Life Without a Teacher Desk

I know there are only thirteen more days of school but I've been wrestling with an idea all year... Can I live without my teacher desk? Several teachers I know have already #ditchedthedesk this year and haven't stop raving about the space and flexibility it provided. I wanted those things too. But I still wanted my own space in my classroom. I don't sit at my desk very much but I felt like I needed a place to enter grades, check over work and keep my supplies. I'll admit, I was way too scared at the beginning of the year to take the leap.

My teacher desk was big and spacious and made me feel like a teacher... Plus, it was my space.

But alas, last Friday, with only 14 days left of school, I decided to try living life without a desk for just a few days. It would be a trial run. Just a few days to see if I really could completely ditch the desk. I knew I wouldn't have to officially give up my desk (since it can easily roll out into the hallway) and I could see if I could really live the desk free life.

Today was my first full day of being desk free. And I realize --  I have space. Glorious much needed floor space! Students commented about being about to stretch out more and we weren't all on top of each other or the massive furniture. My room has so many possibilities by moving Big Bertha to the hallway. I have room for some small end tables or more seating in the library along with room for two more book shelves! once I'm not sure how I'm going to quite utilize the new found space just yet, but I get myself organized, I'll start making some plans. I can't wait to see how one small change will impact my classroom environment. For now, my home base as I'm calling it is at my small group kidney table. I still have a access to all my supplies and have a space for myself in the classroom. I really wish I would have had the courage sooner.

If the notion of getting rid of your desk is even tickling your teacher brain, try it. Do it. It may not work out - and that's okay. But it's so worth giving it a try. I'm not sure why this little change was so hard but I'm glad the desk is ditched.

Library Redecorating {on a budget}

We start back to school in early August! Eeek! Plus, Open House is the first week of August. Double Yikes! So, I've already been in my classroom working on unpacking and doing some "freshening up." Since, I already did a blog post about growing your library on budget. I thought, I'd do a follow up as I work to freshen up my library this year and, of course, I need to do it on a budget! 

Ikea and even Target often have mark downs on display items! I found some great "As Is" items at Ikea for my library! Including two sturdy wooden chairs and a pillow cover! All items were no return so I made sure to thoroughly check them out. Bonus, the Ikea "As Is" section is usually preassembled!

These green pillows were actually outdoor patio pillows on summer clearance! New indoor pillows were $7.99 but these mark down pillows were only $3.00! Slipped a case on these pillows and they are like new! Plus, now they are easier to keep clean! 

How do you freshen up your classroom on a budget?

Library Building on a Budget!

Everyone that knows me, knows I love obsess over a good sale! Why pay more if you don't have too? I use a similar rationale with my school library. If I can get the books cheaper - I'm going to try and go for it because many of the "favorites" cease to return at the end of the year even with my record keeping and stellar accountability system. So, I thought I'd share my top ways to build a library on the cheap!

This seems a little silly but trust me, you need to make a list - favorite authors, genres, titles, etc. Anything you can get down on paper before you hit the store the better. This will help you control some of those impulses scream "Ermaghgerd Books!" and then proceed to buy all books! Here's an example of my list I made for a recent Half Price Book Trip. Before I sat down at thought about author's bins that are overflowing {Gordon Korman} and some that are a little less than flowing {Garth Nix} so I could try and come up with a shopping game plan.

Here's my list:

Make sure you have signed up for mobile coupons or check websites! Half Price Books and Barnes and Noble both offer email coupons to help you save even more. Also, don't forget that many book stores {Half Price and Barnes & Noble, included} offer teacher cards for EXTRA discounts!

Okay, so how do you actually stay on budget when you enter the glorious book store??? GIFT CARDS! This was a fabulous idea brought up by my blogging bestie Lisa from Fourth and Ten! You can buy a VISA giftcard to shop for all your Back to School needs or you can set a book budget. I know it's blasphemy but sometimes you just gotta stick to a budget. This year I saved all my Half Price Cards and Barnes and Noble cards from students and had a pretty decent stash set aside for new books.

Once you're at the store, don't forget to check for a clearance section. This is where I can find some great books for genres or authors on my list. If you have a Half Price Books near by the clearance kid's section is usually less than $3 dollars a book. Usually, the books are $1 a piece! 

Also, if you're an Amazon junkie don't discount the Market Place. I've scored some great books with free prime shipping with little to no damage! I've actually only had one negative Market Place experience in numerous purchases! Half Price Books and Barnes and Noble also have a similar resale market place on their sites!

My Half Price Clearance haul from Friday:

{All books were $1 except Amulet (used 40% off coupon) and Maze Runner $4}

We all have a favorite authors {James Dashner, Roald Smith, Sharon Creech, Kate DiCamillo, Sarah Weeks, Cynthia Lord, Wendy Mass, to name a few} but knowing what's "cool" and what kids are reading is also key. This year I kept track of what books my students were checking out through my reading running record and tracking my Scholastic Book Orders. I also tried to note authors making a comeback like Garth Nix who is now the author of one of the Spirit Animal books. So, finding some of his "other" books keeps kids interested in his work. I also grabbed some Gregor the Overlander books since Hunger Games is still so popular! Many students don't know that Suzanne Collins has other books too!

The Nerdy Book Club is also a great place to go find what other teachers and readers are currently reading and loving!

{My Classroom Library - Read more here}

Hope some of these tips and tricks help you build a stellar classroom library! Building a great library can take time. So, save those Scholastic points, wait for warehouse sales, and use the library as often as possible!

Also, if you're looking for great book bins, Walmart currently has $1 neon crates that make wonderful and sturdy book bins!

How do you build your book collection?

Show Me Your #HotMessClassroom

Today, I spent most of my day up at school sweating my fanny off with no power and no AC. We had a big storm roll through and it seemed to take out the school's power. However, the generators kept a few lights on and that's all I needed to tackle my #HotMessClassroom! I worked for several hours all the while Nelly's voice rang out in my head, "It's hot in herrre. So hot in herrre." Nelly's never seemed so profound- it was literally and figuratively a hot, hot {mess} up in therrre! I took some photos to document my progress as put up new floor to ceiling bulletin boards and tried to make sense of my piles of stuff from last year.

Here's some photos of my hot, hot mess.... Let's start from the beginning.

We'll call this progress..

Nothing would make me feel better than to see your #HotMessClassroom so link up below! Share your photos, horror stories, or anything else you feels deserves that hashtag #HotMessClassroom! If you're on Instragram please play along add the tag to your photos! I know I can't be the only teacher hoarder trying to dig her way out for Open House!

Grab the button and let's see those messes! The link will be open for two weeks so stop by and check out everyone's #HotMess & #HotMessClassroom!

Can't wait to see these photos!

An InLinkz Link-up

Happy Organizing!

Saturday Snapshots & Back to School Sales!

School starts next Wednesday for me. I'm having my normal back to school anxiety right about now. Is everything done? Is it ready? So, what relieves stress better than shopping? The answer is nothing! In honor of back to school, TPT is hosting their back to school sales starting August 18th - 19th! In honor of their sale, I'm also hosting my own sale with everything in my store (sorry, there isn't much) 15% off! I need to go through my wish list and check out the sale... click the icon below to get started! Don't forget to use the promo code: BTS13 when checking out.

But now on to the main event. It's time to do a happy dance because 1) I've finally found some time to blog and 2) ....  

And since it's Saturday and I absolutely love taking photos, I'm linking up with Run! Miss Nelson's Got the Camera for her weekly linky Saturday Snapshops! This week was filled with PD, getting things done in the classroom, and trying to just organize my own thoughts. Ever just sit at your desk and try and decide what to tackle first? I had many of those moments this week... But here are some productive things that came about...

My desk is organized and ready to go - although, I'm probably going to move those  paper clips, they are really bothering me in that spot... You'll also notice in the background student planners are out on the desks and everyone has an assigned seat! Whoo!

Star Wars markers were only $1 for a pack of eight at Target this week! So naturally I bought ten packs! Just a little surprise on each kiddos desk the first day. Last year, I did a mini-mechanical pencil and the "You're Just Write for this Class" tag. This year, I found these and they go with my library theme so well... so I made my own tags!

 New "I Cans" typed up and printed... now I just need to laminate next Monday or Tuesday! Loving the bright colors and half sheets!

Grammar Rocks wall is complete with some Yoda thrown in there. I'm going to use this well to post my mentor sentences that I received from my awesome colleague Amy from the Art of Teaching. She's my grammar guru and huge Jeff Anderson fan - so I'm giving her grammar system a try this year!

Which leads me to this morning, Iggy and I enjoyed some time relaxing in PJ's on the couch... it was nice to have my coffee and watch the DVR without  fretting over getting to school. Plus, who wouldn't want to snuggle with that face?

Hope everyone else has a restful and wonderful weekend,

Teacher Week: Classroom Digs!

I'm a little late to the link up because we had Open House today! However, to continue on with Teacher Week 2013 it's time for some classroom digs! Don't forget to link up with the ladies over at Blog Hoppin' for the rest of the week! I had a red, blue, and blue theme for a while when I taught American History. Most of the fabric still covers my boards (that's expensive to replace!) but my room is no longer themed... it's just all things that I love. Some Peanuts. Some Star Wars. Lots of bright colors. And a laughing zebra. Enough said.

 Without further adieu...here's the highlights....

I must say, I love the blogging community.  I've had a lot of support and praise on Instagram last week as I set up my room! A HUGE special thanks goes out to Jameson from Lessons with Coffee for helping me out with my Stars Wars theme. The awesome recycling poster came from her! She's a rock star and helped me beyond belief. I still have to print some goodies she sent my way! She's one amazing lady and I wished we lived closer so we could actually have coffee, go to the dog park and go school supply shopping... but you should check out her blog!

Also, check out Ashley Hughes' TPT store for the super cute free borders I used! You can grab them here.  Don't forget to link up tomorrow for Organizing for Instruction!

 

I'm exhausted,

Hot Mess to Organized Choas?

Confession: I feel like a terrible blogger lately. I don't know how so many of you keep up with your blog during school! I feel like I've neglected my blog plus all the ones I follow. This summer I was great at reading, linking up, and leaving genuine comments but now... Oh boy! Bloglovin' informed me earlier that I have 33 entries to read. Yikes!... But I do have a sneak peek at what I've been up too and I promise to schedule some blog time later to read and comment! Let's keep this entry visual for my visual learners out there!

I didn't leave my room as disorganized as I had orginally thought, however, my counter space is essential for my new centers - so I had to get it cleared quick! Plus, I needed to expand my library.

Speaking of library... My biggest accomplishment over the past two days is my...

Here's the combo shot of the entire "library" area in my classroom...

I bought a display rack for the top of the book shelf but I still need to build it. Plus, I'm trying to see if my Read Box will work or if I can get some picture frame stands for some favorite books and authors. It's a work in progress but the books are out! That's a step in the right direction!

Lastly, I worked on the writing area in my room. Last year, it was in the spot of the Nonfiction book bins but it was too crowded and the students never ventured back there for writing references or supplies... this year... I took a different approach and moved it to the front of the room! I think it turned out quite well!  It has my whole class journals, revision checklists, editing wheels, and editing pens. I still need to create labels for most of the bins...

Here is a close up of the revision check-lists. I used a FREE editable chevron binder pack from TPT for the covers. I shrunk them down but you could do full sized versions. You can grab the freebie here from Write in the Middle's TPT store. The insides are Megan's  (I Teach What's Your Super Power?) fabulous revision posters also shrunk down! You can grab Megan's Revising Poster and Mini Poster set here from TeachingSuperPower TPT store. Can't wait for students to use these!

I have a little more work to do this week before the big reveal!

Wish me luck,