New direction..

I am now going to be making blogging a priority. In looking at the title - Steer yourself in any direction you choose - my life takes so many different directions. I was diagnosed with ADHD about 4 years ago. I was on medicine for a little while but it didn't agree with me. Anyways, I attribute my ADHD to traveling in multiple directions. I need to add new projects and tasks to my to-do list. I get bored easily and love  a new challenge. It takes me about two years to get comfortable with my new task and then I start looking for another.

I think I have found my new project. My new direction. Stay posted for updates...

Until next time...
Amy

Incorporating more orange and yellow

If you haven't been able to guess what my class color are by now, I'll help you out. They are orange and yellow. Mom and I picked up orange and yellow everything; baskets, flowers, trays, ribbon, you name it. I told Mom that I'd post more pictures so she could show my grandparents when she got back from visiting me. My classroom felt lonely today without her. =(

This paper drop management tool is going to help me so much! Such a timesaver! I found the idea on Pinterest, which lead me to http://www.realclassroomideas.com/resources/Classroom+Management-Paper+Drop.pdf where the original idea came from.

The middle of my classroom needs some work still. I'm trying to decide what seating arrangement I can use with those desks. It's either rows or U shaped for the first few weeks of school. That way I can see everyone's faces. I'm thinking about changing everyone's seats every 5 weeks so that they don't get too comfortable or bored. =)

Have a nice day!

Classroom Makeover

Hello everyone!

It has been quite a while and I apologize. I went on vacation in the Outer Banks, and my mother has been visiting from Ohio. When my mom heard of all the projects I wanted to accomplish in my classroom she put me to work! She helped me focus and pushed me to do the things that probably would not have been accomplished this summer (or next for that matter).

First we did some small things...

This bulletin board was inspired by a poster I saw on Pinterest (http://theteachersdesk.tumblr.com/)

Another bulletin board 

Then we made over my desk area. So ugly and depressing and messy. All of those necessary cords with now way to hide them. There was also no color at all!

Before

After: Look at the difference! We just added scrapbook paper to my steralite drawers and to the cabinets that were on the wall. We also wrapped scrapbook paper around to shelves that were not being used and propped them up behind my big apple to hide more cords. My mom is so smart. This was all her!

I wish I had a better picture, but the shelf on the left had an unfinished edge, and mom fastened scrapbook paper around that as well. It's so bright and cheery that I just laugh whenever I see it. =)

Our last big project, that I started but couldn't finish due to a sewing machine malfunction was curtains to cover shelves in my classroom. My mom took them to a friend, Lily, who is an absolute angel. They finished them for me at 12:30 am this morning. Love them!

So here is a picture of the shelves in June..... gross right? Very distracting and harmful to my ADD.

The following is what they looked like on Friday

And today - Sunday, I know... I was too excited and I couldn't wait to put them up!!! Drum Roll please.....

How gorgeous are they?!?!?

What items would you like to makeover in your home or classroom? Ask someone what they think, maybe they will have a brilliant idea for you.

P.S. I love you Mom!

Teacher Desk Surface Organization

Hello Again!


Today I worked in my classroom. I have a bad habit of tearing everything out, separating into piles, sorting, purging, organizing, and then placing back. I say a bad habit because an hour after the furniture was placed back into my classroom it looked like this

Now only imagine the other 15 or so desks that you cannot see in this picture also covered with items. =/

I decided to tackle my main desk first.

Before -

You can see above were the books are - that's my library for my students to check out from. My desk is on top, and then there is counter height desk space to the right.

Here is another before 

And another - I'm so grateful of all my storage space, yet I am bursting at the seams!

Above - I call this my official desk top. 

After about an hour and a half of sorting, purging, and beautifying it looks like this!

Another day I'll do some close ups of my desk and what is in those files to the right. That yellow basket on the left (above) is a utensil and napkin caddy for parties or picnics. I don't like how pens and pencils fall through so I might weave ribbon through it.

The laminator will be moved next to the green cabinet in the background. It was too heavy for me to do on my own. The baskets (2 large and 1 small in the middle) will be for students to turn in their work and notes to me. The stacking trays or for me to put items to hand back to the students. I am planning on making some cute signs to go on them to incorporate my orange and yellow color scheme I will have this year.

Do you also tear everything apart when you organize and purge. I love to purge in my classroom!

Next Post: The "Video" Cabinet: YIKES!

Where's the motivation?

Have you ever heard of listography? I love (adore!) lists. This website allows you to create as many lists in various categories as you would like. My listography page - http://www.listography.com/5060988577

I have my bucket list on there and will soon be placing my home projects on there as well. 

Yesterday my husband and I were talking about how I have disappointed myself in my weight loss journey. I had lost 40 pounds and my husband (who is naturally thin) and I had a good work out routine going and I was eating healthy foods. My husband began working evening shifts (5-10pm) Monday through Friday and when this began so did my decline back into my old and unhealthy habits. I see my doctor again in 3 weeks and I know that I will break down and cry. I have asked my husband to text me on his short break at work. He'll text me things like - "I know you can do this", or "suck it in today so you don't have to suck it in tomorrow." 

I don't want it to sound like I'm blaming him, because I am not. He was my motivator, and I know I need to motivate myself, but sometimes I just don't know how to.

Any ideas?