Classroom Library: Mission Organization

I have, approximately, forty-seven MILLION books in my classroom library.

Ok, ok, it's really more like 3,000. Either way, it's a lot. Probably (definitely) way too many. And, if you've read my last post, you know I'm moving schools this year. So, before state testing this year, I took all of my books home. I did a little bit of weeding while I went, and probably set out 200 books for my students to go through. They took quite a few, but I still have way more books than I need or will have room for in my new classroom.

That led to my first big project of the summer: organizing, cleaning, and decluttering my classroom library. I finished the first stage today, and resorted all of the books I brought home into their genre categories, since that is how I have my library set up. I have tons of books that were either never genre-d or were new this year and didn't get put out. (My classes did not have a lot of readers this year, sadly.)

My next stage is to go through each genre and take out old books or duplicate titles. I have a friend who is getting her first classroom this year, and I'm planning on gifting her with my duplicates/other books that are still in good/great condition. Everything else I will be taking to Half Price books to sell. They take everything you bring in, and they will donate or recycle what they can't sell. It's a pretty good deal, and they give you cash. Which never seems to make it out of the store because I just buy new books!

7th Year... in the books!

I'm officially done with my seventh year of teaching. This year was more challenging than any of the other years I've taught. I've been in the same building since I started, and I love my Eagle family. I really love working there and I have amazing colleagues. However, I will be joining a different middle school in my district next year, and I will be moving from 7th grade to 6th grade.

And here's why:
We started hearing rumors at the end of last year that the district was thinking of closing our school. Long story short. after months of waiting, we found out that they were closing our school. Kind of. Our school building will have a new purpose next year, and our 6th & 7th graders will be redistributed between two schools. Our 8th graders will have a special section at the closest high school. Teachers have been reassigned to other buildings.

In short, I will miss my kiddos and my colleagues, but I am happy to get to stay with some of them. I will be going to one of the two schools our kids have been redistributed to, and two of my awesome colleagues from my current school will be there too! I am excited for my future and the challenge of teaching a new grade/curriculum. My new PLC sent me the book list today and I can't wait to start planning!!

Student Visitors

I got a very happy surprise this week! I got an email during class that said "we are here to see you." As soon as the bell rung, I escorted my kids to lunch and set off to find my visitors. Since I had been in class, another teacher had rescued my visitors from the office and they were hanging out with her. I was so surprised to see two of my favorite students! They are kids from my second year of students, and are seniors this year. (They actually graduated today!) It was so nice to talk to them and hear about all they have accomplished and their future plans. It definitely brightened up my week!

About Me

Hello world and welcome to my blog!

I'm Melissa. I'm a 7th grade ELA teacher in Missouri. I've been teaching for seven years at the same school, and I LOVE middle school. There's just something about it that is so much fun! It must be something about the crazy hormones and eagerness to fit in, yet still wanting to learn and be cool with your teacher. Whatever it is, I love it. My kids rock!

I'm hoping to use this blog to share funny stories about teaching, teaching/learning successes (because my students ROCK), and cool things we do in the classroom. (And probably 12 other random things that I'll think of later!)

So here we go! Come along for the ride- it's Life in the Middle School Lane!

-Melissa