Classroom Tour

Here is a look around my classroom. It is 99% finished, but I am still waiting to get some things back from being laminated, picking up a border for the bulletin board this weekend, and the back wall will soon display student work.

View of the room from the font (entry door would be to the left):

View of the room from the back:

Stoplight formative assessment/exit slip idea found via Pinterest:

Taped off whiteboard idea found via Pinterest; Bulldog Bravos inspired by a "Bravo Board" found via Pinterest:

Closeup of the Bravo Board--my students will be working in teams this year, and I will put tally marks by their team colors when I see excellent work. The winning team will get a weekly or biweekly reward and bragging rights.

Be...YOU! Bulletin board board found via Pinterest (still needs a border):

School annotation chart and a magnetic noise meter, made to use in conjunction with "The First 20 Days: Establishing Productive Group Work in the Classroom" by Nancy Frey and Douglas Fisher.

I sewed the curtains from Hobby Lobby fabric and hung the curtain rod in 3M hooks stuck to the wall. My father in law cut out the Arkansas shape and I painted the chevron/monogram. I'm so excited to have two windows lookout out to our butterfly garden! 

Closer up view of the large sign I made and student work station. The quote on the sign will be a daily reminder to me and my students! "Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle." I was introduced to this quote during orientation week at the Clinton School of Public service in August 2011. I never forgot it. There is so much truth in those eleven words.

Here is my work area. It was very important to me that both my diplomas hang in my room. We say that we want every student to be college bound, but I look around and don't see teachers proudly displaying their own diplomas. If we worked in almost any other profession, you better believe those diplomas would hang in our office! This article breaks it down: "Lawyers, doctors, accountants, and other professionals hang their licenses and credentials on their walls to inform their clients they are fully trained. Teachers should not be informing their public of anything less."

I also have my name displayed very largely on top my my bookshelf. I only respond to my proper name, not "Hey," "Hey teacher," etc., so I try to make it easy for them to remember my name.

There are pictures of family on my bookshelf and several mementos from special memories. Having those helps when I'm having a bad day (as do the Andes mints hidden in the decorative box by my lamp).

There is also a mini fridge (stocked with iced coffee, V8 fruit fusions, and water) and microwave, made-over Goodwill lamp, and my teaching license. 

So there it is! I really feels like mine now :)

The Wardrobe Experiment: Day 14

Today was the last official work day before students arrive! Of course I will be working on lesson plans all weekend, but my room is ready for Monday. I needed to be very comfortable so I could clean my room, hang things, etc.

Why I kept it:

I got this shirt and belt on clearance a few weeks ago. The shirt is so soft!

Why I stopped wearing it:

Not an issue here. 

How I styled it: 

Just earrings and a knot on the belt. I didn't want a lot of accessories getting in my way today.

How I felt:

Put together yet perfectly comfortable. 

The verdict:

Great top for days that I need to be as comfortable as possible! Keeper. 

The Wardrobe Experiment: Day 13

We had several professional meetings today, so I needed to reflect that with my dress. But my brain wasn't awake enough this morning to properly fix my hair or put together a professional-in-August outfit, and I was stuck in this all day. It's been a favorite outfit in the past, but it needs to be saved for cooler weather. In more exciting news for the day, the district wide afternoon meeting was excellent. Several talented students performed and there was a great speaker. I truly feel like I have joined a world class team of teachers. 

Why I kept it:

This top and pants are from this past winter, and I like them both, especially for cooler weather. 

Why I stopped wearing it:

Not really an issue other than for the weather. 

How I styled it:

Minimally. Just a necklace and earrings. I was in too big of a hurry for much else. 

How I felt:

Too hot and boring. 

The verdict:

Both will stay in my closet, but I'll definitely save them for cooler weather!

The Wardrobe Experiment: Day 12

I got quite a bit done in my classroom today. I need another week to really feel prepared, but my students are arriving Monday, ready or not! 

Why I kept it:

I got this shirt in December, and it is one I really enjoy wearing. It's a great color with an interesting print. It's also long enough to wear untucked with leggings.

Why I stopped wearing it:

I haven't worn this in a few months because of the heat. I associated it with winter, probably because that's when I bought it, even though nothing about it makes it particularly suited for colder weather. 

How I styled it:

I rolled the sleeves and tucked it in to change it up from how I wore it in the winter. I wish I could have been more creative with my accessories, but nothing felt right except my simple monogram necklace and these earrings.  

How I felt:

I still really enjoy wearing this top and got several compliments on it today--that always makes you feel good!

The verdict:

Staying.

The Wardrobe Experiment: Day 11

It rained most of the day here, but I didn't really take that into account when getting ready this morning. I just felt like wearing these fun colors today! Is anyone craving sherbet yet? 

Why I kept it:

I actually picked up this blouse on clearance at Impressions over the weekend. I knew it was a piece I loved, which is very important if I'm going to add something to my closet during the experiment, and that I would be able to wear it into fall. The green skinnies were an Old Navy clearance find from January. I kept them because of their yummy color.

Why I stopped wearing it:

Not an issue here.

How I styled it:

I have been wanting a long tassel necklace since last fall. The ones I saw in my price range (which is minimal for "play" jewelry) always had something I didn't like about them. But when I saw this beauty at Mint Sugar Boutique, I knew it was the one. I love that you can tie it any way you want. 

The verdict:

Loving all of these pieces! But the necklace may be my absolute favorite.

Photobomb by Crowder. Had to share.

The Wardrobe Experiment: Day 10

Teacher in-service continues this week, with returning faculty joining the newbies today! We are still getting great information, I just wish I had a month to process it all. 

Why I kept it:

This dress is beyond comfortable. Hello, pockets! I think it's 4-5 years old, but I still love it. 

Why I stopped wearing it:

As I've said before, I don't wear dresses very often. But this one fits everything I want in a school-appropriate dress. 

How I styled it:

I couldn't wait to wear this cardigan! I got it this weekend at Impressions in Fayetteville. It was my first time to visit their store in person, after much online admiring, and I absolutely loved it! I wear a cardigan in the classroom almost everyday because I'm so cold natured, so this will get a lot of wear. I added my monogram necklace and tassel earrings from Mint Sugar Boutique. 

How I felt:

Perfect work outfit! 

The verdict:

The dress is a keeper. 

The Wardrobe Experiment: Day 9

This is what I wore to church today. The dress code at my school just changed, and no one will be allowed to wear sleeveless shirts. Of course I can always add a cardigan, but I thought I might want to get a little more wear out of my sleeveless shirts on the weekends. 

Why I kept it:

Both the top and white jeans are from an H&M in Budapest. There are 4 H&M's in Budapest...FOUR. And Arkansas can't get one? Anyway, they bring back good memories of living in Hungary last summer.

Why I stopped wearing it:

Not really applicable here, but the top is so loud that I don't wear it extremely often. The bright colors and prints are definitely a trend, but both are still going strong enough for this top to be current a year later. I wear the pants quite a bit.

How I styled it:

I started with a white version of this necklace, but it wasn't right. I was glad I had the gray because it added a good punch.

How I felt:

This is a fun and comfortable outfit. It was a good way to celebrate my one year anniversary (a few days late) of coming back to the United States!

The verdict:

Staying.

The Wardrobe Experiment: Day 8

I chose this comfortable t-shirt for some running around today. I bought fresh basil at the farmer's market, and I wish I could have snapped some pictures there. But I was by myself, so more pictures in my backyard! Yay. Seriously, y'all, taking pictures of yourself is just weird. And boring. Are all fashion bloggers married to photographers? And do they also have modeling backgrounds? Good thing I'm not trying to be a fashion blogger over here in my yard! Just a girl cleaning out her closet. And that's enough pressure for me.

Why I kept it:

Raise your hand if you're surprised that I kept a comfortable t-shirt that isn't actually a t-shirt. Anyone? Good. And green is my favorite color.

Why I stopped wearing it:

I never totally stopped wearing it, but it's not something I grab as a favorite. This shirt is probably about 3 years old.

How I styled it:

I tucked it in (two days in a row?!) and got to show off this leopard print belt, one of my favorite prints ever. And I love this longer necklace, which I've also had for a few years.

How I felt:

I was comfortable and happy while doing my shopping today. 

The verdict:

I want to keep this shirt, but to be honest it's seen better days. There are small pills all over the fabric, and maybe I should retire it. I'll have to think on this one.

The Wardrobe Experiment: Day 7

I wish this was what I wore today. 

This is what I actually wore. I wanted to wear red, our school color, for an introduction video we filmed today, and this is the only one I have that isn't long sleeved or a t-shirt. But once I put on my red top and jeans, I lost the ability to think. Then it was time to leave. And I was stuck wearing this all day. When I got home, I didn't even want to take pictures for day 7. I thought about pretending today's clothes never happened, but then I challenged myself to march back into the closet and find a way to make this a little less boring.

Why I kept it:

I enjoy wearing red, but I don't have as much of it in my closet as I'd like. The color is probably the only reason why I kept this shirt. It's also somewhat slimming.

Why I stopped wearing it:

I'm not a huge fan of the sleeve shape.

How I styled it:

On my second attempt, I started by tucking in the top and adding a belt. I'm not sure when I last tucked in a shirt for a casual outfit, but it's been a while. I tried a different scarf and some necklaces before choosing this scarf. I also switched up the earrings and shoes.

How I felt:

I ended up really liking this outfit after taking some time to style it.

The verdict:

If I find another red top I like, I will probably donate this one. But I'm going to keep it for now because it's a good school spirit shirt.

The Wardrobe Challenge: Day 6

 I began new teacher in service today. Lots of sitting. Lots of notes. Lots of information overload. The key takeaway: we must teach the students of today, not the students of yesterday! Students are changing more quickly than our teaching methods. I have some big ideas for a curriculum overhaul in my classes, I'm just hoping I can figure out how to make all the pieces of the puzzle fit together. 

Crowder getting in on the picture taking :)

Why I kept it:
These are all pieces I wanted to keep and knew I would wear.
Why I stopped wearing it:
Not an issue here, but I hadn't worn these pieces together.
How I styled it:
Taking the time to add a simple necklace (that's probably more than five years old!) really made this feel like an "outfit" instead of just clothes. Obviously doing that wasn't a big deal, but it just goes to show how lazy I can be when I'm getting dressed in the mornings!
How I felt:
This was just right for school. And, surprise, surprise, I was comfortable!
The verdict:
Keepers!