Background Labs

Monday, February 13, 2012

Space Man!

Here is my home-made Space Man I made for the kids. They love him! I just drew a happy face with some hair on popsicle sticks and remind the kids to use them when we are in Writer's Workshop time! I keep them in a Turkey meat plastic container. I have my own version that I use during Morning Message to remind the kids how to use Space Man!Really Good Stuff has their own version as well.

Pointers!

I can't remember which blog I got the idea from, but I picked up these drink stirrers in different colors and shapes at Party City! I am going to use these with the small decodable books. I have been telling them to use their "reading finger" all year and most of them are pretty good at it but I wanted to reinforce how important it is to have that 1-1 correspondence on each word. I hope they like them! I'll keep you posted!PS: If it was from your blog, let me know so I can add the link!

Saturday, February 11, 2012

Library!

If anyone needs a way to organize their library, I highly recommend Lakeshore's Classroom Libary Labels!

Here's a picture of my new organized library! I love it and the kids love it! They can go right to the bin and find a book they want to read about and then put it back in the correct book bin with the cool stickers that are put on the cover of every book. They just have to match the sticker to the label on the front of the book bin.

*Tips:
1. I got the bins at the Dollar Tree. 20 bins at $1 each = $20
2. The system doesn't come with the plastic sticky label holders so I got those at Office depot. A pack of 10 for $4.59. They are called Insertable Label holders self-adhesive.

Donor's Choose

For my first post I thought I would write about Donor's Choose and it's amazingness! With the help of Donor's Choose I have been able to gain so many new materials for my classroom! Here are just a few pictures of all the wonderful resources that have been donated to my classroom through their website:
A new Projector and Interactive Pen system to make my white board interactive!


A new wireless listening center and new sturdy double-sided whiteboards!

An Anti-bullying program with many anti-bullying books!

Literacy Centers and Math Listening Centers!

Lakeshore Teaching Tubs to teach beginning sounds in Spanish.

These are just some of the amazing resources I have been able to receive from Donor's Choose!

Any teacher that is at a low-income school can make a project on their websites. They are always working so hard to get more companies to help match donations. Many of my projects were funded through Gap's Resources for college Prep 50% match. Don't forget to check out their funding opportunities in the monthly newsletter to see who is having a match offer! I feel very lucky that I have been able to enhance my students educational career by having more hands-on materials and technology inside the classroom!