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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.




Stash It Giveaway

I hope everyone had a nice Thanksgiving break. We had a blast in North Carolina and I even did all of my Christmas shopping. Y'ALL, I'm so bad... I already starting handing out gifts as soon as we arrived home. I can not keep secrets. I guess I'm going to have to purchase more gifts on Christmas Eve. That's the ONLY way I can keep the gifts a secret.




The nieces and nephews got some new pajamas and some nostalgic toys from an awesome store in Asheville. If you haven't visited Asheville... we highly recommend it! It's our favorite city.






Sisters received some new wine glasses and some of these handy bags that you can carry in your purse.   I feel in love with LOVE REUSABLE BAGS. They even do school fundraisers. You wouldn't believe how much fits inside each sack.






The bags are perfect for teachers, coworkers and parent volunteers. I love that if you order from the Gwaltney pattern the company gives a sack to the fijikindeproject . AWESOME charity by the way!

 
This is the Fiji Kinde Project from Fiji Kinde Project on Vimeo.



Fiji Kinde Project sends teams of educators to develop early childhood education throughout the villages of the Fiji Islands. One by one, village by village, they have already established close to 70 Kindes, impacted over 1500 children and trained over 200 teachers. By chance, volunteers for Fiji Kinde took our bags on a trip in 2010. The durability, compactness, and water resistance of the STASH IT convertible tote was ideal for students and teachers in Fiji... great for carrying books and supplies in wet and rugged conditions.

Your contribution in purchasing a unique Gwaltney print will send a very useful product to these kids and teachers.




Want to win a Stash It Tote? I have two stash it totes to giveaway. I just need your help. What can I get my husband and father for Christmas. Men are so hard to buy for.... do you have any good ideas? Leave a suggestion below for your chance to win a LOVE REUSABLE BAG. If you would like to place an order type the code MISS NELSON in the discount code.


Winners - Alison and Michelle Jaquillard- Congrats







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 :)