My Classroom Update!

Okay sweet friends. So to say I’m a bit overwhelmed by the fact that August is just one day away would be an understatement. Not because I don’t love my job, it’s just that I really love my summer and I have about 5,000 projects still left to do. My chest is starting to get tight just thinking about it.  But…it all eventually gets done, right? Tell me I’m right y’all! 
So lets get onto it. This might be why I’m just freaking out a little bit! 
So this is the current state of my classroom. Not cute. Right? Can you believe all my stuff is in those garbage bags. Tell me not to freak out.  It gets all fancied up ever year, but man does it look like one big, daunting task right now.
 
And it doesn’t help that I haven’t been in to work on my room. Instead I took a fun little trip to Washington, D.C. with my hubby. Besides, we had an absolute blast. I love that man and a weekend away made me love him even more. Plus I got some very cool pictures for my upcoming class. Especially when we talk about George and Abe. 
 Abe’s hat.
 My hubby standing on the balcony where the president gives his inaugural speech. 
In addition we had a private tour. Love it! 
 Us…We’re goofy.
Me!
So… today I got back to business and this is the kind of business I love. I went to shop at Crayons to Computers. I posted about it last year and I wanted to post again. Yes…Crayons is in Cincinnati and services the Greater Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky schools, but there are similar stores elsewhere and they are truly a blessing. Crayons to Computers is a free store for teachers. They provide free items to thousands of teachers. It’s like walking into Toys R Us for the first time when you’re 3. Only so much better, because you never have to get out your wallet.  Donors give literally thousands of items and they are stocked on the shelves for teachers to take. Some items have limits of the number teachers may take and other things have no limit at all. You just grab a cart and go.  It’s fabulous!
Furthermore here are some pictures of the store today.
Tape, glue, index cards, pens, highlighters, staple removers and more.
 Notebooks and super cute pencils.
 Paper, clipboards, poster board, envelopes.
 Dividers, folders, and more envelopes.
 Lots of notebooks, charts, etc.
 Scrapbook paper and stickers.
 Airheads! YUMMY!
 31 bags! Yes…Thirty-one donated all of those!
 Batteries and battery chargers!
 Stickers, gift bags of every size and crafting stuff.
 Paint, adorable handwriting books and containers for your paint.
 Felt in every color!
 Fun rings!
 Cupcake stands with games. So fun!
See that bottom shelf. That is the shelf made of gold. Those would be chair pockets. Limit 25!
I get them every year.
A million fun cutouts, flash cards, games, etc.
I didn’t get pictures of close to everything. I also went home with 25 DVD’s. Good ones too!
Like Horton Hears a Who and Ever After.
I also brought home a bunch of new clipboards, a 3 hole punch and some fabulous, fun pens.

This store really is amazing and such a wonderful place for teachers. Make sure to check them out and see if there is one in your area.
They are also currently trying to win a technology makeover through Modern Office Methods.
Please click here and vote for C2C. They in no way asked me to post this, but I know they would appreciate the help. And they truly deserve it.
So I think that is it for now. I’ll be back with some freebies soon and I’ll be posting 2 fun units for back to school. I’m working like a dog to get them done for ya!
Have a great week friends.
PS. Do you all love my new blog look? I can’t thank Erin at Creating and Designing enough! I promise to fill in the blanks on those buttons soon!
 
Picture of Michelle Oakes

Michelle Oakes

Wife, mom of 2 boys and a bulldog, reading specialist, Target frequenting lover of fashion, home decorating, Cincinnati girl.

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40 thoughts on “My Classroom Update!”

  1. They have one about three hours from me but I was wondering if you could tell me if they only allow teachers from that area to use it, or if it was open to any teacher no matter where you are from?

    Reply
  2. Oh my goodness!! I have never heard of this place. How amazing!! I can't even imagine getting all of those things!! I love the new look by the way 🙂
    Jodi

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  3. That is such a cool concept. Our school doesn't meet the poverty requirements, but I would love to go and just look around. It looks amazing! And don't fear- my classroom looks a lot like yours and I've been working off and on all summer. I'm sticking with the "it gets worse before it gets better" excuse. 🙂
    Erin
    First with Franklin

    Reply
  4. Your blog looks awesome. I remember you posting this last year. I live in Findlay, Ohio and would love for our community to do something like this. I remember I even told several teachers about your post!! Awesome opportunity!
    Robynn
    BusyBees

    Reply
  5. #1 – Thanks for posting the pic of your classroom! It actually makes me feel a little less bad about mine (even though mine is worse)!
    #2 – I think I may need to move to where you are…that store is my dream come true! How thoughtful and generous of your community!
    Vickie
    Mrs. Plant's Press

    Reply
  6. I'm so jealous! I teach in Louisville, and we don't have one of these, though I heard all about it when I was a kid. My school meets the poverty guidelines (93% free and reduced lunch) so I should call and see if I can volunteer there so I can shop. I'd be happy with glue sticks and copy paper! I'm from Northern Kentucky, and my parents still live there, so I could just go stay with them! 🙂

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  7. Wow! That is amazing! I just graduated with my B.Ed. and I am so excited to start teaching. Knowing a store like this exists reminds me how important a profession teaching is.

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  8. This is the coolest store!I wish we had one here in Baltimore. Do you need to have a special invitation? If not, sounds like a road trip for me and my teacher friends.

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  9. At least you can get in your rooms. Our pricipal will NOT let us in until the Friday before in-service. We have to use our 2 campus days plus the weekend before school starts to get organized.

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  10. Seriously?????????

    I live in Ohio and after reading about it last year (because I use to be in a low income district) I called them and pretty much begged them to go shopping! I told them that I would go work there for a week straight! You can't say that a girl didn't try! 🙂 I'm super excited for you and your shopping spree! 🙂

    They do have them near other Ohio cities however I'm near Columbus and there was no such luck. 🙁

    Also- there is no doubt you are going to turn that room into a shiny beautiful place!

    Reply
  11. I just went to Crayons to Computers Wednesday!!
    I guess we are both Kentucky or Ohio teachers! I might have even seen you there. 🙂
    When I went though, they did NOT have those awesome pens and Expo marker ledges.
    Were you so excited about the Thirty-one bags??

    I'm your newest follower.
    Jessica @ http://secondgradenest.blogspot.com/

    Reply

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