Make it RING with BLING!

Happy to finally be teaming up wth Tara for her Monday Made-it linkup.  This week I'm sharing two projects that show off my love for the color turquoise.  They will be nice additions to my classroom!

#1 - DIY silver-dipped stools

you know what is great about these wooden barstools? They were FREE!  While doing a drive around my neighborhood in early June while we were having bulk pick-up (the time where the city allows you to place unwanted furniture items you do to want to haul off to the goodwill out on your driveway, along with your recent landscaping clippings, etc.) I found these!! They are about $16 a piece at Walmart so I figured I saved some money! 

 My inspiration and tutorial for the dipped look closely followed my pinterest inspiration, they used a raspberry base color and dipped the legs and stool top in gold.  See link here.  For my stool covers, I'm going to order these coordinating cushions from Etsy but until they arrive, I just used this fashionable shelf liner I picked up at Burlington Coat Factory last year.

#2 - Blinged Out Bell

Next up is my tiny make me happy project. Spray painted the bell turquoise (used to be hot pink) and added rhinestones from Hobby Lobby. I recommend getting the kind that peel off the clear film in one long strip that way it makes adhering around the base of the bell that much easier!! Super simple and satisfies my need for bling when I ring! :)

Be on the lookout for some classroom updates in the Made-It section of life because I'm heading back in for my first contract day of the school year today.  Luckily, no meetings, just teacher work time - woohoo bulletin boards!

:)

Leadership Notebooks (Starter Kit)

2021 update - download available as a bonus file within the Goal Getter Student Data Binder

When I first started teaching at a Leader in Me school, students used Data Binders to track their academic and behavioral progress.  That was seven years ago!  Now, Leadership Notebooks have replaced Data Binders and I think I've finally wrapped my brain around how they are different.

Frequency of Use
Data Binders were basically kept at school and just shared with families during conferences as the students led their parents through their graphs and tests that reflected their quarterly grades.  Now, Leadership Notebooks are intended to go back and forth between home and school and give a more holistic picture of the child's development.  No longer just seen during student-led conferences.

Five Sections = 5 Tab Dividers
Pictures are more powerful than words so have a look at how my Leadership Notebook product may help you implement this progress documentation and home-school communication tool below!

As of the 2017-2018 school year, I have changed Tab 2 to be called 'My W.I.G.s' and we keep all of our academic & personal goals and scoreboards to track progress in there.

As of the 2017-2018 school year, Tab 4 is now called 'My Leadership' and students keep their habits self-assessments in there along with the Habits Overview page and reflective writing assignments.

Often, I have students tuck their final copy of a graded writing assignment in the MY VICTORIES section because it typically demonstrates quality work and can be referred to during conferences as a lengthier writing piece sample.  From time to time, students also did a quick write-up explaining the successful outcome of one of their WIGs and placed it in this section! Honestly, this section is probably the one that gets the most neglect in my classroom... #ALLtheTHINGS

Hopefully these tips will help you on your journey toward implementing Leadership Notebooks in your classroom!

My Day in Snapshots (wordless Wednesday)

Wordless Wednesday meets 5 for Friday!  I guess hashtags and/or captions are words, but that's why it's a hybrid 5 for Friday-esque post.  Stay posted for more on my Leadership Notebooks and fancy silver-dipped stools!

Grab It While It's Hot!

Standing in line with my gold foil star wall decals that I plan on using to snazz up my lunch tub, I spotted Common Core teacher posters while waiting for the next available cashier.  Since I saw my favorite word CLEARANCE stuck to the top of each poster, I was sure I would find something worthwhile.  I managed to score two Carson-Dellosa sets I couldn't leave without. The first is cool visuals on nonfiction text features, and the other is all about fractions!

When I head down to the district materials center tomorrow, I better not be making this face!

 

So here are the bulletin board sets I scored for $2.97 each PLUS 15% off with my JoAnn's teacher discount.  Check out a JoAnn's store near you if this is something you could use!

I've been neglecting my blog lately because I finally became a homeowner at the end of April!! Buying my first home, moving into the new home, decorating, installing the essentials (cable, alarm, a ClassyCloset, etc.), and trying to coerce contractors into giving me a good deal because I'm a teacher and then getting the project done before summer break is over has been how I've spent my hiatus.

Definitely not thinking I will get much of my lofty bathroom renovations started before August but I've come to terms with that by now.  I will practice my teacher patience!