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