Tuesday, August 31, 2010

Welcome Back to School!!!!!

I wanted to share with you some things that I have done within my classroom so far this year. Our school wide theme is..."Together we can reach for the stars" but if you know me then you know I like to think out of the box. My classroom's theme is: Rock Stars!! Here are a few pictures of my room. Hope you enjoy!!!!









Tuesday, August 17, 2010

Welcome fellow teachers back to school with this sweet treat!!

Welcome back your fellow teachers with this cute, sweet treat!  What a great way to be welcomed back into the new school year.  This is also something that you could do for a new teacher either brand new to teaching or new to your school.  It is a nice way to say "hello" and welcome aboard!!  Now I am off to making quite a few for some of my buds that I work with.  I go back to work on Thursday and the kids go back next Wednesday!!  Lots to do!!!


Materials used for project:
Makin' the Grade cartridge-used the apple on page 120-cut at 1 1/2 inches
Storybook cartridge-used the scroll frame on page 71-cut at 1 3/4 inches
black cardstock-cut at 3 1/2 by 3 1/2 inches-scored at 1 3/4 inches
green and brown markers
pop-dots
mono-adhesive

I colored the stem and leaf on the apple in lieu of layering.  It was much faster and easier.  You could cut out your saying but I have so many to make and I thought it would be easier to just write the sentiment.  I wish I could find a "Back to School" stamp.  It would surely get used LOL!!

Sunday, August 15, 2010

Want your students to achieve a goal?

Students will be eager to meet a specific goal or expectation each day or once a week when you introduce them to this creative mystery box. 


 I placed tags inside of the box -written on the tags are rewards such as:
*extra outdoor recess
*extra indoor recess
*sit with a friend
*game time with a partner
*ice cream party
*free homework pass for the class


I found this little black and red tin box at JoAnne Fabrics in the dollar section.  The tin box was $2.50-not a bad price!
When the class has met the goal you can choose a student to reach into the mystery box and pull out a card.  I have found that setting certain goals and expectations whether it be behavior or academic achievements, my students are eager and excited to meet the goal.  They love to win something extra!
Materials used for project:
Mickey Font cartridge-for lettering and question marks (letters were welded using the gypsy)
Tags, Bags, Boxes, and More cartridge-for the tags -cut at 4 inches 
Hot glue gun 
DCWV paper pack
red, black, and yellow cardstock
Creative Memories mini punch
ribbon

Tuesday, August 3, 2010

Tired of students bringing their cell phones to class?

Create a poster and laminate it letting your students know what your schools expectations are as well as your own within the classroom.  I teach third grade and believe it or not, I have had a student or two bring in a cell phone, an I-Pod, and also a Nintendo DS into the classroom.  All of which are not permitted.  I created this poster in mind for middle school and/or high school teachers to show that you can get really creative with your cartridges and come up with some great poster ideas.  I think I will be using it in my classroom as well!

Materials used for project:
Going Places cartridge-red circle with slash cut at "fit to page" (11 inches) page 128
Going Places cartridge-cell phone cut at 8 inches page 94
Plantin Schoolbook cartridge-used for font.  Letters cut at 2 1/2 inches
**I also found the red circle with the slash cut on the Graphically Speaking cartridge-page 50  
white poster board
red, black, and green cardstock
ATG 714 gun