The Work Begins

I am about six weeks out from the start of school.  That means I am focused on everything I need to do to get my classroom ready for the new year because there never seems to be enough time.  My friends and family tend to roll their eyes and remind me I have plenty of time and I should take a break and chill out.  I might be a little bit of a workaholic...or a lot. I spent June working summer school and when summer school was out I went and stayed with my family for a week.  My first day back I planned to laze around and watch tv and be a total bum.  Then I got on Bloglovin and Pinterest and checked my feeds.  An hour or so later I was headed into my classroom to get started on all the awesome ideas.  Go figure. I count myself lucky that I get paid to do a job I adore.

I am grateful that in my third year I am staying in the same classroom and teaching the same grade level. My first year I was in first grade and my second year I moved to third grade.  This will be my third year and I feel like I get to really settle into my room and the routines I already worked with last year.  I also know that this year we are starting a new math series AND a new reading series simultaneously.  This upcoming school year should be very interesting.  In a way a lot will be the same and on the other hand a lot will be different.  That's why I'm determined to get a jump on it this year.  As teachers we put soooooo much effort into our classrooms at the beginning of the year and parents, students, and administration usually see the final product.  I decided I would start with some before pictures this year to show what my classroom looks like without the effort and attention.  These are the "no make-up/just rolled out of bed" pictures that we all dread...get ready for it...

I will say that this is actually after several hours of work.  My shelf in the back was loaded and I managed to get it unpacked, but some of it ended on the table.  I'm looking forward to posting some lovely after pictures when I get a chance.