How To Set Up Your Classroom For The First Day Of School

How To Set Up Your Classroom For The First Day Of School

With the start of each school year, we teachers get a fresh chance to arrange our classroom for a new group of students. Every choice you make sends a message to your students, their parents, and anyone who visits your classroom. Through furniture, books, learning stations, and even desk placement, you communicate the values and priorities of your class. Follow these steps to deliberately maximize the organization and efficiency of your classroom set-up.

Here's How:

1.    Decide how to place student desks. - If you are going to emphasize cooperative learning on a daily basis, you'll probably want to move the student desks into clusters for easy discussion and collaboration. If you want to minimize distractions and chatting, consider separating each desk from the one next to it, leaving a little buffer space to discourage misbehavior. You could also place the desks in rows or semi-circles. Whatever you choose, work with the room and materials you have, leaving plenty of aisle space for you and the students to move around with ease.

2.    Strategically place the teacher's desk. -Some teachers use their desks as a central command station, while others use it primarily as a paper pile repository and rarely sit down to work there. Depending on how your desk functions as part of your teaching style, choose a spot where your desk will meet your needs. If it's very messy, consider placing it in a less conspicuous spot.

3.    Determine what belongs up front. - Since students spend most of their days facing the front of the classroom, be very deliberate about what you place on the walls up front. Perhaps you want to emphasize discipline by placing the class rules on a prominent bulletin board. Or maybe there's a daily learning activity that requires easy-to-view space that all students can see. Make this primetime space engaging, but not distracting. After all, all eyes should be on you, not necessarily a colorful explosion of words and images that distract from the core instruction at hand.

4.    Organize your class library. - Just like a public library, your classroom book collection should be organized in a logical manner that will be easy for the students to maintain throughout the school year. This could mean sorting the books by genre, reading level, alphabetical order, or other criteria. Labeled plastic bins work well for this. Also consider providing a little comfortable reading space for students to lounge with their books during silent reading time. This could mean some inviting bean bag chairs or a dedicated "reading rug."

5.    Set aside space for your discipline plan. - It's wise to post your class rules in a prominent spot for all to see each day of the school year. That way, there's no opportunity for argument, miscommunication, or ambiguity. If you have a sign-in book or flip chart for rule offenders, set up a station for this activity. Ideally if should be in an out-of-the-way spot where curious student eyes can't easily stare as a rule-breaking student signs in, flips the card, or otherwise does his or her penance.

6.    Plan for student needs. - Make sure basic school supplies are strategically placed for easy student access. This may include various types of writing paper, sharpened pencils, markers, erasers, calculators, rulers, scissors, and glue. Organize these materials in one clearly-delineated part of the classroom.

7.    Define the role technology plays in your classroom. - Placement of your computer center communicates the role technology plays in your teaching. If you aim for a more traditional approach to instruction with technology as an occasional complement, the computers likely belong in the back of the room or a cozy corner. If you integrate technology into most of the lessons, you might want to mix the computers in throughout the room so they're easily accessible. This is a personal choice based on your beliefs about teaching in the 21st Century in combination with how available technology is on your campus.

8.    Express yourself through bulletin boards. - Almost every elementary school classroom has bulletin boards on the walls, requiring themes, displays, and regular rotation. Consider designating one or two bulletin boards as seasonal, and thus focus on keeping those boards timely and relevant to current holidays, instructional units, or class activities. Make it easy on yourself by keeping the majority of the bulletin boards "evergreen" and constant throughout the school year.

9.    Sprinkle in some fun stuff. - Elementary school is primarily about learning, for sure. But it's also a time for fun personal touches that your students will remember for a lifetime. Think about having a class pet and make space for cages, food, and other required materials. If a pet's not your style, place a few houseplants around the room to add life and a touch of nature. Make a game center for educational activities that students can use when finished with their work. Pop a couple personal photos from home on your desk to express your interests and personality. A little bit of fun goes a long way.

10. Minimize clutter and maximize functionality. - Before your new students (and their parents) enter the classroom on the first day of school, take a look around your classroom with fresh eyes. Are there any little piles that could be put into a cupboard to tidy up? Does each part of the room serve a clear, functional purpose? What messages are you sending with your classroom's overall appearance at first glance? Make tweaks as necessary.

Tips:

1.    Check out your colleagues' classrooms. - Visit the classrooms of other teachers on your campus for ideas and inspiration. Talk to them about why they made certain organizational decisions. Learn from their mistakes, and don't be shy about copying any brilliant ideas that will work with your teaching style and resources. Similarly, don't feel pressured to adopt any aspects that aren't a good fit for your personality or approach. As a gesture of gratitude, share a few of your own best tips with your colleagues. We all learn from each other in this profession.

2.    Strike the right balance. - An elementary school classroom should be engaging, colorful, and expressive. However, don't go overboard and end up more towards the overstimulating end of the spectrum. Your classroom should project a sense of calm, organization, and positive energy, as well as a seriousness about learning. If you gaze around your room and feel overwhelmed by too much color or too many focal points, your students will feel scattered, too. Find a balance between chaotic and stark. Aim for cheery, but focused. Your students will feel the difference each day they walk into the room.

3.    Don't be afraid to make changes at any time. - Once your school year gets underway, you may find that certain aspects of your classroom set-up aren't working quite the way you initially envisioned. No worries! Just eliminate any parts that now seem obsolete. Add in the new functionalities you now know you need. Briefly introduce the changes to your students, if necessary. Every so often, reevaluate with a practical, flexible attitude, and your classroom will be a vibrant, organized place for learning all year long.

What You Need:

·         Classroom furniture (desks, chairs, bookshelves, etc.)

·         Textbooks and reading books for the class library

·         Posterboard for sharing class rules and other key information

·         An alphabet/handwriting poster for easy student reference

·         Materials for decorating bulletin boards (butcher paper, die cut letters, etc.)

·         School supplies (paper, pencils, dry erase markers, erasers, scissors, and more)

·         Optional: Computers, class pets, plants, games

How to Decorate Your Home

A new home is a blank canvas; you get the opportunity to transform each and every room into a personality filled space that you'll adore. Whether you're tired of your old space or you're moving into a new one, decorating it is imperative to adding coziness and charm. Try changing up large aspects of your home along with incorporating small details, for the best results.

Making Big Changes :

1

Paint your walls. 

• If you live in a rented space, this might not be an option for you. However, if you’re able to, painting the walls in your house can be one of the quickest ways to freshen up the look and add a bit of interest. Choose a color that complements your personality and fits your space. If you’re bubbly and fun, consider a golden yellow or bright green. Calm and collected? A shade of gray or blue might be more your pace. Paint isn’t permanent, so feel free to experiment with colors until you find a look you love! 

•  Although it’s not as in style as it used to be, you can apply wallpaper on an accent wall to add a bit of pattern, if you want. There are even wall decals that act like wallpaper but are removable, if you’re afraid of the permanence of it.

2
Try out new furniture. 

• Furniture is arguably the most important aspect of decorating; if you’re short on furniture or have been using the same pieces for many years, consider bringing some new furniture into your home. Choose comfortable pieces in colors and styles that match your personality. Don’t be afraid to try something other than what the store model has set up; furniture that truly shows your personality will fit in your space better than boring floor model furniture you pick up because it is on sale.

•    Don’t be afraid to buy used furniture from thrift stores; it is easy to repaint and reupholster these to match your space.

• 

·         Mix and match furniture rather than using only matching sets; you’ll end up with a more unique look, and probably save some money in the process.

3
Use decorative storage. 

• Whether you’re incredibly organized or a bit of a hoarder, nearly everyone has stuff that needs to go into storage. Rather than shoving it under a bed or in the back of a closet, try using decorative storage instead. Look for ottomans that store things in their hollow centers, entertainment centers with doors, and large bookshelves and hutches to hold your knickknacks. By using storage that’s attractive, you kill two birds with one stone.

•    Cover shoeboxes in fabric or spray-paint store-bought storage crates to create sophisticated solutions to your storage problems.

• 

·         Book cases can be used to store nearly anything, aside from books. Consider placing one in your kitchen to hold dishes or in your living room for assorted decorations.
·         When you buy new furniture, look for pieces that have hidden storage available.

4
Refurbish old furniture and accents.

 If you don’t have enough money to buy new furniture for your apartment, give your current furniture a makeover. In a kitchen or bathroom, try painting the cabinets a new color or staining them. Use cheap fabric to reupholster your couches or chairs, and try a stain on your floors to change the color. Wood accents (on edges of furniture, the windowsills, trim, doors, etc.) can be painted or stained a bold new color. If nothing else, try moving your furniture into new locations and see the difference it makes on their appearance.

•   Don’t be afraid to try several colors spread throughout your home; although you don’t want many different bright colors, painting each room a different color is totally appropriate.

• If you’re not ready to paint one whole room (let alone your house!), try adding an accent wall. This is when you paint just a single wall in a room, typically one that gets a lot of attention, a bright or cheery color that matches your decor.

Next time we give you more tips, Keep reading & Write to us in the comment box below.. 

Your Home, Your Relaxing Zone

       

  Your Home, Your Relaxing Zone

Fashion makeovers are always a visual delight for any home. How about juxtaposing it with high-volt comfort factor? We believe, it will work wonders.

We want to grab your attention towards a home that ensures you a sure-shot relaxation while imparting you a luxury feel. Imagine a clutter-free home with the most placid prints and textures, soothing aroma, comfy perches and much more.

Check out some really inspiring tips right here:

Keep the comfort quotient in mind:

The recliner you lounge on, the mattress you need to slumber and the snuggly cushions can be your best peacemakers if you choose them wisely.

Season based fabrics:

You wouldn’t like to lean on a thick bed sheet in summers. Would you? So, picking the fabric of your bed sheets is really important. Further, opt for sheer curtains with rich cotton lining for a pleasant setting; go for jute rugs and mats to ensure a cool environment.

Bathroom spa and scents:

Give ample time to your grooming. Make certain arrangements in your bathroom so as to ensure that your body is pampered to the core. Get ready to spruce it with mists, soap stones, scents, and more for that elated feel.

Cut the clutter: Cluttered home is not healthy for your mind. Take out time to organize, beautify and eliminate the extras time and again.

Spread that happy vibe:

Make your room a happy and peaceful place to be. Bring in harmony and positive energy with the help of feng shui elements. The room must be lit to create and absorb energy that soothes your mind and creates a refreshing environment. For this, feng shui suggests the presence of dim light in the bedroom.

Have some more tips? Write to us in the comment box below. Happy relaxing...!

Furniture Care & Cleaning Tips

Caring for Furniture

Use these tips to care for your furniture and it'll look its best for years to come.

Fine wood furniture is a treasured possession in any home, and with good care, it can last for generations. Upholstered furniture provides us with comfort, color and texture. Who doesn't love sinking into the cushioned softness of a favorite sofa?

Fine wood furniture
Care for fine furniture with these recommendations:

Avoid heat and light. In a natural state, wood contains a surprising amount of moisture. Preserving appropriate moisture levels is key to the preservation of fine furniture. Accordingly, position fine wood furniture away from heating vents, fireplaces or radiators. Don't store fine furniture in attics, where temperature and humidity levels vary widely from summer to winter, day and night. Avoid placing furniture in areas where it will sit in direct sunlight, which can fade fine furniture; use drapes, sheers or protective window films to guard against the sun's rays.

Protect from damage. Everyday life can be hard on wood furniture. Moisture from sweating beverage glasses leaves round rings in the finish, while the heat from a hot dish can ruin the wood finish beneath. Provide cork- or felt-bottomed coasters if you will set glasses or mugs on fine wood, and always use trivets to support hot serving dishes. Place mats, tablecloths or padded table covers protect dining room tables from spills or scrapes.

Clean safely. Dust frequently. Occasionally, wood furniture will require heavier cleaning. To remove greasy soil or the film from cigarette smoke, mix a solution of oil soap and water as instructed on the oil soap package. Using a natural sponge, moisten it with oil soap and wring out most of the water. Gently stroke the furniture to loosen soil. Rinse the residue from the wood with a sponge wrung out in clear water, and then dry the piece with fresh cleaning cloths.

Dust fine furniture often with a lamb's wool duster or barely damp white cotton cleaning cloth. Microfiber cloths do a good job of attracting and removing fine blown-in soil. Avoid using a feather duster, as a broken quill can scratch and damage delicate finishes.

Dust damp. Dusting with a dry cloth can scratch, so lightly spritz your cleaning cloth with water, a spray dusting agent or wood polish. Never spray furniture directly, as overspray can leave a difficult-to-remove film. Follow the grain of the wood as you dust to avoid cross-grain scratches.

Dust often. Frequent dusting removes dirt before it has a chance to settle in and make itself at home. Dusting often keeps an oily build-up from forming on wood furniture.

Note: Seek professional advice before cleaning if the wood is in poor condition or the item of furniture is an antique.

Polish or wax? Both wax and furniture polish are applied to fine wood furniture to protect the surface — but you'll need to pick one or the other. Don't try to combine these products or you'll create a gummy mess. Make sure that you have selected the appropriate treatment for the piece's finish. Check with the manufacturer for recommended polish or wax options.

Which to choose? Wax is a semi-solid product; it requires elbow grease to apply, but it creates a long-lasting coat. Furniture polish is easier to apply than wax; it is made using petroleum distillates (a solvent), and evaporates fairly quickly. Most people overuse polish to restore a fresh finish. Layers of polish buildup, combined with body oils and dirt, create a sticky, dull film over the surface. If you use polish, use it with restraint.

The same applies to furniture sprays. They contain silicone oil, which is inert and which does not evaporate like furniture polish. Use them sparingly, and buff the sprayed area well with a clean cloth. Buff it again to raise the shine.

Apply wax or polish to furniture that has been freshly cleaned with oil soap and allowed to dry thoroughly. Follow package directions, and have plenty of clean white cleaning cloths available.

Upholstered furniture 
Dust and dirt act like sandpaper on furniture fabric, so remove it frequently. Vacuum upholstered furniture weekly; lift cushions and use the crevice tool to remove hidden crumbs beneath. Keep upholstered furniture looking new with these tips:

Flip, swap and rearrange. Being territorial creatures, most humans gravitate to their favorite places but when it's the same seat on a long sofa day after day, that preference will start to show. Flip loose cushions regularly, and rotate them on a multi-cushion unit. Similarly, rearrange upholstered furniture once or twice a year to distribute wear more evenly. Switch the position of a love seat and a sofa, or swap the positions of a set of chairs as the seasons change.

Arm caps. Places where bare skin or hair come to rest — armrests, chair backs, seat cushions — are subjected to higher levels of soil and abrasion. Protect high-contact areas of upholstered furniture with arm caps tailored to fit snugly over chair and sofa arms. Made from the same upholstery fabric, they're all but indistinguishable as they protect fabric from wear.

Slipcovers. In areas with hot summer weather, consider washable slipcovers. Traditionally applied to furniture during the warm season, slipcovers protect against sweat, suntan oil and other summer hazards.

   Fabric protection. Spray-on fabric protectors coat fibers and protect upholstery from spills and           stains. Fabric protectors can be applied at the mill as the fabric is processed, by the furniture retailer,    or at home using commercial spray products. If you apply fabric protection yourself, read the product    instructions and observe safety procedures carefully.

Caring for leather furniture

Leather upholstery can last for many years if looked after correctly. Follow these tips to take good care of leather furnishings:

Keep away from heat and light. Leather furniture is very sensitive to heat and sun damage. Position it away from windows, and from heat sources such as fireplaces, radiators and central heating vents.

Uncoated leathers. Furniture made from uncoated leathers should be dusted frequently. An art gum eraser may remove some stains or deposits safely, but do not use leather creams, conditioners or saddle soap on uncoated leather, since these products can change the color or appearance of the leather.

Coated leathers. Check with the manufacturer for recommended cleaning methods. Vacuum regularly to remove surface soil. Commonly, leather creams or conditioners may be used to clean coated leather once or twice or year. Test leather cleaners in an inconspicuous spot before using.

Avoid unsuitable products. Never use oil, furniture polish, dusting sprays or ordinary stain removers on leather furniture.

Everyday Tips For Decorating The Dining Table

Everyday Tips For Decorating The Dining Table

You don’t need a special occasion to decorate the dining table and to make it look beautiful. Every day should be special. Today we’ve gathered a series of lovely tips and ideas meant to show you a variety of ways in which you can make the dining table look beautiful using numerous techniques.

Decorate with fruit.

Use fresh fruit to add color to the dining table. Put apples, oranges, lemons and any other fruits you like in transparent glass containers and turn them into centerpieces for the dining table. What’s really nice about this idea is that you can eat the fruit for desert so they’re not just simple decorations.

Decorate with plants

Another lovely idea is to use fresh plants to decorate the dining table. You can have two or three potted plants placed at the center of the table. They shouldn’t be too big or they’ll occupy a lot of space on the table plus they’ll obstruct the views.

For a special event such as christmas or Thanksgiving, the table décor can match the rest of the accessories and décor features in the room. For example, you can have the centerpiece match the Christmas tree or the garlands.

In modern decors the whole idea is to be simple. You can adapt any type of dining table decoration to this style. For example, use a simple wooden planter to bring color into the room.

A vase of flowers is always a good option. The vase itself can be the focal point and the flowers can be simple and monochrome. Or you can play with shapes and colors and create an eye-catching flower arrangement.

It’s also possible to skip the flowers and to only use vases. Group them up and combine various shapes, sizes and colors to create a really interesting display. Similarly, you can use other types of collections to decorate the dining table.

You can also decorate with candles. You can pick some really lovely votives or you can make them yourself. Use pillar candles. They’ll very versatile and long-lasting.

Sometimes the table itself is interesting enough and doesn’t need anything else to look beautiful. To highlight the table, you can surround it with minimalist dining chairs and you can also display a beautiful lighting fixture above it.

How To Buy Outdoor Furniture For The Summer

How To Buy Outdoor Furniture For The Summer

When summertime draws near, most homeowners are eager to embrace the sunny outdoors, especially spending time in their own backyards. Great outdoor furniture can bring comfort and function to an outdoor space. A home patio, deck, garden, or balcony can turn into an additional room during the warm months with carefully selected furniture materials. By using decorative accents, one can easily create a welcoming living space to relax outside of the house. Choosing the right furniture can transition these spaces into appealing summertime escapes.

Factors to Consider when Buying Outdoor Furniture for the Summer

When it comes to buying outdoor furniture for warm seasons, homeowners need to consider several factors to ensure that they spruce up their spaces the right way and at the lowest cost possible. Other than the cost of buying patio furniture, consider maintenance for the pieces, storage, color, and the quality of the furniture to enjoy all upcoming summer seasons in a special way.

Choose Low Maintenance Outdoor Furniture

Homeowners want to enjoy their outdoor space as opposed to worrying about maintaining it. By purchasing low maintenance outdoor furniture, a homeowner can reduce the time and cost spent on outdoor upkeep. To achieve this objective, choose metal, teak, cedar, and other all-weather wicker pieces, as these materials resist any challenges that weather throws their way. Furniture made from these materials is typically durable lasting for years without the need for repairs.

Consider the Available Storage Space

Even the toughest of the materials such as teak, metal, or wrought iron need proper storage to last longer. Homeowners can add durability to their patio furniture storing the pieces away from weather elements when not in use. Consider the available storage space before buying the furniture. If there is limited space, buy folding patio furniture for compact storage.

Check the Color

When it comes to buying patio furniture, homeowners have unlimited color choices, but since the summer is generally hot, purchasing materials that can help reduce the effects of the sun can be a great option. Brighter materials are a good addition to natural tones of wooden outdoor furniture. For chic finishes and to aid in prolonging the life of the furniture, carefully choose materials that reflect the light to help keep patio spaces and furniture cool while giving them a cozy look.

Quality of Outdoor Furniture

The old adage "You get what you pay for" is true when buying outdoor furniture for summer seasons. The quality of the furniture piece is an important factor since it sits outside amongst the elements. Inexpensive plastic chairs and side tables can make the patio space look great, but they become brittle and their color diminishes over time. Although outdoor furniture made from other materials such as teak wood and wrought iron cost more, they are considerably more durable, holding their shape, color, and overall look for many years.

Choose Dual Purpose Outdoor Furniture

The best way to invest in outdoor furniture is to buy hardworking pieces. Furniture pieces that double as extra seating in the backyard and a stand-alone dining table are especially important for a homeowner looking to save on the cost of furnishing their outdoor spaces during the summer.

 Choosing the Right Materials for Outdoor Furniture

The lifespan of outdoor furniture depends on the type of materials. Different materials have different longevity. Carefully select materials that not only give the space a stylish look, but also last longer.

10 Tips About Caring For Wood Furniture

10 Tips About Caring For Wood Furniture

1.       To clean the finish on your wood furniture just use warm water and mild dish soap. Cleaning furniture with water won't hurt it -- just be careful not to soak it. Use an old toothbrush for hard-to-get areas. Wipe the dirt off the surface with soft cloths or paper towels until they come up fairly clean. Then dry off any residual moisture with a soft cloth.

2.        After a good cleaning, the best way to protect the finish is to use a good-quality soft paste wax. Apply a thin coat as directed on the label. Wait five minutes and buff lightly with a soft (shoe) brush or cloth. Wait another 30 to 60 minutes and buff/brush again with a bit more vigor. You'll see a beautiful shine return to the finish that will last for many months.

3.        Keep your furniture out of the sun. The temperature of the summer sun coming through a window can go above 140 degrees. It will cook fine finishes, fading and destroying them over time, and dry out and shrink the wood, which will cause cracks.

4.       Don't place wood furniture near heating units or vents. Dry heat will cause the wood to dry and shrink, leaving cracks. Use a humidifier in the drier months to bring the moisture up to the 40 to 45 percent level.

5.        For a quick-fix touch up, use the appropriate color shoe polish on scratches and chips, especially to make them less visible on the feet of furniture. Carefully using a matching-color felt-tip marker first will hide it even better.

6.       When polishing metal hardware, take it off the furniture first. Take your time and make a note to remember what piece goes back where. Use a quality metal polish to get it shining again. Once it's buffed, put it back on, being careful not to scratch the wood surfaces. I recommend that you don't try to do this all at one time. It can be a lot of work, so take a few days, doing a few pieces at a time, instead of getting tired and frustrated with trying to do too much.

7.       Wood isn't hungry! You cannot feed furniture. No matter what the advertising says, wood cannot be fed or nourished or enriched with polishes or oils. Once it has a protective finish over it for beauty and protection, the wood is sealed. Polishes and oils will not penetrate it.

8.       There are several ways to remove the white hazy ring or spot that the hot coffee mug or hot pizza box made on your table. The least invasive way is to rub it with a mild abrasive, such as non-gel toothpaste mixed with baking soda or cooking oil mixed with ashes. You can rub it in a small spot with your finger or use a soft cloth on larger areas.                                                                    Another method that has excellent results is to place a soft cloth or towel over the spot and iron it carefully for 10 to 20 seconds at a time with the iron at a medium setting. You can turn the iron up a bit if needed. Always keep the iron moving and check your progress frequently.

9.        When shopping for new or antique furniture, look at the back, inside and undersides of furniture and drawers. Many times it tells you more about quality than looking at the "show" side. The so-called "secondary" woods can speak volumes about the age of the item and the quality of construction.

10.   Restoring or refinishing an older or antique piece of furniture to its original glory might seem like a good idea, and many times it is. But it's important to get advice from someone who is knowledgeable about the item you are considering. You may find that your piece is valuable and just needs a proper cleaning. Any more extensive work should be left to a professional.