Classroom jobs

Isn't it great when you have extra helping hands in your classroom! I love when my students are willing to help with anything they can but it can turn into chaos if you just let them do whatever they want. To avoid any conflict between students we agree on what jobs they will do. 

Depending on your class, you can let them choose what job they want to do or you can assign what you think will be best appropriate for each of them. If you let them choose you can start by giving them a job application in which they write three jobs they like and why they think they are good for it. That gives them choice and at the same time, they practice their writing skills!

Here are the jobs I created with a description of each. 

(click picture to get document)

Because I work in a Dual Language school and I have the bilingual part of it, my documents are usually in both languages. To display them, I made a poster that looks like an iPad and the jobs are the apps. I only glued the sides and bottom of the cards so a stick with the student name can go inside. Picture of that will be posted soon :) 

Hope you find these useful and that your students like them!

Birthday gift for students

We all know how important students birthdays are (specially for them) and if you forget, they will make sure you remember all day long! I have always struggled to find a gift on a budget for each of my kids until I found an idea on Pinterest that I had to try. 

Your Cricut machine will come in handy for this project. I used the Geoge and Basic Shapes cartridge because it had the balloon shape I needed but if you have any other cartridge with balloons in it you can use it as well. 

You also need:

-Scrapbook paper in different colors

-Silly straws (got them at Party City)

-Bucket (to display your balloons)

-Glue and tape

-A lot of patience :)

Since I had 36 straws I decided to decorate them all and have some left for next year. While the Cricut was cutting the balloons, I made birthday signs to glue on the balloons. 

(click picture to get the document)

I also used the Cricut to cut shapes in solid colors and make the birthday sign pop out. 

Glue the birthday sign to the colored shape, then glue shape to balloon. Tape the balloon to the straw. You can also decorate the bucket. It takes time to complete 36 decorated straws but I know my students will love them!

What do you think? Do you give your students a gift for their birthday?

Mini clipboard tutorial

Yesterday I showed how to make a decorated clipboard and today I will tell you how to make a mini clipboard using leftover scrapbook paper. Let's start with what you need:

-Chipboard coaster (I got mine at Outback) FREE!

-scrapbook paper

-ribbon (assorted)

-binder clip (pack of 6 at the dollar store)

-sticky notes (from the dollar store)

-matte mod podge

-foam brush

-scissors and pencil

What to do:

First trace the coaster on 2 different colored paper. I like to use the one with designs in the front and a solid color in the back. Apply a coat of mod podge to both sides (one at a time) and cover with the paper. Use card to make sure there are no bubbles. Apply a layer of mod podge on top of the paper and let it dry for about 15 minutes. Repeat on the other side. 

Next, hold the sticky note pad with the binder clip. Decide which colors of ribbon you want to use and cut about the same length as the coaster. Tie ribbon around binder clip and you are done!

Now you have beautiful mini clipboard to hold your sticky note pads. Hope you enjoy them!

DIY clipboard + bonus mini clipboard preview

Don't you love having nice new things for the beginning of school? I have always loved Back to School and the thrill I get by making my own things! Today I will talk to you about making a beautiful clipboard.

 This is what you need:

-clipboard (check your local dollar store)

-scrapbook paper

-letters (or you can make your own)

-ribbon (assorted)

-matte mod podge

-foam brush

-paper cutter & scissors

What to do:

First measure and cut the paper the way you want. You can do it with only one design or add top and bottom colors. Apply a coat of mod podge to your clipboard and place the paper. Use a card to make sure you have no bubbles.

Add top and bottom ribbons. Write your name at the bottom of the clipboard and apply a coat of mod podge to the entire clipboard. Let it dry! Don't worry if a couple of bubbles form; they will disappear when completely dry.

Finally add the ribbons and you are done!

Please check back tomorrow to learn how to make a mini clipboard for your sticky notes using leftover materials.

Meet the Teacher Night

It is almost that time of the year. That night when our new kids walk through the door making it official. As a teacher, you always want to impress and leave good memories during your first meeting. The students will remember that night and possibly will be more excited to start a new school year.

Last year I started a new journey as a first grade teacher. It was overwhelming but really exciting! I've tried different things since I started teaching but I knew I wanted to do something different. I looked around in the internet when I finally found the perfect way to welcome my new first graders. I decided to not label the desks before they came in and instead I let the kids choose the desk on their own.

As they walked in during Meet the Teacher, I would give them a handshake and send them to find the balloon of their choice. Then they would write their name on a sticky note and leave it there for me to label their desk properly. The smile in their faces was an incredible feeling for me. I had accomplished what I wanted: get them excited for the first day of school!

I'm doing the same thing this year. Even though I still have a month to get ready, I am collecting ideas to make it an even better school year!