Back to school gift

Back to school gift for the kiddos that I made. It is a freeze pop and a label that says "Wishing you a cool school year!" These were simple (5 minutes) and cheap to make! The kids thought they were pretty COOL too! 

2015-2016 Classroom Reveal

I took a little blogging break, and I have a lot to share! School has been in session for 4 weeks. This year they took out the desk top computers in my room, and it made me have so much more space! So I went on a few trips to IKEA and got some new furniture to make a gathering area and a book nook!

 

This was attempt 1, it was not awesome.

This area is used for our gathering and group lessons. Half of the class is allowed to sit in the "special chairs" and half is on the floor. They switch every week. The rug, table, lamp, and bench are all from IKEA!

I made these new crate seats. They are awesome because I can store stuff in them too!

This area is new too. I like having the different areas for the kids to work.

I finally decided on the horseshoe layout for desks. It seems to be working well with this group.

My desk and math wall, didn't really change much from last year.

Here is the fun pano of my room! 

I'm trying out flexible seating this year. I do regular seats during instruction. In the morning they have DEAR time first thing and can sit wherever (my room has never been that peaceful in the morning). When I do a lesson at the back rug, I let them spread out and and sit in chairs/on crates, on the rug. They actually behave better than all crammed on the floor making them sit on their pockets. Half of the class is on the floor and the other half are in the chairs. Today during our tests on the iPad, they just went around the room without even asking, and I let it go. They are focused and comfortable. The kids with ADHD or that need to move around, were actually more focused I think, because they could wiggle and not interrupt people. 

Quiet Book

I made this Quiet Book for my niece for Christmas. I used my Silhouette to cut some of it out, but did a lot of it by hand. I got to practice putting grommets on and applying snaps. I made it so I can add pages as she gets older, by using 3 inch binder rings to hold it together. 

Bridal Bouquet Ornament

My best friend got married in May, and left her bridal bouquet at my house to dry. It was hanging awkwardly in my guest bedroom inside a brown bag. I saw a post on a Silhouette page that I follow that had the petals in an ornament. Perfect! I got out her bouquet and picked out some of the better (not moldy) flowers! I found a plastic ornament at Hobby Lobby and filled it with the petals. Then I cut out Mr. & Mrs. out of gold vinyl and 2014. I tied a little bow on it and boxed it up! I like that it is small and she can remember her wedding every year at Christmas time!

Quelf-- My New Favorite Game!

QUELF- it sounds weird, but it will make you laugh harder than you have in a long time.  I played this game twice over break and it was so fun. 

My favorite was probably the draw an elephant and rhino arm wrestling with your non-dominate hand. I laughed so hard at the results and the competitiveness of my friends! 

There are pictures and videos of us doing ridiculous things such as holding a plunger, wrapped up like a mummy,  singing a dong song, and much more, but I think my family and friends would kill me for posting. 

Here is the description from Amazon: 

• Get ready for a hilarious, unpredictable game night Winner of over 6 awards, including Board Game of the Year, Quelf will make you laugh till you cry
• There is no right or wrong answers, just read each card aloud and follow the instructions
• Have you ever balanced a shoe on your head? How long can you go without blinking? Have you ever wanted to sit underneath the kitchen table? Well now is your chance
• If you obey the card, you move forward Be the first player to the finish space that completes the Scatterbrainz question and you win
• Quelf is the ultimate party game made for 3-8 players ages 12+

Quelf on Amazon get it, you won't regret it! 

Pork chops & Potatoes

WARNING: THIS POST WAS CREATED AND PHOTOGRAPHED IN OCTOBER. I HAD IT IN MY DRAFT FOLDER. IT'S MOSTLY GOING TO BE PRETTY PICTURES, AND NOT A RECIPE!

These beautiful purple potatoes came in my Door To Door Organics box. I sprinkled some salt, drizzled some olive oil, and added some fresh rosemary and baked them for 30 minutes or so. 

I also made this pork chops and apples using up some of the apples I had from my box. However, it was so long ago, I can't find the recipe I followed! :) So you just get a pretty picture and know that apples and pork chops go great together! 

I teach, therefore I drink

These tea towels were a hot gift for my teacher friends! They are available in my Etsy shop

Here!