My Classroom

It's been a long few days and I'm not quite done, but without further ado, here is my classroom for the 2015-2016 school year!

My wreath:

I'd originally planned to hang it over my door, but I didn't like how it sat with the window.  I worried that if my door was slammed the wreath would break.  You can read more about the process of the crayon wreath {here}.

I made it stick out from the wall with strategically placed push pins:

My chair:

Not that I sit in it often, but this chair was a great investment.  I found it at Goodwill, store tags still attached, for ten dollars. 

My classroom command center:

It includes files that I need, our calendar, our Scholastic book code, our specials schedule, the treasure box, and my dropbox (where they turn in all papers to me).  Underneath the wobbly computer desk is a laundry bin that holds anchor charts and a pile of dictionaries.  I have bins under my dropbox and treasure box which hold math manipulatives and extra table supplies.  I wanted to make a space that was helpful to both myself and my students.  After all, it's not just my classroom.  It's our learning room.

I added a few more things to the wall beside my desk:

I just wanted to make my happy place a little more exciting.  The Eagles and stuffed eagle pendant are from my trip to DENSI 2015.  The painted V is signed by all my students from last year.  The YALE pendant is from my bestie.   The certificate is from Harry Reid as a thank you for my service (Teach for America). 

Our schedule board:

I purchased the border at Joann's and laminated it for durability.  The cards were a {free download} from TpT.

My banner:

It's from the dollar section at Joann's and is hung on my certificate.  I did have to add the twine myself, but thought this was adorable. 

My bulletin board:

I want to add washi tape as the trim for the tent, but it's mostly done!

Bulletin board letters:

This font is Swagger and downloaded from dafont.com.  I printed on scrapbook paper and hand cut them.  When I was done, several people offered me their cricuts. (Thanks gals, but before would have been better!)

Australia Cards

I love reading Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day with my students.  

Like Alexander, students have complex emotions and some times want to move to Australia.  These cards are a subtle indication to their neighbors to provide kindness and space.

Reading Ranger Goals Board:

I made the goals banner from a good find at the dollar spot at Target!

I also have my Harry Potter CAFE signs:

This {freebie} combines lots of my favorite things: Harry Potter, pink, and zebra print!

Here is one of their first day treats:

It's hot, so I wanted water.  It's healthy and I know there are no allergies! 

Tomorrow I'll be finishing my classroom, then doing my nails for the first day.

 

Making of the crayon wreath

One of my craft projects this summer was making a crayon wreath for my classroom.

Total cost: Around $10 since I already had the glue gun, glue sticks, and ribbon.

Total time: About an hour.

Difficulty level: Easy.

Supplies:

• Crayons.  I used a 128 count box of Crayola Crayons from Target.  I used about 80 crayons for this project but I wanted to make sure I had enough color options.  I chose to not use the browns or blacks in the wreath, so I needed lots of crayons to make it possible.
• Hot glue gun & glue sticks
• Frame or hoops.

Optional supplies:

• Ribbon or twine (for hanging the wreath)
• Decoration for the wreath (letters for names, inspirational messages, mini chalk boards, etc).   I found this "dream big" in the dollar spot at Target (disclaimer, it was $3).

Pinterest suggested using two embroidery hoops of different sizes for this project.  I chose to go in a different direction and use a wire wreath frame, like this one from Joann's:

 

I flipped it over and used the back side of the frame because I wanted to glue the crayons to the most outside and most inside rings.

I started with putting down newspapers over my work space. I tend to get strands of hot glue everywhere, so I wanted to protect my table cloth.

I chose my four anchor colors (red, blue, green, orange) and glued these crayons in the corner.  

I forgot to take a picture of this step, so here is Two Yellow Birds Decor's example:

They used embroidery hoops but I found the floral wreath frame to be easier.  

From there, I simply glued the crayons to the wreath.  I tried to glue using the black designs on the Crayola wrapper, but it didn't line up quite perfectly.  However, from a distance you can't tell!

When I was done gluing, I added my decorative sign:

All that is left is to add decorative ribbon (which I think is in my classroom) and I'm done!  The total time for this craft project? About an hour, although it's longer if you're distracted by Netflix!

A helpful hint:

Pay attention to where you put the glue gun down.  I didn't and ended up melting the edge of one of my crayons after I'd already glued it down.  It's not noticeable from a far, but it's still a bummer.  

I'm already planning my next craft project!

I will be recreating this:

Stay tuned!

Well that's cute!

In a previous post about creating a display wall to showcase student work, I talked about a clothesline with painted, polka dot clothes pins.  

Then I found this:

I've revised my previous procrastination...err, craft time project!

I'm thinking about a thick, black & white polka dot ribbon with a rainbow colors of crayons :)  Pictures coming soon!