Another DIY Summer...

Summer is the absolute best time of the year for planning CRAFTING! Over the course of each school year, my Pinterest boards become full of classroom do-it-yourself projects that I just don't have the time to complete during the school year...then comes summer! Since I've been out of the blogging world for much of the last year, I thought I'd start my comeback (crossing my fingers) with some pictures of projects I've accomplished over the last few months. I will go ahead and include links, if I have them, to the original ideas. Let me know if you have any questions of any of the projects included here!

Here. we. go.
1. The Teacher's To-Do list dry erase frame, extra crayon storage, and cutsied dollar baskets

2. I mad 5 frog hats to be used when my kiddos sing songs like '5 Little Speckled Frogs.' It will help to give my kiddos a concrete example of numbers.

Frog hat tutorial

3. A class set of number bond mats-These were super easy using my Silhouette Cameo!

Mat Inspiration

 4. I can't relate to having misplaced library books in MY kindergarten classroom. Said no teacher ever :) This year I decided to make some library markers to help my kiddos mark the bucket they took their book from from (hopefully) a more accurate return.

5. Glitter clothespins with tacs glued to the back for easy placement on my bulletin boards. I am in love with how these turned out. A few things I learned in this process-super fine glitter works best...be sure to apply your glue in a smooth layer to make the final product appear even...top with a coat of mod podge, so you aren't finding glitter around your room all year long!

6. This summer I tackled a class set of seat sacks. I cannot wait to use these! I am also in love with how these turned out...The tutorial is super easy to follow and I highly recommend these for any primary classroom.

Seat Sack Tutorial

 7. Zero the Hero cape- I plan to use this cape on every tenth day of school when zero the hero comes to visit...one of many behavior incentives. One lucky student will find this cape draped over their chair in the morning and will get to wear it during school for that day. I just might have to 'demonstrate' its awesomeness for a day too :) I made one adjustment from the tutorial below. Instead of a velcro or magnetic closure, I inserted a button. I also thought that ribbon could be a cute touch too, but I didn't want to deal with tying a bow or knot all day long.

Simple Cape Tutorial

8. Ombre Wooden Crates- I teach in a shared space classroom and am in serious need of more storage. These crates will help store my theme binders and will look super cute in the meantime. The crates were on sale at Joann's for $9.99, then I used a wonderful 25% off entire purchase coupon. YES!

I hope you found something helpful, useful, or just plain cute in this post!

Adrienne

Pumpkins and RRW...

I'm trying not to be MIA but it sure has been tough keeping up! I promise I'll try to get better...Last week was Red Ribbon Week. I am just LOVING how our class poster turned out! This is perfect for this week, Owls!

We been having pumpkin fun for the last few weeks. We had our first field trip to the pumpkin patch. What a blast! Below are just a few centers we've been working on. They are from my Pumpkin Math and Literacy Unit.

Stamping color words

Number puzzles

Uppercase/lowercase Match

Ordering numbers 1-30

The pumpkin/fall fun continues! We carved our class pumpkin, after each kiddo had a chance to dig out some yuck, then lit a candle and enjoyed the beauty :)

 After our pumpkin patch field trip, where each student got to take home their own small pumpkin, we did some investigating. So many fun activities to practice such important skills.

This is random, but since I've been away, I thought I'd throw this one in. I am doing a Scientist of the Week this year, and it's AWESOME! I put together a book of experiments, including a lab coat and goggles. Every Friday, one student (and their assistant, otherwise known as a parent) presents their chosen experiment to the class. I am just loving it!

 We've also enjoyed some baking projects, including candy corn sugar cookies. 

Here's to hoping the next blog isn't a month away! :)
Adrienne

Yikes! Where has the time gone?

Does anyone else feel like there just aren't enough hours in the day? I'm finally starting to feel like I can keep my head above water, now that we're a month into school. I'm going to try and get myself back in the habit of sharing some fun center and other classroom idea. To start, I'm going to share some random things from the first month. Here goes nothin...

Centers are off to a great start! We spend about 30 minutes each day in centers and the kiddos are working so hard practicing their routines of working independently, cleaning up, and transitioning.

We have awesome interactive whiteboards this year. I am amazed at just how many different things we can do with them. Here are the kiddos working on sight words.

Just in the last month we've worked our way through Kissing Hand, Chicka Chicka Boom Boom, Brown Bear, and now we're just about finished with our Apple unit...Yikes, no wonder I can't keep everything straight!

I am so thrilled I found this cute idea!! We are loving having popcorn whenever we add words to our popcorn word wall. Such a fun addition!

Finally, here are a few of our apple centers from last week.

Apple Matching FREEBIE

Number Writing practice from my Apple Unit

Ordering Apples

Apple Emergent Reader by DeeDee Wills

I'm feeling like I'm due for another big project, and since the need is there, here's what I'm thinking...

Click here for a tutorial to make your own!

Have an awesome week!
Adrienne

My Classroom...FINALLY!

I finally have a moment to post some pictures of my new classroom...first, a little background...I work at a church/school property. The church uses our classrooms on Wednesdays and Sundays so we have to put EVERYTHING away, into a corner, on the weekend (except for what is on the walls). With that said, I do not have the freedom I'd like to decorate around the room, but I am pleased with how the room is put together, for now :)  Please excuse some of my clutter, it's all put away now!

 

I can't wait for the adventures that are to come in this classroom!
Adrienne

Back to School: Sale and Goodies

Tomorrow is my first official reporting day at my new school. I am so excited to start this new journey and can't wait for the ride to begin. My classroom isn't finished being painted so I'm going to have to wait a day or two to actually get settled. Until I can post some pics of my room, I have a few small projects to share with you.

Painted cork boards with button pins for my reading groups...Super cute and easy!

Pretzel Apples from http://makebakecelebrate.blogspot.com/2012/08/back-to-school-treat-apple-pretzels.html

One more thing...It is NOT too late to go shopping for some new back to school goodies on TpT and get an awesome 28% off when you combine the 20% off in my store and the TpT promo code! Click here to head on over and check it out! 

Adrienne

Common Core and a Freebie...

I don't know about you, but as go-time gets closer, I get more and more antsy. I am SO ready to just get in my room and get things going! There's nothing like laying in bed at 2 am thinking about all the things that need to get done. However, I'm positive I'm not the only teacher with that problem! So, what do I do while waiting to get into my room?...make fun things for my kiddos! I am really excited to share these products with you today.

The first is Monkey Business: Place Value. This pack includes three place value activities for centers/small groups. Click on the picture to view the details and preview on TpT.

Next is a pack for Decomposing Numbers. This pack includes work mats for numbers 1-10 and recording sheets for their findings. Your kiddos will love working with cheerios, m&ms, skittles, little erasers, or any other small objets for counting. Click on the picture to view this product on TpT.

Finally, a Fan FREEBIE! Behavior charts are a must have in any primary classroom. We all have at least one child that needs this visual incentive to help them stay on task and focused in the classroom. This is available as a free download for my Facebook fans!

One more thing...About a month ago, I began a Back to School Linky Party here on my blog. There are more than 100 awesome activities that you all should check out as you get ready to start school. Here is the link for the post: http://adriennepepe.blogspot.com/2013/07/back-to-school-linky.html

Enjoy!

Adrienne

More DIY...

It's crunch time! I'm working on finishing up those last minute details before getting into my room and tackling the set up and logistics of a new room at a new school. Library pillows. Check. I'm hoping these directions make sense. Please let me know if they seem foreign! Gotta get my brain out of summer mode.

Adrienne