Tuesday, July 22, 2014

True Life Confessions: My Classroom Isn't Cute

I've gone back to school, this is week three. Last Friday, my good friend, Jen Sykes, brought me lunch and played photographer while my kiddos were working on drawing  and labeling ant tunnels. 

I've decided to share a few candid shots of my classroom in hopes that those of you who, like me, did not inherit the "decorator" gene will feel more comfortable in blogland and, maybe, in in the world in general. My classroom is a real place, where we seriously "take chances, make mistakes, and get messy." (Thanks, Ms. Frizzle). Take a peek, and enjoy my commentary. 
My favorite part about this picture are my "curtains." They are made of yellow construction paper. They are new because the construction paper used to be purple. But, as it was 5 years old, it was quite faded. I would just take them down altogether, but the students at table 4 are always BLINDED by the light. My students seriously enjoy the yellow "glow" they create in the morning.

AND, As if being a second grader isn't already confusing enough, I have not one but TWO teacher desks. When I tell my students to put something "on my desk" pandomonium ensues. 

. . . Also, the table labeled my "Back" table is actually now a "Side" table, I moved it this year but haven't renamed it. 



I have two favorites here, one is my "Daily Schedule" which, at this time, consists of two post-it notes. The other is the box with the broken pencil sharpener. Until Jen took these photos I didn't even realize that it was still on my desk, 4 months later. 


So there you are, my crazy classroom in all its glory. And, as you are getting into the back to school cuteness frenzy, try not to be so hard on yourself. It's not what is hanging on your walls that matters, it is all in the planning and delivery. :)

P.S. If you were kid counting in the first photo, I wasn't blessed with a class of 12, there are 24 students in all as 3 tables are not pictured. :)

 


35 comments:

  1. OhMiWord, I just laughed so hard I snorted! Your classroom usually looks pretty fabulous, and actually does, since those of us entering your class aren't looking at the wrong date, especially since I'm not there to help you change the calendar. :) Hugs!!

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  2. You made my day! I thought I was the only one who didn't have a perfectly decorated classroom. :). You are awesome to share!

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  3. Thank you for sharing your classroom. I try to make my room cute but it never looks like other classes that I see. This makes me feel like I am not alone!

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  4. When it comes to my classroom, I always feel like I used to in Art class when I was in school. The kid sitting next to me always had a better looking project than mine. Everybody else's classroom always looks more put together than mine does, no matter how hard I work at it. Thank you for sharing your pictures.

    Sue

    A Rainbow of Teaching

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  5. this has to be one of the best posts I've read lately! I love it! This is so me!

    rene'

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  6. I feel like we are kindred spirits after seeing your pictures and labels! I could do the same in my classroom!

    Meg
    Third Grade in the First State

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  7. Thanks for reminding us that the decor is really for us, and not so much for the kids:) I try to make it as "cute" as I can each year, but always feel like I come up short when compared to other classrooms I see in my building and on the internet...oh well:) I would love if you would stop by my blog and enter to win 2 children's books and $25 to Amazon or TpT! It's going on 'til Friday!!
    SweetSchoolMoments

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  8. Welcome to REAL WORLD 101!!!!!! I love it! wendy 1stgradefireworks

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  9. Hooray! What makes classrooms great isn't the decor, it's the students and teachers and the learning that ensues! You have made me feel better about the 6 character posters that have been hanging in room for YEARS and are completely faded! ~ Lisa

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  10. Okay, I seriously love this blog post! I love how real you are and I love the labeled photos. I literally laughed out loud! Cutest post ever!

    Amanda Bryant
    A Traveled Teacher

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  11. Love it!!! Thanks for the reminder! Sure makes me feel better to see someone else's room looking similar to mine once the year gets started.
    Sarah from Mrs. Jones Teaches :o)

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  12. Love this post Casey! It's so easy to get caught up this time of year in having the cutest classroom. Thanks for reminding me that's not what it's all about!

    Brandi
    Swinging for Success
    Follow me on Facebook!

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  13. Love this post! My room is like this!

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  14. Love this post and your honesty! No matter how hard I try I can never achieve the cute, perfectly organized classrooms you see. Thank you for sharing.

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  15. I love the poster covering the torn paper. I can't tell you how many times I forgot to up date the date last year. hahaha The pink binder, I feel your pain, I have been going through things and I have things I haven't used in 5 or 6 years....but you know I might need it this year. ;P Great post!
    Kelly
    I'm Not Your Grandpa, I'm Your Teacher

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  16. Your honesty is refreshing! I'm guilty of "over doing it" at the beginning of the year to make everything just perfect (and it never is). Once kiddos come it all goes out the window and I make my piles and get comfortable, that's when the good stuff happens! Yes, I did count the kids...I do every time anyone posts a picture with kids in it!
    Learning with Mrs. Langley

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  17. Thanks for making my day and bringing me back to reality.

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  18. I love it!! I can't wait to see more pictures like these!

    Mrs. 3rd Grade 

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  19. I also snorted with laughter as I was reading this post! I also have binders on the corner of my desk-- that belonged to the teacher who retired from my room three years ago! I don't level my library either--my books are in thematic bins that are often jumbled. If you are looking for Amelia Bedelia, she just might be misfiled with Henry & Mudge! I think your yellow "curtains" are very sunshiny, and my students are not allowed to put anything on my desk.....because we would never find it again! I have a "bird bath" mailbox that was a gift from a family of students where I collect all notes, monies, forms, etc. It is a LIFESAVER!

    Thanks for "keeping it real!"
    ~Jennifer
    Stories and Songs in Second

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  20. I love this!!! To those of us who don't feel creative and don't have tons of money to create every year, you are my hero! I really do love your "curtains." I have an outside door with the same type of windows above it. We get full morning sun and it's blinding. I am going to try construction paper!

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  21. I love this post! My room always looks decent at the beginning of the year but always looks awful by mid-year! I am so glad to know that there are others like me out there! Thanks for sharing and being so candid.

    Andrea
    Reading Toward the Stars

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  22. You are too much fun! As long as they are learning :). Looks perfectly fine to me!

    -Krista
    The Second Grade Superkids

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  23. I LOVE IT! Thanks for being so candid and hilarious! My room isn't all cutesy wootsy either! I am still going to post my classroom reveal soon though. I think more teachers are like us than aren't!

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  24. Enjoyed this so much! I can so identify with this room. Even when I start out with a plan I reorganize to make it fit my class better then I have to take time to just try and clean up (never completely succeed at that.)

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  25. OMG. You. Are. Me. I try to not get down on myself about it...but when the teacher down the hall unveils her big theme this year the day before the students arrive (done in the dead of night)...I'm sure I'll have my moments of jealousy like always. I can't change who I am though...and I am a DANG good teacher! Bet you are too!

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  26. Thanks for sharing! No theme here (I love going "Reggio"), although I am trying to weed out extra stuff to make the room more calm. I, too, have 2 desks. Well, one is a desk that the KIDS love to sit at and then my guided reading (kidney) table that I use as my base. I don't really have a front/back in the room either, since, wherever I am...that's the front! Changes hundreds of times a day! LOL

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  27. I loved this post! I try and try, and even if my room starts off looking "cute," pretty soon it's just business as usual. :-) I always have at LEAST one stack of papers I WILL forget to send home...

    Nichole
    The Craft of Teaching

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  28. Me too, me too! And nothing like pictures to help you see all those other things you didn't even notice!
    Sara

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  29. Thank you! I'm glad to see I'm not the only one in the ranks of the "not cute" classrooms! I'm not sure which I love more, the dead plants or the wrong date!

    Sally from Elementary Matters

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  30. Love this post so much! And I'm so sad you've been back for 3 weeks! *tear* for you!

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  31. Thank you for a totally real post. This makes me feel so much better!

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  32. Thank you for a totally real post. This makes me feel so much better!

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