Saturday, January 02, 2010

This Teacher *Loves* Chalkboard Paint...

...who'da thunk it?

Teacher tip:  visit thrift stores from time to time- you never know what you might find!

For example, this sturdy tabletop-sized puppet theater (for which I paid $7 whopping dollars, that's right, *SEVEN* dollars):



I purchased paint from Joann's making good use of a 40% off coupon (the paint usually costs about $6):




Two coats later, here's how it looked:


As most of my students come from active-duty military families, I thought some speciality trim would be a nice touch (who knew my hot glue gun would choose *this* project to express itself?):


Hiding the seams with buttons was the next step:


New denim curtains with camouflage ribbon tiebacks finish it off (though the denim was a poor choice- I'll be making new curtains out of thinner material this weekend):


You can often find old easels, platters, cookie sheets, trays, etc. that can be easily transformed and repurposed for home or classroom use at yard sales or thrift stores- keep your eyes peeled, and don't be afraid to get your craft on as you create your students' learning environment affordably.

7 comments:

  1. Great idea - you could paint the backs of children's bookshelves too instead of leaving them plain when you set up centers in a classroom.

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  2. Awesome idea Deborah, thanks! I'm finding it humorous that with all of the current technology and classroom materials (SMART boards, magnetic dry erase boards) that "old fashioned" chalk would hold such appeal. Happy New Year!

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  3. Holy Moley, you are a crafting queen! I'm impressed, especially since I don't have a crafty bone in my body. :)

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  4. Very cool! A colleague of mine did this to an old table she found and now has a chalkboard table in her kinder classroom! The kids love it!

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  5. Anonymous2:53 PM

    I love your crafty ideas. I am looking for the post with a bunny and snowman. There was a poem that I am looking to use.
    Thanks!
    Angie

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  7. Hi Angie!

    A chubby little snowman
    had a carrot nose.
    Along came a bunny,
    and what do you suppose?
    That hungry little bunny
    thought he found his lunch,
    and down came the carrot,
    nibble, nibble, crunch!

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As always, thank you for your comments, tips, suggestions and questions!