Tuesday, March 27, 2012

Extreme Makeover: Schoolroom Edition!

A while back I asked for some schoolroom advice. I wish I'd taken an even earlier photo, because this room had old carpeting in it, but you can still see the basic change:


We removed the warped, twisted beams that were bolted to the ceiling. Updated the lighting and popcorn ceiling. Painted.

I was stumped over how to handle the brick. I liked it better once the room had been updated, but I still needed shelving and storage in this longish/narrow room. So we added built in bookshelves/cabinets with drawers under what used to be a free standing hearth.


Here's a little room tour...

The wall to the immediate left (behind the recliner) holds the clocks. We have one clock for each of the places in which our kids were born. This is great for calculating elapsed time! We often talk about what's currently happening in Korea and China while looking at the clocks. [Clocks are from Ikea. Labels were ordered through Office Depot.]


Directly beneath the window you'll see a magazine rack that holds some of our library books. [I purchased the rack, used, at a secondhand store that was going out of business.] To the left of the rack is a Large Magic Wall (magnetic) from The Math Learning Center.


Looking straight at the fireplace, you'll see our reading couch on the left with a map above it. We agonized over what to get to hang things on the walls. After painting, my husband insisted, "NO MORE BLUE TACKY STUFF!!!" I couldn't blame him. We had teeny pieces of the stuff stuck all over the walls from years and years of hanging papers. We finally decided on map/tack strips (can't remember the name or where we got them) and the wire for artwork from Ikea. This picture gives you the idea.

The train table is used for rotating toys/projects/themes. I like to swap out Legos, Playmobil, etc.


Now the newest addition...

If you sneak a peek behind the couch, you'll see our schoolwork. I first saw the plan here. We decided to get two of these Expedit Shelves because I could separate them if I ever decide to rearrange. Two Itso Bins from Target (Clear Qtr Bin Itso See-Through) fit perfectly on each shelf. I put a throw rug back there to make a cozy reading corner. It's been there since yesterday and so far it's been the source of constant bickering. I pointed out that it has lines; it can be divided in HALF. They don't seem to be particularly interested in fractions when it comes to sharing space.




On the right wall you'll see all the usual classroom items: 100s grid, pocket charts (mostly garage sale finds!), whiteboard (Costco), more of the map racks and art wire, a DIY cookie sheet/magnetic board, and a Calendar Grid Pocket Chart on the far right. I bought the table/chairs years ago from a preschool that was closing. When I use the space for larger classes, I often clear the area and have kids sit on the floor.





Oh, and btw...  We spend a lot of our day in this room. But it isn't unusual to find us sitting at the kitchen table either. This certainly isn't necessary. But it does make it SO. MUCH. EASIER. TO. FIND. THINGS.  It didn't used to be so hard to lay my hands on what I needed. Life is a bit busier these days. Hopefully this organization will save me some time.

I hope you've enjoyed this little tour. I LOVE peeking in on other learning spaces! :)

Homeschool room, Homeschool classroom

29 comments:

  1. It's wonderful! Thank you for the tour. I was wondering what you'd done.

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    1. It took us so long to do it, I wondered if anyone would even remember my dilemma! :)

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  2. Great makeover. Clean, uncluttered and organised, fabulous!!

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    1. Which is nothing short of a miracle considering that I don't have any organizational bones in my body!

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  3. You already know I LOVE the school-room-transformation...
    But just wanted you to know how fun this post is!!!
    It looks GREAT!
    Love,
    K

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  4. OK, I'm jealous. But happy for you! :)))

    Where in the world did you find the Chinese flashcards poster? I want one LOL!

    And I am totally sending my MIL to your blog to see what you did with the fireplace. She has a hearth exactly like that across the entire span of her den. She would LOVE this idea (though I'm not so sure my FIL would since they are finishing a MAJOR kitchen reno).

    Thanks for sharing!!!

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    Replies
    1. The flashcard poster comes with this flashcard/CD set. We use it a lot!

      http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0804839360/ref%3Dnosim/a4everfamily-20/

      On your MIL...I hated that fireplace space for so long!!! I actually like it now. We considered knocking it out, putting a new face on it...whole bunch of stuff. Interesting side note...those cabinets help to insulate. They are COLD inside!!!

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  5. Thanks for sharing. It looks fabulous!

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    Replies
    1. You're welcome! I have so much fun looking at other people's pictures. It was fun to share for a change. :)

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  6. May I please work at your school?

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  7. Wow! You have an amazing room for your children to learn in!

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    1. We're enjoying it. Just wish I would have done it a long time ago. I think it took me this long to figure out just what it was that I wanted.

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  8. That looks amazing. I would love to do something like like to my classroom when I have one.

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  9. Great looking space! I have kids from different countries too and I love the clocks. Hope you have a great year :)

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  10. What a beautiful space! You guys did great!

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  11. I love that fireplace! And your clock for South Korea will tell you that I am commenting very late at night from over here. :) I need to finish up my post and head to bed! Love your room!

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    1. South Korea...are you homeschooling there? Thanks for commenting! :)

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  12. What a lovely space! Love the Wire hanging racks on the wall. Are those the ones from Ikea?

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  13. Love your room! Removing the beams and changing the paint color really opened up the space. Great built-ins around the fireplace.

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  14. Wow! Such a neat room! I especially love your reading area -- it looks so cozy.

    Have a wonderful year!

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