Keeping busy this summer making more DIY projects for my classroom! Some for my future classroom and some for my reading group class. 

RIT dyed clothespins & popsicle sticks:

SMARTY PANTS! 

I took the game Ants in Pants I got for free, added some glitter and made myself some smarty pants. This will be used seldom and at random, but when I feel a kid has asked a great question or answered a hard one, they will get some "smarties" from the smarty pants. 

This alligator is made from a dish washing tablet container, he can be used for all sorts of games in math or reading. Such as: Pick out a letter from Mr. Alligator's mouth and read the letter, or solve the problem 3 X 5 on the card. It can be adapted for any game or concept.

In my reading groups I have a hard time getting kids to follow along with their finger in the books. I made these pointers to help the students remember to follow along...

These are popsicle sticks with velcro on each end that can be used for making shapes in math lessons: 

I modge podged some scrapbook paper and glitter to the front of clothespins and hot-glued a tac to the back of them so I can easily display student work or other things on bulletin boards without poking a hole in the paper, plus it is much prettier!

I made MAGIC "E" wands out of glitter pipe cleaners and glitter foam that I glued to dowel sticks. The magic "E" wand is helpful and fun when teaching students how to say words that end in a letter "e". For example: cub ----> cube (the first vowel says it's name when the magic e is on the end of a word.)

I will end this post with my "quiet critters", I had a lot of fun making these little guys...

These will come out when a student is being extra quiet and following directions, they just might look up and see a quiet critter friend on their desk to say "thank you!" :)

It's been a while since I've updated this! I'm actually packing things up around here now. 5 more days of school! We are going to be in a new room next year and have to clear out this room to make room for all day kindergartners! Here are some projects I've worked on here and there throughout the year:

 

I have discovered Mod Podge and have gone NUTS! :) I even made some of my own Mod Podge (much, much cheaper than buying it) Equal parts glue and water and shake! Instant Mod Podge! My new love affair with this glue has lead me to one goal: MUST MAKE ALL CONTAINERS CUTE! Ha! I've been collecting (with the help of my family) containers of all shapes and sizes. Add some scrapbook paper and VIOLA! Cheap and adorable storage solutions! Resourceful AND easy on the wallet.
 

The bird container stores some very special pins used during my guided reading groups.

(Wow, these are a big deal to kiddos.)

 READ bookmarks with story prompts and questions to ask after reading are stored inside the Pirates.

I use binders to house my games/word sorts/etc. But they are busting at the seams! I will need to think of a more practical storage for these guided reading tools. 

I came across a book at the library with reproducible word wheels, of course I began the long task of coloring, cutting and laminating. After all of that I'm pretty pleased with the result:

Each "word family" wheel turns to make a new word within that particular word family: cake, lake, snake The student reads the word and if they need a hint they can lift the flap and use the picture for a clue.

*******************************************************************

The school year my be ending but I'm constantly working toward my ultimate goal, to have my very own classroom! I am still collecting containers and am currently in the process of covering all of them to use in my classroom someday. I figure I will put in the hard work now so that when it finally happens I can focus less on vanity items and more on teaching. Oh who am I kidding, I will always be worried about things looking & being    j-u-s-t   s-o,  but this will make me that much more ahead!

 

While adding these pictures I came across this adorable picture of my niece, Karley, who will be 2 tomorrow! WDT! 

  If this smile doesn't make you smile, check your pulse.

Organization!

Still busy getting myself organized and my room ready!

 I've collected SO MANY papers from trainings and just in general that I must keep that it was stressing me out! Problem solved! Divide the papers up into categories and make books of all the information. I've made 3 so far. So next time I have to administer a test, or check on the districts leveling expectations I know right where to look and can grab the book for reference! Viola! 

I have made practice pages for students to practice various reading skills to use if a lesson gets over a little early or just as a lesson filler here are some examples:

They can write on these worksheets with a dry erase marker and wipe it off to reuse again and again!

I also laminated some paper with lines to practice writing things to save on paper!

I found this poster on Pinterest and decided to make it, I needed it in my room! It is so cute..."When two vowels go walkin', the first vowel does the talkin'."

 Great reading comprehension bookmarks I found to give to the students after reading a story to get them thinking about what they just read. 

Story wheel and Non-fiction reading response cards.

I decided to make a comfortable reading area so students can read while I work with a student individually on a particular task if necessary. 

Trying to get them to understand what they are saying out loud. Is it the right word? :)

Come on in...

Here is a look into my space at Deerfield (my home base school).



View as you walk into my section.

Bookshelf. Not much on it yet!

Dr. Seuss Poster I made.

"Vowel Sounds" posters I made. 

Main Idea/Details & Text Features posters for the older ones.

My desk! Nice and tidy, the way I like it! ;)

Of course I have to display my favorite author/illustrator's work, Bill Peet.

I have a window, I was very excited about this! The other side of the room has no windows and I love natural light and NEED to see outside periodiclly for my sanity.

Also displayed: festive Valentine window clings!

Please Recycle!

Bookshelves

Each tub has the weekly lesson materials for each group I see

Animated Alphabet display.

This is where all the reading group action takes place! Right at the kidney table! 

On the "wall" behind the table I have reading genre posters

This shelf is behind the table with any materials I may need for groups.

Pencils, crayons, markers, colored pencils, dry erase markers and a fold-up white board.

Individual white boards, pointers, timer and "whisper phones".

This is a "whisper phone" it is part of a PVC pipe that students use when they need to read aloud while at the same time not disturbing others. The student talks into one end of the phone and can hear themselves reading through the other end!

Flashcards, magnetic letters and daily behavior materials. The green accordian file holds notecards for each group member. Each day students can earn (rather lose due to behavior) a stamp or sticker, on Friday if they have all them they get a "Deer Buck" that is used for various items or privliges in their classrooms.

ABC manipulatives I made to use out of cut & laminated magazine letters.

Also a great way to recycle those old magazines!

I hope you enjoyed peeking into my room. There will be more to come, I am currently working various projects and making games to do with the students and will post those soon!