Followers (and Monday Made It)

I am SOOOOOOOOO excited that I have followers!  My little tiny blog is actually followed by someone!  Thank you to you four for following me- two on blogger and two on Bloglovin'.  Thank you so much!

Now, for Monday Made It(s)- I've been busy this week!  I have other projects too that will be finished next week (hopefully) but because they're not done, they won't be here tonight.

Monday Made It # 1  Letter Storage

Materials:

File box from Target (came with 5 hanging files)

28 file folders

26 tab dividers

letters from Dollar Tree

It's hard to see, but in each hanging file folder is a file folder with the uppercase letter printed on it, and a divider (inside the regular file folder) with a lowercase letter printed on it.  I put lowercase letters in front of the divider and uppercase letters behind the divider, but still inside of the regular file folder.  If I need a letter, I just pull out the hanging file and take what I need.

For my nicer letters (not from the Dollar Tree or made by me from laminated construction paper), I will put them in photo albums.  Stay tuned for that MMI!

MMI #2  Crate Seats!!

I have been seeing these beauties everywhere and finally had to make my own.  I only show one finished product because they took awhile to finish so I only got through one (started late).

You need: (in picture)
staple gun
crate seats (mine are from target: two teal, two purplish pink, two white) all for like $3!!
foam pads (mine are from Walmart.  They were super thin, so we had to add another piece of foam to them which made them very tall but should be comfy for all.  Even me!)
felt or fleece (to protect fabric from ragged edges of cut wood)
material
velcro
boards! (Home Depot cut these for free.  Even helped me do the measurements!  You need to take your crate with you to see how big you want them cut, and to make sure they are cut correctly!)

First, cut your felt to go around the board.  Staple it to the board.

Next, cut the foam to match the size of your board (see, we had to use two!).  We glued the foam pieces to each other using spray adhesive just to be sure they wouldn't shift around.

Pull the fabric around the whole contraption, fold like a present, and staple like crazy!  Then, put it on top of your crate to admire your handiwork.  In my case, I admired my mom's cuz she was afraid I would hurt myself with the staple gun  I have NO talent with crafts though I love them   she loves me and wanted to help get my classroom running.  Remember, I am brand new so I have lots to make this summer!

I made several other things this week but apparently didn't take pictures... so maybe I will show them next week!  Who knows....

Another Give away

Check out this awesome give away at Miss R's Room

good luck!

Bloglovin

I am attempting to merge my blog with bloglovin.... here goes!

<a href="http://www.bloglovin.com/blog/9788059/?claim=t58dhx536tp">Follow my blog with Bloglovin</a>

Blog Giveaway

Check out this fantastic giveaway over at First Grade Critter Cafe  You don't want to miss these fantastic reading strategies taught in a fun way!

Favorite Pins Friday!

Happy Friday!

Today I am linking up with The First Grade Parade for her 

I am addicted to Pinterest.  I can spend hours on it pinning ideas for my classroom (brand new teacher!), but I don't.... have to remind myself that I need to have interaction with my husband and precious puppy.  

Anywho.... Here are my favorite pins from this week.

1.  

Originally from Ladybug's Teacher Files, this pin shows me awesome ways to organize books and other large items in my classroom.  I love all the bright colors and black labels!  

    2. 

Couldn't find the original post, but these are all over Pinterest.  I just discovered Erin Condren this past week and have instantly fallen in love!  Her planners are SO amazing and inclusive and I have heard nothing but good things about her products.  I desperately want one, but seeing as how I am a brand new teacher who just graduated from grad school and had no job this summer, it isn't likely that I will have one this year.  But next year, it's on!

       3. 

I LOVE this idea originally from Forever in First  This is such a fantastic idea for kinders to learn letter sounds.  It also involves higher level thinking, requiring them to apply the letter sound to something they can dress up as.  And I LOVE class books, so this is a must do.  

My style:

I love love LOVE pink.  This whole outfit screams to me.  Obsessed.  From http://imgfave.com/view/2153075

from http://uncovet.com/designer-spotlight/olive-yew/rose-gold-lowercase-letter-necklace?via=HardPin&u=type294  Love rose gold and I've been wanting an initial necklace.  

Words to live by.  I need this daily reminder.  from Etsy

Want to see what else I love?  Check it out here

Thanks for tuning in!  Have a fantastic weekend :) 

Christmas in July

Hi friends!

I just wanted to share this amazing blog hop of freebies with you.

Start at http://www.sharingkindergarten.com/2013/07/kinderlands-freebies-on-4th.html

Enjoy!

Annnnnd I'm Back...?

Once again, I have abandoned the blog.  With the summer wide open, I hope to be able to update this more frequently and get into blogging.  I have found so many wonderful sites dedicated to helping teachers that I want to develop my own.  I am not very skilled at websites, so please have patience with me!

I am in the process of interviews right now, so in the meantime I have been working on items for my classroom and can't wait to share!  My favorite blog linkys are Monday Made It(s) (MMIs), so I have my own.  Even though it's Wednesday.

Who doesn't love pointers?  They are SO expensive from teacher stores, and the closest one I have found is in Lynchburg, an hour away from me.  SO I resorted to creating my own.

I want my kiddos to have a pointer to go with each story, season, or interest.  So, I made A LOT.

To start with, shop your local craft store or Wally-World for pre-painted wooden shapes.  Then, find small dowel sticks (in the same aisle) to attach them to.  Some mod podge scrapbook paper to the sticks.  I didn't.

Use a hot glue gun to attach the shapes to the sticks.  You can even add ribbon below for a little flair (I didn't).  Voila!  You have your own pointers for a tiny cost! (I will add the finished product later :) )

Also, I am currently reading The First Days of School: How to Be an Effective Teacher by Rosemary and Harry Wong.  This book is probably required by many districts for first year teachers to read.  Personally, I think ALL teachers should read this book.  It's engaging and so helpful with such great tips and reminders for beginning of the year procedures.  It's a must read!

Next up, the Daily Five book by Gail Boushey and Joan Moser for literacy and writing centers.

Stay tuned for more classroom creations and ideas!