I Need to Come Up for Air

Those first few weeks of school can kill those who lack stamina and enthusiasm. As I look around the room I am just beginning to appreciate all the hard work my partner and I have put into our "Pete" environment. The entire room has been done in blue, red, yellow and a hit of green. It is starting to shape up. Let me know what you think...

Here are the cards for my October calendar because I am trying to stay ahead of the curve. I love how they turned out. Each month I will make the cards and add more components to this as I get a chance.

It is definitely improving and I will have more pictures as I get a chance to take some.

Our students are learning about colors and we had so much fun coloring in our teacher avatars so parents could remember our names. This was a big hit with our students! 

I created retelling cards that went with the first Pete the Cat story and the children did well with this activity. The next day we worked on prediction and talked about Pete walking through a big pile of grapes, peas, oranges, and even pudding. I asked them to "predict" what color his shoes would turn. 

This was fun and challenged our English language learners. Then during small group instruction the children had to color in Pete's shoes, reading the color words. They are really not ready for this so I put a tiny clue next to each color word. It was a win-win situation and helped to build their confidence. They must believe in themselves!

I finally finished my sight word circles and they are all hanging in my Reading Corner within the reach of the children. It will encourage them to practice these with a partner. I also added the color words. I can move these around the room easily when I need to refer to them.

Right now I am building my PowerPoint for Back to School and working on the design for my homework folder... no relaxing for me! What touches are you adding to your room to make it special? Please share.

A Teacher Tip: BTS

August has just ripped around the corner and now we are officially in Back to School mode. Okay stop screaming "NO" and just sit back and enjoy a little tip to ease you back into the classroom when you can no longer hold off.

This is an easy project that I love since it is super cheap and requires just a few materials. My room is going to be designed with a Pete the Cat theme so I am using primary colors and sticking mostly to blue (hello), red, and yellow with a green accent. 

Recently I decided to check out IKEA for containers and any inexpensive materials I might be able to pick up for my classroom. I started wandering around but nothing caught my eye until I saw these picture frames. They were in the exact colors of my classroom but I wasn't sure how to make use of them. They were only a dollar and so cute.

I put them in my cart and decided to take them home in the hopes that something would hit me by the time I set up my classroom. I loved the bright colors and the stand that you screwed in at the bottom so they could stand easily. First I thought I could label various parts of the room with these, put directions on them.... My mind was spinning. I tossed more of them in my cart as my brain was spinning. Don't judge. It's a process for me. Hey I was just excited that they were in my color palette.

Then it hit me. I could make table numbers to guide my students around the room. I liked this idea since it would create more organization for my little guys. So I built a very simple temple and popped a number in each frame that my friend Pete is holding. This frame is clear on both sides so I put the image in the front and back which makes it idea for viewing. I think the kids will love having these and I can direct them to various parts of our room

Here is a final picture of these once I finished them. They took no time at all to put together and I think the results are adorable. I still have a lot of other frames and need to consider using them in other parts of the room. I can label the class library, stations, etc. The sky is the limit. What's your idea? Leave a comment and let me know!

More Washi Tape Wonderful Projects For Your Classroom

Many teachers shop in Ikea for all kinds of inexpensive containers, carpets, picture frames, etc. to fill their classroom with attractive pieces that make it more homey. They are know for having goods that are simple and clean in design. I love their plain white pots that often just have a little texture. They are only a few dollars so they are affordable for a classroom. These have horizontal lines which made them perfect for washi tape decorating! Here are the results. Really nice looking and a cute pop of color... right?

Where I live we have little dollar type stores everywhere and I was cruising around and found this clear plastic box which I use when I need to take supplies with me on the run. Once I added a label and colorful tape it become this adorable box and my name is right on the front. It only took me minutes to make. As I was cruising around I found a white plastic binder. I grabbed it and made it so much cuter with some tape on the outside and inside. The pages are color coded so I can find information quickly and easily. 
Helpful Hint: I like washi tape best on white products or clear ones since the tape is a bit transparent.  Have you washi taped anything lately? I would love to get some other ideas from you so leave a comment if you want to. Now go have a "washi wonderful weekend."
Fran