Monday Made It- Paper Pennant Banner

Anyone who knows me very well knows I'm not a crafty person. It's not that I lack desire. I LOVE crafty things but I have a hard time making them. I think it's because I'm too much of a perfectionist and not artsy enough. But I keep trying. I've been making lots of things for my new classroom theme (Happy Campers) on my computer this year. Creating on the computer is easier for me than the crafty way to go. Maybe because I can see it finished and if I don't like it I can change it and I don't have to throw it away and start over. Anyhow, I took a stab at a craft this week and this is what I made-A Pennant Banner!

I'd seen pennants made with fabric and on the computer but I'm going through ink like it's water. So I decided to make my banner out of scrapbook paper. Here's a few pictures of the process.

Here's everything I used. Four different papers that looked good together. It was like planning a quilt. (I do make quilts so maybe I am a little crafty). The jute is what I used to fasten the banner together. I wanted the outdoorsy look. I also used reinforcement hole sticky thingys.

Planned my pattern and contrast of letters.

Used my Cricut to cut out the letters but you could use a die-cut machine or trace them or even print on the computer.

 Then I cut my triangles with a rotary cutter. I got two per 12 x12 pages because I wanted them big. My triangles are 8" wide by 12" long. For a short triangle and 3 per page, you can cut them 6" by 9".

Then I punched the holes, glued on the letters and strung the jute.

I have to admit, it turned out better than I thought it would. I can't wait to hang it in my room.

For lots for cute ideas from other blogger you really should check out 4th Grade Frolics. She does a linky every Monday. Click on the picture to go to her blog.

Thanks for stopping by! Have a great Monday. I only have 2 left and then I'm back in school!

Birthdays

Who doesn't LOVE a birthday? Umm, okay when you're my age maybe. But kids? Yeah!!! it's a very special day. I thought I'd share what I am doing this year for birthdays in my room. Like I said before, I'm doing a Happy Camper theme. So here's what they get.

We all sign the cute little card. We sing. Some will bring in a treat from home. And then I give them a birthday bag. This year I'm not filling it with sugary treats. I found some awesome toys on Amazon.com

They get a bug catcher net with plastic bugs.

Laser Finger Flashlights! These are way cool. A little pricey at $1 each but the kiddos LOVE them.

Grow-An-Insect will be a big hit too! You soak them in water for a day or two and watch as they grow huge!

Then of course, I had to add just a little chocolate with a Kit Kat bar.

Cara over on First Grade Parade has some darling ideas for birthdays too with some great links to other blogs as well. And my bestest friend Fredia over at Frogs in First had a great post a while back with a free booklet that she does for birthdays.

I'd LOVE to hear what everyone else does for birthdays. Please leave a comment!

Have a great day.

Number THREE & a Freebie

Three weeks! Three weeks! That's all that's left of my summer vacation. In that three weeks I've got to get my room ready (I'm re-doing my theme this year so everything is coming down), finish making a bunch of stuff , re-organize my reading files (new core is throwing me a curve), and get my math map ready. I'm running out of time! AAAHHHH! Yesterday, I had one of those days where I didn't feel like doing anything. I finally slept in-until 7:30. Then I just couldn't get myself motivated to do a darn thing. Actually, it was really kind-of nice for a change. Gotta have a day or two like that. But today I'm up at 5:00 with a bajillion things to do.
First off, I uploaded some new packets to my shops. I'm really excited about these. Like I said before, I'm changing my theme this year. I'm going with "HAPPY CAMPERS". So I've been re-making lots of charts and signs. I made new number charts and they turn out great, so I made a bunch with other themes. Check out the pictures below.

Click on the words to go to my shops

TpT or Teacher Notebook 

The number word, numeral, tallies, and 10-frame are on each poster with a cute, colorful border. There is a chart for each number 0 to 20. If you don't see a theme to match your room, just email me and I'll see what I can do to make one for you.

***Because I'm feeling stressed about my THREE WEEKS of summer left, I'm going to give away THREE of the number charts to the first THREE that leave me a comment. Make sure you leave your email address and which themed packet you'd like!

Now on to the FREEBIE. I'm kind-of stuck in a number and camper mode. So I made a new BUMP game for my math stations at the beginning of the year. It uses a 10-sided die and the kiddos can have fun practicing their number words, tallies, or 10-frames. I hope it's something you can use.

Click HERE to DOWNLOAD!

Hey, when does everyone else start? We actually start in THREE weeks but the kids don't come until August 21st. I know some year-round school have already started. Sorry Shelley!
Thanks for stopping by. I hope you found something you can use in your classroom.

Fun Markers!

I don't know about your kiddos but mine L.O.V.E. markers!

I don't let them use them all the time which probably helps make them "special". There are certain projects I let them use markers on. But I found some cool markers for this next year that I know my firsties will go crazy for. I know I blogged about some of these before but here is an update. You can click on each picture for more information from Amazon.com.

These are cool. You write with one end then trace over it with the other end and it changes colors.

These are the BEST smelly markers! There are other brands out there too.

My team mate Amanda showed these to me. We will have fun stamping our spelling words in Daily 5 with these.

I bought all mine at Wal-Mart but I found the Mr. Sketch were cheaper on Amazon.com.
I let my kiddos use the 'special' markers for spelling and sight word practice. I made a little sheet to go with it. I made it blank so you can write in your own words before you print it for the kids. Here's a picture.

And here's a free download. Just click on the picture for a PDF.

I just looked at the calendar. I really shouldn't have. I only have 3 1/2 weeks of summer left. AHHHH! Mixed feeling about that. I love teaching and miss my students but I really LOVE my summers. Some of my 3 1/2 weeks will be spent re-organizing my files and getting my room ready. And of course, SHOPPING which I've been doing ALL summer. Hubby, I think likes it better when I'm in school. I don't swipe my cards as much.
Have a great day!

Kiva

Ahoy Mates! I'm back from my vacation to Lake Powell and my relaxing time on the water.

We had a blast with my son and daughter-in-law and family. I had some pretty BAD hair days but really enjoyed the water, boating, eating, and down time. I didn't enjoy the heat and 2 scary wind storms. But we had lots of adventures and made lots of memories!

While we were there, we went to some Native American ruins on a cliff just above the water. It was an 850 year old site where the Pueblo Tribe had once inhabited. Of course, the teacher in me came screaming out! I LOVED it. I took tons of pictures. But what I liked the most was the 'kiva'! I have special benches in my classroom that my hubby made for me. They are big enough for all my kiddos to sit on and it's where I do most ALL of my teaching. I call it the 'Kiva'. I explain to my firsties what a kiva is. Now I have really cool pictures of one to go along with my explanation.

A kiva is a special gathering place the Indians built. They climbed down into it and it was a place where they were given special instructions and learned many things. Then I tell them that we have a special place in our classroom where we will learn great things too and we are going to call it 'Our Kiva'. We talk about the rules and if any one doesn't obey the rules then they are asked to leave the kiva. My firsties think it is WAAAAY cool!

I also got all my Long and Short Vowel packets finished and uploaded to my shops. I have individual packets or I made a MEGA PACK which has all 5 vowels at a discounted price. Each vowel has 11 activities including games, sorts, worksheets, and picture cards. It takes about 2 weeks to do each vowel. I had fun making it. Here are a few pictures from the packets.

You can check it out at my shops. Click on the words for a link.

TpT or Teacher Notebook

Have a great week. Thanks for stopping by!