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Thursday, June 28, 2012

A Class Act and a Musical Linky Party

This year I'm going to be changing classrooms so that I can be next to my 3rd grade teaching partner. I don't mind because as a new teacher I have not accumulated nearly as much as the veterans at my school. 

I was excited to hear that my new class would be receiving a fresh coat of paint. The downside is that I've been anxiously waiting for 3 weeks to be able to get in there and start getting bulletin boards and things organized. 

With the limited amount of prep time I had before this last year my class decor left much to be desired. It was mostly a hodge podge of random things other teachers donated to me and random things I had picked up here and there. 

I am thrilled to be able to put some more thought and effort into getting my classroom set up nicely. And I love my blog design so much that I'm going to use it as the basis for my classroom theme. 

Here is what I have to work with.


Is anyone else envisioning a cubby make-over??
 


This white cabinet will be great for storage, but that gap at the top of the door is going to drive me crazy! Any ideas?
 


These are for the desks. The teal prints out much darker. More like a bright blue. I like it though!



Jo-Ann's was having a sale on scrapbook paper so I picked up these for $.35 a sheet. Not sure what I'll use them for yet, but perhaps a teacher toolbox or a file cabinet makeover. Have you seen those on Pinterest?! So stinkin' cute!
 

Here are the papers and things I've printed at home. What do you think? I can't decide if the pieces go together. I think maybe it's the stripes on the nametags?? I don't know, but I'm not quite sold yet.


I also want to take a minute to link up with Amanda over at Teaching Maddeness to share my musical favs. 




The first thing you should know is that I cannot sing. Well, I guess I can sing, I just can't carry a note in a bucket as my former "rock star" dad would say. Yup, ladies, my daddy-o was the lead singer in local band way back in the day. Long locks and the v-neck, bare chested polyester jumpsuit thingy and all. A real class act {wink}! Boy I wish I had a picture to share!

Anywho, I happened to snag my mommy's genes on this one and let me tell you, it's a terrible thing. Needless to say, I avoid singing in class if at all possible. Is that horrible of me to deprive my students of the potential learning afforded by using catchy tunes to memorize multiplication facts and other tidbits of useful information?

What I will do, though, is put on relaxing music while doing writing workshop or some other low key activity. My absolute favorite piano man is Jim Brickman. His music is so soothing and really quite beautiful. Click his album cover to check out some previews in iTunes.  

 http://a2.mzstatic.com/us/r1000/015/Music/a5/0b/5c/mzi.xqpclreq.170x170-75.jpg

He has a Disney Songbook CD that I don't have yet, but is on my "to buy" list. You can check that one out below.

 The Disney Songbook, Jim Brickman

I teach at a Christian school so I have the privilege of being able to pray with my students, and encourage them in their walk with the Lord. This also means I can put the local Christian station on the radio and I can play Christian music in class, which is what I usually listen to anyways. I purchased this next CD for my daughter since she's the musical talent in our family. I LOVE IT! The songs are great with beautiful messages. I'm taking it in to class for sure.

  Crazy Noise, Hillsong Kids Jr. 

What are you playing in class? Click on the Turn the Music Up link at the top and join Amanda in sharing some musical maddeness!  

8 comments :

  1. I love the scrapbook paper you bought! I can't wait to see what you make with it!! :)

    Lisa
    Learning Is Something to Treasure

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  2. I love all the decor you bought, and I think it matches up perfectly! Thanks for joining in the linky party. I'm going to have to check out the music you shared. :)

    Amanda
    Teaching Maddeness
    Come join my 300 Follower Giveaway!

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  3. YES! They totally go together! So cute! I love the colors! I am working on a room makeover, too. Can't wait to see yours when you've finished!

    Primary Inspired

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  4. I love your theme and colors! I especially love the name of your blog--awesome quote! I'm your newest follower!
    Allie
    The Gypsy Teacher

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  5. Thanks Allie! A quote by Shirley Maclaine actually inspired my blog title...and of course when applied to teaching it is so fitting!

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  6. Thanks for commenting on my blog and following me! I'm now following you and LOVE your classroom goodies. Your room is going to be so cute! Can you let a paper border hang off the edge and cover the gap?!?

    P.S. I have the Disney Jim Brickman CD. Some of the songs are sung and those always seem to get the boys giggling! So, I eliminated those from the playlist. ;)

    Grade Three is the Place For Me

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  7. Thanks Janis! That's a good idea for the gap. I was even thinking maybe take the doors off and make some cute curtains? We'll see.

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  8. I LOVE your B.I.R.D Binder. Such a creative idea :) You have so many great ideas :)

    Jessie

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