Progress??

Well, it's taken me a lot longer than expected to get my room somewhat in order.  I decided to re-paint my shelves and cabinets and do some other "unplanned" projects, but I think it's coming together...FINALLY.

Here are a few things I've been working on:
Here are my bulletin boards...my version of a "Proud Wall" where students can display work they are proud of...notice those cute clothespins I dyed earlier with Rit Dye??  And my little owl lantern (that's turned around) I made by spray painting an old one I had, then adding the features using scrapbook paper and hot glue.  I will get a better pic of that one soon!

I will put anchor charts on this one...finally decided I love the scrunchy border.  You can find a "how-to" here.

This bulletin board is right beside the doorway, and I use exit slips as a closing strategy often in my room.  I liked the idea of having several different ways to use this strategy without having to take them down, put back up, etc...so this is my "Wonder Wall."  

This is my door (hallway view).  I was so happy with the way it turned out.  

Some before and after pictures:
My "new" bookcase (the left one)...I primed and painted, then added contact paper to the backing.  You can also see my computer table with the ugly red tablecloth...

Here is this whole area now...still working on this!

My small group chairs...I used Krylon plastic spray paint, then sprayed them with a gloss protectant.  I also sprayed the legs with a metallic spray paint.  Thanks, Tara Vincent, for the inspiration!  ;)

So...not quite finished, but definitely getting there...it's a work in progress...

I will post more this week!  I'm pooped after first day activities!  ;)

'Til then.

A Bigger Mess...

I started working in my classroom...and it NEVER fails that I make a bigger mess and spend more time walking around wondering where to begin the first week I'm there.  I can't wait to get all of my new stuff in here and get it organized.  I thought this e-card was fitting hahaha!

So, what have I been up to this week, you ask??  Well, between presenting again at UNA and summer Ed.S. classes...

Eeeeek...look at this....OH MY....how cute is that???  This is a $3.99 inner tube from Target wrapped in fabric!!!  I have to get a little more patterned fabric because I ran out, and I have one other one to wrap.  I will use them for seats in my classroom.  One word...GENIUS.

Dax had to try it out!

Check this out...taking me forever, but it's one of my favorite things in my room now!  It's just fabric cut into strips and tied together with knots (hot glued to my shelving unit, of course.)  LOVE.

I've also made a few things with my Cricut...here is my No Name board for papers that don't have a name.  Cricut letters + board + paint + binder clips + Modge Podge =

Here's my cool "Books We've Read" tree....I just cut it out of black butcher paper, spray Modge-podged (is that a word??) it because I knew it would fade if I didn't, and hot-glued it to the wall...the circles are just scrapbook paper I cut out with my Cricut.  I will add the books we read together to the tree throughout the year.  I just thought it would be a good visual for my students of all the books they have read in fifth grade...also made a pretty banner to hang in front of the tree...

And this is another little reading nook....love how it turned out!  I wanted a way to separate it from my desk area.  The banner says, "The Book Nook."  Yep, that's a flat sheet from Wal-Mart...scored that bad boy for $4.97.  Needs a little wrinkle-release, I think...

Look for pics coming soon of INSIDE this little nook!  You're gonna love it!

Love my small group bulletin board too!!  That little awning took about a million hours to do, but I love it!  hehe!

Sorry for the long post, but it's been a while, and I've been busy!

**Reading Street friends....Frindle is on the way...I am in the process of correlating my resources to the new Common Core Standards so we can all enjoy!  Y'all didn't think I would leave you out, did you???  ;)

'Til then!

This Just In...

I got a Cricut, I got a Cricut, I got a CRICUT!!!  :)

I barely know how to work it, and I am a little obsessed already!!  My mind is spinning with ways to use it.  This is my first project...I ordered a toolbox from Amazon, then made the pretty labels with my Cricut.  Now all of my teacher supplies will be in one spot!  Pretty excited about this...y'all know me and organization!  ;) 

I've been Googling and YouTubing tips and ways to use my Cricut, but if you have suggestions or fun tricks, please comment on this post and let me know!  I would love to hear them!

Here are some other things I've been working on this week for my classroom:

These are my yarn letters...love how they turned out!

I told y'all I have been making some purchases, and a couple of my most recent ones are these bookshelves.  I am sooooo excited about this!  For years, I have had two large mismatched bookcases in my classroom, and they are such an eyesore!  So, I purchased four of these stacking cubes, and a bench to go in the middle of them...

Here is a picture from Pinterest...mine will look somewhat like this.  

I recovered the bench cushion that came with the bench.  You will soon find out about me (if you don't know already) that I DO NOT sew.  Never.  I don't do it.  I don't even want to learn how to do it.  So when I say I recovered the cushion, it means that I used hot glue to do it.  :)  I can do anything with a hot glue gun that you can do with a sewing machine.  You'll see.  

Check back for pics of the finished product next week!


Just a note, guys...I see you all looking at my blog, and I LOVE IT!  Please remember to follow me by email...that way, any time I post, you will be notified.  Also, leave me a comment so I can know your thoughts.  I love hearing new ideas! 

I'll be posting my resources for our first Scott Foresman Reading Street story this week as well.  I will also be posting some "before" pics of my classroom soon!  :)  

'Til then!