It's always more fun to DIY!

I have been 'kindergarten blogging' for less than a year and as I was packing up my classroom I came across some fun things I realized have not been blogged about yet.  1. Crate Seats 2. Refurbished file cabinet

More than a year ago I came across the wonderful crate seat invention. Cute and incredibly useful in the classroom. Double the fun! I went out and purchased 5 quality crate seats. I knew I didn't want the cheapy ones since they would be sat on A LOT. I think I ended up buying them from Office Depot for about $8/each. Next, I took some scrap pieces of wood, about 1" thick. I passed those pieces and the crates off to the woodworking teacher at my school and he cut and sanded them down, so nicely I almost didn't want to cover them! The wood pieces fit perfectly inside the lip of the crate. Then, I went to my local craft store and purchased foam (about 3/4 inch think). This was a bit more expensive than I expected but you gotta love those 40% coupons! Finally, I purchased my fabric. It just had to be polka dots, the alphabet was just an added bonus ;)

 Once those pieces are completed, the crates are really quite simple to assemble. Cut your foam to rest inside the wood seat, cut your fabric to wrap around all edges, then staple gun your way around on the bottom side, nice and tight. Done! These seats worked fabulously in my classroom this year and I'm happy to say that I even occasionally used them as a seat for myself. I'd say that makes them a success! 

Next up was my file cabinet. I had an UGLY file cabinet in my classroom last year. It was old, stained, rusted, and just yucky. Who wants kids and parents to have to see that yuck? I didn't, so I made a plan to rescue it. I decided I would tape over my handles and just leave them be. I knew once I painted my cabinet the handles wouldn't stand out. I bought several cans of matte spray paint and painted the front, one side, the top, and just a little on the back. I didn't paint the back until it was a perfect blue since I knew it would be against the wall. Then I bought a can of black chalkboard paint and painted the one side I knew the kids would have access to. Works like a charm! The final touch, which made more of a difference than I would have expected, are the little pieces of scrapbook paper in the drawer label area. I just love a successful DIY!

Anyone else have some DIY success in your classroom?
Adrienne

Fan Freebie #2...

What a week! I Teach K was awesome and I can't wait to implement some of those wonderful ideas. I'm especially excited to improve my iPad (and iPod) effectiveness within my classroom. Once I get settled in my new classroom I will post some awesome apps that I hope to explore with my kiddos this year. Until then, I posted my second fan freebie on Facebook! It is a simple left and right game your kiddos can enjoy with a partner. I plan to print off enough for my entire class to work in pairs and play at the same time! Enjoy!

Adrienne

DIY Class and new adventures...

My school runs a fabulous summer school program each year! We offer nearly every type of class you can think of- reading, writing, math, cooking, woodworking, nature, sewing, skateboard making, science, and so much more. The kids sign up for two new classes each week. This week I taught a DIY class. We had such a great time making fun Pinterest-y crafts. Take a look!

Now, speaking of 'my school,' on a bittersweet note, 'my school' is not my school anymore. This was my last week teaching there. I accepted a position at another private school about 45 minutes away. I am so excited for this new adventure as I will get to continue teaching kindergarten, but starting over is always a bit overwhelming. New students, new families, new curriculum, new coworkers, new schedules, new new new. Yikes, I'm tired just thinking about all that new! Anyways, I will be posting pictures of my new classroom when I'm in and settled. I can't wait to share in this adventure with each of you! But first, Vegas (I Teach K) here I come!

Adrienne

Fan Freebies!

Whew, what a process! I'm working hard to install my 'Fan Freebies' tab on my Facebook page. Here is the first freebie I'll be posting. Check it out!  

Here's to hoping I can figure this thing out! :) 
Adrienne

Back to School Linky...

 As the summer flies by, I am beginning to think about the fun and effective back to school activities, crafts, and materials that I want to plan for my kiddos for the first month of school. Link up here to post your "must have" back to school products! It will remain open until August 15. Feel free to pass this post on to your blogger friends and be sure to come back and look through some of the awesome resources posted over the next month.



Adrienne

Bloglovin...

 Google Reader is going bye-bye so click on my Bloglovin icon (on the right hand side of this page) to follow me there! With the start of a new school year comes new projects, ideas, tips, and products! Don't miss out!

<a href="http://www.bloglovin.com/blog/5668015/?claim=ggtsvnm8db9">Follow my blog with Bloglovin</a>

Adrienne

1st day memory maker...

Today, I want to share one of my favorite first day of school memory makers. I put together this special frame and took each of my students' pictures holding it. Afterwards, I printed, backed, and laminated each picture and passed them out to the parents at Back to School Night. They were a huge hit and something I must do every year!

The frame was super easy to make. First, I purchased a large, cheapy frame. I was super excited when I found a blue frame as that cut out one step in my process, having to paint an unfinished frame. There was a downfall to this though. This particular frame from IKEA is super slick so once I had my product completed, I had to be very gentle with it as the letters popped off pretty easily. Now that I think about it, maybe an unfinished frame would've been easier ;) Do as you wish! Next, I found wooden letters and a few stars from Hobby Lobby and painted them to my liking. Finally, I glued my cutsie letters onto the frame! Done!

What are your favorite first day memory makers?

Adrienne