My First DIY

Today I was in Walmart for the billionth time in the last few weeks trying to find inexpensive trays for work that kids turn in. Unfortunately, I couldn't find anything that was the right dimensions in a price range that I will willing to pay (mind you, much like many other teachers out there right now, I have already dropped at least $300-$500 on my room this summer). So, I began the long walk up to the front of the store when these babies caught my eye....

The wheels immediately began turning, and priced at 2 for 95 cents, I decided that I had nothing to lose. I bought four and ran home to raid my collection of fabric, ribbon and stickers.

I threw this one together in about 5 minutes. It doesn't seem the most durable, but in my defense I only had one stick left in my glue gun. 

The options are endless to these and you can use leftover fabric from your bulletin boards to have everything matchy-matchy. I plan on making the four I bought, use two of them now and store the other two until I need them. We'll see how long they hold up!

Projects Galore!

The other day I told you about my new love affair with Pinterest.com. Well, I now have approximately 25 projects that I'm working on for school, all ideas from Pinterest! I am making these cute little storage seats....

These adorable birthday balloons......

and, this new behavior chart.....

I'm super excited to get all of my little projects done and into my room. Pictures of my room and finished projects will be coming very soon!



I'm Back!

Wow has it been awhile!! I know that I PROMISED to keep the blog up to date...that was in January.

I love blogging. The problem is that it's "all or nothing" with me. My goal this year is not to take an all or nothing approach and just blog as I see fit. I am super excited about the upcoming school year and all that I am cooking up for the new batch of kiddos. I don't know if any of you have found pinterest.com yet, but I have literally spent hours on here finding new ideas for next year. So, sit back, relax, and enjoy the new and improved and hopefully continually updated world of Monarch Madness!!

Holy Wackiness!

We had a great time on the 100th day of School. The kids showed up in their true form! We love Wacky Tacky Day!

"Picnik Show"

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Accelerated Math

Accelerated Math is a program that we use at PDS to supplement our math curriculum. The kids work at their own pace and level to complete a series of practice exercises and tests. They are then graded by the computer via scan card and the computer determines the next series of objectives for each student to work on. The great thing about Accelerated Math is the abundance of reports and useful features for the teacher. I can see immediately who is not understanding certain concepts and I can print out custom support for the students who need it. Meanwhile, the students who understand quickly are able to progress without being help up for reteaching. It is individualized instruction at it's best and a great way to have students practice math skills. I have already started AM with a small group of students, but last week I introduced it to the whole class. The reason that I wait until after Christmas is because it can be a management nightmare. Kids are in all different places, it is reading intensive, and it requires kids to be able to bubble in a scan card and scan it independently. I am anticipating some bumps along the way, but hopefully the program will be running smoothly in no time!

Gingerbread Houses!

Happy New Year! My New Year's Resolution for school is to update the blog at least once a week. I know that I have said this before, but now it's a resolution so I have to do it ;)

With that being said, here is a cute slideshow of the kids decorating gingerbread houses before the break.

"Picnik Show"

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Blue Ribbon Ceremony

As most of you know, I am currently in D.C. representing our school at the National Blue Ribbon Schools Ceremony. It has been an extraorinary experience. Today we met in a private meeting with Congress Woman Giffords. It was surreal to sit in her office and discuss politics and education. Yesterday we took a tour of the monuments and spent time at the Smithsonian. I love American history, being a first time visitor of D.C., I am in awe at the historic significance of this area. There is so much to offer here and it would be so fascinating to teach in an area where I could show my students first hand the actual location of the events and American symbols that I am teaching them about in the classroom. We leave tomorrow so I'll be back in the classroom on Thursday. See ya back in AZ!