Monday Made It

It's Monday again, which means Monday Made It!

I remember seeing these adorable Dr. Seuss canvases on Pinterest forever ago. So when I saw these tote bags, I knew I had to do something with them!

Sorry for the terrible picture. Of course I forgot to take a picture of mine, so I had to find one online.

I went back to Pinterest to see if I could find the original pin, but I had no such luck.

First, I cut off the straps and cut the bag in half along the seams.

 Arrange the canvas where you want it. The canvas I used is 8x8.

 I attached mine with hot glue, but you could easily use another glue, staples, or even just tacks in the corners!

I am so happy with how they turned out! I'm not exactly sure where they will end up in my room yet. I'm thinking our library! But I'll probably move them around 18 times before I'm finally happy with it.

I'm just realizing this is my last Monday! Next week, I will be back starting to get my room ready for a new year! Craaazzzyyyy.

I Have to Read 20 Minutes?!

Does anyone else have parents that are annoyed, aggravated, or even angry when you ask them to read at home with their child? 

I was AMAZED last year at our back to school night at the attitude toward reading at home. Is 20 minutes really that much to ask for? I don't think so, but some thought it was impossible. So this year, I will be prepared with some helpful suggestions on how they can read 20 minutes every night!

Click on the picture to get this freebie from TpT!

Easiest {And Cheapest} Puppet Ever

I am soooo excited about this week's Monday Made It! 

I have recently become aware of the wonderfulness that is Kohl's. How did I go so long without knowing?! It was always one of those places that I never thought of going, but now I might have an obsession. Especially with their Kohl's Cares books and matching character! Who can go wrong with a $5 book and a $5 stuffed animal?!

Ohmygoodness. Precious.

Here is what he started like. 10 minutes and a few hot glue burns later, and he is an adorable puppet!

Cut a small slit somewhere on the back.

Pull out a little of the stuffing.

 Now, originally, I had planned to glue a glove or a mitten inside. But...it's July. And 100 degrees outside. So there were no mittens or gloves to be found that weren't giant man work gloves.

So instead...socks! 

So easy! Just slip the sock on your hand and arrange it inside the stuffed animal. Pull your hand out and add a little hot glue. Ta da!! Could not be any easier!

Now, I had a few issues taking a picture of the puppet actually on my hand. I decided to leave out those pictures, since most of them included part of the puppet and a whole bunch of wall. But you get the idea!

Head over and link up with what you have made!

Loving Words of Wisdom Linky

I'm linking up with Deb from Fabulously First to offer some wisdom to new teachers! Now, I definitely  don't have the years of wisdom to share, but who better than someone who just finished their first year to offer wisdom to someone starting their first year?!

I cannot tell you how many times procedures will save you. And it is so comforting when you are gone to know that your students will know exactly how things should go.

Things are constantly changing in schools. There might have been 2 days all year where we did everything on the lesson plans, exactly when and how I had planned. Being flexible and making it up as you go having a back-up plan will make your days so much easier!

Love, love LOVE your students! You may be the only one who smiles at them, gives them a compliment, or cares about what they say. 

Head over and share your wisdom!

Math Vocabulary Posters

Happy Monday! I am starting to feel the school year coming on fast! I have been a frequent visitor of the Target dollar spot. It is filled with great stuff for teachers right now! I am also rushing to try to finish up a million and one things that I want to finish up before the chaos of August starts. 

I got one finished up this morning! 

Check it out on TpT!

I only have 30 days until school starts! Ahhhh!

New Blog Design

I love, love, love, looooovvee my new blog design!! I really had no idea what I wanted it to look like, and I can't imagine it being more perfect for me! Thanks so much to Erin! Check out her blogs!

Favorite Pins Friday

I'm linking up with Cara Carroll for Favorite Pins Friday! It's hard to narrow it down to just a few when you pin as much as I do!

Favorite Teaching Pins

I always need new ways to use the iPad.

School is around the corner!

Favorite Home Pins

How fun is this chair?!

Favorite Food Pins

Yummm!!

Anything to not use my oven when it's 100 outside!

Favorite Quote Pins

I love Dori. And may or may not be counting down to Finding Dori!

Why I'm Throwing Out My Clip Chart

I have loved looking through the teachers that have linked up with this management linky! I got so lucky with my class last year, and behavior was hardly ever an issue. I know am hoping that I will be more prepared next year, in case it is an issue. So I am getting tons of new ideas, and sharing some of my thoughts for next year!

Now some people are going to completely disagree with some of the things I say in this post, but hopefully it will lead some to think about whether their clip chart is a positive addition to their room or not.

Does this look familiar?

I think nearly every teacher in my school had this last year. And honestly, I never thought twice about having one. I mean, if they're all over my school, Pinterest, and teacher blogs, how bad can they be?

Earlier this summer, I spent the week at a training about a behavior model many schools in my district use. The thing that caught my attention the most--they think clip charts do more harm than good!? At first, I thought they were CRAZY. But they made some good points.

When a child clips down, they probably feel singled out. I know if it were me, I would sit there thinking about clipping down for a while, instead of focusing on learning. (Just imagine having a clip chart for teachers posted in the teacher's lounge?! I would hate that.)

Then I started to think about how it effects the students after school. Do I want the parents' first question when they get in the car to be, "what color were you on today?" No! I want them to ask about what they learned or what friends they played with or what books they got from the library!

For the most part, any problem in my room, is taken care of then and there. If a student and I have already talked about the issue, then do they also need to have the same conversation with their parents 7 hours later? If there is a problem severe enough that I thought the parents needed to know about, I call them to talk about it anyway.

Of course, my first thought was--if there's no clip chart, what will I do?! Maybe a clip chart only I can see? I'm thinking a clip board with magnets. (We all have those kids that we have to document somehow). Or maybe just track positive behavior? Warm fuzzies with prizes? 

Now I am honestly not 100% sure what our behavior management will look like next year, but I do know it will not involve a public clip chart! 

Any suggestions of things that have worked for you?

Ten Frame Number Posters

I made some number posters at the beginning of last school year for my room. About 2 days into school, I realized I should have put ten frames on them! Duh. That's what I get for trying to make something when my brain is 

school-is-starting crazy!

So I revamped them a bit! Complete with ten frames and a new background!

Check them out!

Speaking of school-is-starting crazy, I only have about 5 weeks left of summer! Craziness. But I am honestly so excited to go back. 

July Currently?!

I can't believe it is July. June flew by! And as much as I am loving summer, I'm getting so excited for school to start back! I know most of you think I am crazy, but I am so excited for year 2!

Listening: I know I am like 10 years behind, but I love Lost!! It is so crazy, confusing, and addictive. Thank goodness for Netflix.

Loving: I am tutoring one of my students this summer who really struggled with reading this year. And she is showing so much improvement! I love seeing her so excited about reading!

Thinking: I gave myself a pretty long school to do list this summer. I need to get going on it before August sneaks up on me!

Wanting: The past few days have been beyond beautiful in Oklahoma! I went to my brother's baseball tournament this past weekend, and it was about 80! I know if won't stick around, so I'm trying to soak it all in!

Needing: I am going home to visit for the holiday weekend, and I desperately need to pack! Or at least think about packing...

Tips, Tricks, or Hints: Be real! We all know that crazy things happen in our classrooms, and things hardly ever go according to our plan, so tell about it! I always love reading the crazy, funny stories people have! I have also found that people feel pressure to blog and create. Don't worry about other people's expectations. Do it for you!

Happy almost 4th!