DIY Black Pocket Chart

I have been searching the internet

for a black pocket chart and couldn't

find anything! Several people suggested

spray painting...that didn't work for me!

Several people suggested using black RIT

dye and it worked!  I used a blue Wal-Mart

pocket chart and cut a small slit in the bottom 

to take out the plastic rod. 

First I got the water very hot as the

directions stated for nylon. I used two 

large pots of almost boiling water and

a 5 gallon bucket. I poured in a cup of 

vinegar, again as the directions stated.

I put the pocket chart in and stirred it.

I used an ice cream bucket filled with

water to weigh the chart down. I stirred

and readjusted many, many times and left it

in overnight. The readjusting is necessary

to get inside the pockets.  Use gloves! I didn't

and had to use diluted bleach to get my hands

 clean! Rinse in cold water and hang to dry!

The pockets came out clear! 

The dye didn't dye the plastic!

Here it is again because I am so happy

with how it turned out!!! 

Many of you know I am getting 30

1st graders this year...

so in an effort to simplify,

I am getting rid of classroom jobs...kind of! 

I will have 2 assistants a day,

which I will switch daily. 

Except for the line leader. 

That is always the star of the week!

I will take a picture of the kids on

the first day of school, print, laminate and

add velcro for easy changing daily!

Two small pictures should fit on the chart!

    

Click the picture for your freebie!

I thought I should mention the 

rocking chair and stool as well!

I spent 4 days stripping the old

stuff off that rocking chair! 

What a chore! I saw a similar chair

on Pinterest and knew I wanted it!

I painted the stool and my desk chair

to match. I have been switching from

primary colors to pink and lime green.

Time is running out and I might not

get everything switched before school

starts, such as baskets and my frames

for self-portraits that hang on a wall.

I hope I can live with the mixed color

scheme if I don't get it done!

Thanks for stopping by!

Stocking a Classroom Store and Trying a New Idea for Organizing Student Supplies

My freebie this week is a credit/debit 
sheet that students tape to their desks.
I mark a credit for homework, class jobs and
occasionally for positive behaviors.
I occasionally mark a debit for misbehaviors.
My original sheet and the idea came
from Beth Newingham. I made 3 new versions.

Click here to get them!

We all spend too much money

out of our own pockets on our

classrooms. It is almost expected

anymore. Without our money, our

classrooms would be close to empty

and learning just wouldn't be the same.

One way I have found to occasionally

save a little money when getting items for 

my classroom store, is to visit our local

thrift store. All items are donated to the

store. They in turn, donate items to

people in need. They also donate items

to teachers for their classrooms.

It might be worth your time this summer 

to visit a local thrift store and ask

 if they donate to teachers! 

I do buy things as well to support the cause!

Here are some of the items I found this time!

All free!

Frog squirters

(a center or store...hmmm..)

2 bags of at least 100 erasers

in each bag! BRAND NEW!

(Again...center or store?!)

2 bags of dolphin, whale and

shark squirters! Brand new!

2 bags of dinosaur squirters!

Brand new!

5 bags of miscellaneous!

(mini stuffed animals, balls,

plastic farm animals, plastic cats

and a Winnie the Pooh set)

All going in the store!!

The past few years, we have kept

student supplies on their desks in

the colored divided baskets. They are

in the way, students play with the things,

they fall through desk cracks when we move

desks and it just doesn't look very neat.

This year, I am going to try these

Sterilite Modular Drawers.

They stack and can be kept

somewhere in the classroom.

When we need glue, crayons, or 

scissors, a student from each 

table can go get their whole container,

place it in the middle of their desks,

open the drawer to all of their supplies

and stack it back when we are finished!

I think I am going to put small containers

in each drawer to divide the supplies and

keep them neat and organized inside the drawers.

I hope it works! 

I will post pictures once school starts!

Thanks for stopping by!