MOVE THAT BUS!!!

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And now, for your viewing pleasure, (after a week's worth of NONSTOP work), here is a WHOLE LOTTA "AFTER"!

The Classroom Library:

Genius education/literacy studies have consistently shown that the classroom library is a pretty big deal.  So, I wanted to make something fun, comfortable and inviting.  This way, the students are more inclined to get into the designated library space, pick up a book, and READ.  Oh - and the cool multicolored lights?  I thought a great way to engage students in our read-alouds would be to shut off the overhead lights, and turn on the funky spotlights in an effort to add a little bit of excitement, suspense and drama.  Now, they'll feel like it's an exciting and separate theatrical event severed from the monotony of endless classroom time.  *Also note that this classroom renovation time has conveniently corresponded precisely with my own personal household move - which means I can save lots on storage by cramming my classroom full of inviting furniture & warm homey touches.  (But no, I didn't have a house full of small rainbow beanbags).

The Classroom Store:

Ok - so while the plans for the classroom Dunkin' Donuts bit the dust due to some finicky franchise laws and one particularly confrontational local owner, the classroom store on the other hand was seen to fruition.  Driven by a previously successful Positive Behavioral Support classroom management strategy (while student teaching), students will earn dollars for good behavior, character, and work ethic.  Then, they can peruse through the catalog, and purchase a whole slew of student friendly prizes like cool pens, funky erasers, book marks, books, cards, rock star trophies, travel games, etc (THANK YOU Oriental Trading!).  Additionally, they can buy a free homework pass, or proactively work together as a class to pool their money for an expensive class prize like a kickball game or classroom trivia show.  ....By the way.....shhhh.....Home Depot doesn't know I "borrowed" their logo. )

  

The Rest of The Room:

I'm not exactly sure how I'll use this activity center, but I made it in Grad School and have yet to  modify it down a couple grade levels.  Modification will also include a general facelift - like gluing the letter "t" back in front of "he 5 longest rivers...." or like taking a blue Sharpee to all the blue lights forming the rivers that have faded to an icky bluish-white.

And thank you to Target for the $2 perpetual wooden calendar and $5 hooks-bar - on which hangs the adorable $8 hall-pass lanyards courtesy of Oriental Trading. Now, the students will be able to choose just which pass they need to leave the room - though I still think the nurse pass should be the red one (instead of the girl's bathroom pass).  Right?

Anyway - that's it for now!  So, hopefully, I've made Nate Berkus & Oprah jealous.....and I guess Ty Pennington for that matter.  Judging from the picture he sent me, he looks pretty thrilled with the results.  Come to think of it, I can't decide which introduction I would have rather had;  Oprah's famous screaming intro, or Ty and his masses actually screaming "MOVE THAT BUS!" (you know - the two-story one that's somehow parked in front of my second floor classroom).