Saturday, February 11, 2012

Clutter-Free Classroom: Week #3 Post Pics

Well, I did it. Over the last week and a bit, I have been practically living in my classroom but the results are finally ready for your viewing pleasure. The room isn't completely de-cluttered. I have a few things that are a bit difficult to physically dispose of (I'm not being sentimental - they just don't fit in the rubbish!) but the end result is a HEAP OF SPACE. You'll see what I mean as you scroll through the pictures.

Enjoy.

 Welcome to Room 34, home of Te Whakarewatanga! This is how the room looked when the students (and parents) walked in on the first day.
 From the same position, here is the front instructional area and my dumping ground  desk. Each whiteboard slides across to reveal more shelving. More on that in a minute.
 Disclaimer: this is my desk BEFORE THE SCHOOL YEAR BEGAN. You can tell because the wood surface of the desk is visible. Currently, it is a tad embarassing since Hurricane Week-One has ripped through and this area looks sadly chaotic. I'll get to that next week...maybe.


 We've moved from the back now, standing by the Smart Board and looking back to the main entrance. Aren't those desks nicely lined up? I bet they look like that at the end of each day, right?

Not!
 And now back to the front. These are the shelves that are revealed behind the board closest to my desk. Let me give you a tour:
First floor: Newsprint and Black Construction Paper
Second Floor: Paint, Glue / Coloured Cardstock, Laminating Sleeves
Third Floor: Student Stationary Sets, Wool (???) / Orange, Yellow, Blue Paper
Fourth Floor: MY Stationary, Stapler, Whiteboard Markers / Red, Orange, Green Paper.

 I mentioned Student Stationary Sets. Here's a close-up of the "Can o' Cut n' Paste". Inside, are 3 scissors and three gluesticks.
 And these are the "Can o' Drawing's". As the picture explains, each contains 12 colouring pencils, 6 drawing pencils, 3 rulers, 1 sharpener, and 1 rubber. I have four of each of these can sets to spread them around the class.

 The coloured paper is sorted in these collapsable shelves. They lay like this to let the whiteboard slide shut...
...And pull open like this when I need access. It was a lucky coincidence that the collapsable shelves fit behind the board.
Finally, this is what I was hinting at above when I said there was a heap of space. When all is said and done, I ended up with all of this space available for later use.
Well, that's all for today's tour. I hope you liked what you saw and for those of you who commented on how beautiful the dark walls and white trim was, I hope I didn't let you down. This has been our introductory week and next week the students start timetabled study full tilt. That means they will be leaving me for most of the week and I will have two other classes coming around as well. When this week is over, I might be singing a different song but for now, I feel really organised and prepared to help my students learn.

For now though, I need to check in and find out what I've missed at Jodi's Clutter-Free Classroom!
See you there!

16 comments:

  1. I love that your white boards slide and can hide shelves behind them! Your room looks very organized and neat!
    Lori
    Conversations in Literacy

    ReplyDelete
  2. WOW!! Your room looks incredible Liam! You did a fantastic job with organizing it! I can't get over those hidden shelves behind your whiteboards--your school is designed so well, I am totally jealous. I could just gaze at your pictures all day!

    Hurricane Week-One, huh? I must be on Hurricane Week 20 (or whichever week we are!).

    Congrats on a awesome room and good luck with everything!
    Kristen

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Kristen! I'm sure there will be days when I will gaze at the pictures and think to myself "what happened since then??"! :)
      ✪ Liam ✪
      Twist of Liam

      Delete
  3. Hi Liam,

    What do you have on your wall behind your deask (with the Stop sign)? I'd love to know.
    Shelley

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It is a series of questions I have the students ask themselves before they submit anything. I will write up about it soon...maybe this week even. Thanks for reading!
      ✪ Liam ✪
      Twist of Liam

      Delete
  4. I am still drooling over the shelves and the white boards. You did an amazing job. Can't wait to see what else you have in store to share with us.

    ReplyDelete
  5. I love your classroom Liam. Very organized.
    Where did you find the collapsable paper trays? I'd love to get some of them for my room.
    Caz

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    Replies
    1. I found them at a dollar store somewhere a few years abo and couldn't part ways with them. They have a perfect home now.
      ✪ Liam ✪
      Twist of Liam

      Delete
  6. Hi Liam:
    Your posts keep motivating me!
    I just worked on one corner--and you did your whole room!

    It looks beautiful!
    I am enjoying reading about and seeing your progress.

    Hope you'll stop by and see my progress too--just one corner at a time!

    Kim
    Finding JOY in 6th Grade

    ReplyDelete
  7. Great job, Liam! You've done some thoughtful organizing and lots of hard work. Love those cans! Do you think the hurricane ever ends? Let us know if it does.:)I particularly like the Canada flag proudly displayed so far from home!

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    Replies
    1. Thanks! I'm no meteorologist but I can't imagine it being too much longer before som sunshine sneaks in our way. No promise whether that is before or after retirement though. :)
      ✪ Liam ✪
      Twist of Liam

      Delete
  8. I just awarded you the Liebster Award!

    Misty @
    Think, Wonder, & Teach

    ReplyDelete
  9. Liam,

    Sorry I am so late with my comment. I have been MIA for a while now.

    I am so inspired. It looks wonderful. I love...
    -the sliding white boards.
    -the cans-o-cut & paste.
    -the collapsible shelves! (They are my fav!)

    Over all it looks amazing. I feel off the Clutter-Free wagon. I guess I will have to get back on soon.

    Ms. M
    Ms.M's Blog
    A Teacher's Plan

    ReplyDelete
  10. I love taking a peek into other people's classrooms...so fun. I'm you 99th follower. So close to 100. :o) Come on over and visit me somtime when you have a chance.
    Vicky
    Traditions Laughter and Happily Ever After

    ReplyDelete
  11. Liam, I have a question for you. I would prefer not putting it on here. I can't find an email address to send it to you. Could you email me at msk1ell(at)gmail(dot)com.

    I know that sounds creepy and weird, but I promise it is not. It is about my blog.

    Ms. M

    ReplyDelete

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