A Teacher's Prayer

Just a little reminder of why I am a teacher. :)

Some finished projects...

So an update on some projects that I have finished.

I love the idea of having a "Noise-o-meter" in the classroom. I think having a visual representation of what you expect from the children is very beneficial, especially at the young age of six and seven. I found this on Noise-o-meter on Pinterest. After some tweaking, I made my own!

Next, I finished my bathroom check-out system. I also found that neat idea on Pinterest. I'm going to use the children's classroom numbers with a magnet on the back, but I'm waiting until I have the use of a laminator to make them.

Last, I made a cute little "Brain Food" jar. When a child gives an extra special answer or works super hard on their work, I'll reward them with some Brain Food (most likely Smarties).

Still have so much to do!

So many projects...

So yesterday I discovered the benefits of PowerPoint. I have been trying to make labels in Word for the longest time now, and have now come to find out that it is MUCH easier to use PowerPoint for projects like that!

Yesterday, inspired by this adorable painting, I created this sign using PowerPoint. Yes, I realize it is not as original as hand-painting it, but I really like how it turned out! And my, my it was SO much easier and cheaper than painting it onto a canvas. I'm planning on just buying a dollar store frame to put it in.

For my next project, I bought a white board and some knick-knacks to make a cute bathroom check-out board that I also found here. 

I also found some really cute graphics at Shabby Blogs Freebies and decided to tweak them a little to make my labels for the sign. I hope they turn out cute once it is all put together!

Lastly, I have been working on that nightmare of a classroom library. After many hours of sorting and labeling and sticky-ing and MORE... this is what I have: 

NOT so fabulous. It is definitely a work in progress and hopefully will come together sometime in the near future. Until then... I will probably have an unusable TV room. Hope no one comes to visit, haha. 

The next projects on my list are the Noise-o-meter and possibly a variation of this sign in PowerPoint (since I'm not quite talented enough to paint something that looks that good!). Wish me luck!

New Destinations

I have been so blessed to find out that I will soon be teaching first grade! What an exciting time this will be preparing for my first classroom! It's going to be some hard work, but I am always up for a challenge. I have decided in my time until I actually take over the classroom, I am going to challenge myself to create things for my classroom. Hopefully when the time comes for me to step foot in the classroom I will have lots of cute and useful things to bring with me! :)

So here is my list:

1. Organizing my library (eeek!) 
2. Cute Sign
3. Find a desk fairy
4. Pencils, pencils!
5. Sweet Gift
6. Library Check-out System
7. Word Work Activities
8. Brain Sprinkles
9. Quiet Critter

What have I actually completed?...

1. "READ" Scrapbook Letters 
2. Crayon Wreath 
3. Noise-o-meter
4. Bathroom Check-out
5. Brain Food

Flowers, flowers everywhere!

So today I tried out my "Behavior Bouquet" with a sweet first grade class. One word: AMAZING! The kids LOVED it and it worked wonders with their behavior! All I had to say was, "I'm looking to give out flowers" or simply shake the bag of flowers (which I carried with me everywhere we went) in front of them, and their "quiet fingers" shot straight up. And of course, whenever I gave out a flower and announced why that child received it, all of the other students immediately "corrected" any behavior they needed to. They also really enjoyed decorating them when we had time.

All in all, it was extra work but I think the end result was phenomenal. Seeing those precious first graders not making a peep in the hall made me glow with pride! Hopefully, their teacher won't mind a vase full of construction paper flowers and pipe cleaners when she gets back, hehe. :)

Just look at all those flowers!!

99 Cents for that... pipe?

I visited my local thrift store today and left with some good finds. About $5.00 for these books and... what's that? A whisper phone?? Also known as a Phonics Phone these little buddies are great to help children with their reading fluency. Unfortunately it was unpriced, so a lady threw out "99 cents for the pipe..." I'm sure she thought I was crazy buying a... pipe? But I knew better! 

I also made a visit to my new best friend, Hobby Lobby. I picked up some little crafties to make a personalized picture frame. Haven't decided if I'm going to make it yet, but we will see. 

Thanks for reading!

Crafts, crafts, and more crafts.

So my most recent crafting escapade I found while "Googling" online.

This awesome tutorial is what I found! It explains step-by-step how to adhere scrapbook paper to wooden letters. I decided I wanted to make a "Read" sign for my library. I went to Hobby Lobby (my new favorite store) and picked out some cute scrapbook paper. I also bought the letters, Modge Podge, and some paint to paint the edges with.

I'm pretty satisfied with how it turned out! I think I may add ribbons to hang it with once I have somewhere to put it.