Saturday, July 19, 2014

A Lonely Classroom in Summer

I have moved into a new classroom and I will be teaching full-time K in the Fall.There have been some great teachers that have gone before me in this particular classroom. Legends, really, with combined teaching experience that doubles my age, and then some! If the walls could speak I would learn so much from them. Thankfully, one of them (JW) will be just down the hall in my old classroom, along with my teaching partner from last year (JV, who is the reason I made it through my first year of teaching K so smoothly!).

There are so many things about this particular classroom that I love. The loft, the bathroom, the big floor space, the plethora of resources, the storage spaces, and so much more. But, along with a room having several teachers before me comes a lot of stuff. I spent several days at the end of June sorting through cupboards and donating items that could be usable to someone else but no longer serve a purpose in my class, tossing things that were broken or unfixable, and updating things that needed a wee bit of brightening up. 

I haven't taken a trip to the Teacher store yet but that is going to be fun because I need a new alphabet and some new calendar supplies. But I have taken a trip to the paint store for a gallon of bright white paint that has given the room a new fresh look. 

Red is my favourite colour, but, it was time for this red toy shelf to get a new outfit.


And here it is freshly painted white. I just put the tubs on the shelves for the picture and then removed them so the paint can finish curing over the summer.


Here is one that used to be blue....

This bookshelf was fun to paint. The green and yellow paint that it had on it was really vibrant, but it was needing to be freshened up as well.



Now I can create a cute little reading area that will section off part of the classroom. I think the kids will love it!


Here is a shot of 2 of the toy shelves back to back to create another space in the back of the room. Notice the loft in this picture... that is for sure one of the kids' favourite places to be.


Lastly, a shot of my pretty empty classroom. Such a lonely place without boys and girls to fill it. But I know they are enjoying the summer, getting fresh air and tans. I will have 18 little bodies in here very soon. I have a lot to do before they arrive. Once I get my new alphabet hung up above the white and black boards, and some bulletin board fabric up, along with the supply tubs on each table, the room will be ready to welcome the kids.


But first, I am going to finish my online course that I am taking called Christian Approaches to Assessment and Evaluation for Student Learning, as well as spend time with my family. My own kids are really hoping for a trip to the Waterslides this summer... I think I can handle that!

Tuesday, July 15, 2014

The History of the "Living With Power" blog...

I started this blog as a tool for discussion with the Bible Study that I was leading at my church at the time - back in 2007. When I stopped leading it I kept this blog alive for my thoughts, devotions and things I am learning along the way in my Journey.

I am going to change the purpose of this blog once again. The new intention of this blog will be teaching with power. Not my own power or strength, but the power of the Holy Spirit to lead and guide me to be the best educator for the students in my care, to the glory of God.

No names will ever be given, nor will recognizable photos of children be posted. Please note: I welcome comments, but please do not refer to the children in my class by name. If you would like to discuss something about a specific topic feel free to post a comment or send me a message.

Why is this blog called Living With Power? Because we have not been given a spirit of fear, but a spirit of power, of love and a sound mind (2 Timothy 1:7). So, live with this power! This was the theme verse of my Bible Study blog when I first began it. I have decided to leave all the original posts as they are. If you feel like browsing, be my guest. Any posts below this post are not school related, but you are welcome to them!