Back to School: Teacher Survival!

We officially started back to school today! As a little back to school gift for my grade level I made everyone teacher survival kits. We have a lot of school supplies as it is, but I wanted to get them a couple special things for the upcoming year.

French Toast Casserole

Today was the first day back for the new staff in our district. One of the things our district's Texas Classroom Teachers Association does is make breakfast for the new staff on their first day back. I'm not gonna lie, it's one of my favorite days because there are sooooooo many good dishes that line the table! For the past 3 years I have made french toast casserole. This year I changed the recipe I use and I think I'm going to stick with it! I cook my eyeballing it, so bear with me on some of the measurements. Playing around with ingredients is one of my favorite things as far as cooking is concerned! :)

This is the recipe for french toast casserole, but I use pretty close to the same egg mixture when I make regular french toast.

Crepe Paper Curtains

Last night and this afternoon I spend some of my time sectioning off my library center even more so than it already is. The huge tree that is in the corner of my library already makes it cozy, but I wanted it a little more cozy inside. So, I made crepe paper curtains! After trying to put them under the ceiling tiles one by one like I've done with vines in the past, it occurred to me to just make a long piece of tape with crepe paper attached. Duh!

Doggy "Gate"

As some of you know, I am a proud mama to one of the most adorable furry children ever!

Indoor Bench DIY

Since I'm usually making things for my TpT store and trying to come up with cool station ideas for my class during the school year, I do most of my DIY projects I find during the year in the summer. The year, I tackled making a bench, redecorating John's room (yes, my dog has his own room), making a fabric doggie gate and making makeup brush holders. My favourite DIY of the summer was definitely my new indoor bench.

Dry Erase Center

Let me just start off by saying ... Easiest. Center. Ever! I don't know about your classroom, but in mine, I have a specific section for everything. Dry erase materials are no exception. Last year I had a space for dry erase math materials and dry erase reading & writing materials and dry erase science materials. It was too much! I loved each being with it's content area, but things were never put back where they were supposed to be.

This year, I'm using a plain old dish drying rack as a dry erase center. I got my dish rack at Dollar General for $7.50.

Assess Me Linky: Week 2 This or That

I figured I was too far behind for last week, so this week I am linking up with The Tattooed Teacher for week 2 of getting to know me with Assess Me Linky!

Under the Sink Curtains

Living in a small space, I've learned to use every little nook and cranny that I possibly can. The classroom is no different. When I feel like I'm losing cabinet or closet space, I have to look for other places to store things. That doesn't mean I want my room to look even more cluttered than it already does. What better way to hide my under the sink storage with some curtains! 

Pool Noodle DIY

One of my "projects" this summer for my classroom was making pool noodle letters for ELA and numbers for Math. I like my kiddos to be up and moving as much as possible, so this will be a way for them to move around the table, stand, or sit on the floor while they are working in Math stations or playing games.

Mini Chart Stands!

Arguing over my teacher example happens every single time! Someone needs to see it up close, or isn't able to tell what to do when it's upside down, they just want it closer to them. Whatever the reason, it happens constantly! To help with the issue, I whipped up some mini chart stands.

August Target Finds!

1. Foam Clocks

These foam clocks were in Target's $1 and $3 Spot and were only $1 each! They are double-sided. One side has a regular faced clock while the other side has the markings to show what each number stands for in terms of minutes. I am going to put them both on my calendar wall so the kids can see each version.

Back to School!

We have a little under a month before school starts back up! I can feel the nerdy teacher side of me getting excited every time I walk into a Walmart, Target, Big Lots or Dollar Tree. I have to buy something for my classroom! Below is a list comparing Walmart and Target school supply prices and the list of school supplies for our class this year. (Although I get most of my school supplies at Dollar Tree or Big Lots, with the exception of Crayola markers & crayons and Elmer's glue).

Here is a list comparing school supplies at Walmart and Target that I found handy! I found it at Passionate Penny Pincher. She has coupons, store (and restaurant) deals and  ads that are updated pretty frequently. I LOVE it!