The Scrunchy: Bulletin Board Style

Since I moved to a different school, I have a brand new classroom!  Even if I had stayed where I was before, I would have changed rooms as well.  But my new classroom is the bomb-diggity.

Nothing makes you realize how much teacher stuff you have until you have to haul it somewhere else.  I'm also a bit of a recycler (some call it hoarding...whatever), so I moved crazy things like a gigantic box of sticker labels and around 100,000 hanging file folders (hit me up if you need any!).

I'm slowly taking things to school.  Actually, I was quickly taking things and then I was feeling like maybe I had too much stuff, so now I'm slowing bringing a box at a time each time I arrive.  So sly.  No one will ever know.

So here's the thing.  My new classroom has those walls that you staple directly onto and I've never had those before.  At first I was all "this is AWESOME" and then I started to actually try to think of how I wanted things hung up and suddenly I was lost.  

Do I just staple things anywhere?  Do I create boards?  Do I just put up a bunch borders in square and rectangle shapes?  How do I make them even?  Am I going to actually measure for a fake bulletin board?

Maybe I was over thinking things, but it got complicated.  I finally decided to make a few boards myself and then see where the year takes me.  Since the walls go floor to ceiling (I mean, that's what walls do, right?), I decided to make a couple gigantic boards that go up high.

I stuck with my go-to background- a black sheet set that I cut to size.  Fabric is my favorite because it doesn't fade as quickly and it doesn't show holes when it is pinned or stapled, and black is my color of choice because everything stands out so nicely on it.

I struggled with borders.  In the past I've kept my borders black to keep things simple and clean, but that seemed pretty silly when everything was just stapled to the wall.  

And my big issue...how was I going to keep my borders straight and even?  

I turned to Pinterest and found this post that showed scrunchy paper.  Scrunchy paper would certainly cover the jagged fabric edges.  PLUS it isn't perfectly straight so it wouldn't show how unevenly I may or may not have cut anything... My border did not hold the amount of scrunchiness that Peace, Love, and First Grade's border did because I didn't put as much tender love and care into mine like she did!  Hers is way scrunchier!  If you want yours scrunchier, check out her directions because it's super neat.  If you want it more...ruffly?...then here's what I did.  I'd like to say I designed this on purpose, but it's really just the lazy-teacher's scrunchy border.

So while it took a little time and lots of crumpling up of paper, I seriously love how it turned out.

That's about as far as I've gotten.  Not bad for the end of July!

I've also been busy curating my Hallway Showcases Pinterest board and pinning all kinds of bulletin board ideas.  If you need some back to school inspiration, check it out!

            

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Coming to you from the Pacific Northwest!

I made it to Washington and am now officially a Washington teacher blogger...although I've only been here for about a week now.

The best part is....

I have a job!

I am still teaching 4th grade!

I am thrilled!  As I toured my new building and started talking to my new teacher team and coworkers, I found out that I have a lot to learn.  After spending about a week laying low, running in-town errands, and figuring out my way around (just a little...), I am just starting to actually think about school.  And get a bit overwhelmed. 

I broke out my brand new Erin Condren teacher planner and started writing out the school calendar and schedules.  I still have about a week before I really need to buckle down and be at school consistently in order to be ready.  Being new again is an odd feeling!

Our school uses the Leader in Me approach school wide, so I am starting with some reading.  We've had a couple rainy days in July plus I don't know anyone here, so I've had plenty of time for studying.  

Anyone have any tips or ideas for incorporating the Leader in Me in my daily instruction?  I'd love to hear about your experiences.

            

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Finally Friday #10

It's Finally Friday!!  The count down is on to my big move west (48 hours and counting...!).  I'll be back and ready to rock and roll- educationally speaking- after I'm settled in the Pacific Northwest.

Here's your latest edu-news that I scrounged up...enjoy, and play hard this weekend!  

{A Declaration for Teachers}

The Washington Post

I skipped posting on Independence Day because I was lake side with my family, but I didn't skip reading this blogpost by Valerie Strauss regarding teaching in our country.  I love her declaration, including all the articles she links to within it. 

{The Cause of Mediocre U.S. Math Scores}

Forbes 

Interesting read... Do you feel prepared to teach all the math you present in class?  Why are our math scores consistently lower as a nation?

{Too Many Structured Activities May Hinder Children's Executive Functioning}

Education Week

I'm a huge fan of getting kids outside, working cooperatively, and problem solving.  Our schedules are incredibly structured (for good reason- we are busy people!), but is it best for our children to be in so many scheduled events?  This isn't the best study, but I'd love to see more on it!

{Why So Many Kids Can't Sit Still in School Today}

Washington Post

It's Valerie Strauss again explaining why kids are such busy bodies.  Do we make kids sit too much during the school day?  

{Kids with ADHD more likely to abuse drugs}

CBS News

This article caught my attention for a number of reasons- first because I have students in my classroom who are ADHD and I think it's good for a teacher to be informed in order to go through that process with a parent and students.  But then I read the article and was surprised that they point out that the reason these kids are more likely to abuse drugs has nothing to do with the fact that they are already taking medication daily.  Interesting... I want to know more.

{The Hard Part}

Huffington Post

We know how tough our job can be... Peter Greene just explains it for us.  There is never enough you.

Here are the incredible things I've been pinning:

{School is Cool}

A collection of general school ideas.

{Be Resourceful}

Links for tools, ideas, tricks, information and resources to help you teach.

{All My Boards}

In case you want it all and you want it delivered.  Here it is.

A weekly infographic to get you thinking.

Spectrum Psychological Counseling & Neurofeedback in Virgina Beach has a great blog with all kinds of information.  It is a great resource to give parents who are struggling with a kiddo, or even to do a little research for your own classroom and students.  Below is just one example of the information they provide.

            

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