Today's DIY Projects

As the last few weeks of summer quickly pass by, I am starting to wrap up all my classroom projects. I am finally feeling like I have a classroom that is coming together. I am so anxious and excited to get started and jump into this new position! 

A few weeks ago, I found this brand new toy organizer at a Goodwill for only $10. 

I loved it because it was sturdy and the perfect size for my classroom. I also loved that the slates were removable to make the boxes larger!

After brainstorming a few ideas for this little organizer, I decided it would be a great storage station for communal classroom supplies. If a student needs a pair of scissors or a new glue stick, they can just walk up to the "Supply Station" rather than getting out boxes or bins. 

This is the (almost) finished product. The bottom middle section still needs a label because I'm not sure what other supplies I should include. Can't wait to fill it up!

I laminated the labels and attached them to the wood with velcro adhesives. This way I can change the label if I find that my students are needing other supplies.

This is my other project I worked on today. I think it might be my new favorite DIY classroom addition! 

I found this amazing freebie on TPT for the crayons. The download includes crayons with labels and ones without. I used the ones without and added my own color words through Word. I then took a trip to Michaels where I found cardstock at 40% off. I got one in each color for backgrounds for each crayon. I also got the blue glittery paper on the heading from Michaels. After laminating, I taped them together on the back using packaging tape. 

Everything is slowly coming together and I am so excited to actually get into my classroom and get started! :)

Brain Breaks

Throughout my long-term substitute jobs, I have discovered the magic of brain breaks. As soon as I started to see more and more wiggles on the carpet or eyes start to wander around instead of paying attention, I would stop what I was doing and make time for a brain break. In the past I have just had the students get up and follow my lead on some jumping jacks or Simon Says. Since I will have my own classroom this year, I have put together a compilation for myself of good brain break videos that will get those wiggles out. (It also gives the teacher a 2-3 minute break to recollect and refocus.)

Check out my Pinterest board to see all the brain break videos I've found so far. 

I am planning on embedding the videos on a separate file for my Smartboard so they are easily (and quickly) accessible. 

Happy Thursday! :)

More bargain finds!

I have been quite the busy bargain hunter! I have mostly been finding great hauls of used books for my classroom library- the stack just keeps growing! I visited a Goodwill last week in a wealthy community about 15 minutes out of town. My jaw dropped when I spotted this toy organizer in the corner...for TEN DOLLARS! It is in PERFECT condition and looks like it has never been used!

The best part is that the slates that divide each section can slide out!

I think I've decided to use this for classroom supply storage. In case the students need to borrow anything like scissors, highlighters, glue sticks, etc, they can find it easily here. No bins, baskets or shelves-just a simple grab from the box! I have already started creating cute labels to dress it up. Stay tuned to see the final product!

Did I mention my mother is a saint? These plastic storage organizers are an obsession of mine...and she found them on sale at Target for only $10! Yes please!! :)

As soon as I heard Target was having a sale on storage organizers, I couldn't get there fast enough to see if there is any other goodies for me. I always hit the dollar spot before looking around the store. Jackpot! Pocket charts for ONE DOLLAR!!!! The red case behind them is a bulletin board border organizer (that was $3...but still a great buy!) The stickers came in a pack for a dollar as well. *Patting myself on the back*

Things that are on my list that I still need to buy/find:

- Pencil Sharpener

- Book Bins

- Math Manipulatives Station/Bins

- Tabletop Easel for guided reading table

- Fabric and Borders for bulletin boards

The reason I haven't gotten these things yet is because they seem to be the more expensive things. I am kind of waiting to see if I can find them for cheap. Fingers crossed!!