Monday Made It: Quiet Zone Light, Book Nook, and Brag Tags

I'm linking up with 4th grade frolics for another Monday Made it! 

This week, I am building on my idea of a book nook from a couple of weeks ago, (hopefully) solving a guided reading problem, and getting ready to celebrate some success!

I love my Cricut, I really do... I just don't use it as much as I should! It has been sitting in my closet collecting dust for too long, so this week I decided to get it out for a made it!

I wanted a visual way to remind my students that they are not to disturb guided reading time. I briefly considered a hat of some sort, but then I stopped myself- am I really going to want to wear a hat every day during guided reading? As much as I like making hats, the answer to that was no.

There were several requirements for my project:

1. I wanted it to be something I wouldn't need to continually interact with. 

2. I wanted it to be easily seen, but not in the way of the guided reading table/supplies.

3.I wanted it to match my decor (naturally) :)

I came up with a quiet zone light!

I used a glass block with a stand and light. I cut out the Quiet Zone sticker on cricut vinyl and stuck it on the front of the block. I've never worked with adhesive vinyl before, so I was a bit nervous. 

I was able to get most of the air bubbles out, but there are a few still on there. I take comfort in the fact that it will be on top of a shelf, so no one will be inspecting it close up. :)

Disclaimer: I couldn't get a really good picture of it lit up, it looks MUCH better in person!

I like it, but I am considering adding some ribbon around the edges. Maybe for next week?

A couple of weeks ago, I talked about the book nook that I want to make in my classroom library with shelves and a bench. I wanted to make sure that everyone knew it was a book nook, enter: pennant banner!

After printing the pieces and cutting them out, I laminated them(and cut them out again). I was going to add the ribbon, but I didn't have enough, so that will have to come later. Just imagine that it is strung on bright pink polka dot ribbon!

Confession: I actually made parts of this project twice. My classroom projects/purchases have officially taken over my apartment and I was unable to find the printed parts, so I had to print them again. :(

This project is also part of the book nook that I am working on- the bench!

I got one of those black three cube organizer shelves and put it together. I wanted to use the openings for book baskets, so I added some leftover contact paper so they wouldn't get scratched.

Maggie loves the bench and is constantly on top of it! I found a pretty turquoise cushion for the top, but I don't want to get it all full of cat hair, so I am waiting on adding it until I get it in the classroom. I can't wait to see what it looks like when all put together!

I'm not sure that this next one really qualifies as a "made it," but it is so cute that I just have to share!

I found this pillow cover on etsy and knew that it was absolutely necessary for my classroom rocking chair!

I added a pillow form (hence the made-it!) and... that was it! 

So in love!

Last up, something I have wanted to make for ages, but have been putting off: math standards brag tags!

I use brag tags quite a bit in my first grade classroom and wanted to make some that were tied to specific math standards/targets. I made one last year (I can count to 120!) and it was a HUGE motivator! Even my little friend who suddenly became"allergic to paper" whenever we had math work (true story) wanted to write all of the numbers to 120 to get it!

I used the Common Core math standards as a jumping off point, and added in a few extras that we cover in our district (identifying and counting coins).

Voila! Now I just have to laminate/cut/punch/sort all of them... 

You can find the brag tags here.

Thank you so much for visiting! Make sure to check out all of the other awesome made-its at 4th grade frolics!

Monday Made it: Earbud storage, some fun new seating, and more!

I'm linking up with 4th Grade Frolics for another Monday Made it!

Last week was pretty busy. I had several big projects, so this week I forced myself to only do one a couple of little ones. 

I found these old dollar store purchases when I was packing up my classroom for the summer. I'm sure I had an idea for the when I first bought them (which was at least a year ago...), but I couldn't remember what it was, so they had just been sitting in my classroom.

I decided that I wanted to make a spinner for calling tables or center groups.

I started with some washi tape (my new favorite thing, next to contact paper!) to divide the pan into four (relatively) equal sections.

I printed the labels, laminated them, and used double-sided tape to stick them to the pan. Each label has a table name and a center group shape.

I added the magnetic pencil spinner and that was it! Less than 10 minutes and I have a spinner that I have been having way too much fun playing with! 

Our team put earbuds on the first grade supply list for next year (as an optional extra). I am really excited for this! The headphones we have for the computers are a constant hassle! 

Anyway, I am sure that not everyone will bring in earbuds, so I found this pack of 10 on amazon for less than $7.00. I know, I know, they are suspiciously cheap, but I have held all of them up to my ear to test and they all worked (so far)! 

I wanted a way for kids to store their earbuds by the computers, but I don't really have a lot of empty space there. I decided on a bead box. I use the same size to store word work manipulatives such as magnetic letters and alphabet stamps and I really like them.

I made the labels and taped them on. That's it!

The earbuds fit really well and I'm sure it will look just as neat and organized when the kids start using it... 

I have recently discovered the classroom joy that awaits in Five Below! The only one that is remotely close to me is about 30 miles away, but my two trips there have been completely worth it!

If you didn't see my post on Friday, I got these two giant foam dice there. 

I am so thrillled with them and can't wait to use them in the classroom! They actually gave me a really good, slightly crazy idea for another made it. Let's see if it happens this summer!

I got these three yoga mats there to use as a seating option for centers.

I cut all three of them in half so I ended up with six mats, which is enough for a center group! 

I think this little metal pail is perfect for them!

That's it for this week's made-its! Leave me a comment and let me know what you think and make sure you check out the other awesome made-its at 4th Grade Frolics!

Five for Friday: July 1st

I'm linking up with Doodle Bugs Teaching for another Five for Friday!

Last week was really busy with creating for the classroom, so this week was a little more focused on relaxing.

 I made the best find ever at Five Below this week! Check out my giant foam dice!

I am so excited to use these in the classroom next year! I am thinking about making a giant 120 chart mat for some math floor games. I think it would go perfectly with these giant dice!

 Next up, I have been working on some new phonics resources!

We use a phonics notebook daily in my classroom, but I wanted a way to make it more engaging for the kids, so I started making some interactive notebook sets.

So far, I have made sets for letter ID/sounds, CVC words, digraphs, r-controlled vowels, beginning blends, and ending blends. The goal is to have the rest of first grade phonics targets done by the end of the summer.

I am really enjoying them so far, I especially like printing them on bright paper so I can make my example notebooks!

I recently spent some time organizing the closet in my office, so all of the colored paper was easy to find!

Is it bad that I sometimes just stand in the doorway and look at the pretty paper? :)

 I recently started a free trial of Audible. I'm not usually a big fan of audio books, but they were offering 3 months and 3 books free, so I figured I'd give it a try.

The first book I got is one that I have been wanting to read for ages!

I plan on starting it this weekend, maybe another beach trip is in order?

 I have been spending more time outside lately. One of my favorite things to do is go for a walk around the lake by my apartment.

About half of the trail is out in the open, but the back is in a very shady area with lots of trees. It is a very peaceful place to walk. I've even seen otters in the lake!

This was taken as the sun was rising. I think it is one of my favorite pictures I have evern taken!

Last up, my sweet Maggie just had her 11th birthday!

Naturally, being a teacher's cat, her birthday presents were Dr. Seuss cat toys. :)

She quite enjoyed Thing 1 and Thing 2, but the mouse in the hat was her favorite!

She liked it so much that she was willing to dive under the entertainment center when she accidentally knocked it under. That doesn't happen... ever. I have the piles of toys under multiple pieces of furniture to prove it! :)

That's it for this Five for Friday! Thanks for stopping by!