Bird Theme

I am working on my bird themed classroom (2014).   Here is a sample of the behavior chart I am using this year.

click here for your copy

First Grade Common Core Gradebook Update

I just updated my common core gradebook and on August 20 it will be on sale.  I have used this the last 2 years in my classroom.  Last year I copied each nine weeks a different color.  It helped me to see where kids are in their learning.  Go to TPT to get your copy.

Happy Easter

I love Easter!  So many fun things to share.

Real Easter Bunnies Are

I found this idea at http://happyhomefairy.com/2011/04/21/the-real-easter-bunny/.  I changed up a bit to fit our needs.

Bulletin board

We started Lent out by talking about Jesus the Good Shepherd.  We made these sheep using shaving cream and white glue mixed.  Then we used craft sticks to make them puffy.

For Palm Sunday, we took down the sheep and added palm branches.

On Good Friday we took down Jesus and put the 3 crosses on the board.  Then I hung Jesus up so he would be on the board Monday morning.

The Easter liliies were made by tracing our hands on white construction paper.  Cut them out and then curl down the fingers.  Roll into a cone and tape.  We added a yellow pipe cleaner for the middle and a green one for the stem.

Spring Break is Here!!!

Well, the kids are out for the week.  It is my chance to learn something new.  I am trying my hand at DIY chalk paint.  We are building a new house soon and I am ready.  This project is a new headboard for our bedroom.

This is our room now.  I have had this old plastic wood looking headboard since I was in jr. high.  It worked well when it was just me, but husband sleeps up against it and it squeaks all night.  It has to go.  As for the picture up above my bed, that was my grandma Millie's picture.  I inherited it when she passed away.  This is the only wall in the house big enough for the picture to hang.  I have got to find a home for it.  

This is the little servant's house behind the old house we currently live in.  It makes a great storage shed.  I took the door from the bedroom and I am using it as the inspiration for this new headboard.

The old door was dirty and the paint was peeling badly.  I washed it up and used my power sander to clean it up.

My adventure to Lowe's was fun yesterday.   I was able to pick up a quart of Valspar interior satin paint in a light teal color.

I was also able to get plaster of paris and the empty paint can on the right.  To make the chalk paint:

Add 2 Tablespoons of warm water into 4 Tablespoons of plaster of paris and stir until smooth.  Then add the plaster of paris mixture into 2 cups of Valspar paint and mix.  I dumped the finished chalk paint into the can for further use.

I was able to steer myself away from buying the bargain brushes.  It was worth buying a good brush for this project.  I painted one coat of chalk paint to each side of the door and let dry 2 hours before flipping. It looked best to paint in the same direction the whole time. I also painted a 1x3 board.  This 1x3 will become the legs of the headboard later.

After the headboard was painted and nailed together.  I added a piece of trip board to the front.  I then rubbed stain on to the door.   After a few hours I went back and rubbed clear wax over the entire project.

Here is the finished project.  Our new house will be finished in a few months.  When we move I will raise the headboard up higher and get a new blanket.   I cannot wait.

Here is a dresser I bought at a garage sale for $10.  I used the same techniques on it.

I even painted some lamps I found at the dollar store to match.  I just cannot find the right shade.  Oh, well, that just gives me another project.

Eucharist

We are studying the Eucharist.  I spray painted the paper doilies gold and found gold paper for the base.

George Washington

I used several ideas from other classes to make this guy.

I then made a fact book to put under his coat.

100th Day of School

 

100 dots on those hats.

Love this app.  We wrote this week about what we would be doing when we are 100.