Smart Ways to Purchase Classroom Decor

It's finally here . . .  the big TpT Sale.  I have a growing wishlist of so many wonderful products from amazing teachers.  Lately I have been reflecting back on how the purchasing of teacher supplies has changed since I first began my educational journey in the 80's. (gasp!)

When I first began teaching I would actually fill out a paper order form of a publishing company and mail (you remember stamps) in the form and wait a couple weeks to receive the materials.  Some of you might remember those days!?

For many years I made a few trips each August to a teacher supply store.  I would spend hours there pondering over the materials.  Sometimes I had to bring my little kiddos along so it was a challenge keeping them in line and looking at products. Don't miss those stares of "Why didn't you leave your kiddos at home?!"

A few years ago I discovered Teacher's Pay Teachers!  This collaboration of teacher products has changed my life SO much!  To have the most amazing resources just a click away is beyond what I ever dreamed!  Here are just some of the advantages of purchasing at TpT:
1. Quick: To purchase a material and use it that day-yes, I've done this-is amazing!
2. Price Break: The products are so reasonably priced--especially during a sale.
3. Classroom Tested: Most of the materials have been used in the creators classrooms so you know  that is will work in yours in most cases.
4. Custom: Many sellers will customize materials.  Just ask!  (I will!)
5. Support a Teacher: Many times the profits the teachers receive from their sales go to amazing projects: adopting a child, charity, paying for the family's health insurance, college tuition, college loans,buying groceries,  and purchasing their own supplies in their classrooms. You are really helping a fellow worker!

If you are stilling pondering classroom decor I have some beautiful nautical theme products in my store--and they are classroom tested, teacher designed, reasonably priced, can be customized, and just a click away!

Happy buying!

Amy

Smartly Organized Classroom Stations

I love to watch my students work together in learning stations or groups. When I design my room in July for the beginning of the year set-up, I try to incorporate my five stations.  Having the station places ready to go is a great incentive to use them frequently during the school year when time is a huge factor.

This year my stations have the nautical theme.  Many of them are just benches where two or three students can sit and work together on a task.

These  benches are made with materials I basically had around the house--two milk crates, boards from my boys old bunk beds and  nautical themed beach towels from Wal-Mart.  I don't attach the towels because sometimes we take them off when we are using the benches as tables. 

A table is always needed for one or two stations which can be for messy or larger materials.

The favorite station site is the comfy library couch!  

I keep my students' classroom numbers in a magnetic spice holder from World Market.

It is so easy to pick the station groups at random and keep them on the board for easy rotation.

I can't wait to plan fun and exciting station adventures for my new students.  I noticed at recess last year that many of my new crew loved insects.  So, I developed an insect unit this summer that will fit their needs and work very well  in our 5 classroom stations. 

How do you encourage collaborative learning in your classroom?

Amy

Ways to Infuse Scripture into the Christian Classroom Decor

Since I teach my students for two years, I find it very important to change my classroom decor and theme each year.  The fourth graders are always amazed at the transformation to their old third grade classroom every fall.

There are so many products available on the market for classroom decor.  It is a little more challenging to bring in the heart and soul of my school--God's Word-- into the decor.  There are just so many designs from which to choose.  So I pick the theme and then find ways to infuse scripture.

This year's nautical theme is always my favorite.  It is so easy to connect the theme to the Word of God.  First, I found 5 scripture passages that connected to the nautical theme.  I made posters to display in the room.  I decided to group the posters on a bulletin board.

I put this together mostly with materials that I already had handy in my classroom stock.  Next, I created student desktags that matched the posters.  I created five different types so that all students wouldn't have the same type.  The students seem to like variety.  I will probably print them off again only smaller later on in the year as the tags wear out.

My posters and nametags are available in my TpT Store.

Don't forget about stocking up during next week's TpT sale!!

If you teach in a Christian classroom, how do you infuse scripture into your decor?

Amy