A brief set back...

Does this sound familiar to anyone?

You have decided you want to make a change in your life.

You make a realistic plan and feel energized and excited to tackle your new goal.

For the first week or two everything goes well.  You are following your plan, you love the results and you wonder why it took you so long to make this change.

Then...

Out of nowhere...

Murphy shows up!

Does this happen to you too?

I was doing so well on the clutter-free classroom project.  I accomplished the first two weekly challenges and I was still going strong.  This weekend I planned to tackle my teacher's desk and the teacher's area.  Have you seen those pictures, yikes!  

Last week I had over 30 absences in my class.  The students were passing around a particularly nasty bug.  My hand sanitizer was strapped to my waist.  My husband was sick with the same bug for 10 days.  I thought my "super-teacher" immune system, regular hand washing/sanitizing and twice daily Airborne cocktails had kept me virus-free.  Sadly, no.  Now I am laid up in bed when I desperately wish I could be de-cluttering my classroom.

Rest, fluids, food, repeat.

Before and After Photos: The Kidney Table and Surrounding Area

Here is the before picture:

File boxes on the ground - Left over drink bottles - Day old coffee cup - Math materials - Student writing journals - Random papers - Five different pencil/pen containers - Fan storage 

Here are the after pictures:

Now only materials for reading groups are stored in this area.  There is one pencil/pen holder.  The colored drawers are clean, labeled and organized.  Three file boxes, various cardboard boxes, many containers and an entire book shelf have been reduced to two file boxes.

These rules are now taped to the Kidney Table:

The Kidney Table may be used for:

*Small group instruction

*Partner work

*Chairs must be put up daily

The Kidney Table is not to be used for:

*Storage (even temporary storage)

*Dumping ground

No Exceptions!

It may not look like much, but this took me a whole day to accomplish.  I know it won't happen overnight so I am going to keep plugging along.  

The Rules...

Today I created my list of rules for determining what will stay, be sold, donated or go in the trash. This is the Week 2 Challenge for The Clutter-Free Classroom Project.  It is currently Week 3, but I am a little behind.

Non-negotiable Rules:


If any of these rules apply to an object in my classroom, the object has to go!

I haven’t used it in the last 2 years and I don’t see myself using it within the next 2 school years.

It is outdated or broken.

It takes up too much space.

I have another one.

It is stored elsewhere in the building.

The only reason I am keeping it is because I paid money for it.

I have a master copy, a copy on the computer or can easily find a copy online.

I think it is great but the kids don’t use it.

It is easily replaceable.

When in doubt, throw it out!

Stay tuned for the first before and after picture that will be posted later tonight.

Classroom Clutter Photos

The first step: Admitting you have a problem

This new year I am determined to keep my resolution.  I resolve to organize my cluttered classroom and maintain a clean, orderly and student-friendly learning environment.  But I need help, so I joined the Clutter-Free Classroom Challenge.

If you knew me, and I am praying that no one who knows me ever reads this blog, you would recognize the overwhelming task I have resolved to accomplish.  I work in piles.  I am creative and constantly beginning new projects.  I never teach a lesson the same way twice.  My teaching craft and my classroom are constantly "under-construction."  Right now my classroom should have orange cones and require a hard-hat to enter.

My cluttered classroom photos:

Teacher's desk

Behind the teacher's desk

Bookshelf next to my teacher's desk

Back Counter

More of the back counter

Whiteboard

Yes, this is a new carpet I received in the fall for my classroom and I have yet to take it out of the package!

Shelves in closet area

Classroom library

More storage in the closet

Storage cabinet 1

Storage cabinet 2

Reading table

View of student desks from classroom door

View of carpet and reading table from classroom door

Even after viewing the posted photos of other cluttered classrooms, I am embarrassed to post these photos of my classroom.  (Perhaps that is why I didn't post my photos until Week 3.) 

My half-done projects and cluttered classroom keep me at school after hours and on weekends.  I long to have a neat, tidy and organized classroom.  Help me Clutter-Free Classroom!