Making things for your classroom.

Discussion in 'Elementary Education Archives' started by teacherbell, Jul 3, 2006.

  1. teacherbell

    teacherbell Cohort

    Joined:
    Jul 20, 2005
    Messages:
    632
    Likes Received:
    0

    Jul 3, 2006

    This summer I want to make some curtains for my classroom and a puppet theatre out of a cardboard box. I was wondering, what things have you made for your classroom?
     
  2.  
  3. vannapk

    vannapk Groupie

    Joined:
    May 16, 2006
    Messages:
    1,301
    Likes Received:
    0

    Jul 3, 2006

    I am also planning on making a puppet theater for my classroom this summer:) I'm going to use pvc though.
    Here are lots of ideas of things to make for your class using pvc:
    PVC in the classroom
     
  4. Missy

    Missy Aficionado

    Joined:
    Aug 5, 2004
    Messages:
    3,820
    Likes Received:
    365

    Jul 3, 2006

    I have made curtains, a quilt to hang on my rocking chair, and a wall quilt about Ohio.
     
  5. MissV

    MissV Companion

    Joined:
    Apr 14, 2006
    Messages:
    165
    Likes Received:
    0

    Jul 3, 2006

    My brother made me a Pocket Chart/Giant Notepad Chart holder out of PvC pipe. I'd show you a picture, but he tore it apart to make me a new improved addition. (with casters!)

    I wanted a magnetic bulletin board, so I bought a thing of sheet metal from an air conditioner supplier and had my boyfriend drill it to my wall.

    I'm working on chairbags for the backs of student chairs (to hold folders and books), and let me tell you, it's taking FOREVER :(:(:(:(:(:(:( [I'm terrible with the sewing machine]

    My next project is to make a giant skinny box to store all of my bulletin board supplies. Kind of like an index Card box...for bulletin board sized index cards:)
     
  6. abfoland

    abfoland Rookie

    Joined:
    Jun 28, 2006
    Messages:
    16
    Likes Received:
    0

    Jul 4, 2006

    I am doing a jungle/safari theme in my room, and my dad and I are actually about to start a banana tree to put in the reading corner! ha, its going to be an adventure! :)
     
  7. paperheart

    paperheart Groupie

    Joined:
    Aug 3, 2005
    Messages:
    1,350
    Likes Received:
    0

    Jul 4, 2006

    In/out boxes--in the process of making these. I'll post when I finish.

    PVC chart holder

    all my posters--just copied the ones I like in my own writing and artistry, more or less. I used chart paper and then laminated them. Colored pencils are my fave to use because they give a softer appearance.

    pillows for reading corner.

    a decorated flower pot and those pens wrapped in floral tape with a flower on the end---I am always leaving my pens around the room and hope this helps me keep track of them. very cheap and easy.

    titles for bull board by bending pipecleaners into letters and hot glueing
     
  8. teacherbell

    teacherbell Cohort

    Joined:
    Jul 20, 2005
    Messages:
    632
    Likes Received:
    0

    Jul 4, 2006

    Great ideas! It is really getting me inspired to make more things for my room. Paperheart, I like the idea of using pipecleaners for letters.
     
  9. 6thgradeteacher

    6thgradeteacher Rookie

    Joined:
    Jul 21, 2005
    Messages:
    99
    Likes Received:
    0

    Jul 4, 2006

    My husband made a bookshelf for me for my reading center.

    I've made pillows to go along with the theme of my classroom.

    giant wall quilt

    painted the ceiling tiles to go with novels we study throughout the year.
     
  10. greyna2

    greyna2 Rookie

    Joined:
    Jul 2, 2006
    Messages:
    40
    Likes Received:
    0

    Jul 4, 2006

    I am having a zoo theme, so I made an "entrance" to the library using fishing pole boxes. They are long enough to reach from the bookshelf to the ceiling. I wrapped them in red paper and drew lines in marker to make it look like red bricks. On the box connecting the two sides I wrote "Reading Zoo". I've also been covering boxes, frozen juice containers and cans with contact paper. My husband has also been busy building me another bookshelf and container for my big books.

    I also am making pockets for the back of the chairs, I'm not good with the sewing machine, and found the easiest way was using pillow cases.
     
  11. TeacingnTN

    TeacingnTN Rookie

    Joined:
    Jun 29, 2006
    Messages:
    28
    Likes Received:
    0

    Jul 4, 2006

    Would it be out of line to ask if any of you could post pictures of the items you are/have made?? I would love to see some if possible!!
     
  12. paperheart

    paperheart Groupie

    Joined:
    Aug 3, 2005
    Messages:
    1,350
    Likes Received:
    0

    Jul 5, 2006

  13. wvsasha

    wvsasha Companion

    Joined:
    Jul 11, 2005
    Messages:
    162
    Likes Received:
    0

    Jul 5, 2006

    I"ll be using heavy shower curtains for curtains - regular material is too light weight and moves with the ventilation system which then, that movement trips the alarm system and wakes up the police......I was frowned at several times until we figured out what was doing it.
     
  14. Texas Gal

    Texas Gal Companion

    Joined:
    Jun 23, 2006
    Messages:
    188
    Likes Received:
    0

    Jul 5, 2006

    How do you make chair pockets out of pillowcases? That sounds like something I could do!
     
  15. bonteach

    bonteach Companion

    Joined:
    Jul 19, 2005
    Messages:
    187
    Likes Received:
    0

    Jul 5, 2006

    I have made phonics phones out of pvc
    The teacher who had my room before me used light weight gutters attached to the walls as book displays.
     
  16. Upsadaisy

    Upsadaisy Moderator

    Joined:
    Aug 2, 2002
    Messages:
    18,756
    Likes Received:
    682

    Jul 5, 2006

    Would you tell us more about that scrapbooking site, paperheart?
     
  17. greyna2

    greyna2 Rookie

    Joined:
    Jul 2, 2006
    Messages:
    40
    Likes Received:
    0

    Jul 5, 2006


    Hope I can explain it. Turn the pillowcase inside out. Take the opening and fold it back over half way. Sew the sides.
     
  18. paperheart

    paperheart Groupie

    Joined:
    Aug 3, 2005
    Messages:
    1,350
    Likes Received:
    0

    Jul 5, 2006


    What would you like to know? I get the monthly kits every month and LOVE them--very on top of the new trend and the nicest people you could "meet" on the mb.
     
  19. Upsadaisy

    Upsadaisy Moderator

    Joined:
    Aug 2, 2002
    Messages:
    18,756
    Likes Received:
    682

    Jul 5, 2006

    Is it a discussion board or a site to submit projects?
     
  20. katenar

    katenar Cohort

    Joined:
    Apr 2, 2006
    Messages:
    659
    Likes Received:
    0

    Jul 6, 2006

    I typically make a lot of bulletin board stuff myself. This year I'm doing a jungle theme but last year I made this for my mentor teacher.

    http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5409/570/1600/IM001677.jpg
    http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5409/570/1600/IM001678.jpg

    I also made my own homeworkopoly (I didnt like how small the one online was). Also to go along with my theme for this year, I made hallway passes and my website (www.kyrene.org/staff/kjensen).

    Of course this is my first official year of teaching the entire school year, so I plan on expanding my horizons and begin making more things outside of the bulletin board area. :)

    Have a great summer!

    Katie
     
  21. katenar

    katenar Cohort

    Joined:
    Apr 2, 2006
    Messages:
    659
    Likes Received:
    0

    Jul 6, 2006

    I'm doing a jungle theme too! I would love to see a picture of your banana tree when your finished!! How fun!
     
  22. paperheart

    paperheart Groupie

    Joined:
    Aug 3, 2005
    Messages:
    1,350
    Likes Received:
    0

    Jul 6, 2006

    It is a discussion board and has a gallery to show your work. There is a monthly kit which most but not all people on the message board receive and there is a design team that demonstrates some ideas. The Magazine holders were done by a Design Team Member. If you mean, submit projects for publication, it isn't that. There is a montly contest and usually a few smaller ones for which you can submit entries.
     
  23. cmmottau

    cmmottau Rookie

    Joined:
    Jul 13, 2005
    Messages:
    67
    Likes Received:
    0

    Jul 6, 2006

    I can't tell you how excited I am to get into my classroom, my first time in my own room. The ideas shared here are fabulous and really get me motivated.

    Thanks,
    Cathy

    PS My husband might not like having to help me complete all my projects but once they are finished I will be so:D.
     
  24. AZKinderTchr

    AZKinderTchr Comrade

    Joined:
    Dec 11, 2005
    Messages:
    309
    Likes Received:
    0

    Jul 6, 2006

    Katie -- we are in the same area! I have been teaching in Tempe :) Just thought I'd say hello. It's too bad I am leaving soon, we could have had our own little AtoZ reunion!
     
  25. Proud2BATeacher

    Proud2BATeacher Phenom

    Joined:
    Dec 27, 2005
    Messages:
    4,896
    Likes Received:
    5

    Jul 6, 2006


    Do you have to pay for the monthly kits?
     
  26. teacherbell

    teacherbell Cohort

    Joined:
    Jul 20, 2005
    Messages:
    632
    Likes Received:
    0

    Jul 6, 2006

    I also would like to make some PVC pipe phones. Has anyone tried to make an overhead projector pocket caddy (that wraps around the projector and holds markers and things). I have seen them at the teacher store for around $11 or $12 but I think I could make one cheaper. If anyone has a pattern I would love to hear about it.

    Katenar, I love your bulletin board pictures. You are very talented!
     
  27. paperheart

    paperheart Groupie

    Joined:
    Aug 3, 2005
    Messages:
    1,350
    Likes Received:
    0

    Jul 6, 2006

    yes. Its like a subscription.
     
  28. paperheart

    paperheart Groupie

    Joined:
    Aug 3, 2005
    Messages:
    1,350
    Likes Received:
    0

    Jul 6, 2006


    I don't have a pattern but suggest you modify any pattern you use so that your overhead fan is not covered. I got a nice lecture from the librarian when she mine.
     
  29. bonteach

    bonteach Companion

    Joined:
    Jul 19, 2005
    Messages:
    187
    Likes Received:
    0

    Jul 6, 2006

    pvc phones are really easy to make I tried a couple of different lengths but 31/2 inches waas just right I think I used 13/4" pipe (my husband had to help me saw it apart, but with a good vice it wouldn't have been so hard to do) and I just attatched the corner pieces. I didn't even use any glue. The ends of the phones could swivel, but the students really liked that.
     
  30. Proud2BATeacher

    Proud2BATeacher Phenom

    Joined:
    Dec 27, 2005
    Messages:
    4,896
    Likes Received:
    5

    Jul 6, 2006

  31. teacherbell

    teacherbell Cohort

    Joined:
    Jul 20, 2005
    Messages:
    632
    Likes Received:
    0

    Jul 6, 2006

    That is a cool site!! Thank you for sharing!
     
  32. TeachBD

    TeachBD Rookie

    Joined:
    Jul 6, 2006
    Messages:
    93
    Likes Received:
    0

    Jul 6, 2006

    My absolute favorite thing to do in a new classroom--(mine has been new to me 3 of the past 4 years) is to hang whiteboards. You can purchase 4x8 sheets of white tile board at Lowes, Menards, Home Depot, etc for under $10 a sheet and PRESTO! you have a wonderful dry erase board. I have even cut these to desk top size and put 'vital info' on the flip side for the students to have at their desks (i.e. number lines, mult.chart, odds/evens, etc.)
     
  33. paperheart

    paperheart Groupie

    Joined:
    Aug 3, 2005
    Messages:
    1,350
    Likes Received:
    0

    Jul 7, 2006

    sounds great. How do you hang them?
     
  34. yclark

    yclark Comrade

    Joined:
    Jun 19, 2006
    Messages:
    282
    Likes Received:
    0

    Jul 7, 2006

    Bonteach, Use that swivel on the pvc phones to your advantage. Teach the kids that they can use them like regular phones to listen to themselves read or to swivel one part of the phone and whisper read to a friend. (They should be whisper reading in centers anyway but this adds a different sound to it that they enjoy.)
     
  35. TeachBD

    TeachBD Rookie

    Joined:
    Jul 6, 2006
    Messages:
    93
    Likes Received:
    0

    Jul 7, 2006

    My 1st & 2nd years they were placed directly over the chalkboards that were old and in very bad shape. This was done with paneling adhesive/glue that comes in a caulk-type tube.

    I would not do this without checking with my principal first. The only concern that was mentioned was that IF ever the boards needed to come down, there may be a problem with asbestos if they pulled away from the boards.

    My first principal had come from a school where they had done this several years ago and had not had any problems with the boards needing replaced ever after 5+ years.

    Last year, I was able to hang them directly on the wall. The maintenance staff requested that I use drywall anchors/screws rather than adhesive in case the board would ever need to come down, it would be easier to patch a small screw hole than try to get the adhesive off a plaster wall.

    I also had 4 windows between my classroom and the room next door and we replaced the glass with pieces of whiteboard as well--we put a sheet on her side, one on my side and sandwiched the glass in the middle--the wood trim that held the window in place now holds the whiteboards in place. This not only was great for boards, but it cut down on noise between the rooms.

    I have ordered 5 sheets for my opposite wall this year and plan to have 32 feet of board to use in one stretch & 8 ft. in another area --I can't wait! It will totally change the arrangement of my room for the better! There is a plastic piece of trim that can be placed at the seam between 2 sheets.

    One thing I have not yet done, but plan to, is to ask at the lumber store if they have any 4x8 sheets that are damaged that they are willing to donate. These could be cut down so easily and used by students at their desks.

    All those desktop 'helpers' (number lines, cursive writing, mult. charts, etc.) went right on the back of the desk size pieces. This made cleaning student desktops much easier this spring--no messy adhesive and I can re-use the boards.

    $1.00 bottle of Window cleaner does just as good of job cleaning these boards as the 'special' cleaner you buy a tiny bottle of. Save a few old t-shirts and these are great erasers--it is interesting to see what a cool tie-dye pattern you end up with after multiple uses with colored markers.

    One more tip: IF someone accidently uses a permanent marker on the white board, nail polish remover takes it off really well!

    My other favorite TIP to Save $$$ I learned while student teaching: buy a package of coffee filters to keep in your classroom and use like a bowl for snacks. (I got 200 for $1.00--if you search around, you can probably even find them for less.) They are cheaper and easier to use and store than napkins/paper towels to hold snacks like popcorn, goldfish, etc. I was tired of students using tissues for snacks as we had such a limited supply of them and this worked SO much better!
     
  36. 6thgradeteacher

    6thgradeteacher Rookie

    Joined:
    Jul 21, 2005
    Messages:
    99
    Likes Received:
    0

    Jul 7, 2006

    $1.00 bottle of Window cleaner does just as good of job cleaning these boards as the 'special' cleaner you buy a tiny bottle of


    Be careful doing this too often though. Most cleaners like Windex will ruin the finish on whiteboards and make your markers not erase as easily in the future. They will still leave faint marks behind. I learned this the hard way.
     
  37. Ms.Jasztal

    Ms.Jasztal Maven

    Joined:
    Jul 21, 2005
    Messages:
    5,363
    Likes Received:
    0

    Jul 7, 2006

    I made a Florida museum out of a cardboard box.

    [​IMG]

    I have also made walk-on board games out of shower curtains, lots of displays out of science boards, and all kinds of games out of posterboard and boxes.
     
  38. Ms.Jasztal

    Ms.Jasztal Maven

    Joined:
    Jul 21, 2005
    Messages:
    5,363
    Likes Received:
    0

    Jul 7, 2006

    NOTE- This year will have clearer pictures because I have a digital camera now. :)
     
  39. TeachBD

    TeachBD Rookie

    Joined:
    Jul 6, 2006
    Messages:
    93
    Likes Received:
    0

    Jul 7, 2006

    Thanks! I should have specified--I only use the windex a couple times a quarter. I've found having clean erasers and quality markers usually does a good job cleaning the board.
     
  40. paperheart

    paperheart Groupie

    Joined:
    Aug 3, 2005
    Messages:
    1,350
    Likes Received:
    0

    Jul 7, 2006

    Your museum box looks great!
     
  41. Youngteacher226

    Youngteacher226 Enthusiast

    Joined:
    Jan 16, 2006
    Messages:
    2,048
    Likes Received:
    0

    Jul 16, 2006

    Is it at all possible for you to share how you are making these pockets with pillow cases???I would love to have them for my first year of teaching but I KNOWWWW that I cannot make them myself and I know they will be extremely expensive to purchase. Thanks.;)
     

Share This Page

Members Online Now

Total: 298 (members: 0, guests: 165, robots: 133)
test