In Case Y'all Were Wondering

Cause I know you have been DYING to know all about my job, I thought I'd show y'all my lab. Well, not MY lab, but the main computer lab at school where I spend 97% of my time.

I have windows in the lab but they just look out into hallways and the media center. So I have to provide my own sunshine---

I keep that collage of pictures behind my desk---

No. My desk isn't always that messy. It's usually a lot worse.

When I stand with my back to my desk, this is what I see straight in front of me. Dead ahead is the Smart Board. The bulletin board to the left is about internet safety.

 There are 30 computers in this lab. This is to my right---

Those windows peek into the media center(I still call it the library). Sometimes, when a class is in there and students are at the computers under those windows, I go over and make faces at them. They LOVE it when I do that. Don't worry, they don't get into trouble. The media center specialist (I still call her the librarian) is hip to my shenanigans and she approves.

This is to my left---

I don't like that stuff on the wall too much. Mostly because it includes the G and H keys for the home row and home row is really FDSA on the left and JKL: on the right. But it was already there so I used it.

That's our word wall. I use the white board for it since I never use the white board. If I need a board, I use the Smart Board. And that podium to the left of the chair is where I put my laptop.

When I stand with my back to the Smart Board, this is what I see---

This little desk is just to the right of my desk. It's where I have my intervention groups. See those little squares of paper on the cabinet? Those are the 4th and 5th graders' incentive charts. When they fill up a row with stickers, they get a piece of candy. I don't use this for the kindergarteners. Because there are 16 of them and that would be a crap-ton of candy and they don't need sugar anyway- their natural energy levels are OFF THE CHARTS. But they do get a sticker IF they earn it.

There's another lab downstairs that the kindergarten classes use. It's usually a train wreck in there but I'm not responsible for that one. Then, upstairs, is another lab with 32 computers in it. The 3rd, 4th and 5th graders use it with their teachers.

I made these guidelines to illustrate proper keyboarding position and they're on the right side of the lab. The lab is so big I had to make two- one towards the front and one towards the back.

I teach keyboarding to all 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th graders. That's about 560ish students. I have small group intervention with 16 kindergarteners (in groups of 5 and 6) and then my 4th and 5th grade intervention groups. And then I have taken on a couple of students just because they need help. Intervention is the best part of my job.

We're about to begin learning to use Microsoft Word, make a Power Point presentation and a spread sheet in Excel. So I'll be putting up more boards with shortcuts and such on them.

And that's it. Not very exciting. But more fun than you would think. And not just because of the students. The people I work with make it worth going there every single day. They are so positive and funny and caring.

Yes, I miss my free time. Especially since I never get it anymore with the husband around here every weekend. But I like what I do so, it's worth it.

And it makes me appreciate not having to get up at dark o'clock and walk the dog by dark thirty. Instead, I get up at dark thirty and walk him by sunrise o'clock. Ha!

Have a great weekend, y'all!