A fresh start!

A new year and a new position.  Last year, I began a masters program at OU.  Teaching fifth grade and getting my masters was VERY overwhelming.  Honestly, there were days I wasn't sure I was going to make it.  As you can see from previous posts, I was WORN out and had lost my will to fight. Thanks to snow days, I survived and even enjoyed the snow make up days.  After a month of relaxing at home, and really working to appreciate the small things in life, I have rejuvenated!  I have spent my summer lost in books and spending time with my family.

As we begin the year, it is important to share what my new role will be.  Although, the last post of my "new classroom" is a pretty good indication as to what I'm doing. Instead of teaching fifth grade, you will find me in the computer lab surrounded by technology and all ages!  I will see each student in our building K-5 for 55 minutes per week. I will be teaching the students foundational computer skills as well as digital citizenship.  Each grade level will have a different focus but will piggy back grade level curriculum.  For example, second grade works on biographies - during that time, we might learn how to research different people, and create presentations using Kid pix.  Fifth grade will create weather forecast movies while they study weather. 

Throughout the year, I'll share projects that each grade level is working on.  I also will take different ideas from other computer labs.  I'd love to hear how you are integrating technology into curriculum or how your computer lab teacher is benefiting the regular ed class!

My computer lab

Setting up a computer lab is a little different than setting up a regular ed classroom.  I have to be honest, as much as I knew I needed the change and the new job, I've been sad and struggling with the idea of not having my "own set of kids."  I can say that God has already showed me the blessings of this job while in grad school. (I am so very thankful to Kim McLaughlin for sharing my vision and working so hard to make it possible.)

Now, lets get down to the fun stuff…here is MY classroom, where I'll have the privilege of serving not just 25 kids, but 600 students!  Wow..600 kids…what an opportunity God has blessed me with!!!

Bulletin board outside of the classroom: 

(Social media at its finest!  Hopefully, the teachers will get involved and "like" the student work.)

My corner and small group area:

(I still plan on doing small groups)

Non-fiction research station:
(I think books are always important)

 The computer tables:

Meeting area/Whole room!

(Yes, I think a communal meeting area is necessary even in the computer lab)

One student who came to class this week described my room in these words:
"Ms. Armstrong, it's half classroom, half computer lab, and half library!"  Never mind the 3 halves, his comment made me smile and was exactly what I was going for.  This room is MY classroom where I can claim 600 kids as my own.  This room is MY library where I hope to engage students in reading.  This room is MY computer lab where I hope to do the previous things and piggy back classroom curriculum through the use of technology.

A couple of places in my room are changing or have already, but I don't have updated pictures.  I'll work on showing you the "Objective board" and my favorite "personal decor" items at a later time.