Monday Made It! Lots of Goodies!

It's been another busy week! I've gotten several projects done! As well as finished 1/2 the book, How The Way The Brain Learns. Very, very interesting book!

Before

After

My first project was part of my trash-to-treasure scavenger hunt! I found this chair at Goodwill for only 10$ It had a hideous green & silver print {and under that an ugly 70's brown print}! I knew I could fix it up and it would match perfect with my craft room. I stripped the cushion of it's ugly fabric, as well as the foam {it was stained and just nasty} On my long to do list is to make a bench & seats from plastic crates. I decided to go ahead and buy a foam egg carton mattress pad so I could use with all 3 projects. I covered the cushion with a fabric that goes perfect with my craft room. My husband had to spray paint the chair {I'm not allowed near spray paint...it's a long story...but my last 2 projects I've some how jammed my finger and it's still in pain} I'm thrilled with the results. The chair will go perfect with my work table that I bought from IKEA.

For my classroom, I made these brain breaks & classroom cheer cards! I found them on this adorable blog - I printed them on cardstock, then glued them to a colored piece of cardstock, finally pouch laminating them. They are super {super} study and should last me several years. I put them on a ring and added some ribbon {you know how I love ribbon}. After reading The Way The Brain Learns {well 1/2 of it and still reading - so interesting!} I know that giving the brain a break is so important! There are so many! As I use them, I plan to put a check mark with a visa-vis so I know I've already used it. The cheers are fun too! It's a great way to break up the day and get the kids excited.





I also made my W.I.S.E. Crew folders {similar to Einstein's club or Mastery club}. I'm going to save my bulletin board for the student recognition piece {I will have 3 different sized owl for each subject to show when students have completed 5, 10 & 15 q's}. I will have these folders out near our computers for students who finish early. The questions will be placed in page protectors inside the folders, I will also have several copies of the answer sheet in the folders pocket. I decided on the folders, so they would take up less space. I'm super excited about this program - I just wish I had thought of it last year! It's the perfect set up for early finishes & enrichment!
Now go see what everyone else is up to on Tara's blog for Monday Made It!

Monday Made It - Frames, Craft Room, Clipart & Math Centers

Ahhhhh Monday - Time to link up with Tara over at Fourth Grade Frolics! I've been a busy, busy bee {I saved my favorite and best for last}! Who would have thought that Monday Made Its would lead to me opening a store?!?! {I'm having a blast making new items!} This week I have gotten so much done!!!!

I'm in Texas and it has been too hot to even go swimming {seriously it's sad when the pool feels more like a hot tub than a pool!} So my daughter and I decided this week to go on a scavenger hunt {& stay indoors!} - looking for things at thrift stores to repurpose. We had an absolute blast...and I'm blown away by her creativity {she's about to be 9}


Our first find was a really cool frame from Goodwill. It was just a simple black frame that had a few scratches here and there. I knew exactly what I wanted to do with it. I've eyeballing these frames on pinterest where you can add wire/string and hang pictures from them. It was super simple! I primed it then spray painted it green. {The green wasn't as lime as I would have liked it to be....but it'll do} Then I used my stapler and stapled the wire going zig zag along the back. I wanted to add a little something extra so I attempted to add scrap fabric rosettes {leftover from my covered canvases} LOVE IT!!!! It fits perfect in the little reading corner of my craft room! Oh and I also made the covered clothespins with leftover scapbook paper from my magazine files! This project was super cheap! {you know I love cheap!} I got the frame for 6$, paint 4$, & wire 2$ total cost 12$!!!



Since I was working on my "reading corner" of the craft room, I decided to make one of those nifty "to do list" dry erase boards out of a picture frame. I got a giant frame {10 x 14} from Walmart. I just used leftover scrapbook paper from my magazine files & typed up a to do list check off sheet. Love it and can't wait to use it! The frame didn't have a stand in the back, so I used an old stand I had laying around. Total cost was 5$ for the frame...everything else I already had!





Ok....this is what I couldn't wait to share with ya'll. One of my goals this summer was to re-do my math centers. I've seen all of these cute acronyms like BUILD or TIME. I borrowed the idea of TIME because it went so well with the centers I want to have and made it my own!

As you know technology is very important to me! I wanted to make sure that there was a technology rotation in my centers. Here is what I came up with: T-Technology I-Independent Work M-Math Facts, E- Extra Review...and I added an R for Review with Teacher {Guided  Math} I cannot wait to use this setup!!!

I also did something I've never done before - I made clipart!!!! I could not find cute clipart for an alarm clock {I searched for hours I swear!} I finally got fed up and just made my own!! I have to say I'm pretty impressed with myself ;)

This post is already out of control, but I promise to post to soon to explain how I plan to use this set-up. If it's something you think you might like to use, you can get all the files  here! There a TON of resources included:

• Binder Cover (2 choices)
• Pocket Chart Header (2 choices)
• Pocket Chart Labels
• Center Bin Labels
• Can Do/ Must Do poster 
• Center Descriptions & Examples
• Center Planning Sheet
• Center Weekly Checklist

Monday Made It - Cooperative Learning Tools

I'm still on a cooperative learning kick!! This week I made some helpful tools for my cooperative learning structures. In a previous post, I mentioned that I love Kagan, but their tools are a little pricey. This week I borrowed their idea of learning chips. {I love these...the possibilities are endless!} I basically used their template and typed different question stems. After punching out the circles and laminating, I used spray adhesive and attached them to cheap poker chips. So far I have made the chips for non-fiction texts, paraphrasing, science, and pre-reading. I will make 1 set for each table group {roughly 6 sets of each} I plan to add several more! {Here is a great article on using learning chips in the classroom!} This was a pretty inexpensive projects {actually free} since I already had the spray adhesive, laminator, and chips. I just had to print them on cardstock. :) Love it when I already have all of the materials for a project! *******UPDATE I WILL BE MAKING THE CHIPS AND OFFERING THEM IN MY STORE SOON!!! Until then, enter to win 3 sets- Non-fiction, Pre-reading, and the science sets!! {enter at the bottom of the page} - I'll pick 5 lucky winners {Thanks Tara for the idea!} Good luck!

I also jumped on the bandwagon and made the dry erase boards using duct tape and report covers. However, I changed mine up a bit! I searched high and low for cheap report covers. The best deal I found was 3 for a dollar something, and they had a frosted cover. So I got home to see what I could use instead. I have several boxes of transparencies...and I don't even have an overhead in my room anymore! I tried the dry erase marker and it works perfectly! I basically just took 2 transparencies and taped around 3 sides so I could slip a piece of paper in. The transparencies are slightly smaller than the report covers, so any papers I slip in will have to be trimmed just slightly. I love how they turned out! This project was also pretty inexpensive since I already had the transparencies on hand. I just bought 2 rolls of the duct tape (around 3.50 each). I also tried the packing tape, but it didn't work as well for me! I plan to have one for each student at the table and wouldn't you know this is also a Kagan tool! I love the dry erase markers from Ikea. They are super cheap and are perfect for these boards!! {Please excuse the black lines - I haven't had a chance to erase them yet ;) }

On another note, I had to select another winner because the last one didn't respond! So congratulations Cindy Toalson! Please contact me so I can give you all of your AWESOME prizes!!!

Now go link up with Tara and share what you made this week!

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Monday Made It

Ahhhhh....finally Monday! {This makes me giggle - who would have thought I would ever look forward to a Monday!} It's that time - Monday Made It! I am suuuuuuper excited to share my craft(s) from this week! As you know - I'm working on organizing & decorating my craft/teacher/office room. Thanks to pinterest, I've been very inspired!

Operation Ribbon Organization! 

I love ribbon - it just makes me really happy! I used to just throw it in a box. It inevitably got all tangled up and I didn't know where one ribbon started and the other ended. Well I've seen all of those cute little jars that the scrapbooking stores sell to organize your tidbits, but there was no way I was going to spend all that $$$ on jars! While browsing Walmart, I came across their canning (jar) section. I knew these would be perfect for my ribbon! I just didn't like the metal tops! I knew what I had to do - SPRAY PAINT! I used a flat black and I love the way it turned out! I was inspired to make the tags from this pinterest pin. I made the little tags, using dark grey background with white letters {I wanted the chalkboard effect}. Then I put this on scrapbook paper. I tied the tag  onto a thin elastic band that fit at the bottom lip of the jar opening. {It hides just perfectly!} Love, love, love the way it turned out! {Total project cost: jars (qty 12) 7$, spray pain 4$, paper <1$ and I already had the ribbon/elastic - TOTAL <12$ & I still have spray paint left over}

I couldn't stop there! I have one of those awesome IKEA square bookshelves in my craft room. I love when these shelves look all nice and tidy {I don't want to see the books!} I had the inexpensive cardboard magazine holders that I picked up from IKEA. They were black with white/red designs on them. I got them when they were clearancing out this design {maybe 2 years ago} really, really cheap {I think they were 8 boxes for 1$ - you can't beat that!}

The black/red/white design wouldn't fit my color scheme. Even though I knew the sides weren't going to show, I covered the designs with black spray paint to make them look more uniformed {I didn't spray the whole box, just where the designs were} I decided to cover the fronts using scrapbook paper {I got an awesome scrapbook pad (on sale) that only had black/white paper}. I trimmed the edges so that there would be a slight black border {and the edges wouldn't get rubbed causing the paper to lift!} I sprayed adhesive on the front cover of the box and quickly laid down the paper {Eyeball it carefully because it's hard to readjust it once it's down} The adhesive worked wonderfully, but I would suggest using a thicker scrapbook paper!



The finishing touch! I saw these magazines holders, and I knew I had to add these hardware pieces. They were super cheap! I bought a package of 25 for under 3$ and I had to get short screws & nuts to match. I just drilled two holes directly into the cardboard and attached the bracket. Again, I'm ecstatic how these turned out! {Total cost scrapbook pad 10$ (still have tons left), boxes 2$, spray paint (left over) 0$, hardware 5$: TOTAL >17$ for 10 boxes and I still have left over supplies!}

I cannot wait to finish up my craft room so I can show it off! I am loving how it is turning out! Now it's your turn, show me what you made. Head on over to Fourth Grade Frolics and link up! 

If you haven't check it out already - I'm having a HUGE giveaway, lots of classroom goodies to be given away from some of your favorite blogs!!!

Let the crafting begin....

I just finished week 2 of my summer vacation & I'm already feeling overwhelmed {frustrated, exhausted, major headache everyday - basically I don't feel relaxed like my summer should be!} I have all these ideas and things I want to get ready for next year...that I end up spinning myself in circles and I get nothing accomplished. I don't know where to begin...and when I start...I get sidetracked and start something else. It is driving me BANANAS!!! I've decided to throw my to-do list out the window! I'm picking 1..ONE...UNO project to focus on at a time. I decided that my first plan is to figure out my words study/spelling situation. {So I'm abandoning my post about my booklist! I have to or I may go insane!}

With that said, I am so grateful to Tara, over at 4th Grade Frolics. She has a weekly linky party going on to show off your completed crafts for the week. {If you haven't checked it out - go now - AMAZING ideas!} I participated this past week...and have been so excited to find more crafts to complete! {Thank you Tara - you really are helping me stay SANE!}

So....today is going to be a crafting marathon! Super excited for how everything will turn out. Here is a sneak peek at what I'll be working with! You'll have to check back on Monday to see what I created!

On another note, my amazing, wonderful, most loving husband bought me this chair for my craft room yesterday. I found it at Marshall's {one of my favs!} It matches my color scheme PERFECTLY!!! Seriously on cloud 9 from this find! {Thank you Brian - you're the BEST}

Now I'm off to craft! I hope you enjoy your weekend & Happy Father's Day to all of you wonderful fathers out there {especially my dad and my hubby - hands down BEST dads around}!

Monday Made It!

What better way to get back into the swing of things, than a linky party. My friend Tara over at 4th Grade Frolics is linking up weekly crafty creations in her "Made It Monday" linky party. What fun! This is right up my alley!

Last week was all about decompressing from the year - so I didn't do anything for my classroom! I have been trying to focus on my craft/teacher/office room and getting everything all organized. I was inspired by a pin I found on pinterest. I changed mine up a tad though. Here is my inspiration!

My inspiration:

Source: DIY Maven

My creation:

The original craft used foam, I used stretched canvas. I went to Hobby Lobby, a local craft store, and lucked out! They had a pack of 2 11x14 for 6$, plus I had a 40% off coupon. I found fabrics with different patterns (quilting quarter flats work perfectly). I just stretched the fabric and stapled it to the back. Super simple! If you used the quarter flats, the hard work of matching is already done for you since they sell them in group of coordinating fabrics. My craft room is going to be black/white/lime green!

I love the way they turned out! But....this inspired me to use left over fabric that I had. Awhile back I had a blogger friend (I'd give credit, but she isn't blogging anymore) who came up with this great idea to use the cork trivets from IKEA as a pin-board (bulletin board). She had painted hers, but I though I could hot glue the fabric. I love the way these turned out too!

I'm loving how my craft room is coming along. I promise pics as soon as it's all done! Now go link up your weeks creations!

Pinterest Inspirations!

The other day I was searching the area Targets to find more stickers for my multiple choice sticks. I just happened to go down the "summer stuff" aisle and saw that everything was 75% off! If there is one thing you should know about me - it's that I go a little crazy when I see the word "SALE" or "CLEARANCE or " blank % off" {ok you get the picture} I found metal tubs {beverage containers} and I was beyond ecstatic because they were only 3$ {yes 3$} I grabbed 2 of them {probably should have grabbed more!} My hubby has been wanting one for when we have get-togethers. I wanted one for my classroom because it reminded me of a picture I found on pinterest from Ms. Nichols classroom....

Like many of you, I'm completely addicted to ! I seriously have a pinning problems {and I just started!} I have found so many ideas {check back because I have a long list of things I'm going to make from the ideas I have found!} So I found this clipboard bucket and thought it was adorable. We do a lot of carpet work with whiteboards, yet I store my wb at the back of the room {opposite end of the classroom}. I thought this tub I found would be P-E-R-F-E-C-T to store my whiteboards, dry erase markers and erasers! Here are my before and after photos.

Before

After

Want to make a bucket too? It was super simple. I took scrapbook paper and used my cricut to cut out the letters {you could also buy letters already cut out}. Then I modge podged them on the bucket {remember to do thin layers at a time to prevent bubbles and the paper raising off} I put 6-7 layers of modge podge. You may also want to spray a clear sealant once it all dries to ensure that the letters are secure. Next I just tied coordinating ribbon on the handles. I plan to put some sort of basket inside this to store all three things and keep them organized. I'll keep you posted!

What have you made that was inspired by a pinterest find? Or what are you considering making? If you are on pinterest come check mine out!!

Looky...Looky!! Look what I made!

I was so inspired when I first saw these adorable multiple choice sticks on Tara's blog 4th Grade Frolics! I just knew I had to make them! Being in an upper elementary grade we do so much testing. {unfortunately} Of course I could have made another set of ABCD cards but these are way too much fun! {Don't you know the kids are going to love them!} I promise - super, super simple to make. It took hubby and I less than an hour to make 25 of them!! {including the drilling}

Here is what you need:

Total cost for 25 of them:

Popsicle sticks (100) - 2$
Screws/Nuts (#8) - 3$
Washers (#8) - 2$
Stickers - 5$
Total: 12$ for these amazingly cute multiple choice sticks!

Basically you drill a hole and attach 4 sticks together using the screw, nuts, and washers. Then if you'd like you can add alphabet stickers {or you could just write the number on them}. We found that it was easiest to put 4 sticks together using a binder clip and then drill the 4 sticks at one time.

I couldn't find the stickers Tara used, but I found these really cute dot stickers at the Target 1$ spot that fit perfect on the tip of the stick. They came with 5 sheets to a package {so I needed 5 of them} I also didn't use modge podge for the sticks like Tara did {I didn't have the patience - I wanted them that bad!} but the stickers were pretty secure on them. {I'm sure I'll regret it later!} I also went ahead and put the numbers 1-4 on the backside. {since I already had the stickers}

I cannot wait for my students to use these! Such an awesome, awesome idea! Again I would like to thank Tara for the inspiration and sharing her wonderful idea! If you have not checked out her blog - GO NOW!! She has so many more wonderful ideas! {definitely one of my favorite blogs!}

Don't forget to enter my giveaway for a 20$ gift certificate!

Teacher Pointers {Make your own}...Easy as pie

Once upon a time...I was going to be teaching 1st grade. However I was moved to 3rd instead. {and I couldn't be happier!} I had already purchased so many things for my classroom..and it seems I forgot about a few. I have been reorganizing my office/craft/teacher workspace. I was so amazed at all of the little treasures I found. One was supplies that I had bought to make my own teacher pointers. I decided to get my creative juices flowing and make them {and I thought you might like to know how to do it too!}

What you need:
*Glue Gun
*Wood Paints in coordinating colors {these are so cheap - I got mine for .60}
*Paintbrush
*Wooden Dowels {I found mine at Walmart for less than 2$ for 16 of them}
*Cute Wood shapes {These are already prepainted! Look on the wood aisle at your craft store - super cheap around .50 each}
**Ribbon if you'd like to add a little something!

Super, super simple....
1. Paint the dowels
2. Put a glob of hot glue on the back of wooden shapes
3. Attach the stick to the back

How is easy is that?!?!? {Easy as pie...right}

You can add a little bow for a nice little touch.

Since I don't really use pointers in my classroom - I'm going to give these as a gift to a really good friend {who happened to be my cooperating teacher when I was student teaching}. I am going to make a few more and put them in this cute bucket I picked up at Hobby Lobby!!

I hope you have as much fun as I did making these!