Extreme Bathroom Makeover

Our school is in the second year of the implementation of the 7 Habits of Happy Kids and the Leader in Me.  The first year was spent teaching the Habits and understanding the habits ourselves.  Recently, we began improving the environment.  When you school was built in the early 1950s, it has some ver institutionalized areas.  Namely, the UGLY green tile bathrooms.  We divided up in teams and each team was given the task to beautify their bathroom.  My group was given the girl's restroom on the 2nd grade hall.  As a mom to two boys, I was excited to be able to work with "girly" colors.  I work with some very creative girls. What should have seemed like a daunting 2 day task, became fun and we were motivated to make it look beautiful for our students. Our inspiration came from the colors on the cover of Dr. Seuss' Oh, the Places You'll Go. We painted tile, added mirrors, quotes, painted doors, and added curtains. I wish we had taken some before pictures.  I love how it turned out and I think our students do, too.  It makes me laugh to catch them primping in front of the mirror.

Epic Fail and Pinterest Creation

My goal this year was to post more than once a week in my new adventure in 2nd grade.  I just realized that it has been more than a month since I posted.  We are not six weeks into the new school year and already my blogging has been an EPIC FAIL!
I must say that so far I am thrilled with my move down to second grade.  I am loving the sweetness of my second graders.  They are working so hard and already I am seeing a lot of progress.
Our school is in our second year of our Leader in Me training.  We are embracing the 7 Habits of Happy Kids and trying to instill leadership traits in our students.  As part of this we are required to have the 7 habits displayed in our room.  It is strongly encouraged to have the habits displayed on a tree.  When I moved into my new room, there was a Palm tree with the 7 Habits displayed on the Palm Fronds.  I didn't like it but it served a purpose, so I left it on my wall....until this week.  I finally decided what I wanted my tree to look like.  This summer I saw trees on Pinterest with framed family photos on walls everywhere.  I'm not a painter and I refused to pay an arm and leg for a vinyl tree.  Several weeks ago, Zulily.com had vinyl trees on their site.  Of course, I had to order one.  When it arrived the rest of my plan began.  I made a trip to dollar tree for eight 5x7 frames, and to Wal-Mart for the brightest spray paint I could find.  I found the cutest 7 Habits posters from Rachel Lamb here.  I went to school early the next day to put it all together.  I LOVE it!!!!