Flexible seating makeover Week 3-7ish!!

I got so busy with the makeover I forgot to post this. Yikes!!

Oh my! I’m so excited! Room set up has begun. This was a long process. 

Before starting, I had to visit my fabulous family in Washington. I was able to relax, work, create, and come up with a few more designs for the class. Once again, thank you mom!! Now that it’s August I can actually start putting this together. We got the email that the floors are waxed and we have access to the building. So I better be careful moving all of this furniture. Second trip to Ikea is planned and BOY do I have some new items on my list. Don’t worry, you’ll see!!


So let’s share my thinking room in Washington. Yes, the back porch and their back yard. I was out there every day and night. This is my summer retreat, so to say. But, with two days to go, my mom and I came up with a new area in the classroom that will not disappoint. 
Dad and I picked lots of fresh fruit from the trees and dried most of them. They are as delicious as they look! To be honest, there was too much to pick though. How sad. Next year I better drive up so I can bring these delicious treats home with me. Thanks papa for all of your hard work.


Ok, Ok, my room. I plan to try and set up as many little living spaces as possible. I want my kiddos to have choices and feel at home. I watched a wonderful live video while at the parents and one thing that stuck with me is, this is for the kids. Not about how cute it is. But I have to say, I think it’s about both of those things. From day one, my kids have always raved about our room and how they love the seating options. So it is about them and the cuteness. I loved how the video also mentioned giving total control to the kiddos and there is a lot of talking in his room, Always! So, I do have control issues, I admit it. I will embrace his words and go with it for the sake of the children. (insert - biting fingernails here). I can do it!!

So here's my room on day one of transformation.


I knew the first thing I needed was an empty canvas. I quietly and carefully carried all of those tables across the hall to my sweet teacher-friend's class. Yes, she wanted them. Then, placement of the rugs happened. This was a thought all along. I knew I wanted tables along the outside area of the room for the kiddos who needed them and for group projects.


I spent every day in my classroom and at night, I worked at home to finish those projects that - 
just.took.forever.


Another trip to Ikea. But, serious score here! We had four carts. My poor nieces had to ride over two hours with items all around them in the the back of the truck. I have to say, only half was mine though. teehee!!


Time to assemble... Couch, tables, stools, carts, chairs and so much more!!! I do love Ikea though!



And... finally the room starts to come together over a 2 week period. 











Check back tomorrow for the BIG reveal!!! Yes, one more post, but I promise it's worth it!

Thank you all for hanging out with me during this crazy time!



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TPT resources to do or not to do

Hello friends! I just read this beautiful post on another blog that I feel needs to be shared. I hope you enjoy the read as much as I did and feel free to leave a comment with any thoughts.

Have a great weekend!


Classroom makeover week 2 - The finds

This has been a tough week. I had great plans every day but with a little find here, a little find there and six fur kids (half mine, half sisters) running around, my daily goals were squashed. But, I was able to find more goodies for my flexible seating classroom makeover. I’ll share that with you in a bit.


 I still have this glorious picture in my head of what it’s going to look like once its all put together, but I have to take into consideration that my room itself will play a big role in this. Thank goodness I have my fabulous mom on sew patrol in the lovely state of Washington. I sent her a gift card for some canvas and the size of panels I need to cover some built in bookshelves. When I visit in 2 weeks I get to bring those babies home. That will definitely help soften half of my room. Thanks mom (love her)!!



I’m hoping I can get into my room this week to do a play set up. We need those, right? I found a new carpet that should hold 22-ish little bodies for whole group lessons at Ross on Monday. If you ever need rugs in fun, simple, vibrant, or any style, Ross is the place.  So many choices and the prices are the best!! I went ahead and bought a darker rug hoping this will tie into the décor. I know I’m taking a big chance with so many lighter furnishings but I want a softer, homey-style to make my class more comfortable for the little ones.  


Places to shop for a bargain:

I am a bargain girl like I stated. I’m a little crafty, but a horrible-beginner sewer. So with that said I have a certain look in mind when I search for room pieces (treasures). I LOVE online garage sale sites! Look for these through your Facebook page. Items can go fast so you have to constantly be checking. Or get lucky and check from time to time. I’ve been lucky both ways. Garage sales and friends and family are a great source as well. Just put the word out and things will start showing up or being offered. I will check Craigslist too while I’m antiquing.





Great stores:

If you are close enough to an IKEA you have to plan a trip. Even if you have to drive a couple of hours. Get a teacher friend and a truck or empty car and make it a day! There is so much there and the prices are A-mazing!! I always check Target, Ross, Hobby Lobby and Michaels for items. Don’t forget to check for clearance items and things on sale. You can get some good deals in all of these stores. I did and do!!
Oh, I am not affiliated with these stores in any way. I’m just a bit of a shopaholic.



Next week I’ll discuss my crafty side and post pictures of what I was able to tackle! So, now I must leave you to go and paint, wax and possibly sew (at least I’ll try) my old/new finds.

I’d love to hear about your finds, bargains, or even flexible seating classroom so please leave a comment below.


Happy summer all…….

Classroom makeover #projectclassroom2016

Happy summer!!


So… school has been out for a few weeks and I’ve already had the best vacation of my life! My two weeks in Italy. I just have to say, LOVE!!! If you follow me on Facebook or Instagram you were able to see a few pictures of my wonderful journey.



Now, back to school stuff. Yes, school. Here’s the thing, I am kind of obsessed with my classroom and have been from year one. I can partially blame the girls I started working with for this. Oh, and my sister. But, I’ve learned to deal with it.

My first year classroom was cute and ok. By year number two is was A-dorable. I taught first grade for the first 3 years and decorating was easy. Then, I moved and was hired to teach third grade two years ago and decorating my room has been a challenge for me. I love cutesy but knew I had to change things up a bit for third graders.



The first year, my third grade classroom was toned down, a lot (insert sad face here).  My room was hard to work with and had minimal wall space. I dealt with it and it was fine (I’m sure I complained to myself every day). So last summer I decided I wanted my colors back and I gathered as many old and new items as I could, changed out desks for tables (YES!!), and brought in more carpets of my own. When my previous years kids came in they were a bit upset that the class didn't look this cute for them. So, I knew I made the right choice. I was happier but not ecstatic.



What I’m getting at ~ is year three and a whole new transformation is underway. Yes, again. You see, in first grade flexible seating was easy even though I had small tables for the kiddos. But I’ve struggles so much with this in third grade. My intentions every year are to keep those kids out of their seats. Does it happen? No!! I am to blame. So this year……. I’m starting off with no desks or chairs from the get go. Yes, I said it and my wonderful principal approved.

So, over the summer I will update and post as often as I can about my #projectclassroom2016

I’ll make sure I provide stores and tips on what I post. I’ve already started making purchases and finding treasures that others don’t want anymore. A little paint and some fabric can go a long way. Oh, and trust me, I am not a DIY kind of girl. I like to refer to myself as – all I can do is try kind of girl.  I’m also a BIG bargain shopper (thanks mom).


Happy Summer all and thanks for following my summer #projectclassroom2016

500 followers on TPT Giveaway!!


I am so excited!! I’ve reached 500 followers on TPT and I’m going to celebrate with a fun giveaway! The first prize is a Scotch Laminator with 100 laminating pouches. Second prize will be a $25 gift certificate to TPT or Amazon~ winners choice. If you’ve never owned a Scotch laminator you’ve been missing out. I keep one at home and one in my classroom. It’s one of my favorite teacher tools. This will be very helpful if you create over the summer too. Unfortunately, the contest is only open to U.S. addresses (for mailing purposes). Sorry!
Thank you all for helping me reach this goal and for being such wonderful followers! Best of luck to everyone! The contest will end at midnight on 5/19/16 and I'll announce the winner on the 20th. 

              The contest will run from 5/16 through midnight 5/19. You have 3 ways to get your name entered in the rafflecopter below. Good Luck!!


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Personal Financial Literacy

Well, it's that time of the year and let's just say I had to come up with another way to help my kiddos through this unit. I mean really, how do you explain credit and interest to 8-10 year old kiddos? They think these fun, plastic credit cards never run out of money. That really scares me. This is also a very busy time of year and to learn all of these new vocabulary words and set up for our Market is just too much. Oh, and did I forget to mention testing....
So this year I thought I'd help my students start off on the right foot. A new lap book that covers all of the standards they need to know. This will help with so much and they we love lap books. With a hard working class and a couple of fabulous parent volunteers~ 45 lap books are ready for Monday. Woohoo!!
I'm hoping to follow up with some fabulous pictures of our work in a week or two so check back soon for the update. Click here to view or purchase lap book

Fujifilm mini camera giveaway!!

Whoa!! I love these cameras and now I've gotten together with a few of my Instagram and Blogger friends to give one away!! This wonderful giveaway is hosted by the Happy Little Kindergarten! Thanks my friend!!

I hope you've all had a fantastic start to the new year! I started mine off with a summer vaca planned to Italy!! EEEKK!! Yes, I have to brag a little. I've never been so this will be an exciting trip, to say the least. I'm keeping myself busy and I am trying to not count down the bazillion days I have left before going. So enough about my fabulous summer plans.
Lets get this year started off right for one lucky person. It's as easy as following the few steps on the rafflecopter below to get entered. You never know so don't think it can't be you.

Just look at this adorble camera....

Good luck and enter the rafflecopter below!!



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