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

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!!!

Organizing Word Sorts

This year our district is getting a new spelling adoption. Word sorts are a big part of the book {which I love!!} The sorts are differentiated and have 3 different levels for each unit. This summer I printed all of the sorts on color paper, laminated them and cut them out so I am ready to go for the year. At a GT training that I attended, they said when you differentiate lessons, you want the lessons to look the same for everyone - so that no one knows that another student is doing something different. So I printed the entire unit on the same color of cardstock. I was trying to find a way to organize all of the tiny cards!

I originally took file folders and stapled up the sides. I put the cards in little baggies and labeled them, then put them in the little file folder sleeve. These were great - however the folders were so thick, and I honestly don't have the space for them!

When I was cleaning up my craft/office/work room, I found this container that I had used to hold my thread. I originally purchased it for my son's matchbox cars when he was little. I know I've seen them in Walmart's craft section, but I did have trouble finding it online. I know I paid no more than 10$ for it! I knew it would be perfect to organize the sorts!!! Especially since there are 3 rows across {the same number of levels for each unit}

I pulled the sorts out of the bags and used a binder clip to hold he unit together. I just slid them into their slots. I'm holding on to the bags so that I can keep them together when they go into my word work center. I made a label for each side of the container...and there you go....the perfect way to organize word sorts that doesn't take up a TON of space!

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!!

Summer Finds

School supplies are just beginning to show up on the shelves...but I've already found some pretty amazing finds! Here is my top 5 list of items that I have found so far this summer:

# 5 I found these adorable hanging pockets from IKEA. I was thinking of using them to store sticky notes, notepads, nurse passes, etc next to my desk. I got both the blue/green and red/orange sets.

#4 I couldn't leave my target 1$ spot finds off of my list. I went to eat lunch with my hubby last week and decided to stop at the Target by his work. I was pleasantly surprised to see that they had their teacher stuff out early. I picked up some bookmarks, stickers, pocket charts, stamps, and some caddies to hold students supplies.


#3 I love baskets and pretty much anything that has to do with organizing. A few years ago I found these amazing, brightly colored baskets to hold all of my books in my library. A few of them have cracked....well I found these cute, colored baskets at Hobby Lobby. I also found matching magazine holders so that I can now display the kid's magazines I've been collecting all summer. I also love that they have holes so I can attach my library labels to them!

#2 I found this awesome colored rolling cart that can be found at Really Good Stuff normally 80$...but I found mine at Goodwill for only 15$!!!! I found it tucked away at the back of the store. After I found it I had several people following me to see if I would put it down. I'm not sure what I'm going to use it for just yet - but I have wanted one for a really long time!

And......drum roll please........

My number #1
I was searching for misc things on craigslist. I came across the most amazing post! A teacher was leaving 3rd grade and moving on to teach middle school. I got these great center activities for reading comprehension and vocabulary from Lakeshore Learning. I also picked up a respond to reading center. All of these items total almost $400.....but I picked it all up for $55. What an amazing find! The activities are great to reinforce reading concepts!

Do you have any amazing summer finds? Head over to Ladybug Teacher Files and share your stash!