Conquering the Classroom Clutter Day 2

So I found my camera - yeah!  It actually wasn't in the black hole, but in the front seat of my car (black seats + black camera = I missed it).  Anyway, back to the closet.  When I went back to my classroom after the first day, my closet looked like this:

I worked for another hour or so and finally I made it to the finish line (sort of):

I did leave the big tubs where they would be easiest to get into due to their size.  The large gray tubs hold seasonal decorations and the clear tubs are organized by month.  I still need to go through each one of those, but that's another story...
So I was feeling really proud of myself until I turned around and saw -

So here's where I need your help.  As I said yesterday, my teammates aren't around to help, so here's the first item in the keep or toss game:

Strawberry Baskets

So here's the story behind these - I found the cutest idea for making snowflake ornaments using the bottom of the basket:

(You can find instructions for these here: Strawberry Snowflake ornaments).  So I thought, "Awesome - a quick, cute and easy gift for the kids to make for their parents."  Who doesn't want that, right?  So I sent out an email asking for the baskets and got like 200 of them (strawberries must have been in season).  Needless to say, I never got around to making the ornaments.  I did throw out about 150 of these baskets and kept about 40 of them.

Now, it's your turn - do I keep them or toss them?  Just leave a comment telling me what you think and I'll do whatever the majority vote is.  You have until tomorrow afternoon at 4 to leave your comment.  Thanks for your help and don't forget to check back tomorrow for Day 3 and a new toss/keep item!

The Black Hole Strikes Again!

Ok, so the black hole that is my classroom strikes again.  I was all ready to blog about Day 2 of my "Conquering the Clutter" series, when I discovered that I cannot find my camera.  I know that I had it in my classroom last night and was taking pictures, but now I cannot find it.  I fear that it was lost in the "Black Hole".  Due to the disappearance of my camera, I'll have to wait until tomorrow to show you the progress from Day 2 (I could tell you about it, but you really have to see it to believe it).

 I can tell you that I've always heard that you should have friends with you when organizing to help you decide what to keep and what to toss.  Well, when I mentioned to my teammates that I was going to organize my classroom, the first thing I heard was chuckling (they know me well).  When they realized I was serious and was looking for some help, they took off!  Seriously...  So, I'm  hoping you can be my "teamies" and help me decide what to keep and put back in the closet and what to get rid of.  Starting tomorrow, I'll post a picture of an item I'm not sure about and you can tell me whether to keep it or get rid of it.  The only rule is...if you tell me to keep it, you have to also give me a good idea (game, craft, activity, etc) of how I could use it.  Sound like fun?  Who knows...you might find some tips you can use for things in your closet (you know you've got some things that have been sitting there for a while!).

To make up for delaying Day 2, here is a fun place value game you can play with your class.  I hope you can use it!

 Don't Miss the Bus Game




Don't forget to stop by tomorrow evening to check out the progress and "play" the keep or toss game!

Conqering the Classroom Clutter - Day 1

So today I begin my journey toward having a neat, clean, and organized classroom. When I went into my classroom for the first time since school let out, I stood for a minute and surveyed the classroom, getting a picture in my mind of what I wanted it to look like. Here's what it looked like when I got there:

With my vision of a beautiful, organized classroom clear in my mind, I headed straight for the closet (a.k.a "The Black Hole").  Here is what I faced when I opened the door:

It literally sucked the life right out of me and made me want to close the door!  But, after saying a little prayer and remembering that beautiful classroom in my mind, I dove right in. I worked for about 3 hours just taking things out of the closet and setting it around the room.  No organizing, no sorting, no throwing away - just clearing out.  After 3 hours, I still had about half of the closet left to clear out, so I'm going back tonight.  I can only go for about 2 or 3 hours per day (because I refuse to take my kids up there during their summer - plus, they make a bigger mess than I do!) so I'm hoping that I can get this done and organized before pre-planning on August 9th.
   Stay tuned for updates and to see if I make it in time, lol!  I'm also open to any organizational tips and /or encouraging words you might have (apparently, I will need those!)!

Giveaway Alert!

Ok everybody, here are the latest giveaways for you to check out!
First Grade O.W.L.s is giving away any item from Mrs. Wills' TPT store AND a gift card from Target!  Don't miss it:
       First Grade O.W.L.s giveaway

Ladybug's Teacher Files is also having a giveaway.  They are offering a free custom blog template for the grand prize winner and premade templates for 3 others.  You can find this one here:

Ladybug's Teacher Files giveaway


I love giveaways so much, I might have to have one of my own soon...

Vacation Then Back to the Classroom

My husband and I are getting ready to head for a romantic weekend in Savannah, Georgia tomorrow. It's sort of an early anniversary/birthday (his)celebration, and I am sooo excited! We went to Savannah for the first time on our 10th anniversary and have gone back (almost) every year since. If you've never been, you've gotta go check it out - it's beautiful, historic, and amazing!
On another note, I have to say that I am very proud of myself...I have not been in my classroom all summer (and for those who know me know that is a BIG deal)! Anyway, when we get back, it'll be back to work. I've been sooo inspired by peeking into your classrooms via blogs/websites this summer that I am determined to get my clutter problem under control. I'll be starting by cleaning out my closet (I shudder to even think about it!). I'll be posting step by step pictures in a series starting Monday, so be sure to check back and join me on this journey (there's no telling what might happen when I venture into the "black hole" of my closet!).

Welcome!

Welcome to all of my new followers! I hope you can find some helpful ideas and activities here. I know that I have learned TONS from following new blogs.

Where Did They Go?

I am soooo freaking out right now!  I just logged on to Blogger and the list of blogs I follow is completely EMPTY!!!  Now, keep in mind, that I had about 150 blogs that I was following and now they are all gone!  Does anyone have any idea how to get them back or why they disappeared?  HELP!