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:)