Who knew I'd be saying that during the summer!  But I'm loving these Monday Made It's with Tara at 4th Grade Frolics!  This week I wanted to continue with organization, but I was also able to finish some birthday items.  Here's what I was up to this week!

Organization:

I finished up my library bin labels.  {Read here} to see how I plan to use them:

I was also able to finish the Where are We poster (picture taken before lamination and addition of velcro):

And of course I had to cover something else in duct tape so I used some Crystal Light canisters to make ruler holders:

Birthdays:

I used a balloon template that can be found {here}.  I wrapped happy birthday ribbon around the container, then glued one of the balloons on top of that.  I don't think I realized how big the pixie sticks were (I'm probably going to have to put beans or rice in the container to weigh it down), but I know my kids will love getting this treat on their birthday! 

sorry for the glare

I found this idea on Pinterest and followed it back to Erica at Erica Bohrer's First Grade.  I created the monthly labels using Sports Fun clipart from ThistleGirl Designs.  Once school starts I'll take a picture of the kids holding numbers to show their birthdate.  I've been horrible in the past with birthdays, but I know this visual will help.

Looking at everyone's projects these last few weeks, I've been so inspired.  Come link up and share what you've made!

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Brandi

At the end of the school year I decided that my classroom library needed a major overhaul.  I had my books in tubs and labeled them by genre with different colored stickers.  I figured that would be enough for my kiddos to put the books back into the right bin.  Right?  Completely wrong!!!

Books never seemed to make it back to the right bin.  After blog stalking, I realized that I needed to change things up. 
So I sat and took all of the books out of the bins and reorganized them.  We use AR at my school so in addition to topic/genre, I also reorganized them by AR level.  Then I hit up the Dollar Tree!  I bought 26 of these bins in blue and green:

from Teaching in Room 6

Then I created these labels:

Each label has the topic/genre of that bin, the AR levels in that bin, and a bin number.  I will be using these stickers on the front of each book so students can return the book to the correctly numbered bin:

I will also have 2-3 empty baskets for students to return their books.  Instead of having each student reshelve their book, I will have the class librarians do that.  I'm hoping that this will eliminate books being misplaced!
As soon as I label everything in the library I'll take pictures.  I'm excited to have a better hold on the look and organization of this part of my room that's visited daily by my kids!

With the overall organizational aspect done, now I'm looking into managing the books.  I haven't finalized my how I want to do my check out system.  What do you use to manage students checking books in and out?

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Brandi

I'm linking up at 2 blogs today.  First is the usual Monday Made It with Tara at 4th Grade Frolics:

This past week I was working on organization (which never seems to be done).  I made schedule cards for my white board

redecorated my clipboards....need to buy some more duct tape!

and ordered a ton of stuff from Vistaprint.  I got groupon for $70 worth of product for $17!  Can't beat that!  Here's some of the stuff I ordered:

rubber stamp

business card for bucket fillers

business card for student login info

welcome postcard

desk fairy cards

holiday cards--postcards

small car door magnet

rack card used for DEAR bookmark

address labels for library

punch card for Jiji math

notepad

sticky notes

magnets with Texas image uploaded

I also got some free pens, an address stamp, and business cards with contact information.

Next, I'm linking up with Kristen at Ladybug's Teacher Files to share what I've bought for my classroom.  In addition to the things above for Monday Made It, I've hit up the Dollar Tree like craaaaaazy!



I've bought 18 of these white shoe organizers from the Dollar Tree to use for math manipulatives.

 I've bought 22 of these somewhat larger organizers with blue lids for my supply closet.

picture from Teaching in Room 6

The picture of the pink bins from is Stephanie at Teaching in Room 6.  I bought 26 of these same bins in pink, lime green, and blue from the Dollar Tree and hope to have my library as organized as hers!

Shopping and crafting....what better way for a teacher to spend a summer!

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Brandi