Organized Clutter

Does anyone else's  house or classroom look like this? Or does anyone feel their life is organized clutter?  It's exhausting!

Ugh!!!!

Organized Clutter at its finest!

So the other day I decided that I was going to try and organize all of the school materials I have been gathering over the years (that have been kept in my game room out of sight).....and has become what I like to call organized clutter. My intentions were to organize everything and put it right away. However I am at a total stand still until Tuesday.  Your going to have to stop back Monday night to hear why!

Anyways I went from organizing to creating like its my job----FYI I love to organize and create so I guess it's a win win other than the mess of a game room I now have.

Animal Print Much....

 I stopped by the teacher store this morning and picked up some goodies! Super excited I got the free desk calendar!

Love New Things

It's the most wonderful time of the year.....

I know you may think I'm losing my mind, but lets face it- - - it's TRUE. 
Who doesn't get excited about new school supplies and FUN classroom decor. 
I love letting my inner organizista and craftista shine. 

So today on my way home from a lunch date with Josh I stopped at Wal-Mart for some printer paper, but of course some other things were just calling my name........clearly you'll understand why I couldn't pass them up. 

                      

From my blog stalking, I know that everyone is loving the 3 drawer organizer as am I. 

I am going to create and print some super cute labels (jungle themed of course) and attach to the front of the drawers....COPY, GRADE, and FILE

My favorite purchase of the day was the Photo Booth Props. I was thinking that on each student's birthday we could take a silly class photo. The birthday student will get a copy of their photo and then it can also be added into the end of the year slide show.

As you can see I bought a folding table today too. I love that it is black. I was thinking that I could use the crate seats I made last summer to go with this. I love that fact that if I'm not using it I can easily fold it up and store it.

I have to let you all know that I have the BEST FRIENDS in the world. One of my besties Christy, bought me these cute little mats. Can you believe they are bath mats? They are perfect for when students are working around the classroom and are out of their seats. Students will have their own fun little space. If you work with younger students these would be perfect for budding reading spaces. Older students can use them for independent work. 
                                             

Made-It Monday

What better way to reenter blog-land.....

I'm back linking- up with a Made-It Monday post

I know I keep saying that and blah, blah, blah..........
You have to trust me this time. Sometimes life gets too busy and we prioritize. Unfortunately my blog was put to the bottom of that list. I have decided that it needs to move on up! When I set my mind to something it happens. I also have a little feeling that some good things are going to be happening in my life in the near future. If my dreams come true I will have so much to blog about you'll wish I was on vacation. SO I am back at it officially!

Today's fun is going to be a DIY welcome sign.  It is super easy and fast to make. The best part is you can make it to match your theme or use any word/saying you like. 

Supplies needed:

Wooden letters that spell out the word welcome (or your word of choice)

Scrapbook paper or material in any desired print

Spray adhesive

Scissors

Marker

Small Screw Eyes 1/2 X 1/2"

Clear fishing line

Ribbon 

Mod Podge (optional)

Steps to create:

Step 1: Lay the wooden letters face down with the backside facing up on the scrapbook paper or material and outline with a marker.
Step 2: Cut out the letters and place them on the wooden letters to check sizing (Your wooden letters should now be turned to the front side). Make any adjustment cuts needed then lay the cut-outs to the side.
Step 3: Spray the wooden letters with spray adhesive and place the cut-outs on top pressing firmly so it sticks. 
Optional Step 4: Coat the letters with Mod Podge and allow to dry.
Step 5: Attach the Small Screw Eyes to the tops and bottom of each letter (the last E only needs attachments at the top).
W-4
E-3
L-2
C-2
O-2
M-4
E-2
Step 6: Use the fishing line to attach the letters to each other. In the picture above I used a small ribbon, but I'm going to change it to clear fishing line so it looks cleaner.
Step 7: Attach ribbon to the top of the W for hanging purposes. I'm going to add a bow or something to the top to jazz it up as well. However, if you prefer you can use fishing line instead. 

SiMpLy StATed

Wishing 

You and Yours 

A Very Happy Holiday

Season

Busy As A Bee

Like most of you, I feel like I have been going non-stop. I started off the school year as an Instructional Aide in a Kindergarten classroom. We sang, we danced, we practiced our letters and numbers, and getting into a routine. Four days into the year I was pulled out of Kindergarten and moved into Fifth Grade. I knew this was coming, so over the summer I met with the fifth grade teacher who I am covering for while she is spending time with her new little bundle of joy! I felt that after meeting with her a few times I was prepared. Let me rephrase that.....I felt prepared enough to get by until I actually got my feet wet. We've all had that felling right? I've been in fifth grade for about 3 weeks now! I absolutely love it. Everything is falling right into place. I get to teach Literacy and Social Studies to 52 kiddos plus I get to work with some amazing teachers! I have to admit it is totally different from my first placement and last year's placements in kindergarten and 2nd grade. I have to remind myself that these kids aren't going to appreciate all of the "cutesy" stuff. Notice I said all....they still like some of it. During my first week in fifth grade, I had a student asked me if I was a music teacher. My response back was: No, what makes you think that? He told me it was because I sing everything. I just started to laugh at myself. 1) because it was true and 2) because I am a horrible singer. It was then I knew I'd be taking a different approach on my teaching. Don't get me wrong....I still sing. I swear it keeps them alert and interested.

While I've been MIA, I've been working on lesson plans, lesson plans, and lesson plans. Did I mention I've been writing lesson plans and trying to make them exciting and fun just like all of you? I also have been trying to give my husband as much attention as I can in the evenings and on the weekends. Hence, why I haven't been posting. Does anyone else's husband have a hard time adjusting to a new school year. Don't get me wrong Josh is so supportive of my late nights and homework, but he is also use to having all my attention all summer long that when school starts it takes some time to adjust. On another note....I've spent a lot of time on TPT. Sometimes it is just easier to use the brilliance of someone else. I would love to be able to create everything I need by myself, but let's face it----not always going to happen. So thank you to all of the brilliant and creative educators! I truly appreciate all of your hard work. One thing I have created is for writing workshop. It is just a simple clip chart that students will use to let me know where they are in their writing. Usually I would add some cutesy clip art, but I stopped myself.

Here's to a great year :)

Make-it Monday

This morning I woke up and decided that I needed to be creative :) Well I guess I should say... take someone else's idea and make it my own. Everyone has been buzzing about bunting. At first I really didn't get it. Sure it's cute, but I never saw anything that really caught my eye, until now---I'm pretty excited about my Jungle Themed Bunting! Can I just say it was so easy to make in Publisher using the graphics I already own! It was time consuming, but so worth it.

Here's what I did:

  

1. Made a triangle shape for the bunting

2. Inserted a picture fill

3. Changed the picture fill

4. Made a circle shape for the lettering

5. Added text

6. Changed fonts

What do you think? I promise it's worth making :) If you would like bunting for your room, but this doesn't fit your decor and you don't have time to make it yourself, let me know and I'll make something super special for you! If you do like this...check out my TPT  Store....did I mention I'm throwing a sale! Everything is 20% off make sure to use the code BTS12 to get an additional discount! 

                                                                   

Almost Time

Wow! I can't believe that the students start in 10 days. Where did the summer go? I have to admit that I am so ready to go back. I just love routines and being with the kids...plus I get to see my school friends :) Yay!

The following are some new things that I got for this school year...or well when I have a classroom. I think they are pretty sweet...some more than others but I have trouble passing up things for a buck.

1. Dollar Tree finds!!! Leopard place mat, dice, cards, and a bacon tray. Why would I buy a bacon tray? You can use dry erase markers on them! It is perfect for place value, helping little ones keep numbers in line when adding and subtracting, and I think it could work for letter sizing/spacing too. 

2. Five different style dry-erase clocks from the Dollar Tree....perfect for differentiating instruction.

3. I found this at Halmark...who would have thought. This is for flip flops but I thought it could be used to hang task cards from.

4. Target dollar bin flash cards...Money, Community Helpers, and Road Signs.

5. Super cute picnic blanket from Wal-mart. Perfect for lunch dates with the kids! Bargain buy for $5.00 and it zips :)

6. Yay! I made my first tissue pom and photo frame. 

7. I was in desperate need of a photo shoot.