Your file cabinets do not have to be ugly!

I have to say, I was tired at looking at my tanish, ugly file cabinet in my classroom. So, I decided to paint it! Since my file cabinet (and most file cabinets) have a shiny finish, you must prime it first so that the paint adheres properly.  I used a powder blue color. I had to buy a gallon, but I certainly did not need it all. You do not have to, but it will look a lot nicer if you take off the handles prior to painting. 

"You Can Find Us" Chart

I decided that I needed something on my door so that others would know where my class is when we are not in our classroom. I looked around, and didn't find anything that I really liked, so I decided to create something myself. If you like it, you can purchase it here! It is completely customizable, which is a bonus. I also added my avatar to the top because I just thought it added an element of fun. All I did was print, laminate and cut. I then put it into a pocket chart and added a clothespin indicating our location. I used a couple of magnetic clips and attached to the outside of the door. It is the "job" of the classroom door monitor to change the clothespin to our location. The first day that I used this, it was raining very hard. I left it outside to see how it would hold up in the wind and rain. Fantastic! Since it is laminated and in protective sleeves (in the pocket chart), it held up like a champ. 

Helping Hounds

I have a puppy themed classroom, so I created a puppy job board! I call it Helping Hounds. If you would like to purchase this, it is for sale on my TpT store, which can be found here: Helping Hounds job bulletin board . As you can see, I took some pieces from the file and made something for my door. Each bone has a student name on it. 

Storage solutions

I purchased some clear containers from Wal-Mart and labeled them with chalkboard labels. The labels state the standard as well as the title of the contents. (As you can see, I am not yet finished with my labeling.) I love that I can quickly grab a box to give to a student that needs practice on a specific standard. The clear containers make it easy for me as well as the students to see what is inside. What do I use the containers for, you ask? R.T.I; Universal Access time; May-Do's; reteaching; assessing...the list goes on and on.The kids love having a CHOICE. Activities are engaging and there is buy-in with choice involved. Examples of some of the learning activities include: word building; kinetic sand; phonics stamps; fluency practice; writing tubs, etc. I also change out new containers each week according to the concepts being taught (ex. short u match up game, synonym game, etc.).

Vinyl circles for dry erase boards!

I cut out black vinyl circles on my Cricut Explore machine to use as an alternative to dry erase boards. They stick on the table, yet they remove easily with no sticky residue. I bought some liquid chalk markers (Bistro brand), and students use these to write on. The photo above shows it being used for reading groups, however, I also use it a lot for math interventions. The students LOVE coming to the back table and using these! Oh, and it erases easily with a damp sponge. I took one sponge and cut it in strips. It dries quickly, too. You can also use Lysol wipes on them, so it doesn't make it difficult to clean the tables.