Classroom Photos & A Question For You

Today I got to work in my classroom some more.  I was only there for about three hours then I had to leave for a doctor's appointment.  My original goal was to print and print some more!  I have found such great ideas and freebies this summer that I've downloaded to my computer, but I don't want to waste all MY printer ink so I was going to print out a bunch of stuff at school.  Well, my computer had a different idea.  For some reason, NOTHING wanted to print.  You see, a few weeks ago, our whole district got new laptops (yay) but I haven't printed anything on the school printers yet with my new computer.  They say it might have to do with the IP address..... whatever.  So instead, I decided to just do a few things around my classroom.  Here are some pictures to show you my progress.

This is a new cart I had ordered for this year!   I labeled the drawers and will be keeping each day's materials (papers, books, etc) in here.  It stands right next to a table at the front of the classroom, which will hold my Lesson Plan Binder.

I put up the "Writer's Workshop" letters.  Since the printer wasn't working for me, I didn't get to put up my writing posters!

I put up the "Star Student" letters.  I plan to use the photo board for the Star Student's pictures, and I still need to put up the student poster!

This is the shelving that I have behind my teacher desk table.  I still have organizing to do here!

This year I decided to keep all my teacher necessities (glue, staples, tape, paper clips, etc) in the clear tubs.  I think that's the hardest thing about not having a desk!

So... I have puzzles for indoor recess and as you can see here... they have been beat up throughout the years.  I've seen teachers store puzzles in plastic baggies and that's what I've decided to do this year.

I cut out the cover/picture of the puzzle for students to refer to as they put the puzzle together.  It's all in a Ziploc baggie!

I'll be storing them in a basket next to the indoor recess games!

My last job of the day.... I decided to organize my "craft" cabinet.  As you can see, it was pretty messy from me throwing random stuff in there all year long.  As you can see below, I'm not done yet but it looks A LOT better already!  I didn't need the blue baskets for books anymore so I used them to store craft stuff.

One of the blue baskets had some velcro on it so I used a box cutter to get it loose enough to rip off.  Of course the whole time I was telling myself "be careful or you're gonna cut yourself!"  Well........ I did it.  My hand slipped and I sliced my finger.  HARD.  Below is the bad boy that did it.

I instantly squeezed my finger with my other hand to stop any bleeding and hide the slice from my eyes.  You see, I'm really not good with being sick or injured.  I have passed out before.  Three times.  From doctor/hospital visits and the sight of blood.  Once I peeked at my finger and saw blood, I went to go wash it out (without looking at it) and got a bandaid on that sucker.  So now the box cutter is my ENEMY.


And Blogger hates me now because I CANNOT figure out why my font is now caption-sized when I'm not writing a caption.  Ugghhh.


OK, new topic, other than blood and sliced fingers!!  So I have read about the Cricut and Cameo on several blogs.  Everyone seems to love their devices.  I've mentioned it to my husband and he surprisingly didn't turn down my idea of possibly getting one.  He has already been on Craiglist (his favorite) to look for a cheaper one.  My question is.... which one is better??  What are you using and why do you like it??  Help me make a decision!!