Making things for your classroom.

I'm making a twister game out of a shower curtain, packing tape, and gallon size baggies. If you use baggies, you can change the type of game by just changing the paper inside the baggie. I'm starting off with a fact/opinion board on one side, and add, subtract, multiply and divide on the reverse. I think I may also do main idea/detail, and author's purpose. I just hope this next year's class can handle playing twister in class. Some years this will just stay in the closet!

 

These ideas are awesome! Thanks everyone! I really like the idea of using coffee filters instead of papertowels - why haven't I thought of that? *laughs*

Question: How much can you get away with 'altering' your classroom? I just graduated so I haven't had a room of my own yet. Is it typically okay to install new boards, paint walls/ceiling, etc. ? I've been in classrooms where the walls have been painted, etc. but the teachers have typically been in the same room for years on end. Is it acceptable to do that when it's your first year?

Chenelle

 

A resource my own childrens school has used to make the chair pouches is the high school home ec classes. I don't know if they were able to purchase the material with school funds then or not, since it benefited 2 classes -- learning to sew and using the pockets. The jr. high classes sewed the pouches and then got to go over to the elementary building to 'visit' and put them on the chairs.

 

It really depends on specific school rules. Some are very strict and some are not and allow you to paint etc.

 

If they can't handle Twister, you could use it for a bean bag toss.

 

I wanted my room a different color last year--but was told that the district had spent big money to paint it and really didn't want us to paint---you have to check with your district--and not just with other teachers, go to your principal and ask....you don't want to start off on a sour note

 

I wanted my room a different color last year--but was told that the district had spent big money to paint it and really didn't want us to paint---you have to check with your district--and not just with other teachers, go to your principal and ask....you don't want to start off on a sour note

 

I love the twister/bean bag idea!! Using the ziplock bags would make it really versatile. The coffee filter idea is great too!

 

I am constantly thinking of new ideas. I had a ton planned for Summer School but then Summer School my kids were into just hanging out and doing their favorite things from the school year without the stress of fighting with 20 kids to get a turn---

Things I wanted to do but will hopefully do in the Fall (I teach Pre-K SPED btw)...
Make our own Menus with foods from our "Housekeeping Area" and favorite labels to up our environmental print as well as text to picture connection (and get some early money learning in there too)....
Make traffic signs (this is one of our report card goals) to go with a game with our scooter boards.
I love the idea of the shower curtain games. I helped my kids at the afterschool prorgram I used to work at (K-2) play a real live Candyland game with carpet squares but maybe I can make it with a curtain.

I LOVE using photos in our room. We had a photo printer donated as well as contact paper so I don't feel guilty about spending so much money on photo printing etc. anymore. Though the lamination is still costly.
Anyway we made a "Friendship Bingo" which has bingo with all the kids pictures on it. Great for getting to know new names/faces.
We also used the kids pictures to work on patterning. The kids love to do patterns when they are patterning with their pictures and their friends.
I know I have more---

 

Friendship bingo is a really cute idea!

 

Take the pillowcase and turn it inside out. Fold it in half, the opened end lining up with the closed end. Sew the sides. Turn the pillow case back inside out. Hope this makes sense.

 

Greyna2, once you sew the sides, will the pillowcases automatically become chairbags?? Is there anything else I need to do?? If this is all, how simple is that??? I absolutely love the idea, thankss.

 

I have made curtains for my windows that stay up all year and valances for my doorways-there are four of them- for all the different holidays, that I change out.

 

Yes it's that easy. Once you turn it back with the finished side out, you will have 2 openings at one end and 1 big opening at the other . You slide one of the 2 openings over the back of the chair. The 1 big opening is where students place their items.

 

I made a chart stand or pocket chart holder for a little over $5 the other day from pvc pipes. I didn't use cement glue for mine, because I want to take it apart at the end of the year. It's holding up fine

http://classroom.jc-schools.net/read/chartstandlg.htm

 

I don't know is someone mentioned this..but here is a great way to make adorable palm trees for your room...or banana trees. Take a carpet roll tube and scrunch brown paper sacks over the tube part. Then put your huge green leaves on wire and tuck them into the top. It makes a super cute tree. We did this for VBS. I wish I had a picture but I don't. If your carpet roll is really long...cut it into half.