Monday Made It EARLY - Lamination Time

The weekends sure fly by, don't they?!?

Yes, a double post today.  You might not hear from me for a while...

Linking up with Tara to share what I've been up to lately.  I haven't been crafty unless you count laminating.  I haven't even been able to create anything lately (which stinks because I really need to for my own class), more just laminating,cleaning, and grading.

So what have I been laminating today?  

Random Grouping Cards from Nicholas Reitz (Sweet Rhyme - Pure Reason).  I love to sometimes give my class options for partners, sometimes I need to place them with specific people, and sometimes I just need to mix them up so they aren't always with the same people. 

I also decided to post my schedule with times this year for my kids.  Usually I have the subjects written down, but I am tired of the kids asking me how much more time until recess/PE/lunch/etc...  Anyhow, I found this editable version from the Fourth Grade Flipper and decided I needed it NOW.  :)

I've also been getting ready for our big regions week - Friday we will be making our annual Salt Dough Maps.  My class will be using this game from 4th Grade 4ever to help review.  We will also be using my California Regions Research, Writing, and Activity Pack.

Such a busy time of year.  :)  Hope you have a great week!

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Monday Made It - Being Practical (and a Freebie)

It's Monday Made It!  Linking up with Tara to share what I've been up to lately.

This past weekend was lovely - other than the youngest being sick.  I had a debate going on between my laminator and my Kindle - both wanted me to spend time with them.  The laminator won for a bit, until I ran out of laminating pouches - then my Kindle was happy.

I know!  The horror of running out of laminating pouches!  I rushed over to Amazon to get an order pronto... and saw that on May 8th (my birthday) I ordered 5 boxes of laminating pouches - which means since then I've gone through all 500 (plus the random ones I had around).  That's a lot of laminating...

I think I have an addiction.

I also completed a bunch of random gotta-do-it-soon projects for school.  Not super crafty - just needed to get them done.

Onto the projects:

*Last year I used those crafting boxes for my ear buds - which was fine, but the cords didn't stay wrapped (since 9 and 10 year olds have a hard time wrapping anything into little spaces) and only having 2 boxes caused a traffic jam when it was time to get them out - so this year I'm switching to the baggie method.

My husband detangled the mess of cords and separated them out into individual sandwich baggies (this was after they were all thoroughly cleaned).  Then I stuck numbered name tags on them.  Easy.  They are going to be able to keep them at their tables.

*I laminated a bunch (before I ran out of pouches).  Back in the spring, I received the 4th grade Common Core Resources (which includes an activity for each math and ELA standard) because I gave it a shout out on the blog.  I wanted to print it, but it was 853 pages long.  Color ink was too much (going to run over $300) through district printing, so they printed it all in B/W for $24.  Much better deal though not as cute!  I mainly wanted all those resources at my fingertips though, so I dealt with it.

Anyway, my summer project was taking each standard, sorting it into file folders, and then laminating the games of each standard - before I stuck it into my standard activity sorters at school.  I am almost done!  Just need 5-8 business days for my pouches to show up...

*I also spent time on the computer updating my class webpage with my new BTSN packet, and changed out all of the Unit 5 stuff back to Unit 1.  I'm sending out my welcome postcards soon to my new students - and it says to go check the webpage for more information on supplies and our year together.  Had to get that done!

*Then I went over to Spelling City and updated my list there too - last year I started using the site in Unit 2 - kinda important to add Unit 1 to the mix.

*Last night I made up my goldfish welcome bags.  I found my last 4 remaining laminating pouches (tucked under some card stock) and turned my bookmarks from last year into smaller rectangles - 9 per page.  Why is the text in blue?  Because I'm also out of black ink.  Have the other colors - but not black...  Anyhow, because of the encouragement of some nice teachers over on Instagram, I made up similar sheets for Preschool - 5th grade.  They are free over on TPT.

  There was other stuff - but you probably already saw my classroom with all the pictures I took this past week.  It's been quite the week of organizing and cleaning and more organizing.  2 days left of summer...

Have a great day!

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Monday Made It - First Day in the Classroom

Linking up with Tara to share what I accomplished today.  I've already shared a bunch lately about all the projects I've tackled... so here's what I did in my classroom on the first day back.  

First, some before pictures... I did get some bulletin boards started on that last day of school before I checked out.  It was sweet relief walking in being reminded of everything that was done.  

This was about halfway through the day - everything unloaded from storage, desks and furniture arranged, my new blue storage bins unloaded and things starting to be put away - every surface is still covered...

Then, here's how it looked when I left today.  My husband and boys helped bring all the stuff in, and then they left so I could think straight.  

It took me 14 years to figure out to put wide ribbon on the base of all my bulletin boards.  I let the kids sit on the ground a lot, so the paper borders never hold up.  I hold everything in place with pushpins until it's staple time.  

I put up the goals and bucket fillers under the whiteboard, and put border around the board.  It's not done yet...

I hung new fabric on this wall, and then separated out all the different notebooks vs texts against the wall.  I now have a big carpet space going into this next year.

I changed up my word wall to this bulletin board.  I think I'm going to add some clothespins on the tops of the pendants...

This was my Scholastic Bonus Point purchase last year - Super Hero Parts of speech.  

Thought clouds come from Tonya's Treats for Teachers.

Last year I used those red Silo cups to hold Marzano's Thought Clouds - this year I picked up some metal buckets from Target's Dollar Spot.  Definitely more sturdy.

Daily 5 and Math Rotations come from 4th Grade Frolics.

On my big black metal thing, I hung up a pocket chart and stuck both the rotations for Daily 5 and Math.

My behavior chart is ready to go - up and down

This is also from 4th Grade Frolics.

 Comprehension Levels are above the whiteboard now too.

Ladybug's Teacher Files VOICES bulletin board set.

Finally, I reworked my Voices board... still have more to add to this board though.   

Well, that took about 5 hours non stop....

More on tap for tomorrow, my parents are taking the boys all day to visit them... so I have the whole day to keep on working.  My goal is to get as much done these couple of days so I can sit back and breathe those 2 days before meetings start next week.  Check back in to see what got finished!

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Monday Made It & 500 Follower Giveaway {Day 1}

It's Monday!!  I have 5 projects to link up with Tara today.  This is also Day 1 of a week long celebration for my 500+ followers on the blog and on Facebook.  Make sure to check the bottom of the post to get credit!  Get ready for a week of FUN!

Monday Made It #1  

I picked up these drawer storage things at Big Lots during their 20% sale yesterday.  They are 41 inches tall.  At the time I got them I knew I wanted to use them, but wasn't exactly sure... until I looked at the state standards for ELA and Math.  I know there are 5 math strands, and more than that of ELA - but task card wise it's going to be perfect.  

I just typed up the different areas, glued/laminated them on some fun school cardstock, and then taped them inside the drawers.  I will most likely need to go back and use packing tape to hold them in place (the lamination did not want to bend in the drawers).  The packing tape is at school though...  

Taa-Daa!  I'm so happy with how they turned out.  

Monday Made It #2

Next up - in case you missed them the other day - I've been busy on TPT this week making up a bunch of Read Aloud Mini Packs.  I'm up to about 20 of them...  They are free and maybe they can help someone.  Here's what I have so far.  

Monday Made It #3

I made up a Patience Level last night too.  You might have seen it over on Instagram.

I was so excited about it last night.  :)

First up I painted yard sticks (68 cents at Home Depot).  I only used one of them for this project.  Then I used clip art from MelonHeadz Illustrating and Ashley Hughes to make up my "teacher" patience levels.  I'm planning on hanging this using a binder clip next to the student behavior chart.

At the top is a "Perfect" Princess - Life is magical at this point.  It is the dream state.

Then it's "Disneyland Wonderful" - Still a great time.

(You can see the clothespin with Ashley's laminated pencil on top - it's movable.)

After Disneyland Wonderful - in the middle of the stick - is Good Day.  This is where each day is going to start.  Life can get better... or I can get a head ache.  

Moving down on the patience stick is "UGH Day" - the clip art person is having a bad hair day.  Not a great day, not a horrible day - just "UGH".

Last is the "Beware" patience level.  This is when I feel like I'm going to explode.  (You know what I'm talking about - just admit it.)  Anyway, just a visual of where I'm at to give the kids some warning of where they are headed.  Here is my template over at Google Docs if you want to copy it.  If you want to make your own, I created a table 2 rows 5 columns in landscape, and then added clip art that worked for me.  You will probably also see other white pencils over there, those are for my other project - maybe you can use them for something too.     

Monday Made It #4  

I also made up my Whole Class Writing Journals.  This year I wanted to make my journals functional AND cute.  :)  I'm so happy with how they turned out! 

Monday Made It #5

Giveaway time :)

I set up a giveaway to start today and run through next Sunday.  There are 7 bloggers helping me out - each day there will be a new Rafflecopter for the specific day's prize.  In addition to that I will have my TPT store on  sale AND on Facebook there will be Flash Freebies.  :)  I'm ready to have some fun!!

Thanks so much to these helpers to make this week extra special.  :)  Each blogger has graciously donated a prize - each day has a spotlight blogger and they are offering something for the daily winner.

Are you ready to get started?  Once you take care of all the business it will be easy peasy the following days.  Remember, each day will have a NEW Rafflecopter to determine the winner of the day.  

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Good Luck!

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Monday Made It and Giveaway Winner

It's Monday! Linking up with Tara to show what I've been up to lately...

This past week was filled with shopping and painting.  Michaels had a ton of wood things in their clearance aisle, and I thought they would be perfect in my classroom.  Today I wanted to show you this frame I picked up.  Usually it's $8, but I got it for $2.  Love the clearance and the teacher discount! 

Step 1 was drawing the lines with every scallop, step 2 was making sure that the pattern wasn't going to get messed up with the ABAB pattern going on, and step 3 was painting it the same colors as my bird houses and bird table numbers and my new magnet numbers.

Then I added some fun scrapbook paper inside.  I have this thing with post it notes.  I usually end up sticking them all over my desk with my to do list on them, and then I stick books & papers on top, and lose track of it all - so I decided that next year I'm going to stick this frame on my desk and put the written on post it notes on that.  It will be vertical, it's cute, and I'm excited about it!  

 I also sat down to start rereading my classroom read alouds, and decided to tackle The Chocolate Touch first (I was having a chocolate moment).  I wanted my kids to have to use their higher level thinking skills, so I came up with 48 activity cards based on Marzano and added some journal type pages in there as well.

  

It's over in my TPT store if you want it.  :)  

and now for the drum roll please... the winner of $10 in my store is...

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Hope you have a great day!  On the agenda today is avoiding the heat as much as possible.  Costco this morning, and then hiding in the house for the afternoon.  We are also trying to grow crystals in our kitchen - it was one of those science experiments I found at the dollar store - and so far it's not working!  Have a great day!  

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