Five for Friday - First Week of School Edition

This has been one crazy week.  Thank goodness it's time for...

Yes, it's Saturday, but I'm just happy I've found the energy to get it done!

1.  Not One but TWO FIRST DAYS of School

My darling boy started school on Monday.  I've been a bit of a wreck because he really never went to "preschool" - why should I send him when I have perfectly willing grandparents that want to spend time with him?  But, that means his "Classroom Behavior" probably isn't going to be spot on for a bit.  I'll be the first to tell you - the kid has ants in his pants!

Here he is on his first day.  He's been forcing the hubby and/or the grandparents to leave extra early for school.  He's been first at the gate for the past three days.

Then I went back to school and had my first day on Thursday.  This momma/teacher is TIRED.

2.  39 Kids!

I have 39 kids in my Language Arts class.  It's a packed house.  I'm just a smidge irritated with this because I only have 33 in my other LA class.  We can't seem to overcome the scheduling demons to balance this out?  I kinda hate it because you can't really "work" a room when you're constantly tripping over people and chair legs.

3.  Print?  Who needs to print stuff?!

Since I switched rooms over the summer, my laptop isn't connected to the printer in my room.  Yes, I could throw my stuff on a flash drive, boot up the other computers, log on, print my stuff, log off...  It sounds exhausting to me - what about you.  So, I will stoically wait until I can really just print my stuff.

4.  Room 312

Speaking of... I took all my pictures of my pretty sparkling room on Friday.  I just need to upload them to my computer and then you can enjoy my classroom set up.  I know that the blogging world needs more examples of Middle School classrooms.  Plus, I will do some NOW and THEN comparisons.  I remember the nastiness I walked into this May.

5.  Sleeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeep

I am sleeping in tomorrow!  I think I have to in order to start regaining some sanity because it's 0 to 60mph on Monday with starting to train my class on academic procedures, academic discussions and more.  (Ugh!  The first three weeks are always such a pain.  I enjoy teaching when I can just get everyone WITH the PROGRAM!)

Also - it's my 2nd blog-a-versary in September.  I was thinking of hosting a fun giveaway.  Is there anyone out there that would like to participate??  Email me at freelauren21@gmail.com and let me know.

2012-2013 Classroom Pics

One week down... only 35 to go, right?!

Actually, for all intents and purposes - I had a really great week.  My elective kids seem to be good kids, enjoying my wacky ways of doing things and being able to roll with the punches.  It's nice to have kids repeat back my super chipper "Good Mooorning!" at the door. Last year, they sneered at me as they dragged themselves into my room.  Not a good way to start off your day.

Too bad I only had one problem boy this afternoon.  He told me that learning about the Olympics in the computer class was "Stupid and he knows everything about computers anyway" and then stomped from the room as I explained that I didn't really think he knew everything and it was only the first week of school...  Oh well.  Tough cookies for him.  He can transfer out or whatever.  Don't care.  He's not ruining my happiness of the computer lab and wonderful students.

On to my classroom!  Remember back in June - this is what my room looked like:

I'm proud to present my room as it stands now!  I know that it's not super fancy like many a elementary room, but the computers take up most of the space.  Plus, I need open project space for photography, video shots, etc.

My teaching station.  Every period, I display the date and our Daily Objective that they copy down into their Reminder Binder.  I always thank them for being here!

My All About Me board - Yes, kids your teacher has a life outside of school!  I'll fill it up with more things as the year progresses!

My all black background with fun borders to make it pop!

Classroom Computer Lab Guidelines...  I'm going to add more computer info graphics to this board when I find them.  Surprisingly, there's not a whole lot of computer poster stuff at Lakeshore.  Also, not a lot of computer graphics online either.

The wall behind the paper was so torn up and ugly.  Had to cover it up!

One section of blue to contrast against the black.  Really makes it POP!  This is where all the school announcement stuff will go.

And finally... this is stupid, but I'm so proud of my ugly switch solution.  I bemoaned a while back about the paper and having the cut around the outlets.  I put up my paper and cut out the holes for the outlets, not worrying too much about cutting them close, but keeping clean edges.  Then I bought the cheap borderette at Lakeshore and cut that to match the edges.  It almost looks like it's peeling up the sides and I like the change in texture.  Yes, this is dorky, but I liked how it came out!