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!

A Perfect 10!

Do any of you remember the
crazed bird that kept flying
into our sliding doors for days
and days ALL DAY LONG?!
Well, that situation got better...
this morning I woke up to a new
sound at the door.....

It was a squirrel scratching to get in!

I wasn't quick enough to get a
picture, but he'll probably be back later!


Have you heard about 
Used Teaching Treasures Emporium?!

Charity Preston from 
The Organized Classroom Blog 
started it on facebook
and it is growing fast and is ah-mazing!
It is a page to buy and sell new or
used teacher products 
(hard copies only...nothing digital)! 
Super fun but you gotta be fast 
because items go quickly!

Now......

Here is a fun way for students

to practice facts of 10!

Included are 10 math events (games),

5 individual & 5 partner,

for practicing facts of 10!

(Scroll down for the freebie!)

Click here to check it out at my TpT store!

You can jazz it up by awarding

medals once they master their facts!

Click here to check them out at

Oriental Trading!

Too bad they don't have a 

10 on them!

 

The freebie is in the download preview!

Click here to get it!

Thanks for stopping by!

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Teacher Tipster Inspired Freebie and MISSION POSSIBLE!

With a class of 29+ heading my way,

(and a warning recommendation to have

A LOT of behavior management tricks

up my sleeve)

I came up with this fun idea!

Click below for the freebie!

Secret Student Spy!

Here is one more freebie!

I needed a way to remember
all of Mr. Smith's (Teacher Tipster)
classroom management ideas
so I created these cue cards!
Click here to go to TPT to download!

I did get permission to use the 
Teacher Tipster name in the title!
Make sure you check out his website

http://www.teachertipster.com/

and his facebook page 

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Teacher-Tipster/174900719206607

There are links to printables and videos
that are so fun to watch AND give great ideas!

Thanks for stopping by!

1st Grade Self-Portraits

I was working at school today for a short time and looked up at my wall where the students self-portraits hang.    I realized I had a really old, ugly poster hanging there! So I updated!

 

Click the picture below for 

several versions of posters

that can be used for a 

1st grade self-portrait wall 

or for a class book!

Thanks for stopping by!

1st Day of School Award

 

I have given a certificate similar to this, 

(but with kisses)

 on the first day of school, for years! 

I don't know where it came from...

maybe an old Mailbox??  

I thought it needed a new look and I 

wanted to change the kiss to a hug!

Click the picture for your freebie!

I have been inspired by so many

to FINALLY get rid of some of my

precious things junk in my classroom.

With 28 (2 moved away!) students on

their way to 1st grade, I needed more

room! It was HARD...but like a band-aid...

once off (gone) it feels so much better!

I will post before and after pictures later

today! If they haven't already emptied my

room to do carpets!

Bummer! They already emptied my room.

I'll do a post when I get it set back up!

Thanks for stopping by!