Monday, August 6, 2012

Getting There

Before my teaching supplies, books, and furniture were delivered to my new classroom, it looked like this…

stuff 076 
After 103 things were moved over the second week of the July, my new classroom looked like this…
stuff 087 stuff 085
Even though I spent most of the summer unpacking and setting up, it was awfully nice to have that time to do so.  The last time I moved/unpacked 10 years ago the school was brand new and we weren’t even allowed inside until about 5 days before school started.  Needless to say, my new room will be much more organized and thought out than the previous one due to having this time.

As I’ve mentioned before, my new school is actually the oldest school in my district and in my valley.  It’s been a school since 1876, but it moved around and had been rebuilt numerous times due to growth and fire.  It’s been in it’s current location since 1928.  Of course, there has been some updating and remodeling since then, but compared to my previous school, it’s pretty old.  In order to even start unpacking and setting up, it was necessary to deal with some cosmetic touch ups.
 stuff 077a
This silly computer table was the biggest eyesore in the classroom.  All the other rooms in my wing have this table but it goes completely across the whole wall.  There is a computer server to the left of the table (not pictured) and when whoever installed it did so they hacked away half of the table, leaving the edge seen in the photo rough.  In addition, the table was a mess.  The surface was stained and torn and dirty.  I decided to cover it using contact paper to at least start with a clean looking table. 

Upon further investigation, I found that the damaged surface was actually contact paper…layers and layers of contact paper.
stuff 088There were SIX layers to be exact…like rings of tree!
stuff 091After about a half day of work the sticky mess was removed and I was left with this…    stuff 092 
The surface was so much better than it had been, but I still decided to recover it because of the stains, and it looks so much better.
stuff 099 

There are also about 20 feet of bookshelves (yay) in the room covered in wood-finish contact paper. 
stuff 076 The surface wasn’t as bad as the table, but they were dark and the paper was lifting. 

stuff 094  stuff 103 It’s amazing what a little light-colored contact paper from the Dollar Tree can do to lighten up the place.

The last of the worst was the cupboard doors.  We have so much useful storage space in these rooms, but the doors are a mess.  Eventually, the cupboards will be refaced, but it may not be until the end of the school year.
stuff 095 stuff 096 stuff 097 Using butcher paper and the borders bought to decorate my bulletin boards, I spruced up the cupboards a bit too.
stuff 105 stuff 104It’s so nice not to be looking at the scratched and cracked cupboards anymore. 

Slowly but surely the room is coming together, and I am pleased so far.  I’m completely unpacked and now setting up the room and preparing for the new year.  For now, I’m taking a couple of days off from the classroom.  Once I finish at the end of the week, I’ll post photos of the finished product. 

19 comments:

  1. It looks amazing so far! That is a lot of work. I can't wait to see it all finished!

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    1. Thanks Lacy. It has been a lot of work. I'm so excited about starting the new year but at the same time it doesn't seem like there's been much of a break. Looking forward to next year's summer already...is that bad? ;)

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  2. You are certainly working through your holiday.

    And is that a shoe rack ?.

    Et, bright is good.

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    1. Ha ha ha! No, it's not a shoe rack. I'm not that bad! ;) It's a manipulatives rack that holds my math tools (cubes, shapes, pattern blocks, etc). Like this
      http://shop.mobileation.com/See-N-Store-Rack-12-Tubs-p/elr-0104-as.htm

      Spending so much time there has sure made the summer go fast, unfortunately.

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  3. It's hard to believe how much time and your own money you put in to make this place presentable. Seriously, I can't believe it.
    Good Job!
    m.

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    1. Ya it can be a lot of both. Some years are more than others. Having moved, this year will cost more of both than the last couple did. Oh well, what are you gonna do...

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  4. I just wish the kids and parents knew how much time you put into setting up a nice room.

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  5. I wish I could give you a prize for being such a hard worker, but it's your students that get the prize. Well done.

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  6. Your kids are lucky to have you. I am sure the room is going to be delightful when it is finally ready.

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  7. Your hard work paid off! The changes you made to your classroom are awesome!

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  8. I can't believe the difference! It looks great and I'm happy you are so organized!

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    1. Getting rid of all that stuff helped with the organization a bit. :) Looking forward to you coming by on Thursday.

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  9. It it looking so good! I'm mustering up the strength to return....

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  10. Your room looks great! It's getting me excited to get over to our school - it's 100 years old and was closed down, but they agreed to reopen it last year if the parents, teachers, and students did all the work. It was a LOT of painting and scrubbing, but we LOVE the school and everybody gets pretty excited about helping to get things set up for the year. :)

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  11. I totally miss that! The new year is always so exciting and wonderful! I love what you are doing in your room! You are the best layer remover ever.

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