Workstation Freebie!

Happy Tuesday!

Here is the workstation freebie I mentioned the other day... click to download. I can't wait to put it to good use in my classroom.

I'll post pictures of it once it get it up on the walls... still waiting for the classroom carpets to be cleaned :)

Have a great week!

Summer Happenings...

I am LOVING my time off! I will be honest, normally I am not a fan of summer vacation. There is a lot of down time which usually leads to shopping, which I totally love, but my pocket book doesn't. lol

So I have been trying to keep the spending low by doing some crafting. Take a look at what I made...

This hall pass sign was inspired by the fab. Amy Lemons! How genius to use a clothes pin instead of a pass. This can clip right to their shirt and never touch their hands (because how do you really know they washed...) I added the ribbon tabs because the wood I had on hand was too thick for the clothespins. And the back has two screw hooks so I can hang it right next to the door :)

And I made some crate seats! I have been wanting to make these since last September, but never got around to it.... but thank you summer!! These were super easy. I looked and looked for a cute table cloth to use so that it would be wipe-able, but I couldn't find one with my classroom color scheme. So off to Jo-Ann Fabrics. I found the fabric, the vinyl, and the foam... plus I had a 40% off coupon, SCORE! After a little cutting and a million staples they're done! The will be great in my classroom library!

I have also been planning... I will be teaching Treasures this year, which is new to me, and it uses a form of workstations. So I went to "my gal" Debbie and have been furiously reading this book to gather my workstation ideas.

Super informational...  and I am putting together a workstation pack freebie that should be finished on Tuesday. So make sure to check back!

I have been doing pretty well and getting to the things on my Summer Bucket List. But, the Mr. and I won't be going camping this summer (giant sad face). We just can't make it fit in. So we have been exploring our own county and its plethora of state and regional parks for some day trips, hiking and picnics :)This was our latest trip to see a local waterfall :)

Happy Sunday everyone :)

the classroom library

I have been contemplating my classroom library lately because since moving to a new room I have the chance to really rethink my library and make it more organized and manageable!

In my last room my library consisted of a rain gutter shelf (do you see it? its yellow) and a front facing display shelf (on the far right). They held a decent amount of books and fit my room well.

But this did not a classroom library make... it was tricky to keep organized and just wasn't what I wanted.

So... as I move into my new room and have more space for a true classroom library I want it to resemble something like this:

(source)

I mean holy batman! That is a beautifully organized library! Definite Classroom Envy! I want that! I need that!

So I am jumping right in. I went shopping to see what was out there and came home with these lovelies :) They are the perfect size for books and will look great on the black shelves I bought.

Of course Dollar Tree only had 5 (isn't that always the case). So now to scour all the remaining stores in the area to wrangle up about two dozen more!

With the hunt for baskets on I decided to come up with a label system too, that way I know exactly how many baskets I need. I am really digging these bright colors, so all my labels are bright and cheery.

If you are thinking about updating or adding labels, you can find this set in my TPT store :) It includes basket labels, display posters, genre cards and a bit more... And they match the "sorry we missed you cards" freebie from the other day. Click here if you missed that one!

I have a feeling there will be a lot more to come :) I will keep posting about my library in the weeks to come, so stay tuned! There are poms and repainting and a bunch to do!

Have an amazing Saturday!

a winner, a new room and a freebie

Thanks to those of you who played along to win my I Love America Unit... And the winner is....

Heather! 

Woo Hoo! Check your email!

On another note, I got my keys to my new room today and I get to move my things in starting Monday :) But no working yet... custodians won't be finished until July, so I have some more time to relax!

Here's pics of my room as of now... 

See those purple and gold sound boards! YIKES!! I don't know exactly what I'm going to do with them. Any ideas?  I guess I have some work ahead of me, but I'm super excited!

And a freebie... I need some sort of "out of the classroom" system so I created these cards to hang on the doorknob as we leave. I hope they work for you! Click the pic to download and don't forget to let me know what you think :)

Summer time... and the living is easy!

Hi all!

I know it has been a while, but honestly I have been enjoying my break. The Mr. still has one more week of school (poor him) so I have been relaxing, watching TV...Hatfields and McCoys!!! and hitting some things from my bucket list :)

Here's my tool box! I love it and it will be great in my new room!

This fabric will eventually be my classroom banner...

I worked on this project for my classroom too! I think it will be cute hanging by my desk. A good friend at my old school gave it to me as a parting gift, and I spiced it up with some ribbon...

I also had a chance to work on a unit I have been trying to finish ALL YEAR! My I Love America unit is finally finished! It is jam packed with graphic organizers, my favorite group project and a few centers for just $4! You can pick it up at my TPT store.

all this and SO much more :)

If you want one for free... leave a comment about your favorite group project you do during the school year! I'll pick a winner on Wednesday night!

Also... thinking ahead for next year I discovered this post at First Grader at Last on her behavior catalog!!! Why did I not think of this!?! I loathe the treasure box and this is my ticket out of it... hooray... Now I just have to make one-- a.k.a buy some super cute clip art :) Ill post pics when it's finished!

ok.. that's it for now. Don't forget to leave your comment!

See you soon