On our team we have our "PLC Binder" where we keep all of our professional readings and articles, student data, team information, etc. I want to spice up our binders in a fun way, so I made these covers for each binder. I used the cricut to cut out all of the pieces.
I have been very fortunate in my classroom in receiving things for my classroom from the site DonorsChoose. This is a nonprofit company that connects public school teachers with people who want to support classroom learning.
I have received science and math books for my classroom library, chapter books by Roald Dahl for book clubs, safety vests for the school's safety and leadership team, and an iPod touch.
This site is worth taking a look at!
Because we have comfy spots in the classroom, we use a book nook system. This allows everyone to spend the same amount of time in these special seats. The kids really like the book nooks, because they know exactly where they can go that day and how long they have until the seat they want. My librarians take care of rotating our clips daily. Here is a link to my book nook chart.
Two years ago now, my fifth grade classroom had only tables. So, as I prepared for the new year, I came across the seat sacks that Lakeshore Learning was selling and decided then I wanted them. My mom and I went to the store and bought outdoor fabric in five different colors, we took a chair from the school and begin to create the seat sacks that I still use today.
These have been amazing, and have held up so well! Definitely a great investment!
I updated my pencil cans! I am hoping this will help my "pencil sharpener" with their job in the classroom. It will also keep our classroom organized.
I used old pineapple cans and put scrapbook paper through the Xyron machine, so it would stick with no bubbling on the cans.
I then printed on photo paper the titles for each cans. You can use my titles for your own cans by clicking here.
I am very excited to put my new crate bench in my classroom next year! This really didn't take long and wasn't very expensive. I got 4 crates from Target at $5 a crate, the baskets are also at Target for $4, and then I picked up the fabric at Walmart at $8. At Home Depot, I had them cut wood the length of the four crates together, 54 inches.
Using a staple gun, I stapled the fabric to one side of the wood. Then put stuffing on the wood. Then pulled the fabric tight and stapled the other side. Creating the cushion.
Then I stapled zip ties on the bottom of the board and zip tied it to the crates.
I am very excited to add this to my classroom for another place for students to enjoy a good book!
This summer I wanted to discover ways for students to easily access the resources I have in the classroom. One of the things I wanted to revamp was my clipboard system.
I had the clipboards in a crate in the back of the classroom before, but they weren't being used as much as I thought they could be. I also had some children taking the clipboards and putting them in their desks and lockers.
My mom and I gathered paper and paint and began creating these clipboards that are now more attractive. Costing us maybe 20 bucks total.
A tip in creating these clipboards- when using scrapbook paper buy a Xyron machine from Michaels or Hobby Lobby. You run your paper through the machine and it turns into a large sticker. This will prevent the bumps and air bubbles that arise if you just use modge podge or glue.
I plan to hang the clipboards with small peel and stick hook on the side of each child's desk. Hanging them will make it more accessible and hopefully will encourage the use. I numbered the clipboards, so that I wouldn't lose any and I will also use it as another management tool. Instead of calling only color groups, I will be able to also call table member numbers. Click here to get the circle numbers that I placed on each of the clipboards.
And lastly, after placing the numbers and scrapbook pieces, we need to seal the boards so that they will last. We used the "Do It Yourself Divas" idea of making our own modge podge. Check out their pin on how to do it!
