Teacher Info Magnet- Ready for Meet the Teacher!

This is something teachers of any grade can make. I bought the chalkboard painted scalloped wood pieces from Michael's Craft Store and they came with the clothes pins attached on the backs. All I did was buy a light gray craft pen and wrote in my contact information. Of course, you can change the information that you write. Maybe you don't want to include your cell phone number, but want to write the room and building numbers instead. Also, the info could be printed, cut out and pasted on the board. I also picked up a small pack of green and red apple prongs. I cut off the prongs and glued an apple to the corner of each. On the back, I glued a magnet to the clothes pin. Voila! Easy as pie and so cute all my teacher friends will want their own! This concept is simple to modify. Initially, I was thinking of using a laminated apple shape as the base for this with the rest the same - info, clip, and magnet. Whatever you choose- happy crafting!

Crafty Little Things

Okay...so I've had some extra energy and time this summer and I began making little things for my classroom. Not knowing which grade I would be teaching in the fall, I made two items that could be for any elementary grade.

The first is a "No Name" clip board. I used scrap booking paper, ribbon, and clothes pins. There are a couple variations of this on Pinterest and this is my own variation.

This next item was even easier to make! It's a ribbon with clothes pins glued on both sides. The clothes pins are spaced so that a standard sheet of paper will fit in each without touching others. This could hang in the windows to show one side to people walking outside the classroom while the other side is visible inside the classroom or it could be hung from the ceiling in the classroom so the students' work can be viewed.

Summer Inspiration

Hello, world! 

It's summer time! So, you have read books, watched movies, slept in (a lot), taken trips, and prepped for next school year. I have also been bitten by the summertime bug, but the bug that bit me mostly inspired me to prepare for next school year. This blog is part of that. I felt inspired to create a blog to share teaching ideas and personal stories to maybe, hopefully keep me motivated and keep other educators motivated too!

Why do we need the motivation? Well...you know why. We get caught up in paperwork, meetings, and everything else that our own needs get put on the back burner. This summer, I began running again and it feels fantastic! After a run I feel accomplished and strong. I'm vowing to continue running when the school year starts up. I hope all of you keep your summer hobbies going come school time :)

I have some crafty things to share with you guys too, but this post is really just to say "hi!" and to get the blog started! I will try to make it appealing for all of you to read!

Keep enjoying your summer!

Ms. Sunshine