Smart Splashes of Color

Summer is a time for fun and COLOR!  I spent the whole school year in a room with beige walls.  Many of my walls at home are a neutral color.  I was starting to feel like I was living in someone else's house.  Sometimes we paint rooms a safe color "just because."  So . . .

I took the plunge and choose my favorite color for our front door--Tapestry Teal.  I had been thinking about it for years!  But our front door remained a "safe" tan color for TEN years.

 This weekend between rain storms I braved it out on the front porch and added some color.

 Yes, it's a BIG change that not everyone is happy with!  No names mentioned to protect the family.  I think I even heard some gasps from some early evening walkers.

 But when you add flowers, Pier One pillows, and Fourth of July decor, I am glad I took the plunge!

 Because what is life without a little color.  I am sure that from now on I will often hear  . . .

  Oh, I know the house . . . . the one with the door!  

What COLOR project  will spice up your life this summer?

Have a colorful 4th!

Amy

Smart Summer Office Makeover!

I spent many years as a teacher working at home at night in what you might say "unprofessional" work spaces.  Correcting papers on the floor in front of the TV, rocking a little one and working in the rocker, at the kitchen table as the kiddos complete their homework.

Ten years ago (Wow! I can't believe it has been that long!) we moved into a larger four bedroom colonial house that had a front office room.  We had spent weeks stripping wallpaper off the walls of many of the other rooms and decided to just leave the office as it was-- like this!

The wallpaper looked very studious so we just left it for then.  I always was going to "get around" to changing it . . . but . . .

This summer was the time to complete the office make-over!  It is the first room visitors see when they enter our home and it was becoming an ugly eyesore of my stacks of books!

I have numerous summer projects for school this year so I needed to get my office completed within the first two weeks of my vacation so I could spend the rest of the summer working in a wonderful new space!

My daughter and I spent three days stripping wallpaper and washing walls!  I am proud to say we now have NO wallpaper left in our home!!!!

The walls were primed

and painted--Behr "Ocean Kiss."

 My grandfather's library table--my desk was moved back in!

 Earlier this spring I had purchased a Target chair to use as my chair after the make-over!

Our computer desk was moved into the corner.  A great place for the kiddos to work on homework.

I have vowed to keep this space neat, tidy and clean! 

My bookshelf was cleaned and downsized!

This week I spent adding a few more details to make my office a little more cozy.  

 A clearance find at Hobby Lobby for an office treat of chocolate almonds!

 See Jane Work office supplies!

Today I made three valances from one Target curtain panel, some foam board, and duct tape!

So confident I will get much accomplished this summer in this beautiful new space!

What smart new space can you create this summer!

Happy Creating!

Amy

Smart Classroom Beach Party

As the year comes to a close, it gets more difficult to gain the students' attention.  Last week I decided to have a Math Beach Party.  When the students were outside at recess I readied the room by putting down the beach towels.

On each beach towel I put a beach themed math center. 

My third graders had just been learning about decimals, so their math centers were from my Beach Party Decimal Pack at TpT.

My fourth graders had fun practicing their Roman Numerals with this freebie from TpT

This was our best day ever in Math Class!  Quiet . . . Focused . . .  and FUN!

Life is better at the Beach!

Amy

An Appreciated Teacher is a Happy One

This week has been amazing at school!  Did I say that in May?  Our parent group has gone all out to appreciate the teachers all week!  As I posted on Monday, our classroom doors had all been decorated over the weekend. What an awesome Monday morning surprise!  Here is another great door!

Today was if you give a teacher  . . .  an apple.  So this delicious apple was mysteriously placed on my desk during the day.

It's great to be appreciated!  Take the time today to appreciate someone . . . even the little things like an apple can make a BIG difference!

Happy Appreciating!

Amy

More A"Door"able Teacher Appreciation

Here are some more amazing happenings around our school on this fabulous Teacher Appreciation Week.  We each found our door decorated on Monday.  My students did a great job on their bananas on our door and they are still buzzing about them.  Here is the door, next-door to our classroom! So cute!

And how sweet is this preschool room door!  So fitting!  The teachers really are so sweet in there!

Today we had another delicious surprise given to us . . .  a tasty and delicious cinnamon roll!

I certainly was smiling from ear to ear today . . . most of the time!

Thank you teachers! Enjoy your day!

Amy

A"Door"able Teacher Appreciation Week

After an exhausting spring weekend of parental duties, yardwork, and of course schoolwork,  Monday morning came all too soon!  It was NOT a bright and cheerful walk down the hall to my classroom this morning armed with papers, books, computer, iPad, and a mindful of duties that needed to be accomplished before 8 a.m.  But when I saw this . . . .

What an amazing classroom door secretly designed for Teacher Appreciation Week!  See that little sign under the doorknob . . . a fun listing of the week's special treats!

 What a great way to begin a week!  I will keep you posted during the week to show you some more a"door"able pictures!  In the meantime, have a great Teacher Appreciation Day and don't forget the TpT Sale!

 

Happy Shopping!

 

Amy

Smart Spring Planting

Last Friday my class celebrated Earth Day by cleaning up the school grounds.  The students had a great time raking and picking up trash.  It is amazing how excited kids can get over finding a smashed soda can or a crinkled Dorito Bag.  At the end of the very "earthy" afternoon we came back inside and made terrariums.
I put out the supplies of soil, gravel, plastic cups, tape, and grass seed  The students worked to design the best growing terrarium.  Look how awesome they look soaking up the sun in our classroom window!

It is so fun to watch the students arrive in the morning and take a peek at their terrariums.  They check throughout the day to see if  the grass is growing.  To the students' delight three of them had sprouted tiny grass hairs by Tuesday.  They are really amazed at how quickly one of them is growing.  I love hearing their conversations . . ."I put too much water in mine!"  "Why isn't mine growing?"  "I think mine needs more sunlight."   Little scientists at work!

And the best thing about this project is . . . .
  In our world of expensive digital devices that keep our children's minds blooming, this simple, easy peasy idea may be the best of the mind bloomers yet!

What smart, simple projects have inspired your students?

Amy