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Saturday, August 17, 2013

Classroom is Finally Done...Well, Almost

Hello!
 
Meet Your Teacher was yesterday and what a FABULOUS turnout. I had 20 out of 21 students attend, which was an AWESOME turnout! The other student's mom works at my husband's school, so she sent me a message that she was trying to get her room ready too (I understand!). This is going to an amazing year with wonderful students. MANY of my students popped in from last year...YEAH! I was very disappointed they were not in my class again, but they are in the room next to me, so I can still see them everyday! A few of my former students from years ago even stopped by which always makes it better. Kids sure do grow fast!
 
I wanted to share my classroom pictures (there are LOTS of them) since I have been working on it for the past couple of weeks and haven't been making many other projects.
I re-did my bulletin boards and file cabinet by my desk. For the past five years I had a HUGE moose, but I decided it was time for him to go on a nature walk. I replaced green fabric with black and then doubled the polka dot borders. I found three education quotes and framed them on the left. I made my name banner on the right.
 
Click on the pictures to enlarge.


My new word wall.
I added the BW pennant border (there was none before) and cut out black letters from Plantin Schoolbook.
Skills of the Week
This is new. I wrote the Unit Essential Question on each document frame (same size as copy paper, so do not get picture frames) with Expo marker. The skill can be changed as the unit changes. Lesson Questions will be written at the front of room.  
My daughter repainted this bookshelf to freshen the crisp white look. I replaced the baskets (Dollar Tree) with yellow. Students are able to get supplies independently.
My daughter painted this file cabinet black and then I added the double border. I created our PBS (positive behavior system) moto reminders...SOAR. 
Another bookshelf, but this one did not need to be painted since it is newer. I added pennant border to the top shelf. I forgot to take a picture of the other side of my file cabinet, but will add later. I have individual pocket charts (attached with magnets) that are numbered for Ticket out the Door. 
This is the front of classroom. I added pennant border and created a polka dot Powerpoint, which rotated as parents and students visited.
The books are being switched out this weekend from 4th grade to 5th grade editions. I will be in the class again to organize them before Monday morning.
 
Daily Schedule
The black fabric as replaced on the doors and I switched my blue pocket chart to yellow. 
 Science and Social Studies Boards
More black fabric and double polka dot border.
AR Incentive Chart along with my clothespin on 5 points.
Reading Area 
I replaced my file folders with new ones form Ikea (5 pack for $1.99). I trimmed with green polka dot decorative tape and yellow labels. I have three more boxes to label once I add a few more themes. I also replaced my old red carpet with a black one.
Student Desks
The baskets, treats, and name tags.


I posted the baskets and bookmarks earlier in the week, but here are the treats. YES, more polka dots!
Here are the two sayings I used...
This year will be bursting with lots of learning!
I’m bursting with excitement that you’re in my class!
 
I was told after Meet Your Teacher the students went to the Assistant Principal and said I had dots ALL over the room, so that gave me another idea. BIG polka dots on the walls! I do not want to paint them (not sure of policy), but vinyl dots scattered about!
 
Thanks for checking out my class photos!
Georgiana

Monday, August 12, 2013

Classroom Makeover Projects with Monday Made It

What a busy two to three weeks it has been! Redecorating a classroom after 5 years sure is hard work...and time consuming! (That is why I haven't posted other projects.)
 
My daughter and I went to school a couple times during the past two to three weeks even though the air conditioner was not on and I have been working at home trying to get more projects completed. She painted two file cabinets black and two bookshelves white. I replaced fabric on bulletin boards and doors, reorganized my desk, removed old posters, added bulletin board to my two whiteboards, created skills and literacy center signs, and sorted thru some class sets of chapter books that have never been read ( I couldn't pass up $1 books from Scholastic Book Club!). I STILL have more to do this week before Meet Your Teacher on Friday!
 
Here are a few other projects that I have worked on since the AR Incentive pins...  
 
Project #1
Pencil Cup Holders
Here are my supplies to prepare the pencil holders. I found these 31 oz plastic tumblers at Walmart...4 in a package for a $1. 
 Each cup is wrapped in green polka dot decorative tape to match my AR incentive pins along with a matching yellow bow. I used Scotch quick dry glue to adhere the bows.
 My new toy!
I purchased this home thermal Scotch laminator at Walmart for $24.97 and it included bonus pouches. I was a bit worried that my tags might get ruined since I hadn't used this model before, but it worked like a charm! I am ready to laminate some more projects!


Project #2
Group Baskets
Sorry for the picture quality...I was still trying to figure out how to use my new phone.
The yellow baskets are from Dollar Tree. I cut the numbers with my Cricut, and the labels are from the BW set. One label was too big for the front of the basket, so I cut them in half and tied them on with yellow ribbon.
 
Project #3
Labeled Clock
I cut out the black (shadow feature) and yellow arrows with my Cricut. I created the times using Word.  If you would like the document sent to you, just leave me a message.
 
Project #4
 Skills of the Week Frames
Last year I had the Essential Question written on sentence strips taped to the front board. Now I have each skill in a frame, so I can change either the Unit Question or Lesson Question. I definitely like how this looks much better. Note...That is one of the bookshelves that my daughter painted. I replaced all the baskets this year too.

Project #5
Bookmarks
My friend gave me these blank white bookmarks. I knew I could use them! I just had to figure out how to make them coordinate with the rest of the décor.
After brainstorming, I decided to use the same colors in the class for the ribbon and then I printed READ from Kate's ABCs Cricut cartridge (p. 59 cut at 2 3/4").
Next...DOTS! I cut out various sized dots and glued them randomly. Yes, I glued each individual dot, BUT it was actually fun to make all the different patterns. I made 23 bookmarks.

This is only my second time sharing at Monday Made It at 4th Grade Frolics , but I hope to be able to post again since I enjoy making projects for my class. Also, I will be hosting the Scrapbooking Club after school for the fourth year and the students love to share what they make!
 
Hoping you have a great school year!
Georgiana

Saturday, August 10, 2013

It's a Bird...No, It's Two Birds

This is my last weekend before school starts, then it is time to get back into a regular routine. I am going to work in my classroom this weekend and do some de-cluttering. I have been teaching for 13 years and I have collected some "stuff". Time to share with others!  
 
Today is my day at Exploring Cricut.
This will be my last month on this design team, then I will be focusing on school (moving back to 5th grade, new reading curriculum, supervising a FT intern, and Common Core). I am hoping my "down" time can be used to create freely, so I can enter some challenges.
This cardinal was cut from Winter Woodland (p. 59) at 2". Although this may be a winter cartridge, there are many other options if you pull it out during the other times of the year.
These yellow flowers are self adhesive (I did not make them.). Trying to use some of the supplies that have accumulated.
I used a former sketch to create both of these cards.
This party bird was cut from Birthday Cakes (p. 43) at 2". I used Plantin Schoolbook for the font, which was cut 1/2".
 Can you tell this person's favorite color is purple?
Other Materials: 
K & Company paper
purple and white card stock
yellow pearls
yellow ribbon
 red button
brown braided cord
purple gems
Spellbinders ~ Picot Edge Circle

This summer has flown by just as my birds stopped by today.
 
Be sure to come back on Monday for the new Exploring Cricut challenge.
 
Stay Creative,
Georgiana

Friday, August 9, 2013

Day at the Beach at Little Scrap Pieces

Hello Friends,
 
Today brings a new challenge at Little Scrap Pieces. This will be our last one since many of the design team members have other commitments, but we hope to be back in the near future. 
 
 The Challenge...Day at the Beach
My daughter (along with one of her friends) and I went to Flagler Beach on Wednesday and what a beautiful day it was. We brought our beach chairs and relaxed while the waves crashed against the shore.  We saw a few Moon jellyfish, but no dolphins. 
 Who doesn't love to build a sand castle still?!?!
Materials:
beach pattern paper from scrap box
kraft, blue, brown, and orange card stock
Life's a Beach Cricut cartridge
brown gems
twine
 
Flagler Beach, Florida
Love this beach since you cannot park on the sand and there are only a few people around you.
 
Moon Jellyfish
My daughter took this picture...the jellyfish was about 12 inches in diameter. Last time we went to the beach they were only about 3 inches.
Hope you will join us at Little Scrap Pieces for our "Day at the Beach" challenge.

Be sure to stop by and see the other Design Team projects!
Stay Creative,
Georgiana

Friday, August 2, 2013

Tag, You're It! at Little Scrap Pieces

Hello Crafty Friends,
 
Today brings a new challenge at Little Scrap Pieces.
 
The Challenge...Tags
Your tag can be square, round, rectangle. You can tie ribbon, twine, or add gems. Be creative and choose your own theme.
 
 Here is my Design Team project...
I never seem to have tags on hand, so I made a variety...birthday, best wishes, and thank you.
I used the same colors and embellishments from K & Company.


 
 Other Materials:
cream card stock
Sentimentals Cricut cartridge ~ tag (p. 68) cut at 3 3/4"
K & Company pattern paper
blue, green, and cream ribbon
silver and blue gems
 
Hope you will join us at Little Scrap Pieces for our "Tag, You're It!" challenge. You might make a Birthday, Thinking of You, or a Thank You tag. You get to choose!

Be sure to stop by and see the other Design Team tags. Oooh, and check out that ribbon, which is this week's prize

Stay Creative,
Georgiana

Thursday, August 1, 2013

2 Creative Chicks Challenge ~ Anything for Kids

It's time for another challenge at...


This Month's Challenge...
Anything Goes for Kids
Begins: Thursday, August 1st
Ends: Saturday, August 31st

How fun...anything for a kid. My first thought was a school theme since that happens to be on my mind a lot, but then I asked what would a little boy or girl prefer. Girls like flowers and dolls, and boys like sports and toys. I chose...
A Train
I used black craft thread to make a trail of smoke. Kids love the extra texture.
I used the following sketch from 2 Sisters Challenge.
Materials:
My Mind'e Eye paper ~ Lime Twist
black card stock
Boys Will Be Boys Cricut cartridge ~ train (p. 60) cut at 2 1/4"
 black craft thread
teal ink
teal gems

Sponsors this month are:
My Crafting Channel
Prize: $10.00 Amazon GC

 

My Scrap Chick
Prize $10.00 Gift Card

Creative Bug Digis
Prize: 10 Free Digi Files Winner's Choice

Little Scraps of Heaven Designs
$15.00 GC

Hope you will join us at 2 Creative Chicks for the "Anything for Kids" challenge. What will you make for a child?

Stay Creative,
Georgiana