A sneak peek and I need a little help...

I've been working on my room this week and I am sooo tired.  I'm moved, rearranged, adjusted and tweaked until I'm dizzy.  There's no way around it --- the heart of my classroom needs a transplant.  Our classroom revolves around meeting and discussing lessons, life and books.  We do all of this on our classroom carpet - it's the heart of our classroom.  My lovely rug has been around for over 3 decades and is literally falling apart.  I've registered for a new carpet and lice-free vinyl pillows (don't even ask) at Donor's Choose and they are matching any donations made until August 23rd.  If you know anyone that could donate even a dollar it would benefit my kiddos sooo much!!!

Here's a peek of what's going on in my classroom.  I so want to finish my room today. (Why did I just notice Pinterest on my teacher station?)

I so love what  Kristin at Ladybug Teacher Files put together has her adapted CAFE board.  She named it her CRAFT Board.  She added the letter T to include Text Features/Elements and R for responding to literature.  Since there's no E in CRAFT, I decided to have a location in my room just for Vocabulary to make sure that my kiddos are voraciously reading and finding new and interesting words.  Check out her blog  it's SUPER cute! 

Time Tellin' Freebie!

I can't believe that there are teachers back at school with a classrooms full of kiddos.  I don't know how you do it.  I'll be jealous come June when we're still in school.  I didn't work on my classroom today because I had to register my daughter for school.  I'm shocked and amazed that my little high school darlin' wanted her mother to help her register for school.  She has gotten so full of attitude independent these days that it was nice to spend the day with her.
I was able to prioritize a few projects and get started on them before I return to work in my classroom.  One of the things on my Pinterest to-do list is a wall clock make-over.  I've seen so many versions floating around but I couldn't find one to meet my needs.  One of the things older kiddos have a problem with is quarters of the hour.  So I'm making over my clock into a garden of wall flowers and the first 3 comment get it as a FREEBIE!

Enjoy!

Monday Made It and a FREEBIE -Say WHAT!

Well, I'm finally able to work in my room.  I've not so patiently for this moment.  It seems like there's never any end in sight.  I left today with the "deer in headlights" look.  It's like what do I start on next?  There's a never ending list of pinterest possibilities but where do I begin?

Here's a sneak peek in my room with my "Monday Made It" project. 

I was inspired byKristin at Little Miss Glamour goes to Kindergarten.  I absolutely LURVE the wrapping paper that she used to cover her bookshelf. 

I decided to take a puzzle organizer and modge podge it with the same wrapping paper.  Instead of storing puzzles I use this handy-dandy organizer to keep student dry-erase white boards.  I even finished my tattle-monster!  Check out other cute projects at 4th Grade Frolics!

On to the freebie!!!  Katie requested blank library labels to match the blue and green polka dot set.  Check out the labels and the matching book labels for sale at TPT and TN. 

  Hopefully, (fingers AND toes crossed) my kiddos can manage to put the books back in the right bins.  

The freebie bonus is Polka Dot Daily 5 signs  Enjoy!

Disclaimer: The Daily 5 resources are unofficial adaptations of the Daily 5 by Gail Boushey & Joan Moser. This freebie is not endorsed by the 2 Sisters. http://www.thedailycafe.com.



Out of witness protection! At LAST!

I have been getting so many emails about my brain breaks and classroom cheers.  Thanks for all the wonderful feedback.  One of my mac purchasers said they couldn't see the files - like they were in witness protection.  I had to giggle at the email.  

I would like to let Mac users know that if you have been seeing blurred lines, there is a solution!  You'll need the latest  version of Adobe Acrobat and you have to open the pdf file instead of using preview. 

Go to 'file' and then clicked 'open with' and select 'Adobe Reader 10.1.0'.

I would like to thank Ashleigh for being a God-send!  Check out her blog for more info....  http://www.ashleigh-educationjourney.com/2011/10/pdfs-macs.html 

Thanks!

Monday Made It! Woo-Hoo!!

Well, I've been busy and it seems like I have nothing to show for it.  Yes, I'm still waiting to get into my classroom but I've been blogstalking and have seen so many wonderful classrooms. I think I'm suffering from teacher envy.  I did manage to make something in time for Made It Monday (I always seem to finish projects but not in time to post by Monday).  I have succomed  to Pinterest and made my teacher file boxes- like about a million other teachers.  I decided to use my transparencies again to label so if I have to change the contents of the drawer I can just update the transparency "label."  I have a million of these things and don't use them since I have a document camera.  I made 2 boxes - one for "teachery" stuff and on for game pieces and parts.  Here's a pic.

My inspiration...

Well, I'm trying to squeeze in  a few more projects before I can finally get into my  room on Thursday.  Keep posting those classroom pics.  I love all the wonderful classroom ideas.  I can't wait to use your inspiration in my own classroom. 

Check out tons of Made It Monday projects at 4th Grade Frolics!

The countdown begins...

It's here...August.  That means that the last few days of summer are upon us.  Well, it also means that I STILL can't get into my classroom. I'm so jealous of those of you that's have already started in your rooms.  I always breathe easier when my room is setup.  I know that after my room is finished,  I can start preparing lessons for the first day.  It's kinda like that feeling you get when you sleep better in a clean house.  Maybe that's my OCD talkin'...
Anyway since I can't work in my room, I volunteered to help my friend in another district start on her classroom.  She asked me about my editing cups, so I'm taking the time to repost and further explain how I use them.

 

Each color cup is used for a different type of editing.  I find that this helps kids from feeling overwhelmed by editing and revisions.  They can ZOOM in on one specific skill and don't  feel beatup and bruised from an all-out red pen slash-a-thon editing process.

Click HERE to get a copy of the freebie Cup Labels

Enjoy and Happy August!!!!