Congrats, Mini Material Posters, New Rooms, & Cara

08/09/2012

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Congratulations to Lindsay Flood for winning the giveaway!  I found out that Lindsay is actually a blogger too!  I've seen her blog, but didn't put two and two together until I emailed her!

I'm terrible with getting blog names and real names linked in my mind.

 Primary Polka Dots is her adorable (and bright) blog!  Go check it out if you get a chance!

Lindsay, I hope you enjoy those word wall letters and the Fry Word Mega Pack!  :)

Thanks to everyone who entered!  
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I recently posted a new product that I just LOVE, LOVE, LOVE.  I use these in my own room and it makes things SOOOOO much easier.  

I've never had a formal name for them, so I just came up with 'Mini Material Posters.'  

Basically, you use them to SHOW your students what materials they need for an activity.  Being an EFL teacher, I do a lot (more like a ton) of repeating myself.   These little cards make it less frustrating when we're transitioning.

I put the cards up... they get out the materials.  Done.  

For example, if we're doing a craft then I might post scissors, glue, crayons, pencil, and construction paper.  

They see what they need to get out and I don't waste time repeating myself eight million times.  
You get two full sets of cards (large and small), blanks to make your own, and three different titles if you need them.  All of the graphics were designed by me and they are 300dpi, so they print beautifully.  I put a lot of love and time into these.  They're simple, bright, and my lifesavers.
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I included some blank binders & books in case you want to customize.
You can hang them with clips, put them in a pocket chart, or stick a little magnet on the back of each.  I usually just use them during whole group activities, but you could incorporate them into centers or even use them as supply vocab cards.  :)  

See on TPT
I may or may not be giving a set of these away over on Facebook (Aug.9).  Join in to win!

I've also added a lot more classrooms to the 'Room Setup' page recently!  You'll have to check them out if you're still needing some inspiration.  There are some cool rooms and I just love looking at all the different ones.  Check Out the New Rooms.


Oh.  One more thing.  Have you seen Cara's schedule card set?  Wowza.  They're free, beautiful, and she's added everything under the sun.  If you download them, be sure to leave her some love and feedback.  I know she's spent hours upon hours creating these and making them perfect.  She had a TON of requests to add cards and she was generous enough to keep them free.  

Get Cara's Schedule Cards.

Ok!  That's all from me today!  Remember to check out the Facebook page to try and win a set of my mini material posters!  It's a 'First one to guess...' type giveaway, so hurry!
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Ribbon Organization

10/11/2011

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Oh my gosh!  This is genius.  Ribbon and string were impossible to keep organized in my room (and in my scrapbooking box).  There aren't many words needed for this post.  I love this.  

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Source: Spunky Junky
I'm thinking yarn too?  I can't wait to organize all my ribbons.  It's ridiculous... the things that excite me sometimes.

Ashley
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Paint Management

10/07/2011

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One of the most annoying 'chores' during my first year of teaching was managing that messy paint.  I had these big cups with lids and matching paintbrushes (seen below), but it was inevitable that the colors would be mixed by 'that one kid' (you know which one) and then the whole giant cup of paint was ruined.  Even when they used the correct brush with the correct cup, those kiddos who did the crazy-Picasso-helicopter-arm paintings managed to still mix colors.  Grrrr.
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Lakeshore $12.95
Although I loved the cups and concept, it was a little more mental stress than I wanted to dedicate to paint cups.  I also had some overly picky girls who refused to use pink paint that had been tainted with a speck of brown.  What to do? 

Squirt bottles   +   ice cube trays   =   love

I can't tell you how much I love this.  I found packs of these clear squirt bottles at Target in the kitchen supply area (a lot of other stores have them as well).  I bought 12 and made sure I had enough for each color (including pink, skin colors, and gray).  I also labeled the outside with the color names.   

You could also opt for the cheaper (and disposable) version too...
 
I wanted to throw in an action shot of them and of course I can't find my picture... imagine the ones below... but larger... and all filled with paint.  I'm so ashamed that I had to hunt for a picture.  :(
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Modern Teaching Aids ~$11
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This was my 'helicopter arm' kid... possibly the most hilarious child I've met.
Why I love it:
  • less paint wasted
  • kids were independent and would only squirt out a little of each color they needed... then a little more if they needed it
  • less 'mixing' of colors
  • no dried up paint if we didn't use it during the week
  • I only needed to get the gallon size paint bottles out when the squirt bottles got low
  • Ice cube trays fit perfectly into the easel rack
  • CHEAP!!!
  • only one paintbrush needed per side... they rinsed with water in between color change
Science Connection: I only left the red, yellow, blue, white, and black bottles out when we learned about colors in science.  They had to learn how to make their own green, orange, purple, pink, etc.  Hahaha......  such a meanie.

Ashley
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Black Marker Blackhole

09/26/2011

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I'm pretty sure it's not just me.  Why do the black markers always seem to disappear or run out of ink MUCH earlier than the rest?!  I can't stand it and I can't tell you how many times my kids would come up to me...

"Mrs. Hughes!!!  My black marker is missing!  Waaaahhhh (Snooki voice)."
"Mrs. Hughes, my black marker is dead."  

They all assumed I had a secret-magical-endless supply of black markers somewhere.  Nope.  Well... kind of.

Here's my fix:
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Expo Markers: fat version
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Expo Markers: Skinny version
Expo dry-erase markers!  Or any off-brand version.  Expo's were on the kid's school supply list and in abundance around our room.  So, we used them for black marker replacements.  You can buy them in bulk (skinny or fat tips) instead of buying a pack of markers for one black.  I also used these all the time when I made posters.  I like the using Expo's and the Mr. Sketch smelly ones (although I have a problem with those... especially the purple one... mmmmm delicious) a little more than Crayola.  It seems to be a darker black?  Maybe?  Am I imagining things?
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Mr. Sketch now sells bulk packs of black too!  Get your smell on.

Ashley
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