Joke Teller

Do your students laugh at silly jokes?  

 In our classroom one of the jobs is joke teller.  During morning meeting the joke teller shares two jokes with the class.   It is great for students to speak in front of each other and we all enjoy giggling together.  

Did you hear about the cross-eyed teacher?

She couldn't control her pupils!

LOVE

 Wow!  I can't believe that it has been a whole school year since I posted.   Time sure flies!  I just got a new camera and I'm loving it!  At the end of the school year my class gave me a Visa card I decided to get a camera to keep at school.  My goal for the new school year is to take more pictures.  My son made this in art class this year and I'm thinking it would be great with other words.  Happy 4th of July!

Pinterest inspiration

I am LOVING Pinterest!  There are tons of great DIY projects that are so easy to make.   My first inspiration was taken from all the vinyl that is being used for labeling anything from mason jars to plastic boxes.  For this DIY project I used chalkboard Contact paper on a mason jar I already had. I got the chalkboard from a flea market and put it in a plate stand.  I love to change the message for dinner. 

 

The next project was making hurricane candle holders for $2 a piece!

 It was done using taper candle holders and cylinder vases from...  

The DOLLAR TREE!

I used Gorilla glue to adhere the cylinder to the candle holder.  I'm still debating what I should put in them, but for now they are on the window ledge above the kitchen sink with some random balls I had.  

Book Wreath

Have you seen the DIY book wreaths?  This has been on my "Summer To Do List" since school got out in June.  Last week I finally found the perfect old book to tear the pages out of,  got out my glue gun, stapler and a foam wreath.  It was pretty easy and I love how it turned out.

The project took about 2 hours and was fun to make.  But now I think I want to change the wall color in my living room to a darker shade!  

Book Labels

I am constantly adding books to my class book collection and I needed an easy way to label them.   I started using custom address labels that say:  

                                This belongs to Julie Mooney   
                                           Please return


It's so easy to just peel and stick them inside a book cover.  They can also be put on other things such as crates, baskets,  games, etc.    Here is a picture of one:

 

I lend out my books to students and I have a good return rate because these labels really stand out in the front of a book.  I prefer to use the shiny jewel tone labels.    What do you do to label things?

It's HUGE!

We are so lucky to have four blueberry bushes growing in our backyard.  This year we've had jumbo blueberries that are so delicious.   Take a look at Alex holding one as Dave measures it.  I just noticed that I'll have to teach Dave to start at the end of the tape measurer!  We made two blueberry pies (with homemade crust) and they are to die for! 

Desk arrangements

At the beginning of the year I like to arrange students in what I call a "U shape".  This has every student sitting next to a partner and has the most number of students with desks facing the front of the room.  Here is an example:

(You can also see the pencil cups in action that I posted a picture of not too long ago).

It doesn't take long before I make some changes.  Who knew that a few students were best friends outside of school or which students are not good role models for each other??  

As the year goes on I actually survey students to see if they prefer to have their desks arranged in a table,  U shape or row.   Usually they are honest with how they learn best and I honor their request.

How do you arrange your desks  or tables?