I’m so excited to introduce you to my friend, Erin Garnett!
Erin and I go way back! I had two of her children in my classroom and she was also my long tern sub when I was out on maternity leave. At the time, Erin was hoping she could get into the Grand Blanc School District as a full time teacher. It didn’t take long for her dream to become a reality and she is now teaching at an amazing elementary school as a first grade teacher!
Erin and I talked for months about her classroom decor. Then, one day, she walked into my garage and saw the loads of boxes filled with the adorable Stick Kids decor from Creative Teaching Press. As I opened the boxes and showed her all of the goodies inside, she was so excited and knew that this is how she planned to decorate her new first grade classroom!
Erin fell in love with these darling kids…
I had to admit, I loved these cute kids too!
If you remember my story about Abby’s room and having a limited amount of time to get the rooms ready, I was also working on Erin’s room too! Whew! It was a challenge to say the least!
Erin really has a dream classroom. Erin’s room is located in a brand new wing of the school, so she has this gorgeous classroom and it is HUGE! She also had brand new furniture and a storage closet to die for! My biggest challenge with Erin’s room was that it looked very institutional. From the cinder block walls to the gray cabinets and floors, it was going to take some work to bring color into the space and make the room feel cozy.
In the end, I think we accomplished our goal. Erin’s room felt happy, colorful, and perfect for her new group of first graders!
I bet after you see these photos, you will fall in love with the Stick Kids collection too!
You can purchase any of the Stick Kids products and borders at your local school supply store or online at www.creativeteaching.com
*Lanterns are from the Schoolgirl Style Shop
Wow! when I first saw the kids I thought, oh I have seen and used those kids before. Almost a yawn, snore kind of thing. Honestly, you blew me away, they look so much cuter than anything I ever did with them. LOL
Ok, what an ingenious way to use the calendar numbers to label the bins. I have a ton left over from previous calendars that I can’t bring myself to throw away. I know what I will do with them now.
Oh and that word wall is to die for! Of course I love the lanterns. I have a few and have been thinking of pulling something like this off in my room. Might have to get a few more. We shall see,
Just adorable Melanie. I love it as always.
Melissa
Melissa, you are just so sweet! It means a lot that you are so supportive of me and everything I do! You are truly the BEST! ~Melanie
Your word wall is awesome! I love the clothespins- I am also loving the cupcake decals for the months of the year.
Thanks, Julie! I am in love with the Word Wall too! Who knew a number line could make the perfect Word Wall?!?
Gorgeous room! Love the stick kids – never thought about how super cute they could be! I have one of the smallest classrooms you have ever seen and if CPT ever wants a Makeover challenge for small rooms I’m in the walled lake school district and would love it!!
Kari
I love small rooms!
CTP has a contest going on where you could win a classroom makeover. I plan to blog about it on Sunday! 
By the way, my husband did his student teaching at Walled Lake and coached football there as well! 
~Melanie
I am in LOVE with this room!!!! I have started with a colorful dots theme but absolutely love the stick kids added in with the color and dots. I am in awe of you and your amazing abilities! I also love the black with the bright colors. I am hoping to get my room looking more like this next year!
Thanks for the inspiration!
I love it!!!! I adore the combination of the black background with the bright colors and polka dots. I have started a colorful polka dot theme but it’s nothing like this. You do an amazing job!!!! You have inspired me to do more in my classroom.
Amy
Awww! Thank you so much, Amy!!!
Love it! Looks so fun and inviting. Great job!
I love your creativity. I want to use many of your ideas but I teach a potty training class.
Babies! Two years old . Do you have any thought and ideas in that direction.
I want a attractive classroom but thoses little ones touch everything.
Hahaha! Boy, do I know that age well! My own daughter is two years old. All I can say is, keep everything out of reach. Go ahead and decorate any way you would like – I would keep it fun with the monkeys or our new frogs for sure! Oh…and make sure you laminate everything if it is within reach, this way nothing will be ruined!
LOVE your room and as I was looking at the pictures a real feeling of saddness came over me because I am retiring this year and will not be decorating a classroom in the fall.
Congratulations on your retirement, Cindi! I know how you are feeling, when I left the classroom last year, I went through those same emotions. Big hugs!!!
WOW! This is such a beautiful classroom! Thanks for the inspiration!