Lamps purchased

Spent some time at Ikea this morning.  The lamps that I showed in my previous posts are unfortunately NOT plug in style, so I have bought 4 globe style lamps for four dollars a piece.  You have to buy the plug set up for 7.00 and then you buy the lights and then the shade that goes around the bulb is 4 bucks.  Overall I spent 60 dollars on the lighting.  I'm going to keep the receipts just in case I can either get reimbursed OR need to return them.

Here is the plan.  I'm going to go into the class and check to see if the ceiling outlets are random or attached to a switch.  I do have a slight problem.  If the outlets run separately then I have NO way of switching the lights off unless I climb up and unplug them.  This does not seem like a good idea to me.  Now, if the outlets are connected to the light switches then I have a way to turn them off and on, but I still have to leave my flourescents on because they are on the same switch.

I'm now debating, do I go ahead with the lamps or just return them?  What is the point of the lamps?  I wanted to give the room a more home like glow then the business/factory lights I already have.  But if I have to deal with both then really, what is the point?  What if the lamps CAN be set to work without the flourescent tubes?  Will they give enough light to work with?  Hmmmm.  Perhaps I am only going for the Look for the lighting and not it's practicality?  What is the purpose of the lights?  If the purpose is to light the classroom like a home and I can't do that technically then I will return the lights. 

I also have a problem with my rug.  It's not big enough.  I can't return it because I've been reimbursed for it already.  So my solution is to buy a second rug.  But I can't get one in the same colour.  What to do, what to do.  Does it matter if the colours match?  The purpose of the rug is to have a large enough area for my entire class to sit comfortably and listen to the morning/afternoon lesson before going to do their independent work.  So it needs to be large and comfortable.  It's shag and feels great. 

Also did a check on the math cards I ordered.  They should be in this week some time!  I can't wait!  Very excited to get a hold of those cards.

Next on my shopping list:  the Ikea shelving units which I KNOW I need.  I may be returning the lamps at that point as I'm really beginning to doubt the need for them.

Frames Found!

Cruising through the dollar store on Shaughnessy yesterday I found frames for my classroom.  I had been thinking about what kind of frames I would want.  Mostly, I was thinking wood.  The dollar store had 8X10 frame inserts, the kind you put IN the frame.  They are made of a harder paper and I could actually staple them to the walls or use push pins.  Plus they were only 1.75 each!  So I abandoned my wood frame idea and bought 24 of these in white, off white, burgundy and black.  I figure, if I use a green or brown backdrop to my bulletin boards, these colours will look good against it.  Although I'm NOT that great at colour schematics, so we will see if I am right or not! 

I am excited to try using these and let you know if they are durable enough to last. 

Shopping List for Classroom

Today I went to my classroom to get a feel of the open space.  I noticed right away that my shag carpet is NOT large enough.  I am going to need a second carpet to make the space the size I want it to be.  I'm going to need frames for the kids work, portable clear desks (like G uses) and 2 more expedit shelves from Ikea:

These shelves I put horizontally across my walls and they look fabulous.  I measured them to have 13 X 13 inch cubbies.  With 5 in all I'll have 40 cubbies.  I've already started to lay out what I want in each cubby.  At Ikea these cost 79.99.  I have 3 already and I will buy 2 more and keep the receipts for fall to see if I can get reimbursed.

Next I'm thinking of lighting.  Here are my two ikea lamp ideas:  The first is the cheapest one at 29.99.  I originally wanted 6..but maybe 4 would do?

I have 6 outlets in the ceiling.  If I plug the lamps in (assuming they plug in!) and then have a hook to make them drop as low as I want, then this will achieve my goal.  I plan to buy one for a trial run to see if I can make this work.  But wouldn't you also know that the district came and fixed my two flourescent lights that have been out for a few months.  I don't plan to turn those lights on anymore!  Okay option 2 is 79.99 and I don't think I will be getting it...but it is cool looking.

Like a fuzzy snowball.  But notice the lights seem to hook up to the ceiling wiring.  I don't like that!  I need plug in lamps.  Well, stay tuned, I have NO idea if this will work or not!

Last of all I need to buy 30 or more clear plastic shoe boxes.  Not only for my students to put their extra supplies in, but for myself to store odds and ends.  Most of my stuff fits in my desk drawers and these cute small cubbies I have that are labeled for the kids.  They say "push pins", "elastic bands" extra.  I'm thinking of the extra materials I might need to supply.  So right now I'm in a holding pattern for the bins.  I need them to fit two to a large cubby (13x13) and I have no idea how many I truly need.  I also want matching baskets for some books I have.  Those will go in one of two material shelving units.  Today I found all my non-fiction materials and I want to put them together.  I also have my grammar materials to shelve.  Plus I need to label everything too.  It's a huge job I'm undertaking but I know it will be worth it in the end.

Shopping and public schools

This past week I had the chance to talk with some fellow teachers and discuss the state of public school.  One of the topics that kept coming up was the borderless public school issue.  Back in 2001 when Christy Clark was Minister of Ed, she came up with this idea that parents should be allowed to choose the school their child goes to, and removed the idea that you had to go to your neighbourhood school.  This has caused a HUGE problem.  Schools have to compete with each other.  I, as the teacher have to SELL my program.  At least it feels like that because people can threaten to take their "business" elsewhere.  Really Clark's whole mission was to create private school business.  The government doesn't want to pay for public education, so her move is to discredit public schools with rankings and competition.  Since then my district has put in new programs and been marketing themselves to get students.

Long ago in a far off place there was a lovely thing called a neighbourhood school.  Schools were all seen as "good" and people didn't go from school to school shopping for the one they want.  Children in a neighbourhood went to school together.  It was a happy place.  Parents and teachers worked together to help each student succeed.  I have to say my school is AWESOME.   I hate when I hear rumours about it, that somehow it is not as good as another school near by.  That is totally untrue.  Basically rumours are started by people who just don't get their way, or we tell them the honest truth and they flee!...how DARE WE!

These days I feel of two minds.  I work in a special program, so shouldn't I sell it?  But, shouldn't the program sell itself?  A lot of time people don't understand the program.  People want a certain spelling program or a certain math text.  I feel like I have to bow to these pressures to keep people in my program.

BUT guess what???  This year, that is NOT happening.  I know what I'm doing, I'm good at it...and I need to believe in myself and my program.  I plan to help my parents understand the program through an introduction guide I am going to give out in September.  A lot of parents work now and I think it's hard for them to feel connected to our classroom.  I hope that my website, my newsletters, my new "info" guide and my openness to email communication will help in this area.

What is my program?  Montessori.  It was created by Maria Montessori who designed it for children who supposedly "couldn't" learn.  Children with disabilities and poor disadvantaged children.  They did very well with hands on, sequenced lessons.   I discovered Montessori while teaching on call.  I found the philosophy suited ME to a tee!  Basically it involves independent choice, students choose what they want to learn (within a structured environment).  When the teacher sees they are ready to learn something new they sit down and do a lesson with the child.  My classroom has materials for all subjects, and it is my job to create a schedule where children can openly choose BUT still cover all subject areas.

So, the thought for me this year is....THIS is my program.  If you don't like it..that's okay...there are other programs for you to choose.  I must stay true to what I believe is right for teaching.  I can't just put a spelling program in because it "looks" good....and trust me I have a spelling program BUT I'm talking about ones I'm told to do.  Once upon a time I was actually bribed to do what someone wanted...don't worry I didn't take the bribe!  I need to stop feeling like I need to sell the program and myself.  I need to focus on my love for Montessori and my love for teaching.

Background Music in the Classroom

Spent some time today walking around looking at research projects from graduating masters students.  A classmate of mine (M) her brother did a really interesting study on Background music in the classroom.  I was thinking about this in terms of student learning.  He did a study with nature sounds, children's music, and classical music at three different volumes (quiet - 40 decibels, medium, and loud 70).  He found that none of the music made a difference overall, in tests with silence the children did the same as with music.  However, he did find that quiet nature sounds during math improved students scores.  SO...I'm thinking I may try this idea.

He also said, playing music that's upbeat when kids come in can have a great effect on their mood.

I will be trying these ideas!  Let me know if you have :)

**I credit Megan's brother MATTHEW (last name ?) for this info.

Ceilings for sound

Tonight I went to the keynote speaker at SFU.  I was noticing that the theatre is designed with a ceiling that is quite wavy.  It made me wonder what effects the ceiling has on the sound in the room.  I'm thinking of the fabric I'm going to drape from the ceiling.  I wonder if I have it wave like this ceiling if it will dampen echoes and extra noise.

This is the exact room I was in.  The ceiling is wavy with pot lights (I HATE pot lights) but the ceiling is very cool looking.  It's metal, bent like an accordian, with small holes in it...all through like a speaker.

Suggestions?  Does fabric set in waves help with noise levels?

Ideas from Masters Class!

Today T and P did a great activity where you put your fear on a piece of paper, ball it up and chuck it at them.  I really liked that!  Idea, idea!
I can see using this with children for different emotions.  It's confidential.  They had us read them out at the end, we didn't know whose was whose.  Maybe I would do that OR keep the papers to inform myself of issues in my classroom.

Great ideas ladies!