Thursday, April 26, 2007

First official meetings planned at TeacherSPACE

The new schedule for PTLC meetings is up - located on the side bar.

Two meetings on the schedule are located at TeacherSPACE. We are hoping these meetings will fuel our efforts in developing the space.

For the May 10th meeting, we hope that people will bring a sample of a great project/activity they do in their classroom, so we can begin to make a display of classroom projects.

By May 30th we're assuming a lot of people are probably starting to clean out their classrooms for the summer (or at least dream about it). So we're having a TeacherSPACE "Shower" (similar to a baby shower); we're asking for people to bring donations of supplies from the wish list. It should be a fun, end of year event, where we can also think together about the future of the space.

Look forward to seeing you there.

Wednesday, April 25, 2007

How to communicate

Up to now, we've been relying on people to send out messages to the ptlc email list (mostly Lynne -thank you, by the way). We'd like to make it easier to have a discussion and converse about the teacher center. So here are three ways to do so:

1. Comment on the blog - for those of you new to blogging, you can comment on any message posted by going to the bottom of the message and clicking "comment"

2. Join our new listserve- there is a new link on the blog (to your right) just enter in your email address and you will be signed up. When you sign up you can chose to have a "digest" of emails sent daily/weekly, or individual daily emails. You will also be able to post messages to everyone on the listserve.

3. Email ptlcteacherspace@yahoo.com - christina or kira will be checking it every few days.


Lets get the conversation going!!

Here are a few things to talk about -
Grant ideas
Fixing up the space
Workshop ideas (or, as Helen likes to say, "play"shop ideas - fun, making things)
Networking/partnership possibilities
Where to get donations

Also - if you have any "ptlc" pictures (of meetings or fun things we do), you can send them to the ptlcteacherspace@yahoo.com and we will post them in the "PTLC favorites" section of the blog, which is now currently featuring "Discovering Silkworms."

Have a good week everyone!

Sunday, April 22, 2007

Phase One Complete!

Thanks to all our great volunteers, we managed to clear out our space (donated generously by Wissahickon Charter School), and start the clean up. It had been used as a storage space by the school, so the first job was to clear out all the old boxes.
Here is a "before" picture:




First we took out the boxes,




Then we cleaned the walls and the floor,



uncovered the window,




and pretty much cleared the place out.


Everyone had a great time




and even the little ones helped out...




Phase Two will be painting the walls, putting in shelving, and organizing our donations for the space. We're looking forward to another Fiesta or two this summer to complete Phase two.

Thanks to all who helped:

Karl
Sol
Lynne
Dan
Tonya
Paula
Joanne
Kaya
Marta
Chelsea
Doron
Rhoda
Lisa
Amy
Helen
Kokie
Al
Jeremy
Chris
Sophia
Mark
Allison
Jules
Jonah
Judi
Christina
Kira

Monday, April 16, 2007

We have a space, now what?

After months (and to some of us, years) of work envisioning a teacher resource center, we finally have a space to build it. So we're throwing a party - or as Christina likes to say, "Fiesta de Limpieza!" It's this Sunday, so we'll update everyone (and yes, share pictures) on it next week.

If you are a teacher in Philly reading this, and you'd like to get involved or support TeacherSPACE, here are some easy ways to become involved:

1. Donate supplies for the center (see our wish list below).
2. Join our planning committee: we meet once a month to plan, envision and strategize for about the center.
3. Spread the word: do you know some person or group who would be a good partner or resource for our center? If so, help us connect with them!
4. Share your opinions and ideas. Please email us or comment with any ideas you have for the center. Or ask us to put you on the e-news list.

Our WISHLIST
These are a few examples of what we need. If you have any of these items or anything else that might help, please let us know, and we can pick them up. We’ll also offer a lending service for teaching supplies, so please tell us if you’d like to loan anything .

Furniture & Homewares
Table
Chairs
Rug
Foam Mats
Wall hangings/Pictures
Plants
Pillows
Couch/Chairs
Tablecloth

Technology & Equipment
Computer (Laptop)
Printer
Radio/CD player
Coffee Machine
Microwave
Electric frying pan/Stove
Phone
Clock

Cleaning & Construction Supplies
Rags
Rope
Duct Tape
Scissors
Mop/Broom
Bucket
Soap/Cleansers
Tools (hammer, screwdriver etc.)
Nails, screws
Wall putty

Teaching & Office Supplies
Arts & Crafts supplies
Paper (white, construction, newsprint)
Posters
Books
Videos
Tapes
Records
Science Supplies
Bulk supplies
Board Games
Puzzles