Friday, June 28, 2013

DIY Glass Tile Magnets

Today's project was making numbered magnets to use with my Behavior Chart!


Here is a quick tutorial on how I made custom magnets for my classroom:

You will need:

1 inch clear glass tiles (Buy online!)
Magnetic Buttons w/foam adhesive (Buy at Walmart or online!)
Spray Acrylic Sealer
Mod Podge
small brush
scissors
circle designs (1 inch)

Here are the ones I used:
 (Click image to download.)

To make the designs, I used various digital papers I'd purchased to create the background of each circle.  You can easily make a set to match your own classroom by using a word processing program (Pages, Word, PPT) to create 1 inch circles and to "fill" them with the design of your choosing.

1.  Print off the numbers on card stock.

2.  Lightly spray with acrylic sealer.  Allow to dry for at least 15 minutes and then add one more light coat.  (This will prevent the ink from smudging when you apply the Mod Podge. Thank you, Kayla!)

3. Once the sealer is completely dry, cut out the circles.

4.  Put a THIN, even layer of Mod Podge on a glass tile and press the paper circle onto it. Do this for each one and allow to dry.  

5.  On the back of each magnet, add another thin layer of Mod Podge to ensure the paper won't be going anywhere.  Allow to dry. (This doesn't take long!)

6.  Place an adhesive magnet on the back of each.  (I have tested this! The magnets I suggested are plenty strong enough to hold the tiles AND the adhesive is all you need for attaching them to the back.  No glue necessary!)

I hope this helps!  Let me know if you have any questions.  Note - Do not laminate paper circles before attaching them with Mod Podge.  Unless you want them to turn out like this:
     
I think not!  :)

Thursday, June 20, 2013

All-in-One Simple Teacher Binder: Updates and Additions

I have been getting a lot of positive feedback on my Teacher Binder for next year, so I wanted to make sure to share the changes and updates I made.  The calendars are now in color (which could easily be printed in black and white to save on ink).  I've also added an "Online Information" tab with two new forms:  Passwords and Logins and Websites to Remember.  I've also added a Notes form and corresponding tab.  If you've already purchased this from me, you will receive a notification on TpT stating that revisions have been made and you need to redownload!  Thank you to everyone who has shown an interest in this or have purchased it from my store!  :)

Updated Calendars-

Updated Preview-

New Forms Added-

Updated June 2016:  Here is the new "look" of the binder:
https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/All-in-One-Simple-Style-Teacher-Binder-Mint-Yellow-Grey-727970
https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/All-in-One-Simple-Style-Teacher-Binder-Mint-Yellow-Grey-727970
 

Tuesday, June 18, 2013

Weekend Friend: Finnegan the Frog

Several years ago, I found the CUTEST stuffed frog at an airport gift shop.  (You can purchase your own frog HERE.)  I knew that I wanted to use it as my class "weekend friend"!  I found many useful sample letters and ideas online.  I created my letter based on a "Boris the Bear" example I had found, but cannot find the original link anywhere.  If you know who deserves the credit for this, please let me know!  This was before blogging, TpT, and Pinterest became popular, so it's been tough to hunt down the source.  I created a handful of items to go along with my frog, but have just updated and condensed everything into one file to share!  Here it is!


 (The name and dates are EDITABLE!)

    (The schedule is EDITABLE!)



Click HERE to check it out in my TpT store!  If you haven't started this up in your classroom yet, I hope this packet comes in handy!  :)

Saturday, June 15, 2013

Great Giveaways and Vistaprint Stamp

Carrie and Caitlin are hosting a 100 Follower Giveaway on their blog, Table Talk with C&C!  There a many teachers offering fabulous products to win!  Be sure to head over and enter!



Amanda Madden (<---- amazing)  is hosting a "Favorite Things" giveaway to celebrate the one year anniversary of her blog!  There will be a different winner for each item she is giving away (Scotch laminator, $50 Target gift card, pencil sharpener, a charm bracelet, and a unit of your choice from either her TpT Shop or a unit from the Lightbulb Minds TpT Shop.  Be sure to check it out!



On another note, I found a link to the 2 Crazy Texas Teachers blog through Pinterest and saw their neat idea and tutorial for creating custom stamps on Vistaprint.  Here is the one I designed:

The robot is from a clipart package by Shery K Designs.  I can't wait to use it next year! 

Friday, June 14, 2013

The Mini Giveaway Winner is...Amanda! :)



Congrats to a sweet follower, Amanda, who won my first little giveaway!  Thank you to everyone who entered, left comments, and started following me on Facebook and Instagram! :)  

Last Chance to Enter My Mini TpT Drawing!


Click HERE to enter!

Thursday, June 13, 2013

All-in-One Simple Teacher Binder Set

Phew!  This turned into a MUCH bigger project than I thought....I really didn't want to reinvent the wheel since there are so many awesome versions of teacher binders, teacher keepers, etc. on TpT.  I originally was going to ONLY create a calendar since I couldn't find exactly what I was looking for, but it tumble-weeded into this...

Here are the calendars!  I combined ideas from several different teachers to create what I needed.
Kristen from Ladybug's Teacher Files shares some fantastic ideas and freebies for her binder.  This is where I got my original idea for condensing everything into one spot for next year!

Here is what's included in the packet I created:

 

My lesson plans take up a lot of space, so I do keep a separate binder for "Student Information" (I made a separate binder cover for this). At the beginning of the year, I send home a Student Information form (included in packet) for parents to complete.  I keep these forms in the "Student Information" binder, as well as any IEP's, 504's, and the Personality Survey I send home on the first day of school.

Under the "Class Info" tab of my large binder, I plan on including miscellaneous documents such as Literacy Centers Groupings, pen pal partners, a class list, seating chart, etc.

I hope you find this helpful!  :)  Don't forget to enter my mini-giveaway to win three products from my TpT shop!  This binder packet will now be one of the options.  :)  Click HERE for details!

Updated June 2016:  Here is the new "look" of the binder:
https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/All-in-One-Simple-Style-Teacher-Binder-Mint-Yellow-Grey-727970
https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/All-in-One-Simple-Style-Teacher-Binder-Mint-Yellow-Grey-727970

   
Not loving this color scheme?  Check out my other sets below!  :)
https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/All-in-One-Simple-Style-Teacher-Binder-Foil-Chalk-2580512
https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/All-in-One-Simple-Style-Teacher-Binder-Pink-Navy-Teal-1247252 
https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/All-in-One-Simple-Style-Teacher-Binder-Tribal-Patterns-1883423

Tuesday, June 11, 2013

New Behavior Clipchart {Modern Quatrefoil} + Product Giveaway

I made another version of a color clipchart for classroom management!  I've yet to decide if I want to use this new chart or the chevron version I made awhile back...decisions, decisions.  Either way, they are both now available in my TpT shop if you are interested!  Here is the new one:


I love the digital frames I purchased from Print Candee!  I decided to use them for my chevron chart, as well, and have updated it on TpT.  Both versions are still available with the purchase, but be sure to re-download the file if you've already bought it!

Don't forget to leave your name and email to enter my product giveaway.  Click the image below for details!

Monday, June 10, 2013

300 Followers Giveaway - Winner chooses any 3 from TpT!


I am doing my first giveaway to celebrate making it to 300 followers on my blog!  The winner of this giveaway may choose any three products from my TpT store for free!  To enter, follow me on Instagram (if you have an account) and like my page on Facebook.  Then, leave me a comment below with your name and email telling me that you are new followers!  If you have already started following me on both, just let me know in a comment below in order to enter.  :)  You may enter until noon on this Friday, June 14!

I am still "Rafflecopter-illiterate", so I am going to do this an old fashioned way... I will put all entries into the Random Name Selector tool I use in my classroom and will take a screen recording of the winner being chosen! I will contact the winner through email so they can choose three items from my TpT shop!

Click HERE to follow me on Facebook!
 
Click HERE to follow me on Instagram!

Sunday, June 9, 2013

Terrific Tables Behavior Management Freebie + Facebook & Instagram

I just saw this fabulous idea on Pinterest and had create something like it to use in my classroom!  Here is the original pin-

Thank you Mrs. Kopacz for the inspiration!  :)

Below is the version I created to match the color schemes in my classroom.  Click the images to download it for free!




On another note, I am new to the Facebook and Instagram world of teachers!  Click on either of the links below to follow me!
 
Click HERE to follow me on Facebook!
 
Click HERE to follow me on Instagram!