Last Year's Classroom

I am horrible at organizing and decorating. Planning a classroom does not come naturally to me and I am working hard to have my classroom feel welcoming to students.

This is what my classroom looked like at the beginning of last year. I felt comfortable in it and I felt the kids were comfortable as well. I haven't really had a problem with students feeling out of place in my room.

This is what my classroom looked like the first time I walked in 2 years ago. I have a Smartboad, although it is in the most awkward place. Now when our schools place Smartboards, they install it on the back wall. I have one tiny window. (But my school is so old, so I don't think they liked students looking outside back in the day.)

Last year, this is how I decorated. I made lots of tissue balls and hung them from the ceiling. I felt it really brightened the room and made it seem inviting. At each group, there were a few boxes of supplies. That didn't last long. It wasn't a priority to me. I am trying to decide if I should try again next year.

I love my absent folders. It is one thing that helps me stayed organized. I have a Silhouette die cut machine and use it a lot. 

I try not to waste any space. The cabinets were turned into my permanent word wall. I used the Silhouette to cut all the letters and laminated all the cards. Surprisingly, they made it through the year. 

This year, I am completely lost on what to do. I am trying to spend as little money as possible to add to the room, but decorating is hard to do on no money. Plus, I may be moving classrooms. If anyone has a suggestion for anything, let me know. The other classroom would look the same, except the Smartboard is on the wall instead of the whiteboard. 

I am linking the Teaching Blog Addicts "There is no place like Home."