My New Kindergarten Classroom -- During

It's been a busy couple of weeks!  I want to send a huge THANKS! to all of my family members who pitched in to help me.  I wouldn't be nearly as far along as I am without their invaluable assistance.  This move has also been very good for my "hoarding" condition.  I must have shed several tons of "stuff" that accumulated over the years.  No doubt some of you veteran teachers out there know exactly what I'm talking about!  Needless to say, too, my original floorplan has changed multiple times -- mostly due to furniture and/or decorating restrictions.  Even so, I'm pretty pleased with how the new arrangement is working out.  So, here is a look at my classroom as of today.

My New Kindergarten Classroom -- Before

Tomorrow I'll be moving the remainder of my furniture and supplies into my new classroom at HCES.  Oh, happy day!!  So, I decided to keep a visual record of my classroom setup events -- before, during and after.  Here are some before pictures.  I've also labeled them to show the tentative layout of my classroom areas.  To see the labels, click the "Full Screen" icon; then, click "Show info" at the top of the screen.  Enjoy!

Getting Back into the Swing of Things

This summer break really flew by!  I have to go back to work in about two weeks.  Can't say I'm not ready, though.  I've been thinking a lot about how my first year at Hope-Centennial is going to be.  Honestly -- with a new classroom to set up from scratch, the Daily 5/CAFE to implement for the first time, and, participation in the SwPBS (School-wide Positive Behavior Support) initiative all waiting in the wings, I almost feel like a brand new teacher embarking on my very first teaching assignment!  To say I'm excited is an understatement.  I can't wait to get started!

So, next week my school will be open for a teacher who wants to get a jumpstart on the school year.  That would be me!  Top of my list for next week is moving all of the classroom furniture clogging up my house (and my husband's workshop) into my classroom.  I'm so proud to note that some of that furniture includes new bookcases, storage units, and backpack trees created by my talented woodworking husband, Eric.  His work will adorn my new classroom library, math/science station areas, and the class entryway I lovingly call the "foyer."  Here's a peek at a couple of the new items...

          

Almost Ready to Launch

Last school year I discovered a great flash website design and hosting site called Wix.com.  I have a free subscription and it has proven to be pretty functional considering my needs.  I plan to use the new classroom website I've created on Wix -- Mrs. Codner's Kindergarten --  to introduce visitors to my new classroom, provide parents and others with useful school-related information, and to show my KinderPups in action.  The website will also link to another special site, Mrs. Codner's KinderPups Wiki.  There you'll find a monthly showcase of work and special artifacts produced by the KinderPups.  In fact, they will learn how to use several technology tools to create and share their work products.  Such tools will include:  MS Paint and PowerPoint; Audacity; Voki; Smilebox; and, VoiceThread.  Once my class website and wiki are fully active, the challenge for me will be to keep them updated regularly!

Revamping my Classroom Library

This weekend is turning out to be a scorcher!  With the AC working hard, I'm working hard to finish organizing (or perhaps I should say, "reorganizing") my classroom library.  Doing so is a top priority for me since I plan to implement a kindergarten-friendly version of the Daily 5 (D5) and CAFE in my classroom this year.  The D5 requires that the children interact frequently with 'just right' books.  So, a well-stocked and well-organized classroom library is critical.  I've added quite a few book categories based on the curricular themes covered in the K reading, math, science and social studies lessons on Learning Village and in our own reading series, Treasures.  In fact, I picked up a ton of extra books last month (from a few thrift stores in the area) that will nicely complement the leveled book section of my library.  

As I finish preparing my book baskets, labeling the corresponding books, etc., I'm also pondering the aesthetics of the library. Given the limited space and particular setup of my new classroom, what amenities will make the library a cozy and inviting place in which my KinderPups can spend quality time reading? Natural light, yes. Plants, yes.  Pictures in frames, yes.   Reading Buddies, yes.  Comfortable seating, yes.  In fact, the set of six soft seats from Lakeshore shown above would be absolutely perfect!  

Lazy Days of Summer -- NOT!

My mind has been spinning as I fervently plan for my new adventure at Hope-Centennial Elementary.  After seven years at GWES, it's almost like starting over again. That isn't a bad thing, though.  I'm the kind of person who seems to thrive on the change that comes from chaos in my life. Such change always prompts me to improve myself as an educator, and, to provide my Kindergartners with fresh and innovative learning pathways.  This coming school year is surely going to be an exciting challenge!