I’m slightly type-A.  And when I say “slightly” what I really mean is 98.5%.  Not to the extent that I hover or micromanage (only my husband), but I’m the girl who’s known to rewrite a list if my handwriting doesn’t look…you know…nice. 

This is always a good quality to throw out at a job interview – disguised as “uber organized” or “perfectionist,” of course.  However, we all know that the “A” in type-A can also stand for a really disenchanting quality: annoying.  And when it comes to being a teacher, students are truly the best medicine for curing type-A mannerisms.

I say all of this because as I’ve prepared my classroom for my upcoming firsties, I’ve noticed a big difference in the way I organize the layout of my room and display materials for students compared with the first classroom I readied for the school year three years ago. 

My first room was very “Abby-oriented.”  I taught kindergarten and wanted everything to look beautiful all the time, space and materials alike.  Everything was stored out of reach of the kids, with the exception of a few things that I was sure they couldn’t mess up.  Like paper and pencils.  {I know, I was totally blah.}  I remember packing up my room at the end of the school year, shocked to find manipulatives and games that I forgot I owned because I was too busy trying to keep them “safe” rather than let my students explore them.  Not good.  Further, I would imagine that my personal space alone took up a fourth of the room!  My desk, computer, bookshelf, file bins, bulletin board were all “my” space.  Looking back, it was a *major* waste of my room and completely not kid-friendly. 

Each year since has been a stepping stone for me, as I’ve relinquished control and desired to have a “student-centered” classroom instead.  I still like things to be eye-catching and neat, but I plan spaces according to how my students will learn best and feel most comfortable, rather than strive for a tidy space that is rarely used.  In fact, my personal space now only holds my desk.  I mean, how often am I actually at my desk during the school day anyway?  Not very much. 

Sure, my pointer fingers are scuffed from student-use, there’s probably a few pieces missing from Candyland, and I’m prone to finding several stray Legos long into the summer – but all of that is only because my students are using them for what they’re meant for.  And that makes my heart happy 🙂

My room is coming along and I’ve spent hours blogstalking y’alls posts for room pictures.  As you’ve noticed, I do have a BIG room. I love it.  It was formerly the art room, so I have a sink, counter top, and drawer space to boot….BUT, sometimes – if you can believe it- it’s too much space!  I just don’t know what to do with it all!  The grass is always greener, right?!

If you’d like to see some great space and arrangement ideas, be sure to check out Clutter-Free Classroom.  Jodi does a great job of maintaining an amazingly organized student-centered space, and compiling pics of classrooms from throughout the blogosphere.  Carve out a chunk of time, you’ll spend a while there!

I usually like to end Thursday posts with TGIalmostF, but that would appear that I’m celebrating that another day of our fleeting summer vacation is over.  So, instead, I’ll just say: I hope you’re at a pool with a cabana boy dishing up chocolate and Diet Cokes 🙂  Happy Thursday!