New Year...New Adventures

2015 is here and I am ready. I am ready to challenge myself in new ways.

Here are a few of my challenges to myself:

1) Join/participate in Book Club online during school. 

Sign up here if you haven't already. Thanks Class Collective for hosting!

2) Host a way for my staff, board tweeters and other members of Ontario can get to know each other better. The Cold Thaw Collaboration Challenge was born. If you have not signed up...sign up here. It is free! A lighthearted way to get to know each other better.

3) Keep my room organised. After three plus teachers in my room over my maternity leave my classroom was in shambles. I have spent the past week getting it ready for students. Here are a few glimpses of the overall look. There is lots of blank walls to be filled by students.

Hard to see but desks are in a U shape with a back row. Table at the centre for a space for groups to work. Front shelves have classroom supplies that students can access such as paper, pens, rulers etc.

The bulletin board at the back only has the motivational poster which is just there temporarily. The back cupboards were cleaned inside and on top. Counter tops all cleared off. It feels so good looking at it. The motivational posters on the upper cabinets were moved above the coat rack.  

This was Pinterest inspired I must admit but I love the FOCUS around the clock. The quote blown up is:

“All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given us.” -J.R.R. Tolkien

The bookshelf full of the text books that I rarely use in class. I also decided to put my "hand in bins" on the top shelf to keep the bookshelf top clear of "mess". It is new but we will see.

My closet by far the best before and after picture! It is full of manipulatives for math and some science. 

Final picture of my room. The empty frames are where the anchor charts we are working on will be posted. The small group learning table for meetings with the teacher. The top bulletin board is one students use the most. It has the levels and below how that corresponds to a percentage grade. This helps the grade 7 & 8's understand their marks deeper. 

I still haven't decided what the best part of my room is...but I know it does feel so good to be cleaned!

Did you set goals for yourself? I am curious to what other educator goals are out there. I will be reading some of my favourite blogs this afternoon to find out more. 

Happy New Year to my readers! Cheers!