Monday Made-It & Fabulous News!

Linking up again with Tara from Fourth Grade Frolics for Monday Made-It!

Just a quick made-it to share today...

Hoots!: New Clipart

I have been wanting to transform this little owl sketch into some clipart, and I finally accomplished this task. :0)  You can check out this new Hoots! Rainbow Owl Collection in my Graphics by Sarah Beth TpT store.

Also, some fabulous news!  Dr. Nicki Newton, the author of Guided Math in Action, will be doing a Q & A on our new Adventures in Guided Math blog in conjunction with the book study we are hosting.  Fly on over to check this out and get your questions in!

AND, don't forget to check out more made-its at Fourth Grade Frolics!

Smiles,

Monday Made-Its!

Just wanted to share my first couple of Monday Made-Its of the summer (aside from totally redoing our mudroom--this made-it was a bit more time consuming)! :0) 

I've seen these dry erase collage frames all over the Internet, but I don't usually 'jump on the bandwagon', as they say, unless it is something I am positive I will use.  Well, I decided we do need a visual that is up all week for the kids to refer to--me too! 

It was a pretty simple made-it--1. I purchased the 5 x 7, six frame collage at Hobby Lobby with my 40% of coupon. 2. I decided to use scrapbook paper in the colors of the rainbow because we have a Muppet classroom theme (We're Moving Right Along Together!) with rainbow colors. Used my paper cutter to cut the paper to size. I got the scrapbook pad at Hobby Lobby, too---50% off all paper packs!  I use a lot of this kind of paper throughout the year.... 3. I formatted the days of the week lettering and cut them with my KNK Zing.  I used black, sticky vinyl that is adhered to the front of the glass.  I did this to minimize the glare, although printing the lettering on the paper would also work.  4.  I put it all together, and voila!!

Another one of my made-its was a collection of arrow clipart---Every-Which-Way!  I have been wanting to make these arrows since the beginning of last school year, but I never got them done.  Check them out in my Graphics by Sarah Beth TpT store!  I am also giving away another copy of this collection, so enter to win below...

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Just a reminder, we are hosting a book study on our new Adventures in Guided Math blog.  We are reading Guided Math in Action by Dr. Nicki Newton.  Fly on over to learn more--we would love for you to participate! 

And don't forget to stop over at Fourth Grade Frolics to read about some fabulous made-its!

Enjoy your week! Smiles!

Monday Made It -- Inspirational Framed Art and Sub Tub & Binder

Linking up for Monday Made It with 4th Grade Frolics...

" When you enter this classroom..." Framed Art

 

My first made it was directly inspired by a free download from Ashley McKenzie on TpT. Check it out! I decide to create my own framed art/saying with a couple of items added to the list and a rainbow background and bunting to match our classroom decor.  Feel free to download this version by clicking here.  The 8.5" x 11" frame was $3 at Walmart!

Sub Tub & Binder

Well, it has only taken me 20 YEARS to get my act together! Yep, this is my first year using a sub binder and tub.  I purchased this wonderful template from One Extra Degree on TpT this morning, customized it, organized it, and viola!  Ready for my sub tomorrow and ALL YEAR!

Fly on over to 4th Grade Frolics to check out more Monday Made Its!

Don't forget to stop by to join in for our two new linkies Traits Tuesday & Fabulous Finds Friday!  Click the links on our sidebar to find out more! We hope to see you back here to link up...

Have a wonderful week!

Monday Made It--Kermit the Frog!

Just a quick link up this week for Monday Made It with 4th Grade Frolics...

Courtney and I have been very busy getting our rooms ready for back to school, SO I have only one thing to share this week--but a good one, I think!

My class' theme each year is "Moving Right Along TOGETHER!" (Muppets theme).  Last year I created a funky Studebaker with Kermit and Fozzie driving--like the one they drove in The Muppet Movie (I will be sharing a pic of that later).  This year I created a Kermit to greet the kids next week and our visitors throughout the year.

First, I drew Kermit with pencil on a large piece of cardboard.

Then I added the fill colors with pastels.

 

Some highlights...

 AND the black outline!

 I just know the kids will love to see Kermit welcoming them to second grade! 

Thanks so much for stopping by! Courtney and I will be sharing pics of our classrooms very soon... :0)

Have a splendid week!

Monday Made Its: Word Wall Heading, Caddies & Suitcase Writing Portfolio...

Mondays have just been flying by, it seems--time for another Monday Made It with 4th Grade Frolics...

Word Wall Header

Well, back in the classroom work time has come for Courtney and I! We both will be using a paper plate word wall header this year.  Mine is rainbow colored, and hers is yellow to match her classroom color scheme.  Feel free to download--rainbow or yellow!

Supply Caddies Finished!

I finished my supply caddies yesterday--finally!  I adore how they turned out--rainbow colored, of course.  Kept it simple with a knot at the top instead of a bow. Then I attached a circle number to each side (group numbers).  We have mentioned these caddies before when sharing a favorite pin, so check out the original post by Anna at Life...As I Know It.  Cortney will also share a picture of hers when she is finished...

Adventure Awaits!: Suitcase Writing Portfolio

I mentioned this made-it last Friday, but wanted to include it today because it truly is a made-it. I loved designing and making this suitcase writing portfolio, and I hope that my students have as much fun making theirs as I did! Here's a little background that I shared earlier...

When I was student teaching first grade many moons ago (20 years ago now), we used a simple pizza box to store student writing portfolios. For the many years since then, I have used various other systems with older students—-binders, folders, files in crates, etc.  When I switched grade levels a couple of years ago (2nd grade), I began to think back to my earliest days of using a pizza box.  The boxes worked well because students were able to collect entries of all sizes, the boxes were easy to access in the classroom, and writings were taken home in a secure container at the end of the year. I decided to start using pizza boxes again—so I have created this fun way of decorating a pizza box into a suitcase.  Writing is truly an adventure for the kids throughout the year! You can learn more in my TpT store...

Back to school is just around the corner for us, so we hope to be sharing some pics of our classrooms sometime soon...

Thanks so much for flying in! Have a great week!

Monday Made Its--Math!

It's Monday Made It with 4th Grade Frolics...

Money Bags!

A couple of weeks ago I had an idea for an independent, differentiated money activity.  My idea was to put a bunch of coins in a money bag (selecting coins according to students' needs) and create a group of tasks that could be completed with any bag of money.  I decide to make cloth money bags and began to search for some fabric with dollar signs... While looking online, I stumbled across a Bank Robber Money Bag tutorial.  Well, it was a little more than I had planned on doing, but they were so darn cute that I had to make some (with black and bright colors, of course). I also adapted the size of the bag for my needs.  Here is how they turned out!

I had the tasks floating around in my head and finally got them put together. You can get these task sheets in my TpT store by clicking the cover below!

Be as creative or as simple as you want with your money bags...

Problem Solving Discussion Fans

I created some problem solving discussion fans to help guide my students' discussions with one another during independent work time.  Rich math discussions are an important way students learn, and these discussion do not always need to take place in a whole/small group, teacher directed setting.  Students can pair up and use discussion fans during guided math rotations, center/workstation time, at the end of a day's lesson, etc.  I am always amazed by my students' thoughtful discussion!  Teachers can also keep a fan handy during whole or small group time.

Get ahold of a copy of my Problem Solving Discussion Fan in my TpT store--includes suggestions for use and directions for assembly.

"READ" Back to School Bunting

I created a "READ" bunting with my new chalkboard bunting backgrounds...

Font by KG Fonts

Check out more Monday Made Its at 4th Grade Frolics!

Rocking Chair Makeover, Easy-Peasy Bunting, New Background, & FREEBIES!

It's Monday and time to link up with 4th Grade Frolics for Monday Made It!

Rocking Chair Makeover!

Well, I have had this makeover on my mind all summer, and I just got around to executing it.  Every year (until it looses its luster), our classroom theme is/will be Moving Right Along TOGETHER! (with the Muppets).  If you are a Muppet fan, and even if you aren't, I am sure you have heard of the song Rainbow Connection.  I decided to overhaul my 20+ year old rocking chair--that my Uncle Harry took out of the neighbor's treasures at the curb and gave to me my first year of teaching--with rainbow colors. 

First, I knocked down the finish with my dual action sander and taped off the spindles.

I chose black as the base color--my favorite color!

Then I created a rainbow of spindles and whipped up a pillow cover to match! Viola! I think the kids will love it! Maybe now the rocking chair won't be the last reading spot chosen...

Easy-Peasy Bunting

Went to Hobby Lobby to pick up a couple of must-haves and came home with quite a few other things... I know you know how that goes!  Anyway, I had not jumped on the bunting bandwagon until yesterday.  I was browsing through the aisles at Hobby Lobby when I came upon a ready to decorate bunting/banner made by Paper Studio.

Here's why I made the buy:

• each pennant is approximately 8" x 12" inches (approx. 108" long)--nice & large
• the pennants are made with heavy black card stock--this will prevent curling of the pennants and light shining through (also available in white card stock)
• the pennants are connected with black, sewn-on ribbon--no need to mess with punching and spacing along ribbon or rope
• 12" x 12" scrapbook paper would work perfect for decorating
• the decorative paper can be removed and the bunting can be re-used/redecorated (which I plan to do for the season/holidays)
• the words "Welcome Back" will fit perfectly (12 pennants)--black cutout letters

First, I chose rainbow colored scrapbook paper and traced onto 12 colors/patterns and cut.

Next, I simply attached the scrapbook paper with a little bit of permanent scrapbook adhesive.

WOW, that was easy!

I will be adding the black "Welcome Back" letters and some colored ribbon ties between each pennant.  Did I mention that the bunting was only $4.99 (minus the 40% off weekly coupon)!!

Can't wait to finish and hang in the classroom!

New Backgrounds & FREEBIES!

Working with the ready-made bunting was inspiration to create these Chalkboard Dotted Line Bunting Backgrounds. If you follow our blog, fill out the form below to receive a FREE "Welcome Back" Banner download!

AND here is my latest freebie--Dots N' Squares Circle Chalkboard Backgrounds! Enjoy!

FOLLOWERS FREEBIE!

To all our faithful followers, and new ones, we would like you to enjoy a FREE chalkboard-style "Welcome Back" bunting download! This bunting can be customized with your favorite ribbon.  I simply printed, trimmed, punched, and strung with ribbon (3/8").  If using mini clothespins (7/8"), the bunting will need to be hung on a wall (not free hanging) due to the top weight. Just fill in the form below to receive your free bunting download--ends at the end of the day on Friday.

I am giving this one to our wonderfully fabulous school secretary!

FORM CLOSED

FINALLY, thank you to all that entered our Place Value Cubes Giveaway! The winners were Erin R. and Aimie.  Congrats ladies!

Thanks for flying over! Stop over at 4th Grade Frolics for more Monday Made Its...

Have a splendid, fun-filled week!