Our Space

For the last five years my classroom was one large space with a corner dedicated for our broadcasts and a back room for the studio director. Here is a post I wrote last year when I was working to improve that space which I tell the students is OUR room. Granted, I flip flop on whether that is a good idea because sometimes little pieces of trash, etc left behind leaves me to believe some treat the space as they would their own room, so maybe I should call it MY room and it will remain tidy out of the utmost respect for me, the teacher. Mmmm, doubtful!

Work in Progress

This school year I was blessed to acquire the smaller room next door that is long and narrow. A doorway/passthrough was cut in-between the rooms so now the big room can evolve into a dedicated studio space and the “new” room is my teaching space. It was a blank canvas I wasted no time putting my personal touch on.

I researched color to see what would be the best to inspire creativity as well as instill a sense of calmness and attention.

I have also added an area by my desk of “flexible seating”. I know I do my best work when I am comfortable. My go-to place when I am working on my graduate school class is a cozy corner at the coffee shop in town.  So it only makes sense to make the classroom a comfortable place.

Josh, a 3rd year student, clutches a pillow in comfort as he edits a video for a class assignment

 

Eventually the coffee table will be painted with “whiteboard” paint so students may brainstorm by writing ON the table!

 

Aesthetics: The Beauty is in the Detail

I am adding plants, not only are they attractive, there are health benefits. Since plants absorb carbon dioxide and release oxygen that helps deter illness with improved indoor air quality which in turn assists in breathing.

 

I hate fluorescent lighting so I have added several incandescent lights to add warmth.

I LOVE monograms, so you will find a lot of “R” goodies around the room.

My students helped take ownership of the room makeover and painted a chalk board wall where I often post the bell ringer.

It allows students to gather together and talk about the post instead of sitting alone and not interacting.  When I don’t have a bell ringer posted it has become a neat place where students leave fun doodles which I think is therapeutic for them!

 

 

 

 

The look of the chalkboard wall also adds a nice touch of “Whimsy” to the room.

 

… More Whimsy:

“Newsie” our decorative decoupage reindeer head over the doorway. I made him!

Staying organized?@#$%^&*!

Can we say #Goals? I aspire to be the most organized-pseudo type A teacher, but let’s be honest as a middle age person  who has yet to master that art, I am a constant work in progress. I am trying and I am making progress in the forms of baby steps. This year I got a Happy Planner. It is allowing me to add my crafty inclinations to my planning which is proving to be fun.

 

Slowly Getting Organized

 

Tips & Tricks to accomplish Classroom Nirvana

DIY, Flea Market Finds, and a little imagination.

 

I wrote my first blog while I was still a reporter at a local TV station. It was around 2006. Called Michelle’s Dog Blog, it was prompted by the cancer diagnosis my beloved dog George received at the young age of five and a half years old.  As I learned about the wonderful treatment available to pets who still had so much life left in them in spite of a serious health crisis, I wanted to share what I was learning with the viewers of our TV station.

Writing the blog was not only therapeutic for me, but it was rewarding to get so much feedback from the people who read it. I still remember one woman whose dog had nose cancer. She ended up taking her dog to the veterinary oncologist my George was being treated by, who was one of only two in the entire state back then.  Unfortunately her dog was far along in his illness, but the oncologist was able to make her dog comfortable for the remaining months he had left. This made me feel so good that my story was able to help someone else.

Three years after his diagnosis,  my George passed away. After that I sat down and wrote from my heart about the lessons my boy taught me in life and  in the three years of boldly, bravely, and even enthusiastically battling his lymphoma. That post was nominated for an Emmy for writing. To this day I share a copy of that post with friends after the loss of a pet in the hopes it brings them some comfort.  The power of words is amazing.

Follow-Worthy Favorites

Off the Grid and on the Map

Although this Blog is not updated anymore, it is still one of my favorite that I followed regularly when it was current. It was created by a former co-worker of mine and his wife who sold ALL of their worldly belongings, including their home, bought a utility van and converted it into a house on wheels. That is where their story begins. I loved living vicariously through their exciting life as they traveled the states and beyond.

Fridays With Freddy

A dog named Freddy and Dirty Jobs host, Mike Rowe. What’s not to like?! I love this blog written from the perspective of the dog. Good stuff.

What My Daughter Wore

This is a fantastic blog for the artistically inclined. The title says it all. A mother who is an artist documents her daughter’s fashion choices by drawing them with colored pencils.  While no words are used, each illustration still tells a story.

2017 Goals

With my broadcast career behind me, I am encouraging my Media Arts students to blog. This is the third year it has been a part of my curriculum.  It’s been hit or miss. This year, sadly, it seems to be a miss.  I think it is important for everyone to feel they have a voice and blogging is a great platform to be seen and heard through the written word, spoken in a podcast post, or showcasing expression through art and photographs.

Blogging is a tool for expression that can be taken out of the classroom and into life. I have had students who loved it so much they continued blogging on their own after leaving my class. One young lady documented her first year as a college student in a blog which I thought was a great idea.

I am excited to join the #EdublogsClub for the weekly prompts to not only get back in the habit of blogging for my personal enjoyment, but to also model blogging for my students in a way I hope inspires them. Additionally I am looking forward to connecting  with other educators across the country who are participating in the Blogging Club!