My First "Back to School" Purchases for My New First Graders!

About Me

My photo
Ohio
Welcome! I hope to use this blog to share some of the amazing things my class and school does to make learning fun! I have been teaching for 15 years already! I started teaching 3rd grade in a Parochial School, then I was hired to teach 1st grade for three years, was moved to 5th grade for 2 years, and then came back to 1st grade in the district where I attended school. I love that I'm able to give back the the school district that guided me to become the teacher I am today! I have a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education, certified 1-8; a Master's Degree in Curriculum and Instruction; and my Administrator License Pre-K-12.

Blogs I Love!

Show All

Thursday, August 16, 2012

Bookshelf Makeover and Crayon Heaven

Hi Friends!
Just touching base real quick...it's nap time!  :)
I've spent the week with my two nieces and have had so much fun!  I get to spend my first and last week of summer with them because my sister works in a different county as a Hearing Impaired Specialist and since she's in a supervisory position she has to go back to school earlier than everyone.  So Addison, Claire, and Aunt Jenn get to hang out.  This also means that the girls get to come to school with me during the day to get a few things done.  Thank God they're good girls and can find just about anything to keep them busy in my classroom without making a huge mess.  Thanks to my sister and brother-in-law for letting me turn their dining room into classroom central too!  Today the girls helped my dad with a little bookshelf project I needed finished...

Two years ago I purchased four black book shelves from Target for all of my books (I ignored the weight limit, of course) and they survived...a little wobbly...but they were still standing.  Okay, only 2 survived.  After the deep clean that occurred at school this summer they became super unstable so I had this idea (I probably saw it somewhere) to back the bookshelf with peg board.  I'm going to hang our Brag Tags on the back of the bookshelf as well as some word rings if I have room.  Speaking of Brag Tags...just spent a small fortune stocking up on what I need to start the year..yikes!  But the kiddos love collecting them through the year so it's worth it.

My dad brought black spray paint into my classroom for a little touch-up if we needed it.  Just thought you should know that I abstained and actually said, "I"m not allowed.  Spray paint and I don't get along."

Here's another something I'm pretty excited about...
MY CRAYON BOX!
  No more hovering over the big box of mixed-up crayons spending hours (okay lots of seconds) looking for a certain crayon only to forget the color you really needed!  Each box is filled with about 16 crayons of a specific color!  My colors are the same colors found in a Crayola box of 24 crayons.  Hip Hip Hooray!  I know I'm going to have some families at Open House looking at this amazing unit of organization and think I'm nuts...but you're a teacher...you understand!  :)

Open House...one week from today it will be over by this time!  
AHHH!  So much to do!
Posted by at

10 comments:

  1. LauraAugust 16, 2012 at 6:10 PM

    Jenn! You've found the perfect use for that toolbox!! I have all my extra crayons sorted in baggies, but the kiddos still have to search through the bags. This is SO MUCH better!! Lowe's-Here I Come!! Thanks for sharing!
    Laura
    Peace, Love, and First Grade

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Jenn LongAugust 18, 2012 at 8:05 AM

      Thanks Laura! My Lowes and Home Depot didn't have them so I had to order it from Amazon! Here's the link:
      http://www.amazon.com/Akro-Mils-10124-Plastic-Hardware-6-5-Inch/dp/B003TV3NL0/ref=dp_ob_title_hi

      Another blogger shared it with me but I forget who it was! :)

      Delete
  2. AmyAugust 16, 2012 at 8:51 PM

    I love your crayon box! What a great idea! In my K class, the students only have the basic 8 at their tables, but this would be great to organize the other colors when I need to hand out a gray or violet or any other color. Thanks so much for the idea!

    Amy
    Mrs. Lattin's Kindergarten

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Jenn LongAugust 18, 2012 at 8:05 AM

      Of course! I posted the link above if you can't find it.

      Delete
  3. RealOCteachersAugust 16, 2012 at 9:40 PM

    The crayon box ideas is wonderful! Thanks for sharing.


    The REAL Teachers of Orange County

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Jenn LongAugust 18, 2012 at 8:06 AM

      You bet! I think I was inspired by what everyone else was doing with their tool boxes!

      Delete
  4. Sarah August 16, 2012 at 11:28 PM

    What a great idea for the crayon box!!! Hmmmmmm, you have me thinking!!!

    Wishful Teaching

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Jenn LongAugust 18, 2012 at 8:07 AM

      Thanks Sarah!
      The link is above if you want to purchase it from Amazon!

      Delete
  5. Terri Paulson-SasakiAugust 17, 2012 at 7:14 AM

    I love the crayon box, where did you get the container - it is perfect. I have wanted to do the same thing but didn't like the containers out there, I didn't want to buy a bunch of different ones. I think you need to list the labels on Tpt - I would but them, hehehe

    Terri
    thefirstgradeprincess.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Jenn LongAugust 18, 2012 at 8:08 AM

      Hi Terry!
      Here's the link:
      http://www.amazon.com/Akro-Mils-10124-Plastic-Hardware-6-5-Inch/dp/B003TV3NL0/ref=dp_ob_title_hi

      Another blogger found it on Amazon...but I forget who!

      Delete

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)