) Blogging is definitely awesome :)
ReplyDeleteHeidi
My (Not So) Elementary Life
mynotsoelementarylife@yahoo.com
Thank you, Heidi :) I usually draw out a loose plan on paper. Then, like you, I start with the "big stuff" which allows the rest of the room to take shape. Thanks for coming by!
DeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteThe first thing I do is wash the inside and outside of my students desks.
DeletePrivate school, so there are only 6 this year. Then I arrange my room- different every year... otherwise I get too bored.. LOL
Love your blog!!
Peggy
mrspaulson@gmail.com
Hi, Peggy. I am thankful that we have a wonderful cleaning crew that cleans our tables, carpets, and rugs over the summer. Luckily, you only have 6 desks to clean :) I know what you mean about a different arrangement...if only my chalkboards weren't permanent or I would move those too...lol! Thanks for stopping by!
DeleteThe first thing I do is unpack and start bulletin boards.
ReplyDeleteHi, Linbet. Oooh, I love making new bulletin boards! I wish I could say the same about unpacking...I'm glad you came by!
DeleteMake sure everything is squeaky clean after summer break.
ReplyDeleteHi, Mike's Mom, aaahhh, a fresh slate...luckily for me, our cleaning crew does a great job of that...there's not much to clean when I return :) Thanks for coming by!
DeleteUnpack, situate desks, and ORGANIZE!
ReplyDeleteKim, I spent about three days at the end of school year organizing the teaching materials in my 4-drawer file cabinet. I purged 8 years worth of stuff, and it was sooo cleansing (weird, huh?). It's hard getting rid of things that I'd been holding onto, but getting rid of my file cabinet gives me more room for my kiddos :)
DeleteGreat giveaway! The first thing I do is cry! LOL! No, really, the first thing I do is place my furniture so I can put all my stuff on the tables. Then, I spend the rest of the day losing things! Tape, stapler, scissors. It's inevitable!
ReplyDeleteѼ Lori
Teaching With Love and Laughter
luvyorkies@gmail.com
Thanks, Lori! Ha, ha...sometimes it's overwhelming that first moment when you walk into your room and see everything pushed to one side and boxes, tables, and chairs all around you. I finally got smart and put all my get-my-room-together supplies in one box...now, I'll just have to find that box...lol :)
DeleteCongrats on 100+
ReplyDeleteThe first thing I do is CLEAN!
Elizabeth
Fun in Room 4B
Thanks, Elizabeth :) Wow, I feel kinda special because there's very little to clean when I return due to our amazing cleaning crew :) Thanks for coming by!
DeleteI stumbled upon blogging right at the end of the school year. I am so grateful I discovered this new world of resources now to give me time to put into place some of the great organizational tips that have been shared. There has been a tremendous effort to align activities to the Core Standards and just those things will make the transition go much more smoothly. Thanks for your work of putting this together!
ReplyDeleteHi, Versana. I found the blogging world around October of last year, and knew that I had to be a part of it! The online teaching community is wonderful...I feel blessed that I discovered it! Thanks for coming by!
DeleteWhat a great give-away!! Thanks!!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Susanlulu! Glad you stopped by!
DeleteThe first thing I do in my classroom is arrange the furniture, then I start moving in all the new stuff that I've made or accumulated over the summer. :-)
ReplyDeleteKim
Hi, Kim. I have the same approach...I move the big furniture first, then the rest kinda falls into place. I purged my classroom at the end of last year, so hopefully I made room for all my new goodies :) Thanks for stopping by!
DeleteI haven't had my own classroom yet, but this year for my Internship, the first thing we did was organize furniture! My mentor was a perfectionist so it took us 3 hours to get furniture where we wanted it! I think, though, if I had my own classroom, the first thing I would do is my bulletin boards before I put things below the boards!
ReplyDeleteCongrats on 100+ followers!
Sara
Miss V's Busy Bees
Hi, Sara. You poor thing about moving the furniture...but, I'm kinda a "recovering" perfectionist myself :) Luckily now, I can get a good visualization in my head and think about it for a couple of days (or hours), and then move or rearrange an area. I do that all throughout the year...hmmm...maybe I'm not in recovery after all...ha, ha. Starting with bulletin boards helps to create the mood of your classroom :) Good luck on getting your own room!
DeleteCongrats on all your followers! The first thing I do when I get into my classroom is rearrange the furniture after the carpet has been cleaned.
ReplyDeletepattib203@yahoo.com
primarypizzazz.blogspot.com
Thanks, Patti! Starting with the furniture is a biggie :) Thanks for coming by!
DeleteI clean everything before setting up my room. It is always dusty!
ReplyDeletekellybrown28021@gmail.com
Hi, Kelly. Luckily for me, my classroom is pretty clean when I come back from the summer break :) Thanks for stopping by!
DeleteThe first thing I do is get my bulletin board paper and border up the way I want it to be, then I start cleaning!
ReplyDeletekferretti@peachtreeacademy.com
Hi, Ms. Ferretti. I think when you start with your bulletin boards and border, it sets the theme of your classroom :) Thanks for coming by!
DeleteThe first thing I do is set up my carpets and tables and build from there! I like the furniture to be placed so I know how it's going to look and flow!
ReplyDeleteGreg
Smedley's Smorgasboard of Kindergarten
Hi, Greg. I completely agree :) I have three "carpet" areas that help define the space in my classroom. Once those and my tables get put into place, then the rest just seems to follow :) Thanks for coming by!
DeleteThe first thing I do when I walk into my classroom after summer break is panic! There is sooo very much to do in sooo very little time! After that initial shock, I arrange the desks. This action always makes me feel like I've regained some control and order over the chaos. :)
ReplyDeleteHi, Aimshort...lol...I hear ya! This year they have made our first three contract days back to school professional development days - which only leaves two days to prep the classroom! Needless to say, I'll probably be back in my room two weeks before that :) I agree, making at least one solid arrangement decision helps you feel that you have accomplished something! Thanks for coming by!
DeleteI sit back and admire my empty lesson plan book. :-)
ReplyDeleteimgoingfirst@gmail.com
Hi, Delighted. I love the feeling of starting fresh...a new book...a new theme...a brand new plan book :) Thanks for coming by!
DeleteThe first thing I do is clean my room because CCD uses my classroom over the summer. I work in a Catholic School.
ReplyDeleteElizabeth
Epodolski@arcsgalloway.org
Hi, Elipod. Ugh, returning to a room you hafta clean...but, then again, you start out on a clean slate :) Thanks for coming by!
DeleteYou are so right, teacher bloggers just seem to get it! I feel such a connection to teacher bloggers because we all can completely relate to each other. Congrats on your followers! The first thing I do is unload all of my bulletin boards and posters out of my cabinets to put up. :)
ReplyDeleteLisa
Learning Is Something to Treasure
Thanks, Lisa! I find so much more camaraderie here online than I do at my school :(, but as they say "surround yourself with positive," so I went in search of it and found it here!! Ahhh, fresh bulletin boards...I can hear the stapler now :) Thanks for stopping by!
DeleteThe first thing I do is survey my room and plan what needs to be done: move furniture, bulliten boards, classroom decorations, and etc.
ReplyDeleteLori
littlelori0411@yahoo.com
Hi, Lori. Yes, I agree, you have to start with a plan. I am going with a new theme this year, so it's hard to plan for everything I need without being able to look in my classroom...but, it'll all fall into place when I return :) Thanks for coming by!
DeleteThe first thing I do is pull all the paper off my library and big book bookcase. Then I start arranging furniture.
ReplyDeleteHi, Cecilia. Many of my colleagues also cover their bookcases over the summer...it keep them from getting dusty and getting moved :) Thanks for coming by!
DeleteThe first thing is to arrange the furniture in the room and then clorox wipe off everything. I am a big believer in clorox wipes.
ReplyDeleteThen I start putting in the centers where I want them to go.
And the fun begins!!
Bobbi
bcapwell@ccisd.net
Hi, Bobbi...arranging the furniture first is a biggie. I am a sanitizing freak...at the first sniffle, I am like "everyone sanitize" lol... Thanks for coming by!
DeleteI stumbled upon blogging by following other teacher bloggers and joining an on-line book study. In order to participate I needed a blog to respond to the questions related to the chapters, so I decided that it would be a great summer project. I have been so enriched and encouraged by by new "virtual friends" and look forward to blog- hoping daily. The posts are very insightful and filled with resources that inspire me to continue developing as an educator. I'm HOOKED!
ReplyDeleteMrs. P
Http://www.mrspelaez.com
Twitter: @Mrspelaez
Facebook: MrsPelaezRocks
Hi, Mrs. P. I completely agree!! Online blogging is the best professional development that you can have...I feel so encouraged and inspired when interacting with other bloggers! I appreciate you stopping by!
DeleteOOPS! I meant, ...BY MY new "virtual friends." NOT, BY BY! :(
ReplyDeleteno worries :)
DeleteOH! MY! I need to revise more carefully!!!! I also meant blog-hopping!!!!! ARGH! :D
DeleteHa, ha...I knew what you meant, sweetie :)
DeleteThe first thing I do is move all of my furniture and unstack a ton of chairs!
ReplyDeletelraines78@gmail.com
Hi, Lori. Starting with the furniture seems to be the norm...probably because it's the biggest piece of the puzzle :) Thanks for stopping by!
DeleteThe first thing I do is rearrange all of my furniture. I don't like my classroom to look the same way two years in a row!
ReplyDeleteI just found your blog and I love it!
Sherry
sherrymc62@bellsouth.net
Awww, thanks Sherry! I'm with you, I like a new arrangement every year, too! Thanks for coming by!
DeleteThe first thing I do is start is plan, plan, plan!
ReplyDeleteLearning With Susie Q
susieqsclass@gmail.com
Hi, Susie. Sometimes I think I overplan...lol...especially those first few days...but, then the routines all fall into place. Thanks for coming by!
DeleteThe first thing I do is reorganize. Not my favorite part so I do this first with the decorating part as my motivation. I won't let myself start decorating until the organization is done. I feel like this gets my year off on the right foot.
ReplyDeleteHi, Amy. I completely understand...we all need a little motivation to get through all the planning and organization that needs to be done! But, it's well worth it in the end when you stop and look at what you've accomplished :) Thanks for stopping by!
DeleteThe first thing I do when I get back to school is to unpack all the boxes and arrange the furniture. Then I like to start putting up a bulletin board or two so that it starts to look like a classroom again. I'm so excited to implement my new theme of black and white (with a splash of color)this year and to bring all the ideas that I'm learning from other bloggers and pinterest!
ReplyDeleteDiane
schoolhousetreasures
Hi, Diane. Luckily, I don't have too much to unpack...but, plenty of arranging to do :) I'm lovin' getting to use black and white also...it's very piratey...ha, ha...Thanks for stopping by!
DeleteThe first thing I will do is figure out how I want to arrange the furniture. New classroom this year so endless possibilities!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the giveaway :)
khzwolinski at gmail dot com
Hi, Krystin...this giveaway has been so fun! Ooh, the fresh, clean slate of a new classroom! Thank you for coming by!
DeleteThe first thing I do is clean anything that needs to be cleaned. Then I begin moving furniture.
ReplyDeleteamelias.schaeffer@gmail.com
Hi, Amelia. Moving the big stuff and cleaning seems to be the norm :) Thanks for stopping by!
DeleteThe first thing I do when I get back is pull all my furniture out of my office and arrange it in my room 3 or 4 different times until I decide how I like it. Then I start getting things organized for my kiddos when they come back.
ReplyDeleteHi, Bonnie. I hear ya...sometimes your vision of how the furniture should fit doesn't match reality...but you know what will work and what won't :) Sometimes, I move things around in the middle of the year...it's a sickness, I know...ha, ha...Thanks for coming by!
DeleteThe first thing that I do is arrange my classroom furniture. This year will be different as I will most likely have to move all of my things into a different classroom. After 7 1/2 years of Kindergarten I "graduated" to 1st grade.
ReplyDeleteAmber
Hi, Amber...aww, but teaching firsties is amazing!! They come in as lil kinders (which will be very familiar to you) and grow to become these awesome 2nd graders...plus, they can mostly tie their own shoes and are a lil more independent :) Thanks for coming by!
DeleteWhile I don't have my own blog (yet), discovering these blogs and the ideas and resources that SO many others have unselfishly given has definitely inspired and excited me about teaching next year...and that is something I needed and am so thankful for. So thank you and to all the others who have put me on a different road, (I hope!)
ReplyDeleteDiane
dmikle@charter.net
Hi, Diane...awww how sweet!! Blogging has definitely improved my teaching...the enthusiasm and inspiration that you find on blogs is contagious :) It's sad how I get more feedback and support online rather than at my own school :( But, that's why I'm here...follow your heart and the rest will (hopefully) fall into place. Thanks for coming by!
DeleteP.S. You should start a blog...it will change you :)
Oh....and I spent 4 hours in my room rearranging today and have already been planning the first quarter with my teammates....: )
ReplyDeleteWow...4 hours...awww...team planning...I am sooo jealous :)
DeleteI'm a first year teacher, so I haven't had to ever get my room ready for school before. The first thing I plan on doing is organizing my stuff!
ReplyDeleteAshley
arclark2012@gmail.com
Hi, Ashley. Awww, how fun...organizing for your first year!! My advice: it doesn't all have to be perfect for the first day. Get plenty of rest 'cause the first couple of days are both exhausting and exhilarating! Good luck this year :)
DeleteFirst thing I do is put up my calendar and my bulletin boards. :o)
ReplyDeleteCindy
ccfirstteacher@gmail.com
Hi, Cindy. I think starting with your bulletin boards helps you get your theme going in your classroom. Plus, you can see your progress immediately :) Thanks for stopping by!
DeleteFirst thing I will be doing this year is unpacking... I am moving from my kindergarten classroom of 11 years to 2nd grade. Thanks!!!
ReplyDeletehappy2scrap4life@hotmail.com
Hi, Jennifer...oh, wow! From Kinder to 2nd?!! But, you will get to have some of your previous kiddos...all grown up (ok, well, two years older :) Thanks for coming by!
DeleteFirst thing I will be doing is moving everything in and unpacking. I have moved to a new building. Should be a fun year!
ReplyDeleteCongrats and thanks!
scubaisfun1@hotmail.com
Thank you, Wendy! Ooohhh, a new building...is there room for me? Ha, ha...hope you have a great year! Thanks for stopping by!
DeleteThe first thing I do is set up all of the furniture and my teacher desk. Once the shell is done, then I can get down to the nitty gritty!
ReplyDeleteFaithful in First
Hi, Janine. I completely agree...once you get the big stuff done, all the rest falls into place :) Thanks for coming by!
DeleteI always organize my furniture and clean countertops and desktops.
ReplyDeleteDenise
Yearn to Learn Blog
taskcard123@yahoo.com
Hi, Denise. Starting with furniture and cleaning seems to be what the majority of teachers do :) What are your favorite cleaning products for your classroom? Thanks for coming by!
DeleteThe first thing I do is take before pictures to show how much has to be done :)
ReplyDeleteHi, Melissa. That is a great idea! I'll have to do that this year (especially since I'm changing themes) for the "before" and "after" shots. Thanks for coming by!
DeleteThe first thing I do to get my room ready is arrange the furniture and organize all of the supplies.
ReplyDeletePamela
First Class Teacher
Hi, Pamela. Arranging furniture and organizing are biggies! Thanks for stopping by!
DeleteThe first thing I do to get ready is get my students names on everything so they feel like they have a place to land and that the classroom belongs to them on their first day. I do that and what feels like a million more things to get ready.
ReplyDeleteLindsey
Lovin’ Kindergarten
Hi, Lindsey. What a great way to welcome them and have them take ownership of the classroom right away :) Thanks for stopping by!
DeleteThe first thing I do is just walk in the room and kind of stare at everything! Just sit and plan in my head. Once I'm kind of in the zone I usually make a list of what needs to be done and decorate!!! Welcome bulletin board in the hallway first and then the calendar board and get moving because there's always a billion things to do and never enough time!
ReplyDeleteTammy
Hi, Tammy! Your plan sounds just like mine :) It feels great to cross things off a list, doesn't it?! I couldn't agree more about the "billion things to do and never enough time"!! Thanks for coming by!
DeleteThe first thing I do is put on some loud music and clean up what ever was left behind from the summer school that was held in my classroom. Then, I unload all of my bags of goodies that I bought over the summer. I then start making lists of what needs to be done and start organizing and making things look pretty.
ReplyDeleteHi, Malinda. I love the idea of loud music 'cause then you're less likely to get interrupted... :) You've got a great plan in place! Plus, you can see progress immediately :) Thanks for coming by!
DeleteORGANIZE! ORGANIZE! ORGANIZE! Phew....did I say organize? :o) I have yet to be in the same room from year to year so I have to organize the classroom. Once I have organized and arranged the room, I can begin everything else.
ReplyDeleteJennifer
jennkeys @ gmail . com
Hi, Jennifer! Oh, wow...moving every year?! You must have it down to a science...and you're probably not a recovering pack-rat, like me...lol...Thanks for coming by!
DeleteWell, I have never had a classroom of my own (i just graduated from college) but i'm all about planning and organization. I'd sit on a desk in the middle of my room and map out/plan where everything should go. I'd create checklists and planning lists, and then get started!
ReplyDeleteAllie
The Gypsy Teacher
Hi, Allie! Welcome to the teaching world :) Your plan sounds like a good one, though! Good luck to you :) Thanks for stopping by!
DeleteI’m your newest follower. Please check out my blog if you get a chance. Calling Plays in 2nd Grade.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Shanell
Hi, Shanell. Thanks for stopping by! I follow you as well :)
Delete