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!

Popsicle Sticks, Punch Cards, and Presentations

Well, I've been busy all last week working on my Pinterest projects and our presentations this week at UNA.  I have managed to complete more than three classroom projects *cheers* and prepare for five, YES FIVE, presentations this week (with Shelly's help, of course!!)  I haven't forgotten about my kiddos, though, as we also did some fun projects last week.  We've been busy!  Here's what we've been up to...

Projects for my classroom:  

I can't take credit for these great ideas--you can find links to the original posts HERE.

This is my "Great Readers" mirror...I am going to face this toward my small group table so that students can see themselves as they are back there with me.  Isn't this a fun way to motivate struggling readers?  I think I will probably end up adding some kind of border to it.

Speaking of small group table...I made these pointers out of popsicle sticks for students to use as they follow along while we read, either in small group, OR I made enough to use during whole group, too!  And speaking of popsicle sticks, I made these multiple choice sticks for students to use for quick checks at the small group table.

This project is the one I'm most excited about...my good behavior coupon box!!  I LOVE this and can't wait to use it.  I was tired of buying "treasure chest" stuff for good behavior, and when I saw these coupons for FREE rewards.....I knew I had to have it for my room.  I'm going to couple that with the behavior punch card...each child will get a punch card, and when they receive 10 punches, they can choose a good behavior coupon from the box.  Soooo excited!  

*The link to the free PDFs is here.








I didn't get to the painted foam mat last week because I couldn't find one that was as thick as I wanted.  I'm moving that project to my to-do list for this week.  :(


Dax has been busy this week, too.  Here he was painting using different toy cars.  See the different patterns that the treads make on the paper?  He thought this was soooo cool!

Okay, these ice cubes were tha bomb!!  I don't know what the obsession was with these, but Dax LOVED them.  They are just ice cubes made from water and a drop of food coloring.  He caught them with his net, he bounced on his trampoline with them, he fished them out of the water with a spoon, he asked to make more.  :)  Easy, but a couple of hours of fun!!

What a busy and fun week!  


This is Shelly and me at UNA working on our presentations.  All of our presentation resources are posted on my blog as well.  Check them out!  :)

What's on the Pinterest list this week, you ask?  Along with the painted foam mat...

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Sorry for the long post, but with our presentations, I have been out-of-pocket for a few days!