It is Sunday. I am working like a dog around here trying to get everything printed, laminated, and cut for the first day of school on Tuesday.
YIKES!
Luckily, we have a teacher prep day tomorrow so whatever I don’t finish today can be finished tomorrow. While I’m standing in line for the copy machines with everyone else. It should be a fun party.
Other than that, I’m ready to go. I left up all my bulletin boards from last year which saved me a ton of time. The only major overhaul that I did in my classroom this summer was my classroom library.
I am LOVING it. It makes me SO HAPPY!
Now, let me give credit where credit is due.
My teammie, Heather, did it first. She got the brilliant idea of buying tall bookcases from Ikea and turning them over onto their sides. Here’s her classroom library:
Heather’s Library
She did her library makeover two years ago and, at that time, the bookcases had five shelves. Heather’s whole classroom is black, yellow, and white. It’s adorable!
Last year, my teammie, Laurie, redid her library. Here’s hers:
Laurie’s Library
Ikea only had four shelves on the bookcases last year (and this year, too). Laurie classroom is turquoise, lime green, and black. I love it! I want a star pillow so bad . . .
This year, it was my turn for a library makeover. And I lucked out because I was able to buy the Ikea bookcases on sale. So I got three of them. Two for benches and an extra one for displaying fun things, as well as more storage for books. Apparently, I have a lot of books. Gobs. Tons. Gazillions.
My baskets are numbered and the books inside each basket are numbered the same.
I made my labels with my Silhouette cameo! I feel very lah-di-dah about that. You can’t see me but I’m swinging my ponytail in a lah-di-dah manner.
The baskets were $1 from the Dollar Tree. They were not on sale. Each one was a whole dollar.
Storage bookcase.
Not for sitting.
I really hope a kid does not try to sit here.
We’ll have to see how it goes.
A parent gave me the Murphie’s Library sign.
It’s canvas.
It’s my absolute favorite thing in the library.
I made these last year.
The frames are from Michael’s and were $1.
I used some kind of paint.
I printed out the stuff for the inside on my computer.
That’s about as crafty as I get.
The lanterns are new.
To be honest, I tried using some kind of tissue pom pom ball things first. But they didn’t come ready-made. I was supposed to peel back each layer and bring it to the top or the outside or the bottom, alternating this and that . . . but it ended up looking like a wad of trash when I was done with it so I gave up.
The second thing I tried were these flat disc type of things. Those things had actual plastic screws and tape and this and that and they wouldn’t stay flat. I don’t know what I did wrong but they also ended up looking like a wad of trash.
Especially once I threw them away.
The paper lanterns were the easiest to assemble and I highly recommend them if you are not a crafty person.
So there you have it.
Now, I know you’re going to ask questions about the benches. I know this because I put this on Instagram and I got a ton of questions.
So I’ll do my best.
1. You can find the bookcases {HERE}. Sadly, they are no longer on sale. When I went to order them, the delivery charge said it was going to be about $130 which is more than two bookcases put together and made me have a mild heart attack. So I suggest getting a husband named Steve who goes to pick them up for you. And then later, when you decide you need a third one for storage, he goes and picks that one up for you, too.
2. I went to Joanne’s Fabric and bought a roll of foam. It’s kind of pricey. It’s more than you’d expect foam to be, that’s for sure. And I bought fabric.
3. Steve found some wood lying around in our garage. He cut two pieces to the exact width/length of the bookcases. Then he used a turkey carving knife to cut the foam to the exact width/length of the bookcases.
4. He put the foam on top of the wood and then wrapped the fabric around it.
THERE WAS NO SEWING DONE AT ALL.
I DO NOT SEW.
5. He staple gunned the fabric to the bottom of the wood.
6. I watched. I kept saying what can I do? and let me try and are you sure you don’t need my help? while drinking a glass of wine.
7. The corner is pretend. I’ve got two cases of water in the “hole” (we’re required by our district to have drinking water in our room in case of an emergency so that’s where I’m storing it now) and Heather gave me a square cushion left over from her foam . . . and I just need to staple gun some fabric onto it. But I haven’t done that because I’ve been doing other things.
8. Just to be clear, Steve wanted to do something fancy with the “hole” and make a corner seat and blah blah blah but I was impatient and just wanted it done!
The End.
The wood keeps the cushion stable. It doesn’t slide or go anywhere. So that’s why he used wood.
Laurie’s husband and Heather’s husband backed the bookcases so they weren’t open. I didn’t do that because my books are in baskets and you can’t even tell there isn’t a backside.
I think that’s everything!
Obviously, if you have any other questions, leave a comment or email me! 🙂
Alright. I’m off to catch up on Bachelor in Paradise while I cut some more things . . . I missed it last weekend when we were in New York.
PS I still have my kidney stone. I had a CT Scan today (yes, on a Sunday, how weird) and hopefully we’ll know more later this week.
Beautiful library:)
It looks great! I can't believe you start Tuesday!
It's so beautiful!!!!!!!!! =)
Brillant idea and your posts are simply FANTASTIC to read!!
Laurie
First Grade Lyons' Den
This is such a great idea. I'm so sad I already spent my back to school money or I would have done this. It is pretty pricey with the bookshelves not on sale. There is always next year or later on in the year. I love this little seating area that is functional. I just want to plant myself down with a book next to the window. I also love the natural lighting in your room. More rooms need that. Anyways love the idea-thanks!
Rambling About Reading
Perfect idea for a classroom library! I have been searching high and low for some crates to turn into seats but this looks so much neater and easier, thanks!
Tania
Mrs Poultney's Ponderings
I made 4 crate seats 2 years ago and it was surprisingly easy. I store kleenex, lysol wipes, ziplock bags, etc. in them and the kids love that they can move them around. I bought the crates at Walmart. I took 1 crate into Lowes and they helped me pick out a piece of wood and cut it into the right size (just tell them you're a teacher). I cut up foam (also from Walmart) and fabric from JoAnn's and stapled it altogether. I put some fun colored-duct tape around the edges on the underside so it wouldn't fray – but it's not necessary.
I love this! It looks great!! I have two benches, but I want to put cushions on top. I like that you anchored them with wood so that they don't slide all over the place (great idea). Have a terrific school year!!
I love this! It looks great!! I have two benches, but I want to put cushions on top. I like that you anchored them with wood so that they don't slide all over the place (great idea). Have a terrific school year!!
I love this library! I just bought the IKEA bookcase that has 8 sections. No bench for my students but I'm sure they will get over it:-)
Your library area looks AMAZING! My husband works for Lowe's…do you think he can cut the wood for the benches??!! We shall see! LOL! Thanks for the clear directions-wishing you a great school year!
~Joanne
Head Over Heels For Teaching
"Each one was a whole dollar" and "I used some kind of paint." That's as far as I got before I had to step because I was laughing. I read the rest (aloud!)… still laughing and being delighted that I know you! Beautiful library (and great job hiding your earthquake water–I can't remember where I last hid mine!)
Happy Back-to-School, Friend!
Kim
Finding JOY in 6th Grade
I was just at the IKEA near my home and did not even think to turn tall bookcases on their side! Now I have to go online and look for them and hope that my Parent Club $ will foot the bill! Fingers crossed! I just love your color scheme too! I also think I need to put a picture of Rosie and Brutus in my library. I bet your students LOVE the Murphy portrait too!
Feel better soon and may your first day go swimmingly!
~Jennifer
Stories and Songs in Second
I love your library!!! It looks so home-y!!!!
I love it!!! I want to come read in your library…it looks absolutely perfect! Great job with the vision and the wine drinking, nice work Steve with the tools. 🙂 P.S. Paper lanterns are so in right now!
I love all of your Reading corners! What a great idea! SO cute! LuAnn
love it!
Love your library and your blog! You always make me laugh and your train of thought sounds a lot like my own. 🙂 Good luck with the start of a new school year!
Oh my gosh, you crack me up. Great job on the library!
Love your library idea!!! You are SO funny — even my hubs lol-ed (is there such a word?) when I read your blog about the psychiatric hospital to him! Would you mind sharing the name brand of the blue and green striped border/trim? I'd like to use that in the hallway. Have a fun year!
I made an IKEA run on Friday. It's two hours there. It took THREE hours to get back because apparently 5:00 DC traffic is ridiculous. I did this ALL for two $20 orange and white polka dot rugs. They are so stinkin' cute! It was totally worth the pilgrimage… LOVE your bench seats!!!
Good luck tomorrow with your new kiddos on the first day of school!
🙂 Amanda
Your library is amazing! What a fun addition to your classroom! Good luck tomorrow, hope you are feeling great!
Your library is awesome!! I LOVE the colors! 🙂
Sarah
A Sunny Day in First Grade
Your library looks amazing! I've just changed schools and have had to sift through what seems like eons of materials and resources to get my room the way I want it! One week to go for me, I can't believe you're starting tomorrow! GOOD LUCK on your first day!!
Absolutely LOVE it!!!! I was giggling out loud about the lanterns looking like a wad of trash 🙂 I'd be the same way haha!
I LOVE this idea!! Thanks!
LOVE your library benches. I totally need to do that. It looks terrific!
~Laura
Luv My Kinders
With the help of inspiring blogs like yours and visionary bloggers like yourself, us youngsters can Benefit from the writing options of the 21st century. I deeply admire the way you have sketched the system of your classroom and i simply wish my kids would have the same. Thank you so much.
Continued support and much reading and writing opens up a whole new world of creative opportunities. Great post thank you. writing and readingInsight and expertise in writing with the highest degree guaranteed
Love your library. I would love to do something like that in my classroom but don’t have the space.
Thank you!! Yes, I am super lucky to have such a big room. When I was at my old school, I had zero corners. My room was put in the middle of two other classrooms (with partitions) and I had 4 doors, 2 thermostats, no cabinets . . . It was all I knew until I got this room. Now I know to be so thankful and appreciative of it. 🙂
My hubby and I made these for our game room at home. I hope I have room to do this in my new classroom.
BTW: Your blog is super cute and you made me LOL!!!
Where did Laurie get her curtains or the fabric if she made them?
She said she got them on clearance at Walmart about three years ago. 🙂