Teaching with Mel D

Loads of August Randomness & a FREEBIE!

As you know I tend to disappear around this time of the year. I have been coo coo for cocoa puffs CRAZY busy! I’m sure you all can relate. I am now teaching high ability kiddos with brand new curriculum….eek! 
I honestly don’t know what direction this post will go in because trust me, it is all about randomness! I will start by showing you some project pics. 

Yes, this would be the hubs modge-podging. He was a modge-podging maniac this summer & we are still not done! I we prefer to modge-podge on the outside of the drawer. I like the way the color pops.

Do you agree? As you will see in this post I am a tiny bit obsessed with chalkboard & neon decor. Do I still have peace signs, yes, of course I do.

These are their little trash baskets for scraps….for now. These were only $1 @ Michaels! This was chosen by Michaels in their #createtoeducate #sweepstakes on Instagram…follow them here. They sent me a $50 gift card! It was spent the next day! Don’t forget to follow them on Pinterest as well. 

Here is my love helping me out on the porch. He is happy as long as I am next to him along with an IPA from Three Floyds.

I marked all my NEON pencils with chevron washi tape. Isn’t it pretty? The neon cups were purchased in the Target $ spot.

I have these around my room with student names on popsicle sticks. Where are the neon popsicle sticks people????

I found this frame at Marshall’s (my second home). I found this print here & just sent it off to Walgreen’s & wah-lah! Holy cuteness, right? They also have a #fabfound contest on Instagram. I tore off the back & velcroed it to the side of a bookshelf. 

Well, look at that! Another cup! I finally replaced my old “secret walker” cup with an updated version. I write all my students names on these special colored craft sticks. My line leader picks a secret walker stick & only the line leader & I know who it is. IF the secret walker is quiet, they get a BIG FUZZY. If they are not, they OWE a BIG FUZZY. Speaking of walking in the halls…..I have never had students so jumpy, hoppy, dancy, fidgety, bouncy, etc. in the halls! So if they are doing any of the above, they OWE a big fuzzy. 

Speaking of fuzzies. I finally replaced my old containers with new ones! I found them at my second home, you know Marshall’s. They are actually snack containers but they have a lid! Um, yes please.

I don’t know about you, but it drives me NUTSO when they are digging around for crayons. I am not even sure who posted about this first but the idea it GENIUS.

These are their pretty library sticks. My niece & the hubs spray painted wooden paint sticks. I used to have my kiddos use water colors on them, which turns out really cute too. But, since their teacher is obsessed with neon I had to spray paint something.

My shelves are literally buckling as I type. This photo was featured in an article published recently by TODAY.COM. This was just about the most exciting thing that has happened to me! 

I am forcing myself to hold off on replacing them until we get our new school. Did I tell you we are moving in December to a BRAND NEW school??? I can’t even think about it because I will get stressed. It’s very exciting but stressful all at the same time. 

They have a live web cam on the construction at all times. Cool, huh? I told you this post is random…now back to the library.

I bought those chevron shoe boxes at Michaels. I am now storing my chapter book series in these. Since I am teaching high ability, I had to find a spot for these and put them out right away.

I found this new classroom rug this summer when I was a back to school shopping maniac. I was browsing online & stumbled across this rug in the college living section on Walmart.com. The quality is excellent & it’s very reasonably priced! I think I might need another one! Click here or on the picture to grab your own. 

These tubs are from Big Lots. I used to use the Monday-Friday bins from Lakeshore but I had to switch to these. I put everything I need for the entire day in these drawers. 

After my summer full of purchasing washi-tape daily, I needed to find something to do with it. Here is my mom marking the supplies in each table bin using different tape. This way, I will know when my little nuggets try to hi-jack one of my neon pencils or markers. Ha!

Here is the shelf BEFORE my brother did his magic.

I found this chevron shelf liner at Marshall’s some time last year. I originally was going to use it on a make-up table that my mom refurbished. Then I saw someone had painted the entire shelf & then used this shelf liner in the back. I am so in love with this! It took my brother some time to do it but it turned out perfect! If you like this you have to check out Jennifer from First Grade Blue Skies & Maria from Kinder-Craze.…they did similar projects way before me. 

 I haven’t seen the shelf liner since but I know you can find it on Amazon here. 
Do you send home Highlights home to your students? I ALWAYS do & as a BONUS Highlights gives teachers free stuff.  The above containers I used to use for crayons. I would put only blue crayons in the blue cup. Well this year with my duct tape & neon obsession I decided to give this a make-over. Well, I told the hubs what my vision was & he had it done when I woke up. 

He truly amazes me! He spray painted the metal part & then used this chevron duct tape to cover. Do you think my students will be excited over these Scentos??? Um, I think so. They haven’t made an appearance in the writing center but they will be soon! Before you ask…the duct tape can be found at Target, Michaels, Walmart or Joann Fabrics. Scentos are carried at Walmart or Michaels. 

I found this organizer at Walmart.com & love it!

Here is another Lakeshore organizer make-over. The hubs spray painted the metal black & then used different colored duct tape on the bins.

This organizer is from Lakeshore. It originally came with primary poly file folders. The hubs spray painted the metal black. Covered the cups with chevron duct tape & I ordered neon folders from Mardel.  We glued each label to the front & wah-lah! An updated organizer for a very reasonable price!

Here is another view of my favorite rug! I am slowly getting rid of anything primary colored & going for bright neon and black. 

Here is the kiddos on the very first day of school. I gave them their book bins right away to go book shopping. They were familiar with the IPick procedure from Kindergarten. Of course, we reviewed it soon after. 

 Since I am updating everything I thought I would update my Daily 5 Choice Chart! I had to get some close ups because I am really loving it!

I am a strong believer in Daily 5 being about choice. I have always let my students choose where they are going in Daily 5. However, I am preparing myself for a few students that I think I have to make that decision for them so I want to be prepared. I will keep one side & track where they are going & matching it up to their sheet. They will simply color in the little icon each day. Hopefully we will get to three rotations this week. Click on any pic above to grab this Daily 5 freebie! I hope you can use it!

If you are interested in my chalkboard neon labels click on the pic above! Happy organizing!

The first 5 people to leave me a positive comment on their favorite make-over project will get the labels for FREE!

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  2. I love the makeover! Looks awesome. Neon is so trendy. I'm sure the kids will love it too! I think my favourite is the different washi for each supply bin…. may need to do that this week. Good idea!

    agatt@prn.bc.ca

  9. I love how hard you work on your classroom and more that your hubbs, momma, and brother help! How sweet! I do everything all alone. . .Anyhow my fave makeover is the lakshore organizer that hubby painted and then used the bright colored tape to refurbish the trays. LOVE IT! As always your stuff ROCKS!

    Elementary Expedition

  10. I know I'm not one of the first five to comment but I had to let you know how wonderful your classroom looks!! I don't just have one favorite, everything looks wonderful, especially the rug!! I added your labels t

  11. Boy your hubs is amazing! He's definitely a keeper! I love how your chevron lined book shelf turned out! Such a fun pop of color! I would attempt the projects that you did but modge podge and I have a hate hate relationship and that just isn't happening! Looks like you are off to a fabulous year! I can't wait to see what you turn out next!

    ThePolishedTeacher

  24. I know I am not in the first "five", but I just graduated from Texas Tech and I LOVE your classroom. You will be a lot of my inspiration for beginning my classroom this upcoming August!

  26. I'm moving into my new classroom this summer! I am already going shopping crazy at all of the above places plus Hobby Lobby! Can't wait to use some of your ideas!

  29. I absolutely love and am inspired by your classroom! I am a first year teacher and I am deciding how I want to arrange and decorate my classroom for September. Your room has given me amazing ideas!! How do I download your adorable labels?
    Thank you!
    ~Ashleigh H.
    🙂

  31. Wow fantastic! It's so nice that you have all that help! Good for you! My room is always what I like to call organized chaos because I barely have time to do anything! But at least I know where MOST of my things are! I need to hire someone like you ! : )

  32. I love everything!!! This set will look awesome with my out of this world theme! I have a BURNING QUESTION… where are your student desks? Is your room huge or did I miss them? Room looks amazing!
    Dirt Road Teacher

  35. This is absolutely perfect! I love everything about your room. I love the brightness and all the different colors as well as all the organization and labels. I'm a first year teacher so I'm definitely stealing some of your ideas.

  38. I love the chevron and neon! I am currently obsessed with anything chevron, and I am going to creatively borrow your shelf idea to redo a couple of shelves in my classroom! Wonderful ideas!

  41. Everything Is adorable on this sight. I loved all the great ideas and the simplistic way of organizing but what I really liked were the labels, where can I get these or something similar?

  42. Everything Is adorable on this sight. I loved all the great ideas and the simplistic way of organizing but what I really liked were the labels, where can I get these or something similar?

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