2016 Classroom Planning

I've been thinking about how easy it is to get out of control when it comes to making purchases for your classroom (out of your own pocket) and since we have recently purchased a house I am spending more time than ever thinking about how I can provide my students with tools for their learning…. whilst not breaking the bank (or stressing out my other half!).

As I began my L3 training last year one of the first things that I noticed at the core of all planning and programming was the setting of learning intentions & goals. I was constantly asking myself what do I want my students to learn and how am I going to get them there.

This got me thinking that although cute labels and pretty manila folders make me ridiculously happy, do they really help or motivate my students to learn? In some instances, they do! But not always. So this year, as I've wandered around Officeworks, K-Mart, Aldi and Ikea I've constantly asked myself…. is this necessary? Will this help my students achieve their goals? If the answer is no, nine times out of ten I will put it back.

I am fortunate enough to teach a composite K/1 class in a small school, meaning that I have already taught my year one students for a whole year. I know them, their learning preferences and their strengths and weaknesses. I know what motivates them and what engages them. This gives me a big advantage when I am planning and organising my classroom for the new year ahead. And because these students have had me for a year already I really like to change the classroom around, give them something new and exciting to return to in their second year with me.

So there's my two cents worth on classroom purchases. Now on to the more exciting part- my classroom wish list for 2016. Some of these things I have already purchased (or my school has) and some of them I hope to pick up along the way. I've don't my best to include links in the titles to each item.

1. Ikea Childrens Tent ($19.99)

I have a few kids in my class who need their own 'space' to sit quietly away from noise and distractions. I had considered buying a tee pee last year however I don't have a very big classroom and I didn't want anything too imposing. This tent is perfect for little people as it doesn't take up to much space, whilst still providing students with somewhere to be on their own. K-mart also have cheap children's tents if you don't have access to an Ikea. 

2.  Kmart Woven Storage Container (small $5, large $8)

These storage container are available in small and large. I recently removed my desk from the classroom (more on that in another post) and transferred all my desk items to a large storage cupboard in my classroom. To keep things in the cupboard organised I purchased a range of these containers in small and large. I chose grey as they'll be tucked away in the cupboard. They're available in grey, orange, aqua and white.

3. Kmart Stool (available online for $12)

I actually got mine on sale for $8 each. I have set up a listening post in my classroom for 2016 and I needed a smaller seating option than our usual chairs. Originally I had planned to use milk crates and sew cushions for them, however they are surprisingly hard to get a hold of these days! When I went to buy these I wanted aqua but they only had two left. My OCD need to have four the same colour outweighed my love of aqua so I went with yellow. These fit perfectly around one desk, which suits my space poor classroom. 

4. Kmart ABC Self Ink Stamps ($5)

Are you sensing a theme here with Kmart? I'm sure any L3 teacher that has seen these at Kmart threw them in their trolley (I say trolley, because really, who can fit their Kmart goodies in a basket?) straight away! There are a million and one independent activities that these could be used for and for only $5 a set they are an awesome investment. I've already considered that when they run out I'll just throw some ink pads into the set and off we go again. 

5. Kmart 3-Tier Bathroom Trolley ($19) or Ikea Raskog Utility Cart ($29.99)

I have both of these. The Raskog I bought when they originally came out for my office at home and I love it. I considered using it at school but I just didn't want to part with it. So it was happy days for me when I came across something very similar at Kmart. The Kmart bathroom trolley is listed in the online store for $19 however I purchased mine for $12 in store. I am going to use it to store classroom materials that are used on a daily basis (glue, pencils, scissors etc). This is something that I desperately needed. Last year I found myself wasting too much time searching for materials in different places. Not to mention the time my students and I wasted packing up and tidying work areas. So this will hopefully jump start a more organised, less time wasting system!

6. Fluffy/ Novelty Pens (various prices)

I've been slowly collecting different fluffy and novelty pens to go along with Fun Friday L3 activities. On Fridays my students can select a novelty pen to complete their writing with. This is in response the general lag that I noticed every Friday, where everyone (including myself!) was just a bit weary and a little less motivated. I'm hoping these pens will excite my students enough to engage them in independent writing on Fridays and hold of the Friday slow down. 

These are just a few of the bits and pieces that I have collected for my 2016 classroom. I've also been fortunate enough to have received a large number of toys and books from friends and family who answered a Facebook callout for unwanted bits and pieces. This not only saves my school and myself money, it also gives my returning students some new bits and pieces to engage with.

(Oh and I did fall of the frugal wagon once or twice, a few fluro manila folders could possibly have found their way into my trolley).

Happy shopping and planning!

Beck xx