Visuals Are Everything

Picture this, I'm sitting at home trying to think about how I want to use the space in my new classroom. I can't really remember how much wall space I have. I know I have several bulletin boards, and I would like to lay out a plan for how I am going to use them. I can't remember much about the details of the room. It's too early in the summer to start trial and error decorating. I'm not even sure the custodian is done with all of their summer cleaning. Then I remember, I took a picture of each wall in my new classroom. I did it as a split second decision, but those four photos have become my planning board. I started thinking about how I would use the cabinet and shelf space for organization. (I WILL stay organized.) I had already sorted out some of the books and manipulatives while I was there, but I wanted everything to have a place and a label. I thought about printing out the picture and writing on it, but didn't want to waste the ink in my printer. I decided to pizap the photo. Pizap is a free and easy to use photo shop site. Check it out here www.pizap.com. So this is what I came up with. The shelves aren't actually organized as the labels say, but using this map, they will be. (Note to others: You might want to move the furniture out of the way.)

What else can I do from the comfort of home? Well, I have three more pictures. I began pizapping the others. I found that this was giving me a great perspective on the use of the room. I could insert other pictures like the one of a chart I found on pinterest. Like this one http://pinterest.com/pin/63050463503709733/. Then, I decided I could play around with what I wanted my bulletin boards to look like on Microsoft Publisher. I got one roughly planned out and inserted that photo as well. By the time I was finished, my classroom was pretty much designed. All I need to do now is get the supplies I need and get started. I didn't put in every poster and sign, but I have a good idea of how my walls will be laid out now.
 

My plan for my word wall and marker board. I am going to put my desk in
the right corner, so I want to add a cork board to hang pictures and things on.

This one shows the board I designed on publisher and the picture from pinterest.

I haven't gone through all of my posters, but I plan on using this space
for some of them. Both halves of the bulletin board will be more wonderful
pinterest ideas. Stay tuned to see those in action.