I Made It!

Today I'm linking up with Tara from 4th Grade Frolics for Monday Made It.

Yes, I realize it is now mid-way through Tuesday but we'll just pretend. 

This summer has been quite different from any other summers and that's because I have some BIG NEWS…but I can't share that big news just yet. You'll have to come back next week for that reveal. :)

I have been busy though.  Here's what I've been making:

I finally got around to updating my Long-Term Sub Binder and I made some new covers that I am in love with! Excited to head to Staples to get these bad boys printed out and into a binder!

I also added 18 more pages for even more (slightly OCD) organizing!! 

whoop whoop!

 

You can take a peek at what's included in THIS post.

Or you can check it out HERE.

Then, I made another Parent-Teacher Communication Binder for a friend.

I kinda think it's adorable and it was created to match Melanie from Schoolgirl Style's Owl-themed classroom the best I could! :)

Every cover in this book has 4 options {color and b&w}

I also have 2 purchase options:

an OWL Book Binder as is

OR

an EDITABLE OWL Book Binder (this allows you to type in what you want to say on each cover, as well as in the letter to parents)

I started using daily communication binders with my parents 6 years ago and I will never do anything different.  It is the best way to keep your parents in the loop of what is going on in your classroom and how their student is behaving and progressing daily. I receive the most praise (in terms of communication) about these binders!  You can read more about these binders and see other binder-themed options HERE.

And finally…

I worked really hard on this last product.  Why? Because it's a product/tool that I will be using all year long.  Last year I had two students who struggled all year on learning and mastering the letters of the alphabet, consistently and fluently.  Mid-year I purchased a book titled Interventions That Work and it changed my life.  Everything that is outlined in this book were things that I already knew (or at least heard before) but wasn't registering as an effective way to get my students mastering this foundational skill. 

After reading the book, I began to put all of that knowledge to use and began creating the following packet.  I used many of the games featured in this packet in the final months of the school year and was able to see improvements from both students.

I spent some time this summer researching a little more on orthographic systems and created this packet.  It will serve a supplement to many other great tools that I will use throughout the year.

Click images to take a little peek.

After looking at so many other wonderful things that all of you have been making, my 'to-do' list has grown even more!

Excited to get started on some DIY projects around the house too. 

Don't forget to stop by Tara's blog to check out some other great projects!

First Day Photos!

Woohoo!  Second Monday in a row that I am joining in on the Monday Made It fun!!  This summer has been such a relaxing summer but the month of July so far has been all about making things slowly for my classroom.

This week I was determined to make a "K" for my back to school pictures!

Last year I did the whole "picture frame with "My first day of Kinder" adhered around it.  I found it to be oh-so-cute but the kiddos had a hard time holding it.  I think it might have been a little too heavy for some of my tiny kinder babies. 

SO, once I saw Michelle's adorable "K" I knew just what to make.  She has a fabulous how-to post over on her blog.  You can click HERE to check it out.

It's quite simple though. 

I got my letter and paper from Hobby Lobby {they have large numbers there, too, for all you K-5 teachers}.  I forgot that I needed mod-lodge, so I got that at JoAnn's.  Michelle snagged her letter from Michaels.  Really any craft store should do in purchasing all the materials!

Then, you just trace your letter onto your paper, cut it out, apply some mod-podge to the letter, lay on the paper, smooth out the paper to rid of any bubbles, and then cut and add your ribbon.  Don't forget to apply mod-podge over top once it's all adhered! I also used a sealant spray to make sure it was good, sealed, and sturdy.  That is completely optional though!

Here's the final product!

I do not have any cute pictures of my nieces or nephews holding the "K" but you can see how adorable it looks in the hands of a tiny one on Michelle's blog! :)

Thanks again, Michelle for the adorable idea!

How do you plan to take first day of school pictures?

Pirates aarrgghh COOL!

I am excited to join Tara in my first Made it Monday!

I have had a pirate-theme classroom for the past two years.  My room, however, was not very put together in terms of a color-scheme.  You couldn't really tell that it was a pirate-theme unless you really looked.  SO... I wanted to make some staple pieces that would color coordinate and tie it all in together!

So I made this!!!

You get calendar pieces, number posters, shape posters, a pennant word wall with the first 220 dolch sight words included, an alphabet banner, name plates, center rotation cards and signs, and items to use to create a behavior clip chart, birthday wall, and ship-inspired job chart.  Each of those are shown below.

Job chart

Behavior clip chart

Birthday Wall!

I've made each item available individually or you can just purchase the bundle. If you purchase the bundle you save FIVE DOLLARS! Imagine what else you can buy with those five dollars! Ha! 

Because I love all my awesome followers I'm making the BUNDLE on sale for $6 instead of $8 today only.  That means you save seven dollars!

I am so excited to get it all put together in my room.  I refuse to go in early this summer.  I really want to enjoy every second of being in my actual home! :)

Sadly, I only have a month left before I have to go back.  When do you head back to school?

Couldn't help myself.  Stuck in the house all day due to constant rain...again. :/  So...I made this too:

Check it out at my little store!