Hey all! It's me.....hosting my own linky:) First of all, THANK YOU to everyone who linked up or visited or both last week! I appreciate you all coming by and the sweet comments you're leaving! I have been loving looking through all the linkups already and have lots on my to do list to keep me busy!
I'm excited about my made its this week although, they almost did me in....like seriously....but I survived and they are ready, so here we go!
Library Event Calendar
Ok, so.....last year I pinned this idea from Michael that he had shared on the blog Who's Who and Who's New. What idea you ask? Well he has a FAB post about having an Event Calendar in your classroom to promote excitement and engagement in your classroom library. I pinned it and said to myself, "I am SO doing this next year!" Well, a year happened and I didn't get around to it so, it was moved to the top of my summer to do list!
Now, I am not going to go into huge detail about this and how it all works because Michael's post, WAKE Up Your Classroom Library, is fab and filled with lots of info and ideas so PLEASE pop over there and read it! As soon as I read his post I knew I wanted to make an event calendar for my classroom....sure, make one it will be easy:/ Well, like I said on ig earlier this week......this one about did me in! Why, you ask....well silly me couldn't be happy with just grabbing a pre-made calendar.....NO, I HAD to make one....one that was cute and would match my classroom:/ Ugh...lol!
This is what I started with. This board was on clearance at Hobby Lobby:) Then I grabbed some clips and the rest I had or made. I used upholstery tacks and jute (I had to replace the ones that were there and add more)
This calendar will be on display in my classroom library and I will add events throughout the year. The kids will come in and see events on the calendar and the excitement will build. Michael's post has a TON of different ideas for events to plan, along with explanations:
-Friday Finds
Monday Makeovers
-Tuesday Trades
These are just a few.
Michael also has lots of other great posts about his library on his blog
I added ideas like:
Read with a Buddy
Flashlight Friday
Teacher Takeover
Design a Cover
The ideas are endless!
I made little event cards to go along with this calendar. I used some of his ideas and made some up of my own, I also have some blank ones included so I can just write the event with a dry erase marker and then change it out as I come up with more ideas.
The little clips I got at Hobby Lobby, will make it easy to move things around and add events throughout the month!
I am so excited about this and even though it took me forever to make, I am thrilled I did it! I think it will promote so much fun and excitement in the classroom and about reading!
If you are interested in checking out the numbers, you can see them HERE:)
My next made it was actually a made it "Boo Boo"! Like I said before, the calendar numbers almost did me in....lots of layers. When I thought I was done, I printed, laminated and cut them allllllll out. Then I laid them out and didn't like how the number background colors all lined up (like stripes)....I know, I know, I have issues:/ Well, yes I redid the backgrounds but there was NO WAY I was going to just throw away the set I had already laminated and cut out.....think Tara...what can you do?
Then I remembered the cute little book checkout station I got from Jessica at Mrs. Heeren's Happenings a few years ago AND....lightbulb! I knew what I could do with my extra calendar numbers and they would match all my other classroom decor!
I started assigning numbers to my students a few years ago and love it:) In my classroom, we use book luggage so I don't have them "check books out" unless they are taking them home. Now when they check a book out to take home, my librarian will just write it on a little post it and tuck it behind the number of that student. I have included the Checkout Hangout sign in the numbers set in case you also what to do this. The pocket chart is from Target dollar spot:) Jessica's Book Checkout Station is ADORBS and FREE, so if you want that, click HERE:)
Now, on to some summer fun made its:)
Summer Monday Made It wouldn't be the same without some of my planting pots and garden posts. Sadly I have not been doing as much planting this year for a few reasons:
a) saving money for the wedding that is right around the corner
b) we have had tons of rain
c) with that rain there are a TON of mosquitoes...which tends to put a damper on the gardening thing for me:/
So I have had the old (chippy, not dirty for my friend Farley) bird bath sitting around and as you can see, it has a hole. I couldn't part with it...I have a thing for vintage...so I decided to repurpose it:)
First I covered the hole with some coconut liner and then put some rocks in the bottom and then some soil to fill it with SUCCULENTS!!!!!
Ya'll, I have a serious succulent addiction!!!! LOVE them so much! I love how this turned out and hope they thrive:)
Right along with the gardening theme, I decided to brighten up my porch. Again, I have some vintage metal furniture on the porch that needed a little pick me up. I have done the whole shabby chic thing and just wanted some fun color, so I decided to #paintallthethings!
I still have quite a bit of work to do out there but I've gotten a lot done and it's a fun place to sit and do work or read!
Ok....done!!! That was a long one!!! Can't wait to see all the goodness ya'll add this week! Don't forget to link up on Instagram too with #mondaymadeit. Make sure you tag me @4thgradefrolics:)
Now, grab your coffee and ENJOY!