While many celebrate the New Year in January, I consider August to be the start of a new year…school year that is. I start getting butterflies in my stomach in early July when I walk through the aisles of Target and Walmart and see the well-stocked shelves full of new crayons, binders, pencils and every possible school supply under the sun. It is definitely an exciting time of year. I absolutely love back to school shopping. I carefully plan my back to school shopping list including supplies for my classroom. The trip always includes a stop at the best teacher store, Playtime/Schooltime in Omaha. Although not a necessity, new borders, bulletin boards and stickers are any teachers’ dream! And of course, it’s not back to school without adding a few new school wardrobe additions.
Then comes August…time to get into my classroom and start getting it ready for the new school year. It is really like starting from scratch each year considering bulletin boards are taken down, desks and chairs are stacked and literally everything is moved together in the classroom in May. It is chance to once again attempt to create the perfect classroom ready for seventeen eager first graders that will be joining me shortly. I thought I would include some pictures I took in my classroom as I got ready for the new school year...a day in the life of Mrs. Laune! Now, seven days into school, I can look back with a sigh of relief that I have survived another start of school!
The "blank canvas." Everything is stacked to allow carpets to be cleaned along with a deep summer cleaning to prepare for the new students. Sparkling Clean has the amazing talent of removing crayon from desks and carpet!
Another view of my classroom awaiting a magnificent change.
Organizing is always a big back to school project for me. Sometimes I am so ready for summer vacation in May that I start to stuff things into closets...
Then, in August, it's time to organize! A work in progress, but the colorful tubs from Walmart were a big help. I also moved my big filing cabinet into my closet because my new Smartboard took up part of the space where it use to be. 
Lots of name writing to do at the beginning of the year, but an easy task to complete at home while watching Big Brother!
A back to school survival pack I received on back to school night..I was so excited about it all. They are definitely all necessities in the classroom.
Finally, check out my Daily 5 I-Charts. I am very excited about using the Daily 5 again this year. New to my classroom this year, the Cafe Menu...under construction.
