My Second Homestead: Room 237

So looking at these pictures I realized I have a very boring/plain classroom.  It works for us! Please understand that I took these pictures during recess when my students were away (so the chairs wouldn't be stacked.) That is why it looks extremely lived in, and not at all clean. Cut us a break!

Those of you who know me know that Stargirl is my favorite book of all time! Hence I am forcing my kiddos to love it as well. We read it as a class then, they write small acts of service they see on the suns.  They are so darling and kind to each other... most of the time.

So, this doesn't look like much, but I am feeling pretty good about it!  I am a firm believer that part of the problem with child literacy is access to text.  Well, thanks in part to my great grandparents,  my dear friend, and a lot of garage sales, hopefully my students will not have that excuse!

This is my "space".  There is an invisible line that the students are not allowed to cross. I often times have students ask "Miss Keyes, can I go in your space?"  Notice the large amounts of post-it notes (there are usually more) this addiction was inspired by my wonderful mentor! My students are getting wise to my forgetfulness. They will tell me something that is important then ask "Do you want me to write you a sticky?" They are way too patient with me.

This is my one semi-cutesy thing in my room.  I adore the message in this book. At the beginning of the year we wrote down mountains we were going to move that year.  Thanks to my incredible mom who made this little reminder for my students of their amazing potential... ok I need reminding all the days as well. 

This is the extent of my bulletin boards. I am not artsy, so this is what we get. I am not a fan of large extensive changes each month, so I just switch the posters to match what we are currently studying. Yup, I am no nonsense boring...deal!

Well, I thought I took more/better pictures. I hope this is sufficient to those of who have requested pictures of where I spend 70% of my life, and 95% of my thoughts.  I feel so blessed to work in such an amazing environment, with such amazing students! Yup...I am blessed!

Miss Electricity, Mrs.Keyes, and Mom

So I have planned to post when I took so pictures. Well I took the pictures, but just realized I left the camera in my classroom. Be excited when I add them to the post later. Now to explain the title.


We rotate for science and I teach electricity. My co-worker said that one of her students couldn't remember my name so called me Miss Electricity. I love it! Speaking of co-workers, I have the best ones on the planet. They are so kind and patient with a little newb like me! I am exceptionally blessed to work with them. They not only provide me with a constant supply of copies, lesson idea, and direction, they also make me laugh all the time! We are very productive and effective, but also I find myself doubled over unable to breath I am laughing so hard all the time! This is so vital in the often times frustrating world of the 5th grade classroom. I am so blessed!


The second part of the title comes from one of my favorite stories. (p.s. if you know me at all you know better than to ask about my students because I could tell stories for hours about my darling little nuggets!) One of my students had to write my name on something and he came up to be completely bugged because he said it was easier for him to write and say "Mrs. Keyes" instead of "Miss Keyes." He told me that I needed to get married so that he could write and say the "Mrs" This started a conversation about how their third grade teacher was engaged in that very classroom and how they are convinced that it will happen the same for me this year. Not likely, but really cute regardless! To be honest, I do not love being single, but I have been very blessed to know that I am right where The Lord wants me to be right now. That is a great feeling.  I have also been blessed to have had to opportunity to get to know great guys in my dating adventures. Some more great than others, but I am still grateful for the opportunity to date. I know that this is a trial for many girls, so I am grateful. 


The last part of the title comes from the increasing occurrence of my students calling me mom. While they are so embarrassed, I love it! I am so thankful that I have the opportunity to be a small part of their small lives. It is a huge blessing that I am reminded of often.  The blessings of the past few months continue to pile up and I am completely overwhelmed.  The Lord knows each of us on such a personal level, it is great to look back and see how he is gently guiding me to where/who I need to be.  I am no where near who The Lord needs me to be, but I am grateful to be striving to move in that direction. WOW! I AM BLESSED!