Picture THIS! Monday Made It

Monday already? It's been another busy week of getting my classroom somewhat set up. I can't wait to see all of the Monday Made Its.

I've been crafting using photographs from family sessions. The possibilities are endless.I think it would be neat to document family vacations using different states you have visited. This idea might be great for geography lessons too. In first grade, we use the book ME on the MAP to create a great unit. I think this year I may assign students to fill in a state with magazine pictures or even real pictures. 

My sister in law helped me create the popular letter collages that I've seen floating around on Pinterest. You can click here to see step by step directions.  Now I want to find a source for wooden state cut outs to help me document my past vacations. Who doesn't love anything that involves mod podge and photographs. Smaller letters will make great Christmas gift ideas for students.

I finally got around to adding these labels to my bins. You can find these editable labels from KNJ creations. I am in love with them. Can you believe the difference? It also hides my clutter! I need all the help I can get in that department.

AFTER

BEFORE

Do you use Kagan Management Mats? I did until I decided to create my own using vinyl. You can use a cricut or silhouette to make these durable numbers. I love to group my students this way. Kagan is all about engagement.  When tables are labeled it allows for shoulder partners and face to face partners. It's also great to call all the ones to pick up papers or the threes to sharpen pencils. You should check out Kagan if you haven't heard of their awesome structures. 

 I went to Target on Sunday and found 18 more black cubes. I found them ON SALE. #SCORE 

Now each student will have a numbered cube to keep their belongings. This is in addition to their mailbox, cubby, and seat pocket.I have the top 18 cubes filled with various supplies. I like how they can hide clutter. Is it bad that I like to organize by stuffing? HAHA! I just throw my stuff in different bins. At least they are labeled. Hopefully this will hide my junk from Alison. 

Hope everyone had a great weekend! Can't wait to be inspired this week.You should  join Tara with your Monday Made It.

Holiday Market Ideas

It's almost December which means I need to start planning for our First Grade Holiday Market. For the next two weeks our classroom will be turned into a factory of sorts. I'm still debating on a few last minute items to make. It's the best way I have found to teach our social studies standards on economics. 

I happen to love Market Days because it gives me a chance to get crafty. We do this every year. I've done Market days in the winter and also in the spring. After we do a week long unit on my Consumers and Producers we break into groups to create a product or service to sell. Comment below with your favorite craft for a chance to win the packet.

Here are some goods we've sold in the past:

notecards 

cookies 

chocolate dipped pretzels

chocolate dipped spoons

handprint ornaments

wrapping paper (butcher paper stamped with stamps)

slime

oobleck

hot chocolate

lemonade

Most items are around $1. This way the students don't have worry too much about change. We do it as a grade level but you could easily do it as a class. You can invite parents, teachers, other students or have it just within your class.

We usually plan about a week getting organized, producing our product, and marketing our store. I show my students videos about starting a business. Our library has a great selection. The students also hung up advertisements around campus to drum up business. Last year my class raised over $300. We donated the money to a local charity. There are so many different twists you can do with Market! 

I have a cute booklet on tpt that covers wants, needs, goods, services, consumers, producers and income that I'd like to giveaway to three lucky followers. Just leave me a comment with your favorite holiday craft.  

I'm a SUCKER for you!

I am linking up with 4th Grade Frolics  for my Valentine Monday made it. I honestly have been out of the classroom so much with ice days and professional development that I haven't had time to take pictures and create fun crafts. Anyway, our class will be celebrating Valentine's Day on Friday with a sugar cookie decorating party. It's always a fun time.  I can't wait to take some snapshots. I needed a little something from me so I hit up Target last night. I found these cute heart suckers at Target for $1. I decided they would be something special to put in the student's V-Day bags.
Here is the free download if interested. 

My next Monday Made It is one of my most favorite activities to do with the students. I LOVE self directed drawings. Sometimes it's a class reward and other times I tie it in with standards. We've had a blast this year learning how to draw some pretty neat drawings. Have you heard of 

 Art for Kids Hub?  It's a really awesome resource to bring in creativity into the classroom. I fell in LOVE with this site when I saw Alison's monkeys.

It's super easy for children to follow because the artist usually has

a YouTube video for students to get step-by-step instructions. Rob is so kind when he's working with his own children. I want to be like ROB when I grow up!

Rob Jensen also has a Pinterest page that you may like to follow!

Today we drew these darling raccoons with the help of Rob. We also watched videos and read some articles on raccoons. It was a great way to bring in some non-fiction reading and writing skills for my first graders. They were so motivated to write facts after they participated in the drawing.

I'm off to check out more Monday Made Its. Thanks Tara for the linky.

Polymer Clay

We have a new obsession in our classroom. It's making ornaments and jewelry out of polymer clay. The kids have been making "goods" to sell for Market Days and thumbprint necklaces for presents. 

I've had a couple people request details on the polymer clay so here it goes.

I went to Michael's and picked up some fun packs of polymer clay. You can find polymer clay at any craft store. Walmart even carries it. Michaels had polymer clay on sale 5 packs for $4. You can also buy a variety pack and use a 40% coupon. We can't wait to try out some fun colors. There was even glow in the dark clay.

Usually you bake the clay on 275 for 15 minutes. Check the specific package for details. Each company varies slightly on the cooking times. 

 Thumbprint necklaces

Roll small balls out of polymer clay

Have children press down with thumb

Use little eye hook for holder

Attach to ball chain from Hobby Lobby

We are making snowmen to go on our tree as well!

Need some fun craft ideas? Check out my pinterest boards. I found this cute snowman here. They were super easy to make and the kids LOVED helping.

Busy Little Bees

This week was a busy week of Social Studies and Science. We wrapped up our Matter Unit with the Science Guy. The kids had so much fun making oobleck, experimenting with sinking and floating, making density bags and learning about Matter. They also loved playing the game Solid, Liquid, Gas.

We also started our unit on Wants/Needs and Goods/Services. This is my ALL TIME FAVORITE unit to teach. I usually follow along with our Social Studies book but also include this Wants and Needs packet.  The packet covers all of the terms dealing with economics but it's definitely kid friendly. My first graders LOVE it!!! At the end of the unit, First Grade puts on a Holiday Market. We set up shop and sell "goods" usually in our cafeteria. The students have so much fun producing their goods. We have already brainstormed a class store name and even started making our goods. The parents are so supportive and love participating in this event. Students and parents come shopping. Usually items are $1-$3.

Here are some goods we've sold in the past:

notecards 

cookies 

chocolate dipped pretzels

chocolate dipped spoons

ornaments
artwork

wrapping paper (butcher paper stamped with stamps)

Grinch slime

oobleck

hot chocolate

lemonade

Most items are around $1. This way the students don't  have worry too much about change. We do it as a grade level but you could easily do it as a class. You can invite parents, teachers, other students or have it just within your class.

We usually plan about a week getting organized, producing our product, and marketing our store. I show my students videos about starting a business. Our library has a great selection. We also market our store by hanging up advertisements around campus to drum up business. In the years past, we have  raised as much as $300. We usually donate the money to a local charity. One year we sponsored a goat from the heifer foundation. There are so many different twists you can do with Market! If you need any advice or ideas please leave a comment or shoot me an email at missnelsonattpt@yahoo.com. 

This is my economics booklet on tpt that covers wants, needs, goods, services, consumers, producers and income. 

Making some art to sell! You should have heard them discussing their prices. 

Cheese balls in a Mason Jar. 

Clay Pots- Michaels 

Half-Off ornaments Hobby Lobby

Bean Bag Filler

Paint Pens

Pom Poms

Making lumps of love

Tonight starts my 9 day vacation. I'm off the entire week for Thanksgiving Break. We are headed to North Carolina. I hope everyone has a nice time Thanksgiving with family and friends. Be sure to check back as I am planning a fun giveaway this week :)

DIY Ornaments

Well it's the first Monday of the month which means I'll be linking up with Tara over at 4th Grade Frolics for Monday Made It and Angela at Hippo Hooray for Second.  I just love giving handmade ornaments as gifts. I use them for my student's families, co-workers, and even friends and family. I've been searching for some fun way to incorporate pictures and left over ornaments. Did you know I ALWAYS stock up on Christmas crafts when they are 75-90% off? Micheal's and Target have awesome deals the day after Christmas. Lucky, I had all the supplies on hand. My inspiration came from  here but I've seen them all over pinterest.

I really didn't follow any directions. First, I tried a wallet size photo and it was a hair too long so I snipped off a tiny bit. I also tried backing the photo with cardstock. I'm pretty sure the photos worked best by themselves  I'll be making one for each of my families. I used plastic ornaments. I found them last year at Michael's. What do you think?

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Now I didn't stop there. I needed some cute crafts for the students. Since our class tree is decorated in pinks, purples, and lime green I just had to have these little cupcakes found here. I know the students will love these!

Here are the materials:

light pink or white ornaments

paint

glitter

sprinkles (optional)

pom-poms for cherry

cupcake liners

hot glue

All I did was paint the ornaments to look like icing and while they were still wet, I sprinkled sprinkles and glitter. Next, I hot glued the ornaments to the liners and then glued cherry on top.

Doesn't get much easier than this! I promise.

I'll be back later this week for one more DIY ornament and some yummy cookies!

Can't wait to check out the other crafts!