Mrs. Freshwater's Class: Birthday

Showing posts with label Birthday. Show all posts

Monday, August 5, 2013

Made it Monday 8-5-13

Last week on Instagram, I shared a snippet of something I was creating. I have an overage of scrap booking supplies in my storage room and I am determined to use up some of the supply before my big move. (This is a “small glimpse”, I am too afraid to show you the whole thing. (Oh My Goodness!! Sorry for the mess… I have been digging through my inventory looking for more B/W paper. Plus that adorable German Shepard my son adopted and brought home thinks my storage room is his “safe haven”. He finds comfort sleeping with my craft supplies and shoes.)

Last year, I created those adorable glittered clothes pins you see popping up everywhere! I added a strip of magnetic tape and my kiddos used them to hang their behavior sticker charts. Well, needless to say they drove me insane... Yes, I addict I am a bit (ok very OCD) about things staying in tact. Those clips were everywhere and every which way especially when one of my sweeties shut the locker or walked past with their ginormous bags. ( BTW when did those bags get so big?) This summer I was determined to come up with an idea... I thought about mini chalkboards ( too expensive and too heavy) pieces of wood ( hmmm will have to paint) then the idea hit.... BINGO- scrapbook paper.

Everyone knows I love black and white. It has always been in my classroom decor ( except for the one year -I had a pink/brown fetish)

I knew I wanted to use black and white and pops of color!!

I gathered my paper. I opted for dots and stripes.

I measured my reward charts. (Standard size 5x6) I started out by making a template. (Yes, I am old school.) It's all about trial and error right!

After I had everything mapped out size wise, I began cutting!! It was done in less than 5 minutes. Next, I warmed up the laminator while I began tacking the pieces in place with a small dab of glue. ( I used a glue stick. I was only wanted to tack the pieces in place to hold during lamination.) Then, I went to town laminating.

I had some extra space so I added my birthday tags to the button. ( I hate wasting lamination) you can head over to my TPT shop to snag up the birthday tags for free.

( They are editable so you can add your name or your kiddos names!) Next, I cut, hot glued a black clothespin, and added a wide strip of magnetic tape to the back.

I am super excited about these reward chart holders for my lockers.

This week I also made my BTS welcome gift.There seems to be some controversy about B2S gifts. I am a giver- do not receive as well as I give. I have always been that way. (Guess years of growing up watching my momma!) I saw these smencils at Michael's.

(Yes, I am one of those scent infatuated people!)

I whipped up a round label

and grabbed some ribbon from my stash. (Yes, I have a stash of ribbon too. Maybe I should post a picture of my “store room” literally looks like a mini Michael’s.)

Bam- I have an adorable gift for the first day!!

I just added these to my TPT shop if you want to snag them up!!

Well, the creating has just begun from me... Stay tuned for more Fun, Fresh and Polka Dot Ideas!! Don't forget to follow me on Instagram or bloglovin'!!

Monday, July 15, 2013

Happy Birthday to You

How do you celebrate birthdays in your classroom? Do you go all out or do you keep them tame and mild. I love to celebrate birthdays and try my best to make the day special for my kiddos. Last year, I created my polka dot birthday décor packet because I couldn’t find anything that matched my theme. I added some additional things for my kiddos and thought I need to update my packet and share them with you too!! {Click Picture Below to head over to “Operation Cupcake: my old blog post}

Some updates I made to the packet include

Rectangular Pencil Flags (by popular request) My original packet had cupcake shaped toppers but many wanted something easy to cut. ( I love to cut and you can often find me in front of the t.v. with scissors in hand watching my favorite t.v. shows)

My Polka Dotted Birthday Bag Tags

Add these adorable tags to your birthday goodies for your kiddos. My birthday bags included a jumbo cupcake shape eraser, glo-stick bracelets, and a cupcake paint yourself sun-catcher. We have a “strict” no sweets rule so I knew I had to make my birthday goodie bags extra special and sweet.

Cupcake Gift Booklet

These booklets were a huge hit with my kiddos all year. I actually got this idea from another teacher (Thanks JC)in my building who gives out a certificate for “free” drinks to her kiddos on their birthday. I always loved the idea, but thought I would add a few more coupons to “sweeten” the pot. The cupcake booklet included a few coupons for them to utilize immediately or throughout the year. In the packet I included several coupons, but I randomly selected 5-6 coupons per cupcake. These cost nadda and the kiddos “loved” them. Once the first kiddo gets their cupcake booklet, the others will begin counting down the days until their birthday.

I also added birthday badges a.k.a stickers and birthday balloons to the updated packet.

Head on over to my TPT shop and snag it up or if you are one of the lucky ones who already purchased just go re-download the newest version.

Always, Melissa

P.S. Tell me how you make your kiddos feel special on their birthday!!

Sunday, February 10, 2013

Happy Birthday to my baby!!!

It’s hard to believe my baby turns 19 today!!! It seems like yesterday I was laying in that hospital room scared to death, but so anxious for his arrival. He stole my heart the moment I laid eyes on him. I have to say that he has been a true blessing in more ways than one. There is definitely a “special” bond between a mother and her son. Every day I thank the man upstairs for granting me this precious gift.

To help celebrate my baby’s birthday!! (He may not be a baby anymore but he will always be my baby!!) I am putting my Polka Dot Birthday Packet on Sale till Midnight!

Birthday Journal

Birthday Certificate from Teacher

Cupcake Pencil Topper (Just add a birthday pencil or for an extra special treat add a smelly pencil a.k.a Smencil)

Birthday Cupcake for Bulletin Board/Door Display

Monthly Headers for Bulletin Board Display or Calendar

Always, Melissa

HURRY, The SALE ends at Midnight!!!!

Saturday, September 15, 2012

Peace, Love, and Sheer Panic

Good Morning Everyone!!! It has been so long since I have blogged. Thank you all for the emails. On August 27th, I received the phone call every mother dreads… Your son was involved in an accident! My only son was involved in a one vehicle accident responding to a volunteer fire call for another accident. He was air-lifted to a nearby Pittsburgh hospital and underwent surgery for a shattered femur and monitored for head trauma. My son has a very long and painful recover, but he is going to OK!!Well, as many of you know I decided to venture into a regular classroom this year. My theme peace, neon, and polka dots.

This is my outside of my door and my “where are we sign” I changed it up a bit when I decided to go with a peace theme. My “travel agent” moves the peace sign whenever we leave the room.

I was completed stressed out about “keeping track” of my kiddos. I found this pinterest inspired board and knew I had to recreate for my class. I headed on done to our local Dollar General market and snagged up a cookie sheet and when to town. My kids “love” using this board!!!! And I love knowing exactly where they are…

WELCOME TO OUR CLASS

“FRONT”

Thanks to Ms. Fultz Corner for designing my blog, but for letting me snag this adorable saying. I recreated it using my signature polka dots and neon!

Here is a closer look at my Math Focus Board. Our county has adopted the Pearson Envisions and Investigations Series. I couldn’t find an alphabet I liked… Love my cricut and my mom for having the patience to deal with my OCD issues.

These money posters were from my room last year. They were inspired from Doodle Bugs Teaching. The rug…Walmart

Here is my helper board. I don’t have a lot of wall space so I simply attached this tray to my closet door. You can find my polka dot jobs {here} I love my little command clear buckets too.

I needed something above my windows. I created these images using poster board and added some glitter!!! Love Love Love theme. My shelves hidden behind my polka dotted curtains (Thanks mom for sewing) hold my art supplies, math manipulatives, literacy manipulatives, etc.

This picture was taken on the first day. We did Abby’s Jitter Juice Activity!!!! They loved it!!! Thanks Abby for being an inspiration!!!

Back Area

If you are standing at the front of my room, this is what you see. Of course, I couldn’t find a number line I liked either. (Thanks MOM for your patience!!!!!)

Here is my mail station, library, and part of my reading focus wall. The drawers house my monthly supplies (stickers, cutouts, etc)

Here is my calendar and birthday boards. You can snag up these adorable cupcakes that are in my Birthday Decor Packet {Here} You can also see a small glimpse of my desk area. My NEWS area was suppossed to be a mini bulletin board of important dates, events, etc but has rapidly turned into a “love” bulletin board. I love all the notes, pictures, cards, etc my Groovy Kids have been making me. They have definitely been filling my bucket.

Last but not least, here is a picture of my desks on the first day. I purchased a black/white PEACE folder at Walmart. A black notebook, pencil box, and supplies for my students (Thanks TPT for giving me the opportunity to help my students which over 70% come from low-income families) Oh and the “PEACE” inspired take-out box which was “filled” with different trinkets.

SORRY FOR THE LONG POST!!!!! I know many people have been asking for my UNIT 2 Reading Street Items. I will be uploading unit 2.1 and 2.2 today. Thanks again for all of your support!!!

Always,

Melissa