Dollar Organization

If you haven't visit Target's Dollar Spot lately, RUN!  I am not even kidding.  So much cuteness to help you get organized for 2016.  

Here's a little peek at my stash.

That caddy is an instant favorite.  It was $3 and so worth it!  Unfortunately, my Target only had two of these, but if there had been more I could definitely see using them for my students.

Since not, I will be using it for my teacher area.  I used my Cricut to add vinyl lettering to each side (Sharpies, Sharpies, Highlighters, Flairs, Gel Pens, and Pencils).  I can't wait to get it to school and fill it up, although I kind of want one for home now.  There's a handy little knob on top that makes it easy to pick up and carry and since I'm always working in the oddest places around the house, I can see it being useful around here, too!

2

Organizing with Cricut {Win Your Own!}

Are you in the new-school-year-gotta-get-organized mode yet?  Let me share with you a few ways that you can use a Cricut to help organize my classroom.  {Don't have a Cricut?  No problem!  See how to WIN one at the end of this post.}

Earbuds
I was so tired of trying to organize all of the headphones in my classroom.  So tired.  They were so big and the cords were always tangled.  I invested in earbuds for each of my students (from Dollar Tree).  I wound each earbud around a spool (from Hobby Lobby) and stored in one of these containers (also from Hobby Lobby).  I cut numbers from vinyl to label each compartment so students would know which earbuds belonged to them (no sharing....ewwww).  Super easy solution to the headphone dilemma!

Each container has 16 slots, so I had to use two containers.  I just labeled them on the cover so students would know which container to use to find their own earbuds.

VIP Table
Another simple solution is to use your Cricut to label an area as a VIP space in your classroom!  This is an area in your classroom for those Very Important People (you know, those students who are showing extraordinary behavior!!) - just decorate a desk or table to make it special and put ALL of your special supplies there for only the VIP's to use (think markers, pens, stickers, glitter glue, white boards, etc)!  Instant motivation.

How would you use a Cricut to organize your classroom?

There are only 2 more weeks to enter the Cricut Back-to-School Giveaway for teachers!!
Have you entered yet??

Each week for 7 weeks they are picking 10 winners for amazing prize packages!!  Entering is super easy!
You can nominate yourself HERE.  And, you can enter EVERY WEEK!!  If you enter, leave your link below so I can find you and give you a VOTE!  Good Luck!!

1

Student Gifts to Start the Year

I have been using the same beginning of the year gift for students for years now.  I think it's perfection.

I like to allow my students to keep water bottles at their desks so they can have water as they wish throughout the day.  It's a win-win.  Their brains are quenched and they're not getting up and down constantly.

However, I only allow bottles with pop-up tops.  You know what happens if they bring bottles with screw-off lids.  The moment they take the lid off, someone bumps the bottle and there's water everywhere!

So, I pick the bottles up at The Dollar Tree or Target.  I love these because they're super tall and have handles - perfect for the littles!  However, since they're all matching they can often get mixed up if they're not labeled.

Enter my Cricut.  I use my Cricut Explore to cut student names out of vinyl to apply to the bottles.  As long as they're just handwashed, they seem to last all year long!

This year, I decided to place a few starbursts in the bottom of them with a tag by Applicious Teacher that says "I'm BURSTING with Excitement to Have You in My Class This Year!"

I also tie a little tag to the bottle itself telling them to fill the bottle up and bring back to school! 

It's a super easy, super cheap, super practical gift that my students use daily throughout the year!

Did you know that Cricut is having an amazing back-to-school giveaway for teachers??

Each week for 7 weeks they are picking 10 winners for amazing prize packages!!  Entering is super easy!
You can nominate yourself HERE.  And, you can enter EVERY WEEK!!  If you enter, leave your link below so I can find you and give you a VOTE!  Good Luck!!

5

Cricut in My Classroom {Classroom Decor Giveaway}

You guys know all about the Cricut machine, right?!  If, somehow, you have no idea what I'm talking about, let me introduce you to this beauty!

It cuts out fonts and designs from my computer.  But, that's not all!  See those pretty pens in the storage department?  It can also DRAW designs or WRITE with fonts from my computer.  Can you imagine the possibilities??  Oh my word!  All of my envelopes are going to be addressed using KG fonts now! <3  Love at first use! :) 

Well, actually it was love at first sight because the machine has a storage spot for every little tool and accessory and that makes this teacher's OCD heart happy, happy, happy!


I thought today I would show you a few ways that I've used my Cricut to help decorate my classroom to create a warm and inviting place for my kiddos.

First up is our "Mon-STAR Masterpiece" wall.  This is our hall display that stays up year-round.  It goes with our classroom monster theme and it makes for an easy-to-change work display.

The frames are from Michael's and I spray painted them to match my classroom.  I used command hooks to hang them with ribbon.  At the bottom of each frame are clothespins covered with washi tape that can easily hold students' work.

In the center of the rows of frames, I knew I wanted a bit of a dramatic heading.  I used scrapbook paper from Hobby Lobby and my Cricut to cut out letters using a fun font on my computer.  Perfection!

I added a few fun pom-pom monsters to tie in our theme and bring a little whimsy to the display.

I'll also give you a glimpse of how I used the Cricut inside of my classroom.  I created this giant pencil from burlap (stuffed with newspaper and painted).  I wanted it to look like the pencil was really writing on the wall, so I used black vinyl to cut the word "WRITE" - a little inspiration near our writing stages display.

Once I saw this quote, I knew I wanted to use it in my classroom and I thought this bulletin board was the perfect location.  Again, I used scrapbook paper from Hobby Lobby and some fun, different fonts.  I stapled the letters to my board and added some other decorations to the corner, knowing that I wanted students' self-portraits to fill the rest of the space.

I think it makes a cozy, warm impression as you walk into our classroom.  We're a family! <3

I actually can't take credit for this fun classroom decor piece.  I have a super talented friend who uses her Cricut to make amazingly, fun and gorgeous projects.  I mean, how FUN is this birthday cake door hanger?  My students have already been SO excited to see it hanging on the door with their names written in the chalk spots on their birthdays!  What CAN'T you do with a little paint and vinyl?? <3

 

Mr. Madden actually turned a regular trashcan into this masterpiece for our classroom!  I mean, how fun is this trashcan??  A few pvc pipes, large googly eyes, foam teeth, and vinyl circles - amazing transformation! 

You can see from these pics that I'm a vinyl fanatic!  It is by far my favorite material to use, but the Cricut can cut SO much more - cardstock, washi tape, duct tape, aluminum, chipboard, foam, and leather...just to name a few!

I've got a few more projects up my sleeve and I'll be back to show them to you soon!

Did you know that Cricut is having an amazing back-to-school giveaway for teachers??

Each week for 7 weeks they are picking 10 winners for amazing prize packages!!  Entering is super easy!
You can nominate yourself HERE.  If you nominate yourself, comment below so I can find you and VOTE for you!  I'd love to see one of my blog readers WIN!! :)  Trust me, your classroom deserves some Cricut love!

8