Organized Chaos

     If my mother was here to see that I was a guest blogger on a site called "The Organized Classroom", she'd certainly have something to say about it. She was never one to mince words. My husband also thinks it's pretty darn funny. I have to admit, I'm a little bewildered myself. In my classroom I live by the credo, a place for everything and everything in its place. I am notorious for walking around and straightening up kids' desks as I'm teaching because it drives me nuts when they're all crooked. My kids actually put their hands up in the air as if they're being held up when I come near their desks while I'm teaching because they don't want to get their fingers squashed when I straighten the groups.  You know that student who seems allergic to the contents of his pencil case, and drops every supply he touches (and then leaves it there)? That kid drives me insane on the daily. It takes all my restraint not to stop teaching and tell Messy Marvin to pick up his crayons and scissors and glue stick and...

     Then when I go home, uh...not so much. Now, I don't exactly qualify for an episode of Hoarders, but the mini mountain of shoes in the little nook right next to the closet would never fly in my classroom. Right now, on the end table beside me is an empty box of Cheez-its that has become a bit of a permanent fixture. I know I'm totally blowing my cover here, but if we're going to become friends, its important to be honest. So, now you know. My classroom is the picture of organization and my house is a bit more...um...relaxed. 

     I've stopped trying to figure myself out. It is what it is. I'm a real life Dr. Jekyll and Mrs. Hyde of organization and housework.  So, I invite you over to The Organized Classroom Blog to check out my superior (and puzzling) organizing tips for using task cards in your classroom. And now, I leave you with this thought from one of my favorites, the great Erma Bombeck:

My theory on housework is, if the item doesn't multiply, smell, catch fire, or block the refrigerator door, let it be.  No one else cares.  

Why should you?

Amazing use of space, if I do say so myself...