Paint Management

One of the most annoying 'chores' during my first year of teaching was managing that messy paint.  I had these big cups with lids and matching paintbrushes (seen below), but it was inevitable that the colors would be mixed by 'that one kid' (you know which one) and then the whole giant cup of paint was ruined.  Even when they used the correct brush with the correct cup, those kiddos who did the crazy-Picasso-helicopter-arm paintings managed to still mix colors.

Although I loved the cups and concept, it was a little more mental stress than I wanted to dedicate to paint cups.  I also had some overly picky girls who refused to use pink paint that had been tainted with a speck of brown.  What to do?

squirt bottles + ice cube trays = love

I can't tell you how much I love this.  I found packs of these clear squirt bottles at Target in the kitchen supply area (a lot of other stores have them as well).  I bought 12 and made sure I had enough for each color (including pink, skin colors, and gray).  I also labeled the outside with the color names.  

Cheaper version:

        

 Here they are in action:

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Why I love it:

• less paint wasted
• kids were independent and would only squirt out a little of each color they needed... then a little more if they needed it
• less 'mixing' of colors
• no dried up paint if we didn't use it during the week
• I only needed to get the gallon size paint bottles out when the squirt bottles got low
• Ice cube trays fit perfectly into the easel rack
• CHEAP!!!
• only one paintbrush needed per side... they rinsed with water in between color changes

Also, when we learned about mixing colors in science I only left the red, yellow, blue, white, and black bottles out.  They had to learn how to make their own colors.  Hahaha......

{ashley}lllllllllllllll

Class Directory

When I taught Pre-K and Kindergarten, I created 'class directories' each year.  The kids used these mostly in the writing center when they wrote letters to one another (or to me).  The little girl in the picture wrote me an interesting letter about unicorns and then used the directory to spell my name on the front of the envelope.  For some reason, Hughes (my last name) is impossible for anyone under the age of 40 to spell... and for anyone under 6 to say.  

This is so easy and cheap to make.  Also, the kids are obsessed with looking at themselves and each other.

$1.99 at Hobby Lobby (something like this)

  

+   photos + names (I used sentence strips) = class directory

Obviously the kids have their names on the desks and other places around the room, but this little book was perfect for the writing center.  It stayed in one spot all year.  The kids didn't wander around the room looking for names or bothering other students to ask them how to spell their name.  Perfect!

Other ideas:  

• use a binder with page protectors
• make a laminated one (I used a photo album because it held up all year... got used a lot)
• add more information (birthday, siblings, pets, favorite color/food/etc., or more personalized info
• use sentence strips to write the names or print them out (I wanted the lines because it reinforced proper handwriting)
• I took headshots of each of my students against a white wall and used these same pictures for this project, my files, and other things throughout the year.

{ashley}lllllllllllllll

Alphabet Sound Tubs

Ok, I'm cheap.  I found these awesome alphabet sound tubs (beginning sound) and then had a mild panic attack after realizing I would have to give up 30 venti lattes in order for it to happen.  Here are the 'shmancy-fancy' Lakeshore ones I wish I had:

Lakeshore Alphabet Sounds Teaching Tubs 

Here is my swanky version (minus the magnetic letters that aren't pictured):

EASY to make!

• $5 at the Dollar Tree for the little tubs (or you can get bigger/nicer ones).
• Print out some letters or use stickers and tape them on with the wide clear packing tape (I love that tape).
• Then beg, steal, find, search, etc. for things to go into the boxes.  You have to get creative.  I even drew a picture of an alligator for the 'A' box.
• Some things I found:  cotton ball (C), crayons for the colors (yellow=Y), glue, mini animals, car, truck, dice, q-tip, lipstick, paperclip, ticket, rubberband, mini-marker, eraser, chalk, dollhouse/Barbie things, Polly Pocket accessories, mini themed buttons (you can get these at a craft store), etc.  
• Warning:  If you leave the tubs in your car (accidentally) and you happen to live where it may or may not get above 100 degrees (Phoenix) then the crayons will melt and cover whatever is in that tub.  And maybe even the carpet in your car.

Tips

• Make sure you introduce the boxes/containers slowly.  Maybe a couple a day or when you do the letter intros.  I can only imagine what would happen if you let the kids.... oh wait... huge mess, ate lunch while I re-sorted all 3,000 little toys. {first year of teaching}
• This is great for a center.  Dump all of the objects into a big tub/bowl and have the kids sort.
• Create little labels (word strips/word mats) for the kids to match to the objects.  Have them draw a picture of it.
• Realize that they might sort them completely different than you imagined.  I had a student put the Zebra in the 'S' box.  Once I asked why (thinking he had difficulty with the S/Z sounds) he said, "Mrs. Hughes it has STRIPES!!!"   Ok.

More examples:

The Virtual Vine

Teaching Treasures

OMG.  How cute are these little Easter baskets & eggs!?  I'm thinking other themes?

Pre-K Pages

The Learning Curv

Little wooden boxes.

Significant Noise

Ok.  I almost peed my pants on this next one.  Bead/tackle box?  Look at those cute tiny little things!  I think they're the little mini buttons you can buy at Michael's/Hobby Lobby (pack of ~10 different items)?  Too cute!!!

Peacefulmann Lanuguage Link

Mini-drawers.  Amazing and easy to relocate. (Make sure it has enough drawers... don't mix X, Y, & Z!)

Elaine Ng Friis

Where can I get little tiny items though?

• Michael's, Hobby Lobby, Toy Store, Oriental Trading, hardware store, your local fairgrounds, the street, a circus, the trash, your kid's room, underneath couch cushions, the bathroom, etc.  Seriously people.  Anywhere.  Be on the lookout for tiny things.  You'll be amazed what you find.   
• Make a new class rule:  You bring toys to school = I get them for my alphabet boxes

Different Roads to Learning - $45.95

She doesn't need all of those accessories.

Enjoy!  Let me know if you already have one or plan on making one!

{ashley}lllllllllllllll