Sometimes it's the little things...and the big things.

This is the fabric I bought at Wal-mart to go on the bulletin board behind my desk. It makes me happy!

These are three of the Planet Earth posters I also bought at Wal-mart that are on each side of the entrance to my room. They make me VERY happy!

Seriously don't they make you happy too? I just hope I can make the kids appreciate them as well. They have a history of destroying most everything I have. Those are just a few of the little things that are making me excited about tomorrow. Here are some of the big things...

This is my new desk. I will soon have a new desktop computer and a new laptop. Hopefully this week. They are in the building. We are just waiting on technical stuff!

These are my gorgeous new lab tables. They are arranged for group work. Let's hope I continue to be motivated to do hands-on inquiry-based activities. It takes more planning, but I truly believe kids retain more when they are actively involved in their own learning. In fact, I know it, because I have witnessed it! Also notice my lovely windows. Those babies were in high demand and mine are much appreciated. I will not let a day go by without being thankful for them. RAIN OR SHINE!!

The nice shelves and cabinets are only found in the science classrooms. So again, how lucky am I? See my 20 year collection of National Geographics? I had a substitute once who told my students that they were pornography. Can you believe that? And no those are not stuffed animals on top of the shelves. They are "models of endangered species", thank you very much!

This is the demonstration table at one end of the classroom with running water, AGAIN specific to science rooms. At the other end of the classroom will be my Smartboard. It should be installed next week as well. It is an interactive board the kids will love. The lab tables are situated so that the students will be able to look in either direction.

Last but not least, this is the stack of paperwork that I left on my desk Friday afternoon! I brought one home just as big. Now that my room is all set up, I guess I need to turn my attention to lesson plans and what I am actually going to teach those young'uns!

I hope you enjoyed the tour. It is going to be a good year.