Fixer Upper

There was a discussion recently on Twitter about Pinterest classrooms, also known as TPT (teacherspayteachers) classrooms.  Pinterest and TPT classrooms are those that are decorated to the nth degree.  They have every inch of the room covered, it's all themed and matching, it looks like a page out of a Pottery Barn catalogue.  That is not my classroom.  I have neither the time, nor the money (and really no patience). 

Below you will see various pix of my room.  It's a very old school in a lower income community.  I'm lucky I have storage, never mind none of it matches. The only thing I've tried to do in addition to the obligatory teacher charts (100 chart, alphabet, etc.) is tried to make a it bit warmer and a bit homier.  Many of my students come from not-so-great situations, and I swear one is raising himself.  

He's the one that got me thinking about the feel of the room.  I wondered out loud to my assistant, "What must go on in that house?"  That really hit me on the way home that day.  What does go on there?  What must it look like?  Single mom; never home; older brother not a good influence; always on YouTube; never learned appropriate vs. inappropriate, or chooses to ignore what he's learned.

I'll be completely honest--he's not a favorite of mine.  If he moved to a new school today, I'd be totally OK with that. However, he's the kid I need to focus on, simply because of that fact. 

As you can see, we have a coffee shop theme going on.  That's solely because I love coffee, as do most teachers.  The door decor was my idea; however, the sayings on the door were a democratic effort with everyone giving suggestions and voting on the favorite.  Both of the phrases tied, so we added both.  Of course, you can't have coffee without donuts.  Our related services schedule is set up like a coffee shop menu. There are also donuts lining the top of the SmartBoard.  Maybe one day I'll bring in Munchkins for the class.  Maybe. 

The work baskets are also coffee related as I got colors in no cream, some cream, and mostly cream.  I'll hang a sign that says something about light, medium, and dark roast.  Additionally, there are two rag rugs on the floor, and I'm attempting to subtly infuse orange essential oil into the air.  I really hope this meager attempt helps the kids to feel like this is a place they can enjoy, as well as complain about the amount of work I make them do.  

So, not really a Pinterest room, but not stark either.  I just hope the kids are comfortable with their home away from home.