Classroom Redo - Signage

So this year my school is under construction.  This gave me an idea.......rut row......Why not redesign my classroom since it will be empty at the beginning of the year?  I have been finding lots of great "creative" ideas on Pinterest (yeah I know, who isn't? That website is AMAZING!) and I want to rethink the space, not just redesign it.  So this project is the first of several this summer.  I'm creating more defined areas in my classroom, each with a purpose.  Each area needs a sign doesn't it?  So I started with chalkboards from Joann's, Damask ribbon from Michael's and good ol' painters tape and lime green spray paint.

First up the wood frames on the chalkboards got a coat of paint. 

Next step was to attach ribbon.  I didn't have a staple gun so I decided to give E6000 a try!  Holy Moly that glue is CRAZY STRONG!  I also finished off the ends of all the ribbon I cut with my trusty lighter.

After the ribbon was attached it was time to label the signs.  I had several ideas, from vinyl letters cut out on the Cricut, to Scrapbook Alphabet Letters, but I really wanted something less permanent but would not easily smudge.  I decided on a Crayola Window Marker.  So far I'm happy with how it is  working out.  The only disappointment is that it isn't a cute font.  I guess I should be happy I have good handwriting.

Three signs finished.  One is shown hanging.  Still need to write on three more, another Tech Services for my co-teacher.  Struggling with the names for the other two areas........hmmmmm.  It will come to me.......probably at 4 am when I'm not sleeping.  =)

More on my crafting projects soon!  If you want to get a sneak peek on my plans check out my Pinterest Redesign board.

Read Across America

So this post isn't necessarily a craft post......but here goes!

I always loved Read Across America day as a teacher.  It was always fun to break out Dr. Seuss and use him in the classroom.  I always used Hooray for Diffendoofer Day prior to MSA testing and The Lorax around Earth Day, but RAA gave me a reason to use all of his others for fun activities and crafts.

My last year as a classroom teacher....good ol' 2007.....I taught fourth grade.  Our school in honor of Read Across America was having a Decorate your Door Contest.  Each classroom had to decorate their door with their favorite story.  Well I didn't have a door so I decorated the wall at the entrance to my room.

The kids voted on their favorite story, they chose Oh the Places You Will Go!  Then we decided to make mini hot air balloons for each child.  I took their photos behind a chair and then had them developed....good old 35 mm film days.  Each child cut out their photo and put it in their balloon basket and decorated their balloon to their liking.  We added cotton balls for clouds and string and used cups and strings to make our balloons more realistic and 3-Dimensional.

Then as a class we created a remake of the story using my students as the characters in the story.

Our Door Won!  The kids were so pleased!  I have to say this is one of those teacher projects that I'm most proud of.

So why am I posting this......well I'm addicted to Pinterest and I keep seeing all these great Dr. Seuss ideas and I have to share! =)  It was fun reminiscing and hopefully you enjoyed reading about it.