So, I'm pretty good at a lot of things. I'm really good at others. Some things I just stink at. Classroom decor I could use a little help with. Setting up my classroom is just that; setting up a functional space. I like to make it cute...but I mostly like to make it functional. You can do both, you say? No, really I can't...I'm just not capable of that kind of creativity and level of multitasking.
I think I have Decorator ADD. Sometimes I think I might want to get all fancy, all "School Girl Style" but then I get overwhelmed by the whole thought of coordinating things. I'm just too random and too practical when it comes to choosing what goes into my room. Sometimes it all comes together and it looks like I coordinated...but when that happens, it's really just a happy accident. I'd like to say it's more than that but that would be a lie.
What I don't understand is how a classroom teacher changes their "theme" each year. Do you have a money tree in the backyard? Do you have endless amounts of creative energy? Is there a pill for that? I did finally succumb to this whole theme business a few years back and went with "colorful". That's a theme, right? So that bright blue bin I picked up ten years ago goes nicely with the bright red bin I picked up last year. I think I might check out the Target dollar spot and pick up a green bin for this year's theme of...you guessed it...COLORFUL!
I'm still in full on summer mode. Teachers go back at the end of August and school starts after Labor Day. I will be that friend that makes you feel REAL good about yourself. I'll post pictures of my colorful classroom just as soon as it's all put together...promise!
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| I'm gonna guess it'll look a little something like this... |
Happy Times!
I think we're related. ;) My theme is "Bright, Cheery, Inviting, Comfortable, and Inspiring." I know that many people like to have classrooms that are pretty, but some of the decorating that goes on seems to be getting waaaaay out of hand. My focus is the students. The classroom is theirs, not mine.
ReplyDeleteI think the kids end up benefiting from the nicely decorated classrooms - I think they often end up feeling more like a home than a sterile environment. Buttttt....if you saw my house, you'd see that I'm pretty design-challenged there too! HA! #decoratingfailure
DeleteI am like you. I don't have a theme, I just want it to be functional and comfortable for children. I look at all of those classrooms on pinterest and instagram too and they are pretty but sometimes I think that they are decorated more for the teacher than the children. Just my opinion. Sometimes simple is better:)
ReplyDeleteYou know that saying? Happy wife, happy life? I think the same goes for a teacher who has to spend so much time in that classroom. They should be able to decorate in a way that helps them enjoy that space with their littles. I would make mine cuter if I weren't so challenged in that department - oh, and if I had deeper pockets! HA!
DeleteI hear you! I have never had a theme, but I do have a color scheme. My color scheme for the last 3+ years has been lime green and turquoise blue. I add in little touches here and there...lime green pompoms hanging above their tables with their table number...but that's about it. :) I think your room looks great!
ReplyDelete- Kelly :)
Mrs. Campbell's Kids
I love those two colors together! Thanks...I have been thinking about having a more "brain-friendly" environment...but I'm going to guess with all my color and the fact that I like to put every anchor chart we've ever done together, that "brain-friendly" isn't in my realm of possibility! ;)
DeleteI've been teaching for 20 years and have had the same theme for all 20 years: bright and colorful! And this makes me happy! I never have issues buying bins or decor because, as long as they are a pretty color, I can buy it! No schlepping to 20 different Targets to grab all the blue and green bins for me! One less thing for me to worry about!
ReplyDeleteLori - we are kindred spirits!
Deletexoxox
I feel the same way about a theme! While I would love to have a theme that continues throughout my whole classroom, I feel that the idea of it can be exhausting! I know it doesn't all have to be done in the same day but knowing my personality, I'd love for it to be =) My classroom's theme is colorful as well!!
ReplyDeleteMichelle - I'm the same darn way. If I'm going to do a theme every possible thing in my classroom would HAVE to fit in. If it didn't...it would make me twitch! I'm an instant gratification kinda person too, so it would need to look good NOW!
DeleteI wonder about teachers who have so much time to decorate and make products and whatnot too. I think they don't sleep. I don't know how they can do it all and have kids as well. Nope. :(
ReplyDeleteI need downtime and my sleep....those are two MUSTS in my world!!!!!! HA!
DeleteI completely agree with you, Holly. I have two goals in mind for my classroom every year: function for the kids and I, and colorful/cheerful without going overboard. That way, I can reorganize and add to it without throwing off any 'themes'. I don't have the time or money for anything else, and would probably quit if I worked in a school that prioritized bulletin board over teacher efficacy.
ReplyDeleteI think blogging and social media are wonderful but it sure can put the pressure on us to create classrooms and resources that are amazing all the time, but in reality it isn't really about that! I know I've spent lots of money and time changing my classroom but after a while it just gets exhausting (and my husband starts freaking out about the $$$)! I love getting my classroom together but I definitely need a balance between school and home. I love your blog by the way, it looks adorable :)
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