The Classroom Livingroom

The beanbags were worn and my once sixth graders were now eighth grades.  I needed to "grow up" my classroom.  Oh! Where to start. Well, I began scanning Craigslist for couches and they all looked well used. A memory popped in my head. My daughter had a brand new IKEA couch in storage. After much finagling she handed it over. The color red. Powerful. Engaging. The chairs were easy. Matching blue chairs from a recent college graduate in South Boston. When I arrived with my husband to pick up barely used living room chairs, she threw in a new office chair. I was on a roll....
Craigslist offered me a $1,100 divider for my class. The owner was selling it for $250.00. By now, the cash cow had moved on. I thought about what I could offer (like the Little Drummer Boy) to make it a sweet deal. Here is the email exchange.......

Good morning,

I work in the Special Education Department in Watertown. Having small classes, I am looking to divide the room.  At the moment, I cannot receive funds from the school so I have scoured Craigslist for some essentials.  If the spirit moves you and you would like to donate (tax write off?) the divider, I will make you my fabulous chocolate peanut butter pie.  It did win first place in a bake off :)  Just putting it out there........

Have a great day!

Mary

Hi Mary -

I'd be happy to donate the divider (my father is the longest standing member on the Board of Education in my home town and I am a big supporter of our schools!).  It's quite large - are you able to transport it?  I'm traveling for work through Sunday, but would be available during the evenings next week for you to pick it up.

Let me know what works for you!

Eva

Peanut butter pie sounds amazing!  How about Monday evening around 6.30pm?

Making my classroom feel like my home makes it a winner. I may be looked upon as "out there" or "The kids are allowed to sit on a couch while learning?"  Oh! Whatever.  We love our little oasis. if you're ever in the neighborhood we are in B-213. The best classroom in the school:)

What Is My Purpose?

I recently had a day of sheer hell.  New students were acting out, other students reacted, my phone rang constantly as students were pulled for testing. I swear-I was just about ready to throw in the towel when Teddy walked into class.  "Mrs. Sullivan, I was thinking of you when I was on vacation so I bought you this." Me? You thought about me on vacation? I nearly cried. Opening the box I could see the excitement in his eyes. I pulled out a new coffee cup. On it was a Black Labrador Retriever and it said, "If my dog doesn't like you, neither will I." Teddy knows I own a lab named Lucy Mae. He remembered me, as I so often remember him. I sat at my desk knowing that one bad day does not predict my year of teaching.  I love my students, their struggles and their unique styles of learning. I love how they can teach me to "DAB" and call me "SO BAE."  I admire their respect for me and, if needed, I can be direct and expect more of them.  They graduate this year. I have had this group of spectacular students for three years. They'll enter high school in the fall. One thing is for sure, they've change my life for the better.

Please take the time to watch this. Teachers-this is you!  


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=52YSqdFbj8E

If every one in school meditated...

*It would take less than 10 minutes of the first period
*Self-esteem would increase
*Medication dosages may decrease
*Meditation promotes a positive school environment
*We'd think before we spoke....all of us....
*Bullying episodes would lessen
*We'd be kinder and more considerate

Now I have to wonder....  Why is it that we're not meditating in our school?
http://www.chopra.com/articles/how-to-get-kids-to-meditate

The New England Classroom Teacher

WE'VE DECORATED TO THE HIGH HILT OUR CLASSROOM.  BRIGHTLY COLORED LEAVES FRAME OUR FRONT BOARDS AS ORANGE PUMPKINS LINE THE WINDOW SILL.  AS A MIDDLE SCHOOL TEACHER I AM OFTEN REMINDED OF HOW LONG WE STAY INDOORS.  THE STUDENTS ARE TOO OLD TO HAVE RECESS AND TOO YOUNG FOR AN OPEN CAMPUS (THANK GOODNESS!).  DURING TODAY'S 80 DEGREE WEATHER IN MID-OCTOBER I WAS WONDERING WHY I DID NOT HEAD OUTSIDE?  LET'S TAKE THE NOVEL AND READ UNDER THE TREES.  HOW ABOUT A WALK AROUND THE FIELD AND THEN WE'LL DIG INTO SOME FALL POETRY. WE'LL DRAW WHAT WE IMAGINED AS OUR TEACHER READ ROBERT FROST. WE'RE NEW ENGLANDERS! THIS IS WHAT WE'RE SUPPOSED TO DO. SAVOR THE FALL- GET BURIED IN WINTER. SO WHEN TOMORROW COMES AND THE AIR IS CRISP I AM LEAVING THE CLASS FOR A BELLY FULL OF FALL AIR AND NATURE'S EYE CANDY-THE KIND THOUSANDS OF AMERICANS AND FOREIGNERS TAKE TIME TO HEAD TO N.E.  IT MAY NOT BE IN THE STANDARDS, BUT ANYONE WHO HAS EXPERIENCED A CRISP FALL DAY IN BOSTON WILL UNDERSTAND AND COME OUT WITH US!