I’m so sorry they left everything…it’s thoughtful in a sense, but also extremely overwhelming and causes lots of extra work! Just take it one step at a time!
Same hapened to me last year, it's extremely over whelming. My room was an unused room that became a catch all and I could only focus on all the stuff! Once I picked 1 area to focus on and complete I just got in a rthymn and was able to be productive. Everything doesn't need to be completed right away or even this year. This is y 2nd year in this room and I'm working on projects that I never got to last year. 1 thing at a time. Focus on having room set up to teach. Decorating can be fun but don't make it the priority. So many teachers focus on decorating instead of making the room workable. (just my opion). Good luck.
Congrats on your first classroom! A classroom with a bunch of stuff is a blessing but can be super overwhelming. Hang in there! Do you have room for a carpet area in the front? I would place the desks together in groups of two long ways. So you would have 3 long tables for the students to work and a rug in front for whole group lessons. What I like to do is to establish furniture and layout first. Then, I put all of the items to be organized on the tables to sort and purge/donate. At home, I print decor, cut and laminate everything. After all that, then its time to decorate. LastIy, go into prepping and planning for first few weeks of school, meet the teacher etc. Good luck!
I will try that desk layout! I should have room in the front. There's a couple of tables there now that aren't staying so it makes it look like there's less room!
I feel for you with all those things that were just left. That happened to me a few years ago I had to move rooms with 10+ years for my own teaching materials to move, and the room I moved into had nowhere for me to put anything. Enlist help for sure and double check that you can purge old curriculum. Once you know you can get rid of some things it will help the ease that overwhelming feeling. Hugs to you!!
Setting up can be so overwhelming at first and I feel for you having to sort through all the stuff. One thing I always do when I first get back to my classroom is I just make a list- it continually gets added to as I move things and plan, but as I check things off it feels so awesome and keeps me from "lulling" out haha.
Hi, ask your Principal if you can place the things you don't need in a specific place or if you can place them out in the hallway for other teachers to take.
You will use every single pencil. I think kids eat them! I wish i could come in and help you! I can't get into my classroom for another couple weeks. I'm feeling so overwhelmed for you. It is looking good though. It will be great!❤
I don't know your class size, but could you place the tables in a u shape or get desks to replace some of the tables? I feel for you with all of the stuff. I had to clean out last year and found things from the 1960s! It will get better and you will do great things! As far as your backpacks, ask your custodial staff if they could build backpack hangers or if your on a campus with an Ag Department maybe ask one of their classes to build them. The students could hang them on the backs of their chairs if nothing else could be done!
Target dollar spot has those small plastic containers. I stock up on those every summer because they’re good for so many things! I like to use them for math manipulatives for games.
My Target stinks and barely ever has anything in the dollar spot! I found some crayon holders at Walmart today though! I will keep a lookout for the Target ones!
Will you be getting a classroom rug? Most districts have rugs in the classroom especially lower EL I would ask about a rug in front of your smart board. It is absolutely necessary in lower El.
I was left alot in my classroom last year too. It was my first year and honestly, I stuffed all the leftover stuff in the closet and cabinets to get an idea of a blank space. Setup the way I thought. Then peice by peice got rid of things older than me or outdated.
I hate that they left all of that. As an educator, that is a pet peeve because unless it is requested, the teacher leaves more work for the person coming in trying to make the room their own. Take it step by step, but what you know you don't want/need, trash it. Clutter clouds your thinking. I wish I were there to help you because this really bothers me...
Even if the teacher used it before you doesn't mean you have to. Keep district curriculum and materials that must remain in your room. The rest, if you don't like it, trash it or donate it to Goodwill.
I’m so sorry they left everything…it’s thoughtful in a sense, but also extremely overwhelming and causes lots of extra work! Just take it one step at a time!
Definitely thoughtful! I've managed to go through most of it now!
Same hapened to me last year, it's extremely over whelming. My room was an unused room that became a catch all and I could only focus on all the stuff! Once I picked 1 area to focus on and complete I just got in a rthymn and was able to be productive.
Everything doesn't need to be completed right away or even this year. This is y 2nd year in this room and I'm working on projects that I never got to last year. 1 thing at a time. Focus on having room set up to teach. Decorating can be fun but don't make it the priority. So many teachers focus on decorating instead of making the room workable. (just my opion). Good luck.
Congrats on your first classroom! A classroom with a bunch of stuff is a blessing but can be super overwhelming. Hang in there! Do you have room for a carpet area in the front? I would place the desks together in groups of two long ways. So you would have 3 long tables for the students to work and a rug in front for whole group lessons. What I like to do is to establish furniture and layout first. Then, I put all of the items to be organized on the tables to sort and purge/donate. At home, I print decor, cut and laminate everything. After all that, then its time to decorate. LastIy, go into prepping and planning for first few weeks of school, meet the teacher etc. Good luck!
I will try that desk layout! I should have room in the front. There's a couple of tables there now that aren't staying so it makes it look like there's less room!
I feel for you with all those things that were just left. That happened to me a few years ago I had to move rooms with 10+ years for my own teaching materials to move, and the room I moved into had nowhere for me to put anything. Enlist help for sure and double check that you can purge old curriculum. Once you know you can get rid of some things it will help the ease that overwhelming feeling. Hugs to you!!
I'm very appreciative for all of the resources but it was a lot to go through!
Setting up can be so overwhelming at first and I feel for you having to sort through all the stuff. One thing I always do when I first get back to my classroom is I just make a list- it continually gets added to as I move things and plan, but as I check things off it feels so awesome and keeps me from "lulling" out haha.
Hi, ask your Principal if you can place the things you don't need in a specific place or if you can place them out in the hallway for other teachers to take.
I was told the first day that I could just put anything I don't want in the hallway!
You can used laundry basket for the backpacks. It worked so well for me. Best wishes for a wonderful first year.
Thank you! I've seen that before! I just need to figure out where to put the laundry baskets!
I would love all those pencils 😅 I am always running out of pencils mid year. You should check the games to make sure they are complete as well.
Good idea! I got rid of the really old looking ones.
Congratulations on your first classroom! It will be fun to watch your journey.
Thank you so much!!
You will use every single pencil. I think kids eat them! I wish i could come in and help you! I can't get into my classroom for another couple weeks. I'm feeling so overwhelmed for you. It is looking good though. It will be great!❤
Right. Keep the pencils!
I'm grateful to have them all!
Sending you successful school year vibes for your first year. 🎉 Welcome to the world of Kindergarten...hope you love it💕
Thank you!
I don't know your class size, but could you place the tables in a u shape or get desks to replace some of the tables? I feel for you with all of the stuff. I had to clean out last year and found things from the 1960s! It will get better and you will do great things!
As far as your backpacks, ask your custodial staff if they could build backpack hangers or if your on a campus with an Ag Department maybe ask one of their classes to build them. The students could hang them on the backs of their chairs if nothing else could be done!
Target dollar spot has those small plastic containers. I stock up on those every summer because they’re good for so many things! I like to use them for math manipulatives for games.
My Target stinks and barely ever has anything in the dollar spot! I found some crayon holders at Walmart today though! I will keep a lookout for the Target ones!
Will you be getting a classroom rug? Most districts have rugs in the classroom especially lower EL I would ask about a rug in front of your smart board. It is absolutely necessary in lower El.
I have a rug already! It's just in my garage and I haven't brought it in yet!
Hope your 1st year was great!
I was left alot in my classroom last year too. It was my first year and honestly, I stuffed all the leftover stuff in the closet and cabinets to get an idea of a blank space. Setup the way I thought. Then peice by peice got rid of things older than me or outdated.
I hate that they left all of that. As an educator, that is a pet peeve because unless it is requested, the teacher leaves more work for the person coming in trying to make the room their own. Take it step by step, but what you know you don't want/need, trash it. Clutter clouds your thinking. I wish I were there to help you because this really bothers me...
Even if the teacher used it before you doesn't mean you have to. Keep district curriculum and materials that must remain in your room. The rest, if you don't like it, trash it or donate it to Goodwill.
It definitely left a lot more work for me! But I’m grateful for all the books left behind!
How did the school year go?