Brand new class space

I was given a completely brand new space to make into a Blue Whale themed classroom, which I was really excited about.

It really was a bare room, wooden floors, pretty much no wall space, except for the back wall area where the children would nap. I had some thinking and creating to do...oh and i could only use sticky paper and display board..

Here are some before pics - after pics to follow!!!

Sorry about the mess guys, I wasn't expecting visitors..

Yep, pretty much bare bones, no pressure...

I was given a week to complete the room fully, which was tricky as I had summer school classes still on. Luckily, I have a great group of work mates who rallied round and took some of the lessons off me so I could get cracking. And of course there is my wonderful Chinese Teacher, Zhu, who was amazing and really hardworking. It was hot, hot, hot but we got through it with a LOT of sweat, and a flu/cold thing from me. Bleugh. 

So here are some snaps of the finished room (before furniture and toys). I tried to keep the room still light and airy, but since I didn't have a great deal of usable wall space (apart from the huge wall in the sleeping room) I used mainly the windows. 

Here you go anyway..

View from windows, you can see the "teachers corner" and the "reading corner".
By the large blue post on the right will be the art making section of the class.


As you can see.. 

The post in the middle was a bit of an eyesore so I wrapped it up in sticky paper in a vague ocean levels type theme.


Hanging from the ceiling are baby Whales, with the classmates names on them.
We dangled ribbon and a ball on the end, to act as an anchor, and also to make it look like a bubble. 

My kids will nap in the class room and have a designated space. The curtains are to be left open during class time so  I needed to be a little creative with the space. I used stick paper on the windows and walls. On one side is a simple star and sky scene. The other wall is a large mural of a sunset, and a Whales tail breaching the water. See more below...

So here is the Whale tail. I built it in sections, using similar swirls patterns on the columns for the water, and a mosaic style pattern for the sun and tail. I was originally going to colour the sky too but i quite liked the wooden effect. This is really the first thing you see when you walk in the classroom and I wanted to make something special for the kids at nap time. I'm quite proud of it actually. 

Here's the view from the teachers corner. On the windows opposite are pictures of big whales, each with the name of the class teachers and assistants. I feel it is nice to make the teachers, assistants and children feel inclusive and a part of the Whale family. 

Here is the desk, with a take on the "peace makers, peace breakers" things i have seen on pinterest. The Whale on the wall in fact covers a light switch. To turn the light on you touch the eye. Zhu is particularly proud of that one. 

Best quote I found on pinterest by far! I also had Zhu translate it into Chinese, we are an international classroom, with different cultures. I felt it important to embrace the local custom as well as written and spoken English.
The windows also lead to the corridor, and I was concerned the kids could be easily distracted by people walking by. I did a swirly abstract wave scene on the windows, making it easy for people to look in, but still making inside an enclosed space. 

More Whales! Yup.. 

So! That's it for now. I will blog more when the furniture is moved in and again once school begins! I hope this has given anyone ideas if they have limited wall space, resources or time! I really enjoyed brainstorming and putting it together!

Koko x

Intro to stuff and things

Hello, how are you? Good? Lovely, I'm glad.

My name is Koko, I live in Shanghai and I teach K1 kindergarten. I'm brand new to the job having been in corporate land pretty much since I graduated in 2004, but after a whirlwind of life changes last year I packed my bags and moved to China, as you do.

I have always been arty farty, I love making stuff and I love inspiring others to make stuff. My degree is art based (media arts and theatre) so it's an area I feel happy in). 

One of the reasons I like my age group is that they are becoming more inquisitive, and we can discuss their thoughts more coherently. We can also get creative and express ourselves. Throughout the summer I taught different kindergarten levels, and this was my favourite by far (though pre K was pretty cute). This, I think is a confidence thing for me; the more I teach and become comfortable at my new role, the more comfortable I will be at a variety of ages. 

I was told by a friend (and work colleague) that I should have a blog of sorts to put up all my creative "stuff and things". My head is usually going a bit crazy with some fun, practical idea to explain something, or a craft to get them out of their shells a bit. Also, we are pinterest addicts and she thinks I should have pictures on it, which would be kinda cool I must say. 

I may also blog about inspirations, people and ideas. It will be a place for me to talk through my experiences and hopefully enjoy some interaction from others in this field. It is a fabulous sector to work in and I am so privileged that my school has taken me on in such good faith. The school team are fantastic and I know this year will be a huge learning curve and eye opener for me. I know I will have a blast! 

So here it is. My stuff and things. 

Koko x