Show and Share: My Very First Classroom

It's a good thing I found these photos and scanned them, because this classroom no longer exists:



In fact, the school building that housed my very first classroom, and of course, my first group of Super Stars, no longer exists.  It was leveled to make room for a new building that bears the same name as its predecessor:



Mis-matched tables and chairs, very little staple-board to think of (it's on the fronts of the metal sliding/swinging closet doors), and miles of green chalkboard.  This is where I first set up shop:



The two doors with glass... those were my art supply shelves.  See the staple-board on the closed closet door?  Displays or posters had to be stapled on as flat as flat can be so that when the doors were swung open and slid into the closet, nothing would be ripped off.

Certainly edges were torn.  If the walls didn't snag the paper, the little fingers and hands of my students did as they opened and closed the doors each day to hang up snow gear and backpacks, or take it all down for recess or home time.



Our single sink flanked by the classroom door and the only shelves available for my *then* non-existent class library.

Did you notice the baby carrier on one of the tables?  I was hired about three months after I had Dear Daughter, and after the school year had already started.

Dear Daughter will be seventeen years old tomorrow.

My first group of Super Stars are starting their senior year... of college.  Some are getting married.  Others have started families.

I don't feel old.  I feel... bowled over.

All I can think is... wow.


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Did you take photos of your first classroom?  If so and you've blogged them, link back in the comments section.  I'd love to come visit!

Show and Share: Borrow Books

Several readers have emailed me recently, asking how I "do" take home books as a reading resource for my students and their families.  Moving from state to state and from school to school, I've collected my own favorite texts over the years, which frankly, have become a hodge-podge of books for my students to use.  I purchased many off of Ebay when teachers retired and listed their libraries and manipulatives for sale, and even found some at teacher outlet stores and garage and yard sales.  The reading curriculum kit used by my present district includes a lot of mini-reader blackline masters that can be copied, and we also have phonics workbooks that have cut/fold/staple pages to create take-home stories for phonics practice.  Many of my students still prefer the look and feel of texts with "real" covers.

Storage for the books is a rather simple wooden basket with additional plastic baskets and a clear tub:

The clear tub is a perfect fit width-wise for the books, and the two small white baskets store reading notes (to and from families) and reading incentive charts and stickers.  Students read with me in a small group or individually, and are then encouraged to take the book home as a "borrow book" and read it again with their families.  During the initial reading lesson, I take note of reading strategies introduced to or used by my students, and add information and reminders so that parents can help reinforce skills when reading with their child at home.  I have a small box at the end of the note where parents can respond back, letting me know how the reading experience was at home:

Students take home the book and note in laminated envelopes (there is an additional blurb on the front of the envelopes with an explanation of the books for parents), and return them to me the next day:



Students earn a sticker on their borrow book chart each time they read a book at home and return it.  After nine stickers (the number that fill the pre-made charts I purchased; you can certainly choose to require your students to read fewer books), the Stars may redeem their full sticker chart for a prize (I provide pencils or small toys):



My students love to fill up their sticker charts by reading books each night at home, and the extra communication with parents makes this system a *win-win* as my Stars develop their literacy skills and love of reading!

Do you use a take-home or check-out book system with your students?  If so, how does it work?

Show and Share: Eskimo Pattern

Several of you have asked for the Eskimo pattern I used last year when my students made their Eskimos in Oz bulletin display:



There's the photo, but I've been unable to upload the pdf I have to Blogger.  I've also had the pattern for such a long time that I no longer have the publication from which it was obtained.  If anyone knows the source, please let me know and I'll gladly credit/link to them!

Risking opening the floodgates for requests, I can email the pdf to you this week only (January 11-15, 2010) if you contact me directly at: michaelek1(at)yahoo(dot)com.

In return, please share a link (in the comments section) to your favorite winter/January or February tutorials, online lesson plans, or cool craft/activity that other teachers might like to add to their idea folders!

Show and Share Links: I Want to See Your Desk! (and classroom organization tips)

After sharing this photo (don't worry, the dead white rat is *thankfully* made of rubber!) of my desk at school



I asked readers to post photos of their own teacher space on their blogs and link back:

Tracy at Grace Comes By Hearing shared a photo of her organized space (go look, you can see *actual* deskTOP in her photo!), and also gives us a tour of her classroom here. Thanks Tracy!

Jonelle shared her colorful before-and-after desk photos from her blog, A Place Called Kindergarten. Jonelle is a binder queen like I am (I organize all pages, posters, craft ideas, etc. in monthly three-ring binders) and also loves her SMARTBoard- she shares some terrific links that I'll be checking out this week- thanks Jonelle!

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Vanessa's daughter E. was one of my Super Stars last year. Their family has relocated to Hawaii where E. is now a Super Star FIRST Grader! Vanessa shares the following *student* desk organizing tip:

I don't have a picture of a desk to share, but I do have a student desk organization idea. E's teacher had the students bring a cardboard tray (the kind that bottled water, Gatorade, etc come on). Now the students just have to pull out the tray to see what is in the desk. They seem to fit perfectly.

Mahalo Vanessa!

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Do you have helpful desk organization tips for teacher or student spaces, or would you like me to add a link back to your blog so you can share a photo with us? Leave me a comment with your link on either my original show and share post or this one and I'll check back midweek to add your contribution.

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~April Sanders shares Student Desk Organization tips at eHow...

~ Classroom organization includes furniture placement, lighting, storage materials and displays. Scholastic offers ideas on arranging your classroom's physical environment...

~ While not all grades/teachers might use every tip or product suggested by Mrs. McDavid, you will certainly find inspiration in her classroom organization tips (and she has photos, photos, photos!) at Getting Organized.

Show and Share Time: I Want to See Your Desk!

Calling all teachers: public, private,and homeschoolers:

Fess up- I want to see your desk!

That's right, if you've got a blog, I invite you to show and share a picture of your desk, linking back to this post. Leave me a comment to let me know that you've blogged about your desk and I'll compile a list of classroom hoppers (in a single blog post) to share this weekend. We can "visit" each other's classrooms and take a sneaky peek by clicking on the links!

Now, without further ado (drumroll please), I give you...my desk:



Why yes, that is my favorite desktop organizer (purchased from Michael's craft store) keeping company with some laminated stars, my ever-trusty Diet Coke and sticky note pad. But wait! What is that white, seemingly dead thing sharing space with our kindergarten Nextel phone and my sunglasses?

Why it's a confiscated white rubber rat, of course! See that tail? It s-t--r---e----t-----c------h-------e--------s out to almost two feet long, which is how a colleague first noticed it during recess. One of my Super Stars brought it for Show and Share, but thought he'd keep it safe inside his shorts pocket. Safe, that is, until the tail just became *too tempting*.

Stretch...

S-t-r-e-t-c-h...

S-T-R-E-T-C-H...

S-T--R---E----T-----C------H...

Once confiscated, Mr. Rat spent the rest of the day right there, in front of the desk organizer, next to the laminated stars.

Until Show and Share that is...

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Now it's *your* turn! Snap a photo, share it on your blog, link back to this post, and leave me a comment letting me know you're participating in Show and Share.

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Show and Share Thursday: Blast from the Past

There is ONE advantage to packers dumping, shuffling, and resorting your belongings when you move: you stumble across wishes and inspiration from your past!

This was my "dream wedding gown," torn from a bridal magazine when I was either a senior in high school, or a freshman in college, twenty years ago:



What you can't see is the powder pink embroidery along the bodice hem and train. The foofy hair? I *still* try for that look to this day! I love the feminine seed pearls and tulle rosettes along the neckline, and I even love the ribbons hanging from the-not-quite-Star-Wars-fantasy hair barrettes. It's strangely funny and interesting to me that when Dear Husband and I got married so many years later, I wore a white gown, with "rum pink" embroidery, and had ribbons hanging from a bouquet made of tulle and satin rosettes with seed pearls.

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*One of my favorite bloggers, Saucy at Bloggedy Blog Blog, just flipped a house with her husband Veto. Here are some before and after photos (amazing!), and while I'm not brave enough, nor have the time or inclination to flip a house myself, she's posted some pretty incredible renovation tips here. Ladies, she even included suggestions for how to store your lip gloss and how to protect your hands, nails, and manicures while you're on site!

*Lisa at Crazy Adventures in Parenting... is making her own military move, family style. HER story had me laughing and crying after our own trip necessitated by Uncle Sam. Military spouses, unite!

*Vicki at This Art That Makes Me Happy has inspired me to try my hand at paper covered letters...once I finish unpacking of course!

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Let's get back to the foo-foo-froo-froo, shall we?



It's everything the name implies:

For the Love of Cupcakes and Everything Pink

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Show and Share Thursday: Wedding Gift

If all is going well this week (I'm writing in advance, attempting to fill the queue with blog posts so you won't forget me), I'm picking up my hopefully-completely-repaired truck today. Good thoughts, good thoughts, good thoughts, good thoughts (seems to be my mantra for every move)...



Before leaving the Bordertown, I wanted to finish up one last craft, a wedding gift. Alex's family rented rooms to my husband years ago when he was stationed in Germany, and we met up with her (and met Aaron) quite by accident a few months ago here in Texas. Alex and Aaron are both soldiers, Alex in the German Army, Aaron in the U.S. Army, and both are into Harleys, like my husband. Yes, it was the motorcycles that brought us full circle, but we have enjoyed the humor, company, friendship, and German COOKING ever since we were reunited. Perhaps we can convince them to honeymoon in Oz!

Alex's bike is black, Aaron's is burgundy/red. It was fairly simple to figure out a color scheme for their collage:





Figuring out the layers took a little time, trying this configuration, that arrangement, shaking my head, maneuvering each element into the spot that worked:





A pretty bow, a little heart charm:



Arranging the photos (black and white seemed to work best):



Black velvet ribbon for the trim:



Ta da!



Since I caught Alex and Aaron playing up and down the aisles of Hobby Lobby one weekend (seriously!), I'm thinking they just might like the gift. If not, they'll certainly enjoy the gift CARD TO HL!

(By the way, I used a 12X12 chipboard square for the base, decorative papers, a chipboard heart, burgundy Scrabble Tiles, ribbon, a small heart charm, brown photo corners, black brads, black velvet, and lots of hot glue for this project. Not pictured is the metal stand I purchased to prop the collage against so Alex and Aaron can display it wherever they like.)

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~We're still packing, I'm sure. By now I might be in need of Five Tips for Tranquility (thanks to WishStudio Blogzine)...

~ So it's not yet Christmas in July, but Mom, if you need ideas for what we'd like for Christmas in DECEMBER, how about some of this guy's knitted creatures? Here's his products page...

~Candice is making me wish my crafting goodies were unpacked by July 4!

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If all is going according to plan, we'll watch the movers load up the semi tomorrow, and we'll be relaxing in the hotel, getting a good night's rest so we can start the drive to Oz on Saturday morning. Thanks for any good thoughts you mentally send our way!

Show and Share Thursday: Collision

I'll let the pictures do the talking, but no worries, I'm fine, the toddler is fine (though he did exclaim "Mommy, BUMP!") and the young man who hit my truck (with his 1976 VAN!) is fine too. Instead of posting something girlie or teacherish, I'm off to spend the afternoon filing a "blue report" for insurance purposes. In 100+ degree heat.

Yep, it certainly could have been worse, and I'm ever thankful that it was only the back of my truck that felt the crunch. Whew!











I'll be back tomorrow, posting on hopefully more *cheerful* events!

Show and Share Thursday: Favorite Redhead

Are you in shock? After missing two Show and Share Thursdays, here I am, rarin' to go!



Continuing on with I Saw Red...

This is a photo of me and one of my favorite redheads, Shannon! Aren't we oh-so-glam? We're both holiday girls, that's for sure, but today's an extra special day for her~ that's right, it's her BIRTHDAY! It's a "milestone" birthday too (she had a two year head start on me), which makes me even more pleased to "show and share" her with you!

Shannon is funny. Shannon is smart. Shannon is the hostess with the mostest. Shannon is Dear Daughter's godmother. And Shannon is creative and crafty. She made me something red the last time I visited Alaska:



Dah-lings, it's a beaded red stretch bracelet! Go ahead, ooh and aah...



...just don't try taking it off of my wrist. It's MINE.

Guess who has her own Etsy shop? SHANNON. It's called AngelKissesAlaska! Some additional photos of some jewelry.... Holiday items... Another bracelet (this time, snowy white)... You can contact her via her Etsy link to ask about special orders~

Won't you help me wish this special friend a very happy birthday? (No, I have no clue who Grey Worldwide might be or might do, but this is soooooo up Shannon's alley!)


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Here's a peek at the card I made for Shannon (details AFTER she receives her birthday box in the mail):



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*Have you ever played Hot Potato? Try eating one with jalapenos! Recipe from Cream Puffs in Venice.

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Tonight Dear Daughter graduates from the 8th grade. I'm off to finish my first ever banner (paper, not fabric), bake some cupcakes, and teach my husband new breathing techniques to lower his blood pressure. She's attending "8th grade Prom" tonight. In a black dress. Without either of us chaperoning.

He's not doing so well.

Show and Share Thursday: School on the Brain

While most teachers and students are ready for the school year to come to a close, I'm busy "getting my craft on" in the form of preparing my school binder for August. I've visited Office Depot, purchased my binder, page dividers, and page protectors. Hobby Lobby and Michael's lured me in with various coupons (it was a conspiracy I tell you) and conveniently enough, school-themed scrapbooking paper was on clearance. A sign, obviously.

The pile:



My paper selection for the front cover:



Adding some ribbon and doo-dahs (er, "embellishments"):



Papers for divider pages, title blocks of polka dotted paper framed with photo corners:













The spine:



...and the finished binder!



I *really* need to get back to teaching!



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*I've discovered another awesome FOODIE BLOG! The Pioneer Woman Cooks is my new favorite diet destroyer- go, go go! Perfectly detailed photography and directions for recipes- hey, I said "go, go go!"

*The Graphics Fairy shares some wonderful ephemera- I can't wait to sort through the pages from her Victorian Alphabet Book to make one of my own!

*Laurie at Laurie's Charming Designs has miraculously erased my aversion to chalk (heh heh heh, I know, that was bad) with her beautifully painted plates, trays, etc. Of course I'm also a fan of her pincushions and am sorely tempted to ask if she'd transform my lidless sugarbowl into a pincushion for my future craft area...

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An offering for Q and A...you ask me questions, I'll answer. Pretty simple. Keep it clean or I'll put you in Time Out. Either comment here or email me: michaelek1(at)yahoo(dot)com

Show and Share Thursday: Spangles, Dangles, and Jangles

When I discovered Kirk's Folly jewelry and accessories on QVC years ago, I was hooked! Barrettes, necklaces, bracelets, brooches and watches all made their way to my jewelry box. Since then, I've purposely re-arranged my sparkly stuff each time we've moved to see if I can accommodate any new pieces when they catch my eye.



Here are some of my favorite "teacher" pieces. I wear them all regularly during the appropriate holiday season, and the teacher watch at all parent teacher conferences. For Halloween and Thanksgiving, it's all about the brooches:



At Christmas and in winter, my jackets and sweaters sparkle with a patriotic snowman and a cluster of snowflakes:



Here's an easy way to wear green in March:



My teacher watch, patriotic watch and wedding anniversary bracelet:



...and the last piece I bought before leaving Kansas:



Students always love to examine the jewelry I wear: it sparkles, it moves, and some of it even makes the best little tink-tink-tink noises!

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Just in time for Mother's Day:

*Seasonal Delights shares a tutorial for making Gift Flowerpots

*CakeSpy has cakey/sweet/dessert treats for the Overbearing Mom!

*Smitten Kitchen shares Martha's Macaroni and Cheese recipe...