The Pot Boiled Over

Hey, friends! :)  It's slowly sinking in that my summer is O-V-E-R, and I am exhausted!  Technically, we don't have kids until the 22nd, but since we had a voluntary team meeting yesterday, and since I basically LIVED at the school today, I need to face the facts.  When you get your class list, that pretty much seals the deal.  Well, today, I found out that I'll be getting 29 kiddos this year!   (I still don't know how many kiddos my partner has.  We've been playing phone tag all day, but I am pretty sure that she's hovering around 30 too.  I'll have the pleasure of meeting about 60 new students this year! Wowza!)  Of course, this necessitated a Target stop and a trip to the teacher store for supplies... because I was ready to go all out with the labeling process! I also needed to pick up a few more buckets for my little Bucket Fillers, because I only had 25 buckets.  Mission accomplished... now I just need to buy a hanging file pocket chart for mail... because my mailboxes aren't going to cut it this year either.  Does anyone know where I can find one in cute colors or zebra print?  I'm going to be scouring the Internet this weekend FOR SURE. 

Anyway, aside from my meeting yesterday, I had not been into my classroom since July 30th.  Today was my second official day of setting of my classroom.  I am LOVING how it's looking so far, but I am not even close to being ready to share classroom pictures yet. In the meantime, here's a little sneak peek at my Focus Wall.  It's a work in progress.  Keep your peepers peeled to see how this all comes together next week! :)  {If you'd like the focus wall headers for your own classroom, you can pick them up in my store for free HERE.}

Aside from working on my focus wall, labeling desks/lockers,  and slapping up a few posters, I concentrated MOST of my time on little projects.  As you can see, I finally got around to labeling my center tubs, and I also had to tweak the storage//labeling of my Voice Vests and Brainstorm Box to use my storage containers efficiently.  :)

 

I also slapped a label on my new & improved "Stress Box".  This box works in essentially the same way, but it's under a new name.  After working with a kiddo with sensory needs last year, I realized that ALL students could really benefit from a spot in the room to "cool off".  I borrowed this idea from Lisa Lizak.  {She's such a doll!}  The Alaska sign is also a freebie.  Snag it!

In other news, we have a school-wide Character Store, and the kiddos receive money for good behavior.  {You may remember this from last year... when my kiddos tried to put their money together to purchase a giant inflatable whale for me. Ha!}  Eeek.  Speaking of last year...  I admit it...I was so BLAH.  I kept the money in a Ziploc baggie.   This year, I plan to have a Banker hand out money on payday, and the ones and fives will actually be kept in separate drawers.  So simple!

I have been contemplating picking up this galvanized metal utensil holder for a while.  After my sweet friend, Michelle, posted her Cameo project using the white utensil holders, it was all over.  So, when I went on my Target run, I finally bought it, and I am so glad I did!  I layered hot pink ribbon and B&W chevron ribbon onto the bottom of the container using hot glue... and viola!  So cute!  The little galvanized buckets were from Target as well.  I love that they have little chalkboards on them.  I also love that I didn't have to buy chalkboard paint to make them.  :)  I don't need any more projects right now.  I know you know what I mean!!!!  It's CRUNCH TIME!

As you can see, this container holds the basics for meeting with small groups.  The rest of my materials are stored nearby for easy access. {If you missed it, I just blogged about it HERE.}

While we're on the topic of utensil holders, this is how I store my writing supplies.  I picked this container up at Target a few years ago, and it SPINS!!! If you see this anywhere... ever... at any point of time... GRAB IT and run to the nearest cash register!  It's one of my most favorite purchases!

Obviously, Target has been a gold mine for me lately.  Well, except for the fact that I have looked EVERYWHERE for those little lightbulbs for the "Bright Idea" tub, and I can't find them anywhere! However, I seem to be quite adept at finding plenty of other goodies in the dollar bins and party aisle.  :)  Thank goodness I have an understanding hubs, eh?!

While I was there today, I picked up a few more props for fluency.  I had planned on making microphones, but when you can grab these cuties for a dollar, I'll pass on that! I plan on pouring the bubbles out of the containers prior to putting them in the hands of children, but I'm not gonna lie, the child in me is pretty sad about it.  Maybe I'll have to convince the mister to play in the backyard with me this weekend! Bahahahaha! ;) 

I was also really excited to find larger versions of my mini-wand pointers.  I use the little wands for small group work, but I think the larger wands will be great for reading the room!  Score!!!!

Okay, and I LOVE Post-Its.  I may be slightly obsessed with them.  Consequently, I couldn't resist adding these sticky notes to my Guided Reading arsenal.  I only wish I could have found more "Hello, My Thought Is..." stickies. Boo!

To wind down, I'm going to leave you with a few photos of finished Pinterest-inspired projects.  If you know who came up with the original ideas, please let me know, and I'll add a link! :)

When I saw these containers at TJ Maxx, I knew exactly what to do with them! :)  This will be great for Word Work!!!!  This really is a great way to keep pesky dice from catapulting across the room!

I am sure that you've seen this idea before, because it is not new, and it's all over Pinterest.  It just took me FOREVER to get around to making it.  I bought cheapo hair gel from the Dollar Tree.  I squeezed one bottle of hair gel into each bag.  (I made enough to use when I pull small groups.)  Next, I added 4-5 drops of food coloring to make it nice and dark.  Then, I added silver glitter.  After that, I sealed the bag and basically kneaded it and swirled everything around.  It was crazy-easy! I plan on using this to review for standardized tests in a more tactile way.

Whew!  That was another long post.  Thanks for hanging with me!   I hope you can find an idea or two to try out in your own classroom.   :)   It's the WEEKEND!!!!  Time for a BREAK!!!