A Pinteresting Creation, a Race, and a Hockey Game

Well, if the weather in your city has been anything like the weather in my area, then staying inside and attempting to keep warm has been a frequent occurrence. This can lead to house-cleaning (blah), blog-stalking, or Pinterest-ogling.

Or, in my case, finally getting to create a project that has been sitting in another room, just waiting for a rainy day...or cold weather...or both.

I saw this idea many moons ago from here, and knew I had to have this in my classroom. I already had the red and black milk crates, so I purchased a large piece of wood (I used the other part of the wood for another project), along with the red and black fabric totes at Lowe's. I bought the red and black fabric at Jo-Ann's along with foam (for cushion) and some clear vinyl...in case of spills...or accidents...I teach first grade after all. So, here's what I started with:

Over the years I've learned that I'm a visual learner, so I need to see, touch, and feel how things work. Since I had to figure out (mostly) on my own how to attach the pieces together while keeping it looking "pretty," I thought I'd share my step-by-steps with you.

I placed the wood on top for easy measuring and cutting of the foam.

Then, I placed the wood on top of the crates to align places where holes could be drilled so that it could be attached without showing through the fabric...in other words, so it could stay pretty.

After I put zip-ties through the holes, I stapled the fabric and vinyl around the foam and wood (I don't know how I didn't get a picture of that), and attached it to the crates by tightening the zip-ties.

And, voila! I turned it up right-side up, added the drawers, and looked in admiration at my completed project.

I love the storage possibilities that the totes will provide.

Since my kiddos will use it as a bench seat during small group instruction, I'll probably keep their materials in the totes for easy access.

Here are a couple of my girls using it for the Read-to-Self rotation during The Daily Five. They love it!

What's even better, is that I used some of the leftover fabric to give a favorite independent/ partner reading stool a much needed face lift.

 

 My kiddos (almost) fight over it!

During the last two staff developments I have attended, both presenters started with asking for attendees to share their celebrations...whether it was professional or personal. So, I am sharing mine with you.

Here's my daughter and me after I RAN my very first 5K. I was on cloud nine for days...I think I even dug out the cute running shirt out of my clothes hamper a couple of times just to make sure I didn't dream it all up!  

And, as they always say, if you can't beat 'em, then join 'em...so, it seemed fitting to go to the season opener of the Dallas Stars versus the Phoenix Coyotes game...we defeated them 4-3. Woo-hoo!!

I'd love to hear how you are surviving the cold season...I guess we'll have to see what ol' Punxsutawney Phil has to say about winter on Saturday!

The Ultimate Legoland and Pinterest Experience

Hi, friends. I have been dying to share my Legoland experience with you! My first grade class of 22 (along with the rest of the first grade team of another 66 kiddos) visited the newly opened Legoland. Since it is located approximately 30 miles away, we got to enjoy the "whole" field trip experience, including a joyous bumpy school bus ride and a quick highway view of the nearby Six Flags amusement park (amid ooohs and aaahs).

my new classroom mascot

The first stop for my class was the 30-minute Tall Towers Workshop, followed by an introduction to the Lego Factory (with a complimentary Lego brick for every student), the Kingdom's Quest ride, a tour through Miniland, a short Lego movie in 4D, rompus play in the Lego City Play Zone, the Merlin's Apprentice ride, and ended with time in the Lego Racers Zone and Princess Parlor...can you say karaoke machine...

ode to the Mavs

It was an amazing stress-free experience for me and completely hands-on experience for my kiddos. They were kept busy entertained from the time we arrived until the time we left. I can't wait to return!

What's more, at the end of the day, one of my boys turned to me and said, "Ms. Talley, thank you for taking us to Legoland." How sweet!!

In other news, I participated in yet another Teacher Blogger Exchange hosted by Caitlin and Sarah. These are so.much.fun!

We were to take our best Pinterest find and create something wonderful for our partner. I Pinterest-stalked Elizabeth from Fun in Room 4B and found my idea on one of her boards:

fabric-covered mousepad and coasters

I was so excited that my sweet exchange partner, Stephanie (I couldn't find a blog for her) made me these:

How did she know I was (secretly) wishing for a personalized clipboard?! My kiddos went crazy over the personalized hanitizer (don'tcha just love firsties)! The pens are almost too cute to use :)

My students participated in the class Valentine's exchange, so they hear me talking all the time about my 'teacher blogger friends'. They're probably going to be disappointed next year when their teacher doesn't participate in all these exchanges :)

What Pinteresting things have inspired you? Do you have a list of craftivities you want to work on this summer?

Only 18 days left of school, but who's counting???

Picture-Prompt Linky Party

Kathie from The Diary of a Not So Wimpy Teacher and Selina over at Classroom Magic are hosting a picture-prompt linky and Pinterest party.

If you link up and participate, you will get your very own e-book copy of all the pictures and prompts to use in your classroom. You will also get added to the collaborative Pinterest board. This is a great way to share ideas and create some great writing/ oral language prompts for your students.

Here's a couple of picture prompts that I made from my own photographs.

What resources do you use for writing prompts? Is all of your daily writing structured? I would love to hear how you use picture/ writing prompts in your classroom.

You Know You're a Teacher When...linky party

Jeannie over at Kindergarten Lifestyle had a fabulous idea to host a linky party where we all finish the sentence starter "You Know You're a Teacher When..." and here's mine:

Everyone knows that when I give a gift, it's going to have an educational spin to it. At a recent baby shower, one of my gifts to a former colleague was a book box filled with hardcover books (her son's very first book box). I make encourage my niece to write me a story in her journal every time she visits me. I have even dragged taken my niece with me on author visits at the local bookstore. Once you become a teacher, you just can't escape the teacherisms that make us who we are!

How would you finish "You Know You're a Teacher When..."?