Hello everyone,
this is Jennifer from Kinderdrama. I am so excited to share with you some
organization tips using the new Shabby Chic Collection from Teacher Created
Resources. I feel so fortunate to be able to review their new adorable
collection!
When the box
arrived I could not wait to open it. I have been eyeing this collection for a
while and had already purchased items to correspond with it!
I moved into a
new classroom this year and have so much more space, which is great! One thing
I love in my classroom are parent helpers. Parents can be so helpful in and out
of the classroom. I decided to dedicate an area just for them. I feel that one
of the keys to having volunteers is to be organized! I have parents who always
ask if they can take something home or come in and help. Most of the time I do
not have things ready for them to help with. I teach kindergarten and it is
very hard, especially at the beginning of the year to stop and give volunteers projects.
I know their time is valuable and I want to use it wisely. Most of them love to
help, you just have to ask! This is my “Made With Love” volunteer section in my
classroom. This is my first time having an area designated to this but I think
it will be an amazing addition to any classroom!
This is in the
back corner of my room, it is the perfect spot. I have a table and a sink
located there. I loved using the large Shabby Chic accents and polka dot
clothespins for the instructions and parent take home bags.
On the board I
have instructions for projects I hope to get done the first day of school,
fingers crossed! In the small burlap bag is all the items needed to do a handprint
puzzle that correlates with The Kissing
Hand by Audrey Penn. This idea came from Little Giraffes and the poem from
Just JJ on TPT. Volunteers can take the card down from the board for
instructions and the example is right next to it.
The other
activities are taking a photo of the students and asking them what they want to
learn in kindergarten. Once I get a class list it will be typed, laminated, and
posted on this board. Volunteers often need a class list when completing
projects. I am going to laminate a few and have dry erase markers so that
volunteers can use them over and over again.
I have so many
parents that would love to volunteer, but are unable to come into the
classroom. Many of them work or have little ones at home. These parents LOVE to
take projects home. Usually I am not prepared when they ask if I have anything
for them to do. I will be ready this year! I prepared take home bags that will
be waiting for parents to take. At the beginning of the year I need a lot of
help with collating math books and putting take home readers together. When you
send projects home you need to make sure you give the parents everything they
will need. This includes the basic supplies such as, scissors, glue, rubber
bands, stapler, etc. I never assume that they have these items at home and
always make sure to supply them. This is what is inside for my take home
readers. I will be cutting this on my large cutter so no scissors will be
needed. I even included a little treat for them!
I used the
large Shabby Chic accents for the instructions and Shabby Chic name tags/labels
for the instruction and example cards. These are all laminated and I will be
reusing them. I also will be filling in the due date. I think that this is
important to have a due date for the project. I always give parents 1-2 weeks
depending on the project. In this bag I have 5 readers for the volunteer to
assemble.
This will all
go in a reusable bag that I found at Joann and be sent home with a lovely
volunteer to be made by them with love! They look adorable!
I appreciate
volunteers in my classroom and feel that it is very important to make them feel
welcomed. Some volunteers stay all day and help when they can. I will be
keeping these water stocked for my volunteers this year, and will also have
occasional treats out. Make sure to utilize your parents volunteers, they love
to help!
Our Back to
School Night is always so early in the year. It is so important to be organized
and have our classrooms ready. Every year I have a bulletin where each student’s
name and work is displayed. This year I used the Shabby Chic Collection and my
class is going to be Shab-tastic!
The saying for
our work wall this year using the Shabby Chic circle letters is, Our Class Is
Shab-tastic! I love this bulletin. It is one of my favorite ones I have done.
The background is fadeless paper and helps to create the shabby chic look. I
love the double sided borders, it was so hard to choose a side! I outlined the
border by hot gluing lace to the back. This turned out adorable! The bows are
one of my favorite accents.
The circle
letters are outlined with burlap paper and the clothespins decorated with bows
and buttons.
As soon as I
get my class list I will label these cute as can be mason jars and put one up
for each student.
I also can’t
wait to make copies and use these clips! They are so big and are also fill- in;
you can write on them and wipe it off!
I hope you
enjoyed my organization ideas! Below you can find the links to the Shabby Chic
Collection, handprint puzzle, and poem.
Poem $1.00 on
TPT- https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/The-Kissing-Hand-Puzzle-Poem-1408545
