Okay, I'm going to share one of my biggest fears as a first-year kinder teacher:
I won't be prepared.
*Cue scary music and anxiety attacks*
I know, I know, it's my first year as a teacher so it's going to be hard and I'm going to make mistakes; but after a difficult experience long-term subbing, I am doing everything in my ability to be prepared and get organized! I dedicated this summer to learning all that I could at PD trainings and to my classroom (I was finally able to step foot in it last week!). But, every time I've left after working in my room this past week, I have felt overwhelmed and unaccomplished, even after hours of moving, rearranging, and organizing. I'm thankful I have the rest of the summer to get it ready, but I really do need a little break! I can't start the school year burned out! I want my room D-O-N-E.
My room really did look like a tornado went through it....
 |
| End of the year |
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| Today |
a plan.
It's unbelievable how often I forget that I'm just not good at winging it. Those words shouldn't even be in my vocabulary. Here's the steps I took to get my kindergarten classroom in order:
1. Research
I am someone who longs for creativity, sees others who have it, and then gives up on myself because I believe I lack it. Silly, right? Well, I decided if I was going to get any real progress done in my classroom, I would have to stop comparing myself to the teachers around me, and start finding creativity on my own- by researching Pinterest classrooms and using my resources :) I wasn't getting anywhere simply wishing creativity upon myself, so I went out and found it. Everyone needs some inspiration every now and then!
2. Develop a Floor Plan
Even though I had already put my classroom in some sort of order, I am a visual person who needs to see things in more than one way. I researched classroom layouts, took inventory of what I already had and still needed to put in my room, and put the layout on a big piece of poster paper.
Here's a tip: work with what you've got. I have these shelves that take up half my room (and are not movable) that I complained about for a while because they took up my precious space. But then I had so many co-workers who commented on how lucky I was to have so much room for storage, that I started looking at the shelves from a new perspective. A first-grade teacher suggested I put my library by the corner so I could use the shelves for the books with easy access for my kids. I had never thought about that because I wanted the library to be by my huge window on the other side of the room. But her idea made sense and I'm still working out the kinks, but will hopefully post pictures of my finished classroom in a later post!
Even though I had already put my classroom in some sort of order, I am a visual person who needs to see things in more than one way. I researched classroom layouts, took inventory of what I already had and still needed to put in my room, and put the layout on a big piece of poster paper.
Here's a tip: work with what you've got. I have these shelves that take up half my room (and are not movable) that I complained about for a while because they took up my precious space. But then I had so many co-workers who commented on how lucky I was to have so much room for storage, that I started looking at the shelves from a new perspective. A first-grade teacher suggested I put my library by the corner so I could use the shelves for the books with easy access for my kids. I had never thought about that because I wanted the library to be by my huge window on the other side of the room. But her idea made sense and I'm still working out the kinks, but will hopefully post pictures of my finished classroom in a later post!
Moral of the story: use what you have in your room already, use your resources, and use other teachers to see a fresh perspective of your floor plan!
3. Make Lists and Prioritize
Lists calm me. They help guide me and get me organized. I am definitely a list-person and I probably wouldn't get anything accomplished without them. If you're not a "list-person," become one! It can be a lot of work and somewhat time-consuming, but in the end, you're going to save yourself a lot of stress if you start putting those thoughts running around your head onto paper.
You may not know where to start and that's okay. Just start with right now. What do you need to get done today or this week? Put stars next to the most important things or just order the list by level of importance. Make separate lists for work and home. The most important thing is that everything is written out somewhere you can see. Then the fun part comes after you get to work- putting those little check marks next to finished items...oh how those checks bring so much joy!
Lists calm me. They help guide me and get me organized. I am definitely a list-person and I probably wouldn't get anything accomplished without them. If you're not a "list-person," become one! It can be a lot of work and somewhat time-consuming, but in the end, you're going to save yourself a lot of stress if you start putting those thoughts running around your head onto paper.
You may not know where to start and that's okay. Just start with right now. What do you need to get done today or this week? Put stars next to the most important things or just order the list by level of importance. Make separate lists for work and home. The most important thing is that everything is written out somewhere you can see. Then the fun part comes after you get to work- putting those little check marks next to finished items...oh how those checks bring so much joy!
4. One Section at a Time
Just do it! If you look at your whole classroom, it may seem overwhelming. Devote a few hours or even a few days to just one section of your room. Start with the word wall, developmental centers, or something else simple. Work your way up to the library, math tubs, work stations, filing cabinets, etc. Use your floor plan and lists you've created to implement this part of the plan. Personally, I would save the classroom "decorations" for last. The classroom environment is important and should be considered at every section, but it's not the most important part of getting your classroom organized.
Just do it! If you look at your whole classroom, it may seem overwhelming. Devote a few hours or even a few days to just one section of your room. Start with the word wall, developmental centers, or something else simple. Work your way up to the library, math tubs, work stations, filing cabinets, etc. Use your floor plan and lists you've created to implement this part of the plan. Personally, I would save the classroom "decorations" for last. The classroom environment is important and should be considered at every section, but it's not the most important part of getting your classroom organized.
5. Control the "Controllables"
A co-worker said this phrase to me once and it's just stuck. I'm in the process of trying to stop worrying/controlling the things that I have no control over and just work with what I've got. I don't have to be perfect; my kinders won't know the difference! As long as I'm trying my best and giving those kids my all, I'll be as organized and prepared as I ever can be.
Another wonderful, well written post!
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