Another Made It Monday!

I had a ton of views on my blog due to the Monday made it linky last week! Thank you for taking a moment out of your busy day to read my words.

As a reminder, if you would like to use the labels I created, then I can upload them to TPT (free).

I have created more labels this week. Can you believe I still have things I need to label? However, I have not printed and laminated those labels yet. So maybe we will see them next week.

Today I have a pointer and some file folders to show you. I decided to label folders with each of the Common Core State Standards so I can easily find activities and worksheets for areas that students are struggling in. I know this will help a lot with my intervention time. I have many plain manila file folders. I really wanted to purchase these folders to use as my Common Core folders:

(You can find these on Amazon. They are Pendaflex pastel file folders.)

I was looking for an assortment of colors so that I could easily find categories of standards. Did you know that it is incredibly difficult to find assorted color file folders that do not include red? I am anti-red in my classroom decor because I use a lot of pink accents. I think these folders are beautiful! And they are still in my Amazon cart, so I may buy them anyway.

As I was saying, my manila folders were just not doing it for me. So, I decided to upgrade them with some tape. I used duct tape on a couple of folders, but it was a bit difficult to work with.

1. I tried putting the duct tape over the tab, but I thought it would make labeling difficult. I also didn't like that you could see the folded over duct tape on the back of the folder.

2. I put the duct tape on the front of the file folder. I thought this looked much cleaner.

3. I tried putting tape on both the front and the back. This still had the same problems as #1 and I didn't like the lines of tape.

I had just purchased some washi tape from Dollar Tree, so I tried it out on a couple of folders.

Since I liked the duct tape look best from the font of the folder, that is how I applied the washi tape to the folders. This tape was very easy to work with. I am not sure how it compares to other washi tape because I haven't used others. However, I believe that this tape may be a bit thicker than typical washi tape. It was easy to layer the tape.

I started by making the long line all the way across right under the cut-out for the tab. I then placed another layer of tape next to/around the cut-out. This was a fast and easy project. I was able to tape 17 folders from each roll of tape. Since I already had the folders and the tapes were $1 each, I think this is quite the bargain project!

The other project I completed this week was a glittery pointer. I am not a fan of the hand or gimmicky pointers that most teacher stores sell. I decided to make my own pointer. This pointer is very long, but if I find it is too long to be practical, then it can easily be cut. I may try to add something to the end of the pointer like a bow or a flower. I haven't decided about that yet.

Supplies: spray adhesive, a dowel rod, glitter, newspaper, and (not pictured) clear acrylic sealer

This project was completed in stages. I simply sprayed the adhesive on the rod, rolled the rod in glitter that was on the newspaper, made sure all parts were covered, and let the rod dry. I found that if I tried to do another part of the rod before the first part was dry, then the rod would lose glitter and stick to the newspaper. Once the rod was totally covered in glitter, I sprayed on a layer of acrylic sealer. I have noticed almost no glitter loss from one layer of sealer, but I will probably add several more layers to be safe.

I also made a 2-sided pocket divider with a file folder and duct tape. While I don't know that I will use it, I am going to apply the idea to student spiral notebooks so that they have pockets to put loose papers in.

This just needs to be hole punched and placed in a binder.

Monday Made-It

This is the first time that I have ever participated in something like this. I've been working on organizing my classroom materials, so I've made lots of labels that I'd like to show off. (If there is any interest in them, then I am willing to upload them to TPT.)

First up are my library labels. The scalloped labels will go on the left and right side of each shelf, and the long labels will go at the front of the shelf. The labels correlate to Accelerated Reader, since we use AR at our school. I am very proud of these labels, and I can't wait to see them on the shelves in the fall!

This is what my classroom library shelves looked like this last year. I put file folder labels on the outside of the shelves, but they did not stay well. I used name tags to label the inside of the shelves, but I want to paint the shelves black next year, so I needed new labels.

Here is a sample of how  the labels will be placed on the shelves. The long labels will be visible at the very front of the shelves, with the books behind them.

These are all of the labels. I made series specific labels for series that last year's students really enjoyed and for which I had many of the books.

Next up are my group tub labels. I am going to try having table groups this year. I will start with 5 groups of 4, but if I get more students, then I will move up to 6 groups. These tubs will have a folder with papers and worksheets that the students will need. They will also have some extra pencils, erasers, and tissues. Lastly, I bought small containers for the students' crayons that will also be kept in the group tub. I won't be letting the students have pencil boxes in their desks-at least not at the beginning of the year. (If I upload these labels, then the font will be different because I do not have a commercial license for this font.)

There is one of these signs taped to each side of the tub.

All of the group signs. There are two of each sign.

I also made Center Signs. I purchased 2nd grade math bags from TPT. I printed and laminated math bags for the entire year. I created these signs to clearly label the centers. I placed one on a clear box, but I also bought a colorful 10 drawer cart. I haven't decided which containers I will be using for the math centers.

 This is an example of how the center signs will be placed on the box. The labels are too wide to fit on the sides of the boxes. I will probably make some long labels for the sides of the boxes, too.

Here is an example of all 10 of the center signs. Aren't they cute?

I also made a rules sign. I will place it on the inside door of the classroom. I will also use the PDF to project the rules onto the board. I got the rules that I will be using from here: Smart Classroom Management. (I won't be able to upload this sign to TPT because the black frame is a font that I only have a personal license for.)

Well, that concludes my Monday Made-It. I am going to try to link up with Fourth Grade Frolics. Maybe I will be back next Monday with some new projects.

Always Learning

I am a 2nd grade teacher. I am about to start my 2nd year teaching. I am also taking graduate classes for a master's degree in elementary education. After I take a comprehensive exam in the fall, I will have a master's! I am halfway through my last graduate class right now, and I could not be happier about that. Actually, I am already thinking about getting another degree...

I have been using my time off this summer to do some research and get prepared for school in the fall. I have a to-do list that is almost fully checked off! I have been a busy bee. One thing that I am interested in doing a lot more of this year is using small groups. I had a lot of success with small group reading instruction. Also, my students' favorite part of the day was the math centers in the afternoon during our math interventions. I've printed and laminated over 250 pages for Common Core aligned math centers for the whole year! However, we are starting with a new math curriculum this year and I haven't even seen it yet. I have no idea how the lessons are set up, what order the standards are taught in, or anything else.

Here is a new blog about guided math. I will be following it to see if I want to implement guided math next year. Bonus: the bloggers are 2nd grade teachers!





Check back on Monday for a Monday Made It post!