6

March Madness!

5:00 AM

Anyone who knows me knows that I won't be confused for Sporty Spice any time soon. I've never really been a big fan of playing, watching or talking about sports. I spent 4 years marching in the high school band and I learned how to pretend to be excited and sad at all the right ...

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SunnyDays

24

Put Those Paint Samples to Use!

9:59 AM

I am reading THE cutest book with my kids - Clementine by Sara Pennypacker. Know it? This is the second year I've read this book and sadly, I still haven't come up with great activities to go along with it. But Im starting now! I actually just found this great free teacher's ...

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15

Win $200 to Amazon.com!

4:39 PM

If you had $200 to spend on Amazon, what would you buy? Well, my friends, start making a list because two people will each win a $200 Amazon gift card in this very Pinteresting contest! Charity Preston of the Organized Classroom Blog is the mastermind behind this very ...

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4

Is Your Classroom Sub Friendly?

5:30 AM

I am so pleased to welcome guest blogger Rachel Friedrich from Sub Hub to the blog today. Leaving your students in the care of someone else can strike fear in the heart of even the most veteran teacher. Time and time again, I've heard (and said) it's just easier to go in sick ...

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96

Little Pocket Sort Review & Giveaway!

12:41 AM

When my new blog BFF Brandi over at Really Good Stuff asked if I'd be interested in reviewing a product and hosting a giveaway, it took me about a millisecond to answer, "Yes, Please!" I'm sure you're familiar with Really Good Stuff, but if you're not, be sure to visit them. I've ...

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12

Low Tech Wonders

8:02 AM

I have a class of very tech savvy kids who have the latest of everything. Kids in my class had iphones when I still had my pink razor phone. They can navigate around the computer pretty well and have just about every new game, gadget and gizmo on the market, but I have noticed an ...

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I am so crazy excited to be blog swapping today with Brandi Jordan from The Teachers' Lounge which is Really Good Stuff's blog! If you're covered in snow today, hopefully our posts will help you think ahead to the first signs of spring! Enjoy Brandi's super cute recycled flower idea and then head over to check out my Lucky to be a Family St. Patty's Day project!

Recycled Flower Craft by Brandi Jordan

Spring, with its warmer weather and bright colors, cannot come soon enough after winters dull browns and dreary grey skies.  It is the perfect season for sparking children’s imagination and seeing wonder light up their eyes when they see that first tiny  flower shoot making its appearance.  Unfortunately, spring is also filled with rain that, while it makes the flowers grow, can also lead to restless students (and teachers!).  On those days when you cannot go out to explore the flowers growing on the playground, bring a bit of spring sunshine into class with a recycled craft that is perfect for the new season.

I am a big fan of flowers and love flower-related crafts, because they are an instant pick-me-up.  It is rare to see someone grumpy over flowers!  This craft turns ordinary paper strips into a flower with the help of a bit of glue or tape.  To conserve materials, I used old scrapbook paper that I had from a previous project, but strips from old magazines, leftover strips of construction paper from paper chains, or the pile of not-copied-quite-right papers in the copy room would work well.  The more colorful you want the flowers to be, the more colorful the paper should be, so keep that in mind when selecting materials.

You Will Need:

9 strips of paper per flower - approximately 1.5” wide by 11” long (the length of whatever paper you are using should be fine)

Strong Glue Stick or tape

Getting Started:

1.   Start by separating the paper strips into two piles.  One pile should contain the 7 strips that you want to use for the flower petals and center.  The other pile should include the strip of paper that you want to use for the stem and leaf.

2.  Make a circle out of one of the petal strips and glue or tape it to the end of the stem strip.  Make another circle for the center of the flower and glue or tape it to the opposite side of the same end of the stem. 

3.  Continue making circles with the paper and taping or gluing them around and to the center circle on the flower.  There should be enough room for about 6 petals including the one that you attached first.

4.  After the petals are on, create a circle for the leaf and glue or tape it to the opposite end of the flower stem. 

5.  When the glue has dried completely* and the flowers are done, hang them on a bulletin board or send them home with a Mother’s Day or spring message.

*Tip:  If you are having trouble getting the end of the paper to stick together, use a paperclip to hold each juncture in place and remove it after the glue has dried.

What are some of your favorite spring crafts?  Do you have one that you do year after year or do you alter your craft projects for variety? 

About the Author

Brandi Jordan is a mom, teacher, wife, author, and expert multi-tasker.  She is the Managing Director of Really Good Stuff’s blog, The Teachers’ Lounge, and her newest ebook, A Teacher’s Guide to Using Social Media and The Internet in the Classroom, was just released for free download.  Follow her on Pinterest and chat with her during #TeachChat every other Wednesday night from 9-10pm EST.

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37

Blogger Threaded Comments Fix!

5:30 AM

When Blogger introduced threaded commenting a while back, I was so excited. It basically meant that could reply directly to a comment left on my blog. However, when I did what I was supposed to do, it did NOT work. I could see the and use the reply button from my phone, but not ...

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12

You Know You're a Teacher...Linky!

7:52 PM

Hey Friends! Just popping in to join a fun little linky being hosted by my friend Jeannie over at Kindergarten Lifestyle! There are just some things that only other teachers understand, which makes me REALLY super glad I'm married to another teacher! Well, that and the fact that ...

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22

Hundred Day Hoopla!

8:10 PM

Well, it's 100th day for me, how about you guys? I hope yours hasn't passed yet so you can use what I'm going to share with you today. There's a good freebie way at the end, I swear! I was fake-watching the Super Bowl with my hubs and casually surfing Pinterest to dig up some ...

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SunnyDays

9

Currently in February

11:21 PM

It's that time again! Here's what I'm up to currently :) Head over to Oh Boy 4th Grade to link up! ...

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8

Friday Freebie in honor of Pam

7:48 AM

Today the teacher blog community is honoring the loss of one of our own, Pam Woods of The Vintage Teacher. Pam was a passionate educator, loyal blogger and enthusiastic supporter and friend of so many. One of her favorite blog events was her weekly Five Friday Freebies round-up. ...

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SunnyDays

40

Spelling City Review & Giveaway!

9:03 PM

I have been so excited about sharing this news with you guys! I was recently contacted by Vocabulary Spelling City to see if I would like to try their premium membership AND offer one to my blog readers. Um, yes please! I've actually been using Spelling City for about three ...

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12

Groundhog Goodie & Love Bug Bump

12:00 AM

I have never really been one to "celebrate" Groundhog Day. It's kind of a strange holiday and it seemed like K and 1 pretty much had it covered. Well friends,  I think I've converted to Groundhogism! This year I have found some of the cutest stuff! Today was our monthly Tasty ...

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