Name Sticks

We are getting closer! I finally get to start in my room tomorrow! :) I just went on a little shopping trip yesterday with a P.O. that my principal gave me, since it is my 1st year (definitely helps). I got tons of stuff for the room... Bulletin board paper & borders, name tags, posters, mainly stuff for the walls.

Today I got around to making my name stick cup (simple, I know). However, I like the idea of being able to know who I've called on, but have the possibility of calling on them again. I hate that the kids check out after their stick has been left in a pile by the cup. I may call on you again depending on how confident/correct your 1st answer was! If you're like me, and have a class of 30 or more (mine is at 28 with kids still enrolling), the small soup can doesn't work the best. I Had picked up some cute little metal pails at Target in the dollar section (which I love), and have put a few to use! 

I used my Target pail & a really thick black poster paper that I got at Wal-Mart for the name stick cup. 

I started by cutting a piece of the paper down to the general height and width of the (top) of the pail. I used a pencil to mark the inside diameter on the top, then did the same on the bottom, making it as centered as I could with the top marks. I connected the top and bottom lines with pencil, and then cut using my cutting board.

To secure the paper inside the pail, I used packing tape. I originally put the pieces facing the same way (as in the picture here), but it was difficult to get it all the way inside without it sticking. I ended up removing 1 piece and put a new 1 so the sticky side faced opposite of the 1st piece of tape.

I folded the tape back on itself (the non sticky sides), and held them as tightly to the paper as I could while I lowered the card into the pail. Once the card was at the bottom, I slowly let go of the tape, and used 1 of my sticks to press the tape into the corner, then smooth out the tape along the side of the pail. To reinforce the paper, I then added a piece of tape to the other 2 sides, 1st putting it on the paper, then again using the stick to press into the corners, and then the side of the pail.

Lastly, I used Avery Clear Easy Peel Shipping Labels to make labels for the inside of the cup. I cut the labels down smaller after printing them, to be easier to place inside.

I also used the same labels for my pencil cups. The name stick cup labels were printed in purple, and the pencil cups labels were printed in teal. The final color depends on the color of the pail. As you can see, these 2 look like different colors. 

Here is the document I made, if you would like to print them onto labels. The font is Sketch Nice.

I hope everyone is having a great week, and heading into a productive back to school mode! Time to get ready for the 1st of many meetings! 

Noise Level Sign

I've been working on assembling bits and pieces of things for my room, since I still don't have access to my room until next week. Today I completed my noise level sign, inspired by The Teacher Wife (except for laminating and adding magnets). I thought I'd share the picture of it today! The orange arrow will be laminated separately from the sign, and have a magnet strip attached to the back so I can move it between the levels.

I may end up adding some of these stars to it.

I used glittery scrapbook paper from Hobby Lobby. The stars are for my "Shoot For the Moon" bulletin board, but I may add to this sign too. I just don't want them to be too distracting from the sign's purpose. We'll see what happens! Here it is with the stars laid on. Any opinions are welcome! :)

My theme this year is space, mainly with a focus on stars (except for during our planet study). I am planning for a "Star Student" weekly bulletin board, hanging star table numbers, and more, as I get into my space and see what my needs are! I really can't wait to see it all start coming together!

A lot of my little projects this week have been fueled by procrastination... I have been trying to gather all of my thoughts about classroom management into 1 cohesive system, but every time I think I've got something that will work, I discover an aspect that isn't what I'd like (not positive enough, doesn't allow students to earn back once they've gone down a step, etc). I know I'll figure it out. I have to, right? Maybe in another few days something genius will pop into my head (here's to hoping)!

That's all for today! Hopefully more posts coming up as we get closer to the start of the year!

Gearing Up for My 1st Year!

Welcome to my blog! This is my 1st official post! I am currently preparing for my very 1st year of teaching (which is both extremely exciting and stressful at the same time)! Thankfully, my wonderful husband is very supportive, so as anxious as I am for {whatever} is to come, I know things will work out fine! 

Oh, 5th grade... My memories of being in 5th consist of memorizing the Preamble, state reports, and learning various other information through School House Rock videos during Home Room (as well as getting to sit at the same table with my classroom crush, no matter how many times the seating chart changed that year. Hmm, interesting...). I'm sure a lot else went on that year, and I'm very hopeful that I can say that far more did go on in my room after this 1st year! 

I cannot begin setting up my classroom until sometime the week of July 16th, when my classroom is done being cleaned. I'll have about 9 days to prepare my room aside from the onslaught of meetings! I'm itching to begin, however, I must be patient since there is no other option! What self-control... I know! 

Since I am sitting at home, wishing I were in my classroom, I have been pulling resources from my classes and student teaching, buying various items, and trying to get a few things made. I have been Pinterest-obsessed for months now (big surprise there), and have a few ideas from there, as well as some of my own for my classroom.

I really wanted to do a space-themed room this year, since we study space in 5th. I found this amazing bulletin board at venspired.com. Thanks Krissy for creating a PDF of the words! 

I plan to make something similar, but I think I'll add the earth and moon to my board. I'll have pics up as soon as I get into my classroom. Right now I'm just gathering the pieces! 

I also have to thank Lindsey over at The Teacher Wife for her noise level sign. I am making one in my colors. I think it's just perfect. I don't want to allow my students the option of outdoor voices inside, so this one has every level you need indoors!

I am currently reading Harry Wong's The First Days of School, which I am enjoying. Some of it seems like repetition of what I have been hearing over the past year, which is good to have reiterated, and there are some other bits that are giving me new ideas for the classroom. I just have to remember to put down my fiction reads to finish it before the real first days begin! 

This has been a long post. Sorry! I'll leave it here, and hopefully have some progress to report early next week!