Lots of Progress

I made lots of progress over the last three days.  The room was finally clean enough, so I got a desktop computer.  After a few struggles with the driver, I was able to connect my new Roland GX 24 Vinyl Cutter.  I only had time to cut a few items, but it is pretty slick!

 Maintenance also had time to hang my pegboard and one of my Amazon orders came in so I started organizing the Electronics area:

Maintenance was also kind enough to pick up the wood lathe my grandfather donated.  He also donated this cabinet and work top.  They go really well with the cabinets that were already in the room!

Empty Cabinets & Blank Walls!

So I am finally nearing the end of cleaning and prepping my room.  Today I am excited to start decorating the room and putting away my new supplies.  While my days this summer have been spent cleaning and reorganizing the space, my evenings have been spent researching and planning new curriculum.  Hopefully I will be ready to share some of my ideas with you in the next week!

Legos!

After going through many closets, bins, lockers, and cabinets, I am left with few supplies, BUT... I have plenty of Legos!  The last big cleaning job I have is to organize and clean the Legos (they are pretty dusty).

Today's Project: Pegboard

I'm setting up an electronics section in my classroom with a workbench and some cabinet space.  I'd like to be able to hang some common tools and materials above the workbench, so I decided to add a pegboard.  To make it look a little more finished, I found some "lattice moulding" at Home Depot.  It is super handy because it already has a groove the width of the pegboard.  I cut it to size, mitered the corners and pushed it into place with a little wood glue to keep it secure.  Hoping to hang it tomorrow morning!

Sign

MC Baker made this awesome sign for my classroom.

Tables

The room had four work tables when I arrived.  They are solid wood tops mounted on lockers (of varying colors).  Each table had layers of paint, hot glue, and nails in the tops.  The maintenance staff at my school worked to clean them up so they were a little more usable.  The black paint on the lockers (thanks for the suggestion, Jill!) also helps to freshen them up.
I'm working on building a couple new tables with some butcher block tops from IKEA...hopefully I'll be able to show you those soon!

Welcome!

This fall I will be moving into the role of Design & Technology teacher at Williston Central School.  I am very excited to take on this role and look forward to preserving traditions while bringing new ideas to the curriculum.  This summer I have been busy updating the physical space and planning curriculum for the fall.  I will be teaching middle school (grades 5-8) in daily 6-week rotations.  I will also have third and fourth grades twice per week for 6-week rotations.  Here are some pictures of how the space looked at the end of the 2014-2015 school year in June.