DIY Beaded Number Lines

I'm so excited to be linking up with Tara from 4th Grade Frolics for my first Monday Made It of the summer! I'm a HUGE procrastinator so having a Monday dead line really helps ensure I actually get some things crossed off of my to-do list! 

This week I am most excited about my beaded number lines. What are beaded number lines you ask? They are a fabulous tool used for counting, skip counting, adding (composing), subtracting(decomposing), rounding, place value (groups of tens and ones) and so much more. 

I first learned about this tool when Dr. Nicki Newton came to my school district and presented to the math specialists. Sadly, I wasn't invited :( 

I chose to make 6 beaded number lines so that I could use them with my small groups. If I was still teaching first grade, I may go ahead and make a whole class set... My math specialist said the kids could make them but I am too type A for that on summer vacation. My kids did help me make them but I made sure they counted after each set of 10 to ensure they had the proper amount of beads. I don't want my math tools to confuse any children! 

• To make the number lines I used 2 packages of pony beads {2 different colors}
• Para cord (though you could use shoelaces or lanyard) Be sure you don't get anything too thick.
• Small jump rings (for storage purposes)

Step 1: tie a double knot at the bottom of a 2-yard piece of string. I used paracord because it was inexpensive and in the same isle as the pony beads at Hobby Lobby #winning. Shoelaces work well because they are easy to thread the bead onto but they are more costly. I put a small piece of scotch tape on the end where I was adding the beads since the cord frayed a bit where it had been cut.

Step 2: alternate adding sets of 10 beads. I put 100 beads on each string but the first grade teachers on my campus may choose to use 120 since they will be using this as a counting tool. 

Step 3: double knot the top end of the string to a jump ring. This way you can hang all the number lines on a command hook for easy, tangle free storage! 

That's it! Easy peasy. My kids were mad I only needed six number lines. They each made 3 in about 20 minutes. 

Using a Beaded Number Line from Karen Richardson on Vimeo.

I also made my first video tutorial and several new TpT products.

I created and posted this 65 page editable Back to School presentation. I also finally got around to updating and listing this "Thanks for popping in" labels. 

Thanks for stopping by today! Please comment below to let me know if you ever heard of a beaded number line.  Do you think it could be useful in your classroom? I'd love to hear from you!

Monday Made It: End of Year Gifts

So excited to be back participating in Monday Made It! I tried to make something each week the past summer but my year was so crazy, I just stopped crafting. Summer is here again, and I am back!

First up - gifts for my room moms. I got the idea from this pin. Grab yourself an ice cream container, add some tissue paper and a gift card and call it a day. Easy but a crowd pleaser!

Next up - adorable (if I do say so myself) gift card clutches made from scrapbook paper. Click here to see the step-by-step directions from Crafting Rebellion. Super easy and it makes giving the gift card a little more personalized. These were so easy to make and the kid's teachers loved them! My daughter's teacher has her whole classroom decorated in red and zebra.... my son's teacher doesn't have a theme so I had to go with the awesome chevron. I just added a blinged up buckle to make it a little more purse like. 

Lastly, I wanted to give my team a little something since I am moving to a new grade. Words can not express how much I adore the five women I had the pleasure of working with everyday. I had my most challenging year yet, and I leaned on them so much! We laughed, cried, and everything in-between. This pin and this bucket-filler poem were my inspiration but I had to change it up a bit to fit. 

Here is the poem up close. (The watermark with my blog name wasn't on it!) I just cut it out and attached it to a wooden skewer with glue. 

I can't wait to see what you all made! Happy Monday (my first one of the summer- yippee) 

Monday Made It

Linking up with Tara again for this week's Monday Made it! I so look forawrd to these, but today I am feeling a little bummed. I made LOTS of stuff this week, but in my typical fashion, it is all about 7/8 finished. That is how I roll people... I almost finish lots of stuff, then 8 months later, it will be done! Stresses me out - why do I do it?? Hmmm, I may need to sit on a couch to figure out this one!  

Any who, I did finish my whisper phones. The first time I went to Lowe's and asked a guy to cut the PVC pipe, he told me no! I went back a week later with a plan. It went like this. 
Me:"can you please cut this for me? I'm a teacher and I need it for my classroom!" 
Employee" I can make one cut. Why, how many did you need?"
Me: (big smile) "Um, about 25... you would be helping kindergartners learn to read. Please!"
Employee: "I can sell you some cheap cutters... "
Me: " Did I mention I am a teacher and I am really trying not to spend more money, I already spend so much for my classroom. Seriously, I am using these as whisper phones, it really helps the kids with reading... want to try one out?"
Employee" (laughing and shaking his head) "okay, just this once!"

Moral of the story. Be very nice, explain why and lay it on thick!!!

They were super easy to make and I think the whole project cost around $19 and that is with the $7 I spent on the colored duct tape. If you want to make them, you will need (1) 10 foot piece of 3/4 inch PVC pipe cut into 3 1/2 inch pieces and (2) 3/4 inch elbow pieces per phone.

I cleaned my pieces with nail polish remover (although you can buy actual cleaner at the store) and then put an elbow on each side. Wrapped a piece of colored duct tape around the middle and that's it! The whole project took me 15 minutes once I started! Click here to see the video I watched before making them.

Next up was my alphabet line. I LOVE all the ones I have seen while blog hopping and in TpT stores, but I plan to use Zoo Phonics next year and I really wanted the alphabet line to match. If you have never heard about Zoo Phonics, I highly recommend you visit their site now. I plan to post more about it later this week. Stay tuned!

I bought their font CD and I love it. The only problem is the fonts only came in black line. I really wanted color for this, so I found some graphics online. I am not sure which ones I'll use. I love the colored graphics, but I wonder if I should be consistent and use the actual Zoo Phonics picture even though it wouldn't be colored. Any thoughts?

                                 With random graphics                      With Zoo Phonic graphics

I also made some flash cards to use with my class while teaching the letter sounds. The front has the animal cue and the back has the description of the movement. I love the way they turned out. I printed one last night (just to be sure) I just folded down the middle, added some double sided tape in the middle and laminated. Perfect, thick and sturdy! 

Front                                Back

 Lastly, I created some number labels so that I could make number magnets. I number all my students and thought this would be an easy way to see where everyone is during Daily 5. I already use a clip chart for behavior so I didn't think I wanted another clip chart with more clothespins for my daily 5 board.  I am tossing around the idea of using my smart board for this, but then the kids can't use it as part of their rotation and that seems silly. If you like these number circles, you can get a free copy by clicking on the picture below. The numbers came from Print Candee. So fun!

Here is the unfinished board. I will post another picture of the final product when I decide what I am going to use it for! 

 As always, thanks for coming over here and checking out my stuff and sticking around through my super long posts!

Who's excited for Monday?

This girl (can you see my thumb pointing back at me?) So bizarre, right? During the school year I loathe Monday's but in the summer, not so much! If you are here for Manic Monday, here is a little number match game I made for you! I had a lot of Crystal Light containers laying around and I thought they would be great for holding game pieces. Here is an example of the before and after.

 To make the container, I peeled off the original label, printed a new one, and used spray adhesive to stick it on! You could also gently fold and put it on the inside if you'd prefer. I am thinking about putting a coat of Mod Podge over top or clear contact paper to keep it looking fresh!

Click here to grab it in Google Docs. Click here to grab it from my TpT store.

For Monday Made it I finished my Live, laugh love wall art, 

Original post with printables

covered some scrap metal to make a magnetic memo board and made some cute glass magnets to match,

Tutorial Here

Inspiration Here and Here

Inspiration Source

Then I covered some dollar spot baskets with matching paper to store all my markers and such! Umm, I got a little cray with the sponge and paint.. not my best work but those puppies are going in my room anyway! I used spray adhesive to get the paper to stick - I really wanted to use fabric, but the crafting Gods weren't with me.







I can't wait to see what everyone else made. I LOVED Tara's believe sign. I have had a classroom sign like that pinned forever.... Well, what are you waiting for? Head on over to Tara's and see what everyone else made!

Monday Made It and a Freebie!

I am so excited to be linking up with Tara again over at 4th grade Frolics. I can't wait to see what everyone else made!

Okay y'all, I promised I would be ready to share some stuff today! I think I committed to a theme... I am making it myself right now and I don't know what I was thinking!! I mean, there are SO many cute sets already for sale, I really should have just picked one of those. My husband knows me best though and informed me that if I had made it easy on myself, it wouldn't be me! Gotta love a man who knows all your flaws and loves you anyway - can I get an Amen? Here's a little sneak peak at what I a working on.         

Owl and Birdie Set - number cards                                                    

Owl and Birdie Set - name plate

Now onto the good stuff! Our school-wide theme this year is Live, Laugh, Learn, I was not having any luck finding things to match, so I created these. What do you think? I found an awesome tutorial here that explains how to put pictures onto canvas. I have completed the first 2 but ran out of time to make "learn"... maybe by next Monday? Click the caption below to get your copy!!

Get it free at my TpT store!

Here are the ones I printed and put onto canvas. They look MUCH brighter in person... I really should not take pictures - I am beyond awful at it. :( A cool tip I found was to print onto photo paper. All the colors are much more vibrant. You can buy a pack of 8 sheets at the Dollar Store - score!

I promise they are much brighter in person

I also have been working hard on those buttons I promised! If you don't know what I am talking about, read this post from yesterday! Here is one of the buttons I finished. It is super easy. I bought these buttons from Wal-mart in the craft section. You pop the back right off, add your cute circle and push it all back together, Voila! I will be adding these incentive buttons to my TpT store later today!

Let's pretend this isn't turned sideways. Okay?

This one is not school related but I wanted to show it off anyway! I made this picture frame for my friends baby shower. It has his name on top and then the saying, "sometimes the smallest things take up the most room in your heart." I really wish you could come over and see it... it looks way better in person. IMHO. My husband even said he thought it was the best "craft" I've ever done! Sweet. 

Last but not least, I wanted to mention Tonya from Tonya's Treats for Teachers featured me on her blog yesterday. Wasn't that so sweet of her?? She is SO close to 200 followers and she is ready to do a giveaway when that happens. Can you hop on over there and follow her? You'll be glad you did. She just made her adorable incentive buttons free at her TpT store!

If you download my Live. Laugh. Learn signs, please give me some love by commenting and following me. Heck, even if you didn't download them, leave me some love :) Happy Monday,

We Ain't Fakin' Whole Lotta' Linky Going On!

Did you read the title like Elvis? I curled my lip and everything. I digress. Oh.My.Word. There is a lot going on in the bloggy world on Monday's! I stumbled across this fantabulous (that's a real word, right?) linky party hosted by Tara over at 4th Grade Frolics.

Soooo, here is the problem. I am feeling VERY noncommittal these days and therefor I can't participate in this awesome linky party. You see, this is what I do. I over think EVERYTHING. Grrr. It is my worst trait (I think) and it leads me to this feeling of unsettledness in the pit of my stomach. I have so many things pinned (classroom decor board) and so many things I want to craft before I go back to school but I am completely stuck in a holding pattern until I pick a classroom theme! Every time I think I've made a decision, I start hemming and hawing and then I am back at square one. I have seen SO many ideas and I love them all!  I really can't spend a ton of money getting all new baskets and I am a matchy, matchy kind of girl. I have hot pink, black, white, and teal baskets. I really am loving the pirate theme with black, white and red and our school colors are even red and white but then what would I do with all my beautiful hot pink and teal baskets? Mental note, only buy black baskets from now on as they will match every future theme! Anyway, because I love to craft and because I am afraid I will run out of time if I don't get a move on, I am committing to pick and theme and get some crafts done before next Monday's party. I hope you'll stop on by next Monday to see what theme I've choosen and what goodies I've made! 

On a related note, I found another linky/giveaway going on over at                                                         Run! Mrs. Nelson's Got the Camera! 

I have chosen to add a recipe. I have made this and have been asked to make about a million times (yes, I exaggerate and make up words!) This one is super easy, although it does require some preplanning and it feeds a crowd! So without further ado, I present to you - Chocolate Brownie Trifle. Yumm-O. Head on over to Mrs. Nelson's site to see what other cool things have been shared. 

Click here to get the recipe!