Monday Made It Freebies

Happy Last Week of July!!!! I am linking up with Tara from 4th Grade Frolics for Monday Made It. I love her linky!  It is always a great motivator.

My first creation is a simple birthday chart.  I love Educlips so I added some super cute birthday clips. I know I need something small, so I made this one printable on an 11x17 piece of cardstock. 

 If you like it, click here, for a freebie download.

 

For my second Made It, I was inspired by Texas blogger, Kayla from Texas Teaching Fanatic.  I had the opportunity to attend her wonderful two day workshop through my Education Service Center.  She introduced me to this book...

I am sure many of you are familiar with Gretchen Bernabei, and definitely for a good reason!  Kayla uses a lot of her materials and this upcoming school year, I plan on using this awesome resource!-

I have really been thinking about how I want to really make good use of my student Writing Journals and after attending this workshop I decided to do this....

This is a 100 page composition notebook. Although the students will have access to a variety of resources for writing, I wanted something that would be more personal to them.  I hope that they will use their journals more as their own entries will hold personal significant value. The cover will be decorated with meaningful pictures of themselves to personalize their journals.  I created four different tabs to utilize sections promptly. Each tab has 25 pages. There is a special tab to use along with Gretchen Bernabei's Grammar Keepers lessons; a Words, Words, Words for creating  self-made word walls and lists; Sentence Starters for meaningful sentence starters; and Ideas and Thoughts for student writing ideas, lists, graphic organizers, or pictures they find that will spark their memories and interests.

Again, my love of Educlips were added to the tab pages.

 

If you like it, feel free to download this freebie copy, here .  Let me know how it works for you!

 

My last project is not exactly a "made-it" project in the sense that I hands-on made the letters, but it is sort of a design....I just love it though and had to add it this week.  I was able to go into my classroom for a quick hour this weekend.  I found these wonderful letters at Michael's.  I always see the cute letters that say READ in classrooms, but I am teaching writing this year...so I spelled WRITING with these fabulous letters!

Well that's all I have for today.  Thanks for stopping by. Have a wonderful week!

File Trays and Cork Boards

Good Mid July! Can y'all believe that in two weeks it will be August?  This summer is flying by! I must admit, since I was blessed and offered a job in a new district, all I think about is school!  It's the mix of emotions we go through when change is embarking! 

Well I am happy to be linking up with 4th Grade Frolics for Monday Made It.

 

Continuing with my spray paint craze, I took my old black plastic file trays....

and spray painted them to match the rolling book cart and metal shelf...

I love them!  I use my trays to stack my daily copied work.  I will label them Monday-Friday and they will find a home somewhere close to my work area.

 

So last year I used these 2'x3' bulletin cork boards to display my anchor charts.  I used the left over spray paint and after finding an inspirational Pintrest post by Beach House in the City, I attempted my own cork board makeover.

 

 BEFORE

and for the AFTER...

 

I did iron the fabric before pinning it on.  I think I will go back and pull a little

more on the edges once they are in place in my classroom.

 

Well those are my two Monday Made Its for this week.  Next week I am planning some computerized projects. Thanks for stopping by and remember to check out all the linkers to 4th Grade Frolics!

Have a blessed and fabulous week!

More Spray Paint

I just got back from the store with two more cans of spray paint!- Why? I didn't realize how easy it was to spray these plastic containers!  I'm linking up with 4th Grade Frolics to share my Monday

Made Its.

 

 

After last week's spray painting success, I decided to paint this old metal shelf.  It once housed those "prehistoric" encyclopedias in a classroom far, far away... Okay again another inherited piece of furniture.  This is BEFORE...

and then the AFTER...

 

I'm not exactly sure how I will use it yet, but I know it will come in handy.  

My next project is another spray painted piece!  I see these all over Pintrest and blogs, so I decided to  revamp my little plastic file drawers.  I added some basic labels to it.  I am loving the color coordination!

  

 

 

My last Monday Made It is a Pintrest inspired project I found from Jaime from 2nd Grade Stuff.  She had a post for Managing Turn in Trays with Clothespins.  (Read all about it here!) 

I loved the idea and I am going to try it next year.  I made five different clothespin sets because we will be rotating 5 classes.  I found the white clothespins, washi tape, galvanized metal cans, and scrapbook numbers at Michaels.  The idea is to have kids place their clips on the paper that is turned in, and you will have an easy way to see who has not turned in an assignment.  I also like that they will have to double check to see if their name is on their paper as they clip their paper! I'll let you know how it worked.

 Thanks for stopping by! Remember to head on over to 4th Grade Frolics for more fabulous

 Monday Made Its!

(I'll post my next spray paint project next week! )

Have a great week!



Hello There! Book Cart Redo

Hello there! It's been a while!  I must give a huge salute to all the bloggers that manage to post frequently and also a big thank you. (I still have aspirations of being a better blogger, because of all of you!)
It's summer time and I have enjoyed my time resting at home and gathering all my thoughts and feelings.  Next year I will begin a new school year in a new school district!-  After a series of God led events, I will have the opportunity to join a wonderful community and school!  I look forward to my new adventure!  I am so glad that I will continue to teach fourth grade and am excited to be focusing on writing.
With that being said, I have begun my summer projects by linking up with Tara from 4th Grade Frolics....

Before

 

and Then

 

After

 

 This rolling book cart was passed along to me two years ago after being purchased at an auction!  It has sat in the wonderful and unpredictable weather of West Texas, and held up quite well!  Instead of going out and buying a bookshelf, I went ahead and bought spray paint! (This project ran a grand total of $8.00 and a sunny Monday afternoon!) I really loved the way it turned out!  I can't wait to deliver it to my new classroom in August!

 

Now it's your turn to link up with 4th Grade Frolics. 

 

 

November Currently

It's November and I'm linking up with Farley from Oh Boy 4th Grade!

Listening: I'm typing with the TV in the background.  I'm listening to the Cowboys/Seahawks game while my husband is actually in the stands watching the game!  So glad he had the opportunity to go.

 

Loving:  So today is Daylights Savings Time.  I, of course, did not sleep an extra hour, as I woke up at 5 o'clock this morning! Instead, I had an extra hour of time to "get things done!" Now I'm watching the clock looking forward to bed time!!!

 

Thinking: Wow! Time is flying this year!- We have six weeks before Christmas Break.

 

Wanting:  I so want to take a girls trip.  Christmas is just around the corner, so a girl's shopping trip would be lots of fun!

 

Needing:  My wrists and fingers have really been hurting as of lately. I'm putting visiting a doctor off for fear of surgery!  I'm self-diagnosing of course, but it could also be age's best friend, arthritis!-

 

Yummy: With Thanksgiving in mind, I would love to try some yummy Pumpkin Cheesecake Pie.-  My sister makes an amazing cheesecake, I may have to throw some hints her to add some pumpkin yumminess!

 

Don't forget to stop by Oh Boy 4th Grade and link up your November Currently.

Have a blessed week!

 

September Currently

Happy Labor Day! Today I am linking up with Farley from Oh' Boy 4th Grade  Currently September!

 

Listening: We slept in this morning! Yay! I'm ticking away on the computer and my little guy is right next to me playing with his superheroes!  I had my son later in life, so to see how he is developing just amazes me!  Like most three year olds, his imagination is flourishing!

 

Loving:  I am totally enjoying this three day weekend!  We celebrated my niece's wedding on Saturday, enjoyed our Sunday at home, and an extra day is so nice!

 

Thinking: How will I make today a productive day?  Loving this extra day, so I want to make sure I use it wisely. 

 

Wanting: I want a huge iced Diet Coke from Sonic!  I am truly addicted to Diet Cokes.  I know the aspartame is horrible for you, but they taste so good!  Last year I managed to go about ten weeks without a Diet Coke, and then summer came!  I'm trying folks, but it will take time!

 

Needing: I need a mani and pedi!  (That sums it up!)

 

3 Goals: I ordered the 21 Day Fix last week.  I am going to attempt to eat better, and with that cooking at home more is also a goal!  I'm not a big cook, but I do realize that it's better for our family and the checkbook!  My third goal is to dedicate some daily "Me Time"  I'm not talking about workout time, that's work! Ha Ha!- I'm talking about taking 15 minutes a day to just focus on me! Whether that involves a 15 minute nap, 15 minutes on the porch reading a book, or 15 minutes of sitting in silence, we all deserve a little down time. 

 

Thanks for stopping by, and don't forget to link up your Currently September  with Oh' Boy 4th Grade.

See you soon!

Classroom Reveal 2015-2016

     Off to a great start! So, initially, I wanted to share these pics two weeks ago....school started....and time diminished.  I'm sure you know what I mean.  This year I am glad to welcome some students from the past!  I taught some of these kiddos in first grade, and to see the growth is amazing!  Ladies and Gentlemen, we really do make a difference!

 

     Although I love all my kids, this particular group holds a special place in my heart.  The year I had them in first grade, my husband was diagnosed with kidney cancer and we had just welcomed our son into our lives.  We didn't know what was in store for us, but we had faith that God would take care of it all, and these kiddos, unknowingly, pulled me through a tough personal year. 

 

     Well here are a  couple of pics I would like to share of my class.  As always, it's a work in progress, but for the most part complete. I am very fortunate to have a nice size classroom.  My school is made up of several buildings that have been added through the years, and my class is part of the original building, built in 1929.  Last summer they removed three ceiling layers and replaced it with new energy efficient ceilings and brand new air conditioners.

 

A Quick Look:

This is the designated "front" area of the classroom.  I have two doors, so one is an entrance door and one is an exit door. 

 

 

I placed my Helper Board behind this metal door, so I could use magnets!  It's working perfectly. (You can find the Editable Job Board Here.)

Also: United States Flag and Pledge, and the Great State of Texas Flag and Pledge  On the left wall I posted a friendly class schedule.

 

Class Schedule

 

To the right of the entry door:  We teach Texas History in fourth grade, one of my personal favorite school memories, so I wanted to have a special place to display some important symbols and such. I created a timeline and as the year progresses, we'll add to the timeline, along with using an interactive journal.  The kids are really enjoying it so far. 

 

The front wall:  I have a small whiteboard area for teaching. Homework Assignment Board, Alphabet Banner (You can find the Alphabet Banner here.) Yes, I have a right and left hand  posted on the walls, and boy do they come in handy! wink, wink

 

Front Wall Continued:  Calendar (You can find the Calendar Numbers here.), Small Birthday Pennants ( You can find the Editable Birthday Pennants here for free.) I have some wall space for student work or anchor charts.

 

Front:  If you notice, I do have a fabulous ceiling mounted projector, love it!

 

Teacher Work Station: I used an old AV cart and placed my document camera  on top, laptop on middle shelf, and printer on the bottom shelf.  I zip tied everything into place, sewed a skirt for it, and have a nifty moveable work station!  I'm pretty proud of my filing cabinet, too. I used laminate

self-adhesive paper to "pretty" it up.  Later you'll see I got laminate happy, but I love the result.

 

I found these great reading genre posters at our local teacher store.

A collection of my read aloud books.  I remade the labels to match the room.

Learning Objectives:



 AR classroom library.  I like them organized by levels.  The kids have an easier time finding what they need.

 I love these reading comprehension posters.  They are by Amy Groesbeck. You can find them here.



Center of Classroom: The Wall of Windows...  I have 5 huge windows on this wall and I needed a creative way to use the space.  I wanted my husband to build me a temporary half wall, but then I found these 2'x3' bulletin boards, papered away, and set them in the window instead!  They are perfect for anchor charts! Also in this area: Station Board, Station Tubs, Restroom Sign Out, Student Consumable Storage

 

The designated "back" area of my classroom.  I have my teacher space here.  I can easily transport my laptop from the workstation to my desk when needed.  I am fortuante to have two closets in my room.  Behind that gray curtain doorway is a large closet that was once the student "Cloak Room."  I love it.  I can store tons of stuff in there!

My desk:  See all the pretty laminate paper? I know, I may have over done it.  I even redid two shelves: a small 4 foot one behind my desk and a large 12 footer.  It was easier than painting them, and they look great!-

 

After seeing Tara's Homework Club Board, from 4th Grade Frolics, I wanted to try it too. This is such a great idea. We started it last week, and the kids were really into it! Thanks!

Back Wall: Small Group Area, Student WOW Work Wall, and the Second Closet. I basically have the width of the wall and about 5' depth-wise of closet space. -Yes, I am pretty lucky!



 I saw these on Pintrest, and I had to try making them!

 

Student Computer Area, Parts of Speech Board (I found this one from Ladybugs Teacher Files. You can find them here.) Classroom TV, mounted on wall (Our morning announcements are broadcast

across the school by our very own students!)  Also: Attendance and Lunch Count Board behind the exit door. I failed to take  picture of the white board located on the right side of the computers.  It's another teaching area.  I have a big black carpet for our whole group meeting area.

 

Attendance/ Lunch Count Board

Hallway: Our school used a Dr. Seuss school-wide theme.  It was difficult for me to find ways to integrate it with the upper elementary classroom.  I found some great posters and created some lettering with Seuss-like font.....and tried to match as much with my classroom color theme.

 

 

 Well that's a quick look into my class. Thank you for taking a look, and come back soon!