Writing Center Supplies

Tonight I worked on my writing center! I was lucky enough this weekend to find a yard sale just up the street from me. Best part? The girl running the yard sale was a TEACHER leaving the primary classroom and selling a lot of her classroom stuff! I scored a few plastic storage organizers (my FAV bargain buy) and a TON of cheap children's books! If you want to look for any good yard sales in your area... I went to craigslist and typed in "teacher" as a search and it came up there. You can also type in "yard sale" or even "classroom" and find a lot of great stuff.

Anyway... back to my work in progress-- my writing center supplies.

I've already started to design my bulletin board for my writing center... I posted that in my post "DIY". These are bins to organize the types of things my students will have options of writing if they can't think of anything on their own! I made the labels on Word, printed them out and used packaging tape to attach them to the drawers. 

The materials I have in these drawers so far were bought from Michaels. Michaels has a sort-of "kiosk" where they sell little things like this for 1-2$ each. Everything I bought was 1$ each. These are note pads I bought that can be used for list-making.

These are cute farm animal cards I bought (also for 1$). 

 For "write the room", I made these worksheets so students can find words around the room starting with each letter. I made a different worksheet for each month so I can switch it out. The one shown is for "back to school". I did this with the kindergarten class I taught and they had so much fun with it. Something about getting a clipboard and walking around the classroom jotting words down was just so thrilling for them?

Michaels also has recipe cards for 1$ in the same section. 

These are just a few of the journal sticks I made. I still need to find a good jar for them to sit in. I typed up journal prompts, printed them out and used packaging tape to adhere them to the popsicle sticks.

I think it is so important for children at this age to have as much exposure to writing as possible. Offering these choices to them allows them to find a type of writing they enjoy, which will encourage them to practice, practice, practice! I always tell parents at conferences, "Give your child as many opportunities as possible at home with writing. Whether it's making your grocery list or writing a letter to a friend or relative. The more practice they get, the better their writing will be and the more they will enjoy it. Building confidence is key."

Starting my Classroom Library...

If you've read my earlier posts, you will know that I am a Goodwill connoisseur. The main reason I visit so many Goodwills is to add to my growing classroom library. I've been to a few used book stores, and they are great, but I still can't bring myself to spend $6 on one book. Especially when I need hundreds of them! Most of the Goodwills I have been to (all but one), they offer children's books at 3 for $1. THREE! For ONE DOLLAR!!! That's .33 per book! And you would be AMAZED at some of the books that are on those shelves! I feel like I win the lottery when I walk into a Goodwill and see an Eric Carle hardback sitting there for 33 cents. 

Below is a picture of the book bin labels I have made. Unfortunately, they have no bins to attach to just yet. I am still trying to decide what to do about buying book bins. I'd love to get the magazine holder type from reallygoodstuff.com (the plastic, colorful ones EVERYONE on Pinterest has!), but I can't seem to bring myself to spend all that money. I'm sure I will find another way around it! Until then, these labels will patiently wait. If you want the labels, click here. (I pasted mine on patterned paper).

This is my growing stash of children's books. Each week it grows by a few inches. :)

This room USED to be our den. I have taken over. Kudos to Adam for allowing our apartment to become a classroom supply room. 

If anyone has any advice or suggestions on inexpensive book bins, please do share! I am looking for space-effective options considering my bookshelf area is rather small. 

DIY Classroom Projects

I can spend hours and hours on DIY projects for my classroom. As my patient boyfriend would call it, "arts and crafts time". (It's a great way to fill time while he watches a three-hour Orioles game.) 

Starting in student teaching, I have been making most of my own resources for each lesson. Yes, it takes a lot of unnecessary time out of my day. And yes, I am reinventing the wheel. I am just a perfectionist when it comes to what I use for each lesson- and I am coming to realize I am the same way when it comes to my classroom. While I could easily make the trip to Lakeshore and buy most of the things I am making...it won't match up to the picture I have in my mind. So, instead, I spend hours at my computer creating and then hours with scissors and glue and construction paper. But I am beyond thrilled with the results of each project! (I'd like to take a second to stop and thank my trusty ol' Canon printer for all of it's hard work and energy...poor thing hasn't had a second of rest since last July.)

First up- My Word Wall! 

 I spent a good amount of time on TPT looking for a great set of letters to use for my word wall. While I was finding some adorable options, once again- none of them were matching the picture I had in my mind. So-as Adam sat down to watch the Orioles play the Indians, I found my perfect opportunity to create my own word wall letters! The pencil clipart was downloaded from TPT from Creative Clips Digital Clipart for FREE! Click here if you want to take a look! I also offer the finished version of my word wall letters in my TPT store. 

After printing them out, I decided I wanted to paste them on a black background to make them stand out. I love sparkles and glitter- so I then decided they needed to be sparkly (duh). So, off to Michaels I went. I found the PERFECT black glittery paper (just a little expensive if you ask me- $2 a sheet. It adds up when you need 5 sheets!) But I splurged, got the sparkly paper, and am SO. OBSESSED. 

 I tried so hard to get a picture where you can see the sparkle of the paper. It looks so much better in real life!

These are my word wall words I purchased from TPT. You can get them here. I love how they look with my letters!

 Since the word wall words I purchased came with 211 words (LOTS of printing and LOTS of cutting), I needed a good place to organize them rather than the Disney princess Ziplock bag I was using. I wish I could remember where I found this idea on Pinterest. Someone suggested using a business card organizer for word wall words. Whoever you are- thank you! I found this little organizer on sale at Walmart for $2. Now my 211 words have a home and are neatly alphabetized! 

Next up, Classroom Jobs. This is one of the first DIY projects I put together!

For the title, I typed it on Word then made the font like 200, and printed it out. I cut each letter out and glued it on checkered paper from Michaels. Then cut those letters out (so-much-cutting). I glued the letters on this green poster from Lakeshore. At this point, I laminated the whole poster. Then onto the envelopes. They are from Lakeshore too. I made each label on word using graphics from My Cute Graphics. Cut out the labels, pasted them on the same checkered paper that I did the letters, cut THOSE out, glued them on the envelopes. (Seriously don't know how I didn't develop carpel tunnel from all the cutting). To make the envelopes last, I covered them with clear packaging tape as a sort of lamination. Then I used double-sided tape to attach each envelope to the poster. Tada! I will assign jobs by writing names on thick popsicle sticks and putting the popsicle sticks in each envelope.

 Close up of the letters.

 Close up of the envelopes.

 I have seen a lot of people on Pinterest make some kind of version of this poster for their classroom. I think the original post I saw for this poster was from this blog.  I did my own version. I typed the words on Word, printed and cut them out. Pasted them on colored paper, then cut once again. The graphics are from My Cute Graphics.  I pasted the words on a poster board. The border is from Lakeshore. LOVE the colors of this and can't wait to put it on the front door of my classroom!

 I drew this little Cat in the Hat about a year ago. I drew it and wrote quotes around it, and now have decided I wasn't digging the hand-written quotes. So I cut out the drawing, pasted him on a new poster and printed off the Dr. Seuss quote. I LOVE this one too! Just need to put a cute border around it. Can't wait to find a good place to hang it!

 Same story with this one. Ditched the hand-written quotes I had done and added a nice, neatly printed quote! Just needs a border!

 This is going to go above my classroom door. I did the same kind of thing as I did for my Classroom Jobs chart. Printed huge letters, cut them out, pasted them on polka dot paper, cut those letters out, and glued them to white paper. Then I added a border using scrap paper I had leftover. Laminated then DONE! 

 This might be my favorite. I was struggling with what I would put on the board that is in front of my classroom sink. I have seen a lot of teachers put posters about hand washing and germs. I decided to do something different. I am going to put a mirror on the board, with this Cat in the Hat hat above it! So when a student looks in the mirror, it will look like they are wearing the hat!

To make the hat, I was suckered in to buying the overpriced glittery paper again from Michaels. One in red and one in white. I made a stencil kind of template of a hat and cut out each section. Hard to explain...but it worked out perfectly. Again, it's hard to see the sparkles in the picture! 

 These are going to go above the hat on the board in front of the sink. I printed the words off Word, cut them out and pasted them on some other shiny red overly expensive paper from Michaels. So worth it though- can't wait to see how this board turns out!

 Close-up of the letters. You can kind-of see the shine.

 My birthday board is still a work in progress. The Happy Birthday sign is still waiting for a glittery background. I just need to talk myself into spending more money on paper...

 Gah- I LOVE THESE! They were tough to make but they're too cute! I bought all the different patterned paper from Michaels (not as expensive as the sparkly paper- about 60 cents a page.) The tan paper is also cardstock from Michaels. Then I made two different cupcake-topper stencils by drawing them on construction paper and cutting them out. I stenciled the topper on each of the patterned paper, cut them out and added lines with a Sharpie. The tan bottom was also made with a stencil. The lines were drawn with a Sharpie. Then I typed up the months, printed and cut, then pasted and laminated each one! LOVE IT!

 I have been drooling over the teacher toolboxes I've been seeing on Pinterest! I finally convinced myself to create one. I took a trip to Home Depot and Lowes, but left empty handed. They didn't have THIS version of the toolbox I wanted- and of course, when I have a vision in my mind, nothing else will do. So I ended up buying the toolbox from Amazon for $30.

 I made the labels on Word. If you make your own labels, make sure you check the dimensions of each drawer so you can size your labels on Word to fit the drawers. I was able to check the dimensions of the drawers on Amazon. After printing the labels and cutting them, I laminated. A lot of people taped their labels to the inside of the drawers. I thought that it faded the color of mine, so I used double-sided tape and taped them to the outside. 

 I got this organizer from Walmart for around $9. The labels were made on Word then cut out and laminated and taped on.

 I created a teacher binder for myself to organize all my classroom information. Once again, TPT offers a lot of really great teacher binder templates and organizers. And, once again, I needed one to fit my vision. So I made my own binder cover and dividers. 

 I used my handy little label maker to make the labels on each divider. 

 I'm still working on my writing center. But these are the basics for the bulletin board. I just need to paste some of the things on colorful, fun paper and laminate.

 Here I go again, reinventing the wheel. TPT had TONS of Common Core checklists for first grade. But I just NEEDED to make my own. Once I'm totally finished my Common Core pack, it will be up in my TPT store!

 Sneak peek at the checklists

 I made these poems to go next to my calendar each month. There is a poem for each month (except July and August, the Back to School poem can be used for August and September). They are easy to read and fun for kids! You can get them here.

Last but not least- my objective starters and my schedule cards! I made the objective starters in Word and pasted them on patterned paper then laminated and put magnets on the back. Same with the schedule cards- but I did not make them on my own. I really wish I remember where I downloaded them from TPT but I can't seem to find them. They are great, though. 

I know I already gave a shout-out to my printer, but I am realizing my trusty old scissors deserve credit too! So much cutting! I am seriously considering investing in a paper cutter... if anyone knows of a cheap place to buy a good one, please share! 

Classroom finds

As I mentioned in my first post- I am a new teacher on a budget. A very. tight. budget. This has lead me to become the queen of bargain hunting. I have been scouring every goodwill within a 30 mile radius of my home. Goodwills have been a jackpot for me. Just a little piece of Goodwill-shopping advice: don't go to just one. I have probably visited about 5 different Goodwills just in the past two weeks. It's a pain to travel but it's SO worth it when you find that perfect something for your classroom. I have also been popping into Hobby Lobby for deals and even Walmart and Target. I often won't buy something unless it's on sale..mainly because I am convinced I can find it somewhere else for cheaper! (and I usually do!)

One thing you must know about me is that I am OBSESSED with all that is Mary Engelbreit. Her illustrations and all of her adorable calendars and posters- I have never met a Mary Engelbreit product that I haven't LOVED. I had to splurge on these classroom posters when I found them on Amazon for $13. They also came with little book marks. I just need to get them through the laminator! 

If you want to take a look, I bought them here.

 Ugh, Mary Engelbreit strikes again. I was at one of the two-million Goodwills I've been to when I found this little recipe box. Fifty. Cents. (Is Goodwill out of their mind? Selling anything Mary Engelbreit for 50 cents seems like a sin! I think I would have paid five dollars for this;) I haven't decided what I will use it for- but nonetheless, I'm obsessed. (Seriously...go to Goodwill).

 Since it is a recipe box, this is on the top. Not very fitting for a first grade classroom. I'm planning on making something to paste over this picture to label what is in the box. First I need to figure out what will be in the box first. Hmm..

I was excited to find these at Hobby Lobby..and even MORE excited to find out they were 50% off! I think I ended up getting them for $7 each. They came in different colors so I got one in blue and one in green. I am going to use one to keep writing supplies in at the writing center and the other to keep teacher supplies in at my guided reading table.

 These baskets I also found at Hobby Lobby. Only 75 cents! I got two of them. They are small but I know I'll find good use for them.

 I've been searching for a cute box to keep all my stickers in. Being in lots of different classrooms, I've noticed that sticker stashes can get a little out of hand. I told myself I would find a home for my stickers one day. This is a picture box I found at Hobby Lobby for $4. I love the polka dots, and it's a perfect size for my sticker collection so far!

 My county is making the greatly anticipated transition to Common Core this year. It's exciting that the school will be starting something brand new together and everyone will be in the same boat. This makes me feel less stressed being a first time teacher! I've been finding lots of great assessment packs on TPT.. I just needed to find a way to organize them all. I bought these hanging file bins at Big Lots for $5 each. One for math, one for language arts. Inside, each hanging file will be labeled with a different standard. I can keep assessments organized by standard and easy to pull for each lesson. LOVING the organization!

 Through my teaching jobs, I have also collected fun activities and worksheets related to seasons and holidays. I wanted to find a way to organize them by month rather than having them in a big sloppy pile. This hanging folder bin I got at Walmart for a little under $6. 

 My mother is a SAINT! She knows I have been in an obsessive compulsive rage of organization with my classroom supplies. So this was my birthday present this year--a nifty little label maker! 

 This paper tray was a gift from one of my third graders in the fall. I thought it would be perfect for any letters or forms from home my students bring in in the morning. Rather than having 8 kids surround you throwing lunch money envelopes or absent notes at you, they place it all in here and I check it when I have time. 

 Isn't this post-it holder adorable? It was a gift from my room mom in my kindergarten class. Too cute.

Another Goodwill find- a magazine holder for $2! I love the blue accent inside. I think I might use this to hold the books I will be reading each day. Just need to use my nifty label machine to make a label for it. :)

 For some reason, in a dazed classroom-organizing haze late one night online, I decided I desperately needed these two mesh organizers from Amazon. I can understand why I purchased the $10 desktop organizer on the right- but not sure why I thought I needed this paper stacker on the left. Especially because it was $12. What? Oh well. I'll find a use for it I'm sure.

 These were also bought during my "late night Amazon haze". The one on the left is a file folder organizer from scholastic. I really wanted the one from Mardel, but this one offered free shipping. So, $15 it was. The pocket chart on the right was going to be used for my daily schedule. It was $10 but it also got me free shipping with Amazon's Super Saver shipping. The only thing I found that I don't like is that the plastic strips are kind of thin, and my schedule cards are a little too big for the chart. I think I might end up using it for weekly vocabulary words instead. 

 Mary's back. This poster is from my 2011 wall calendar. I think the illustration and quote is adorable. Just need to put it on a colorful background and laminate it!

 I found these plastic organizers at Goodwill- jackpot! I just can't bring myself to spend 9-10 dollars on these things in Target or Walmart. It is must easier buying them for $4 at Goodwill. I get way too excited when I see something like this for less than $5. It's the little things....

The paper organizers to the right will be used at my writing center to organize the different writing materials.

 More bins found at Goodwill- for 2-3$  each! 

 Got these puzzles and flashcards from the dollar store.

 Another jackpot at Goodwill. A (very) heavy-duty paper organizer! For like $4! It's made of light metal and so sturdy. I think the three slots on the right will organize my "grade/copy/file" papers and the ones on the left will hold folders or books.

More paper trays from Goodwill.

This is JUST the beginning- I feel like every day I am on a hunt for the next item! It is so exciting looking for pieces that will put my classroom together. It's even MORE exciting when I find them for dirt cheap! My next post will be dedicated to my DIY projects!