Organization & Tin Can DIY

Hello friends! Today I thought I'd share with you a few tips on how to "organize in style" in the classroom! I've also put together a fun tin can DIY for you at the end of this post! 

Are you a new teacher overwhelmed with lack of storage and space in the classroom? Are you a returning teacher and needing some stylish storage advice to update your room? Perhaps you are headed back to school this week and are looking for a few quick organization ideas to start the new school year off. 

When you start planning classroom organization you think of cute labeled bins, matching colorful containers, and a place for everything/everything in it's place, right? Classroom decor, storage, and organization ideas have come along way! There are so many kinds of boxes, bins, containers and even items you can create to store your classroom supplies!

When setting up your classroom you will have to think about literacy, math, & science manipulative storage, arts & crafts storage, curriculum storage, etc. You will have to keep in mind ease of access for students to grab materials. You will also have to think about long-term storage. What will you do with items that are not used everyday? 

My very first new teacher purchase was to help me organize my new classroom... bright plastic bins from the dollar store! They were inexpensive, useful to hold art supplies/manipulatives, and fit just right into my classroom storage cabinets. 

I created labels, laminated the labels, and attached with Velcro. Velcro is SO useful in the classroom and I love it so much for labels. I often switch labels around and move things around to different size containers and Velcro makes things non-permanent! These bins have lasted me quite a few years!

If you are searching for some cute and EDITABLE labels you might want to check these Pre-K Tweets Chalkboard Labels out. They are new for fall and oh-so-cute! 

Another idea I like to use for storage is plastic shoe boxes. They are transparent and stackable!

I purchase my shoe boxes from The Container Store. I love them because they have clear lids and are inexpensive. I also like that when I need more I can just order them online AND I know they will have the exact size I need. I don't have to go hunting back to a store looking for the matching boxes with a turquoise lid or the same exact size.

I have used these storage boxes in my art supply cabinet in my classroom and also for craft supply storage at home. 

For a stylish and matching look, attach chalk board stickers (can be purchased from a craft store) and label with a white paint pen!

My go-to staples for classroom organization are: baskets, bins, crates, and mason jars!

I search home decor aisles, discount stores, Save-on-Crafts.com, and garage sales for these kinds of containers!

Mason jars are great for your writing or art center storage! You can paint them (or leave them plain) and students can practice matching like colors into the jars. 

Sometimes you have to think out-side-the-box about classroom storage for supplies! I've often had to get creative and think of other uses for things. 

I purchased this silverware caddy on clearance and I've used it in the classroom for my desk supplies and also during art projects!

I love things that serve double-duty and that I can borrow for other uses!

For crayon tubs, I found the perfect containers (with handles) in the hardware store...of all places! Students can easily grab them for activities and take them to group tables. 

I've had classrooms where I did not have enough shelves or bookcases. I needed additional large storage for learning centers...

Stacked crates make great mini book shelves or book cases. As you can see in the photo, they are the perfect height for pre-k. I easily zip-tied the crates together so they were attached non-permanently in case I needed to use them for something else. 

I've also brought in additional storage shelves. 

These cube shelves are easy to put together and hold tons in the art center! 

Themed items are organized by season and into large plastic tubs. I created laminated labels from scrapbook paper and Velcro-ed to the tubs. I've stored items not currently in use in classroom closet and in my garage. But let's face it, even with a classroom closet (which a lot of classrooms don't have), there is just never enough room! I've collected a ton of games, toys, manipulatives over the years and I can honestly say I've used it all..every year!  I've stored many of these organized tubs in my garage and just pull them out when the theme/season changes!

And now...for the Pre-K Tweets organizational DIY: Tin Can Containers! 

Tin Can Containers DIY... Tin cans come in many sizes and can be so useful in the classroom! They can hold writing utensils, art supplies, and even Box Tops! Learn how to craft stylish tin can containers for your classroom...

Select paper that matches the theme or color scheme of your classroom. I chose this colorful chevron scrapbook paper by The Paper Studio from Hobby Lobby. 

Remove the labels from the clean empty cans. Be sure there are no sharp edges left over from your can opener! If there are, you can cover them with colorful duct tape.

I use the string/yarn to wrap around the can to measure what length size for the paper. Then I hold the string up against the paper to figure out the length. You might not have enough length paper for large cans and will have to use 2 pieces. 

Measure the height of the can, too. You want the paper to fit just inside the top and bottom rings/ridges. Cut the strip of paper and measure it against the can just to be sure before you start taping/gluing. 

I used double stick tape to attach the paper strip to the can. Hot glue or a glue stick will work as well. I find the tape is easy to use and really holds the paper on! I found it easier to put the tape on the outside of the can first and then wrap the paper on top. (Instead of putting the tape on the paper first.)

Then, label and dress up your covered tin cans! Chalkboard stickers work well. You can also use chalkboard tape or construction paper. Use a paint pen or chalk maker to write. I like to spray or paint a clear coat of acrylic sealant to the label so the wording doesn't rub off. You can also run the label through a laminator.  

You can also add fun clothespins or ribbon to dress up the tin cans! So fun..and inexpensive! 

Here's a few cans I made for my classroom last year. Students loved getting to insert their box tops in the (empty coffee) can! The other can is covered in a burlap ribbon. 

I hope you love this Tin Can Containers DIY as much as I loved making it. Let me know in the comments section if you would enjoy more Pre-K Tweet's DIY's and also feel free to share YOUR classroom organizational ideas! Happy teaching!!!

Learning Centers Blog Hop Series: Writing Center

Welcome back to the Pre-K Partner's Learning Centers Blog Hop Series! Every other Thursday (through November) we are highlighting unique learning center ideas. This week we are going to take a look at the writing center! 

The writing center is a very busy place! Young authors are creating, writing/drawing, and telling stories to each other in a fun environment that is meant just for them! For a few years I had my writing and ABC center combined. In this classroom (pictured above) I had a dedicated "writing learning center" with a few ABC games, books, and tools added. In the same room I had a separate ABC center (with more games), art center (which students could write in), a reading area, and more learning centers.   

My writing center in this photo had a table, shelf cabinet (to hold items and to block off the other center), a shelf (actually a kitchen sink shelf) on the table, room to display, and a rack to hold ABC books.  We always go through and practice/model new writing center tools/activities as a class. Center time will run so much more smoothly when students know expectations and procedures. 

The writing center helps students to practice handwriting, pencil grip, and motor skills. Students gain self esteem by pretending to be authors/illustrators and are proud of their work! The writing center also allows students to independently practice literacy skills like letter recognition, vocabulary, oral language, handwriting, etc. As with all learning centers, the writing center allows students to practice social skills by sharing materials, practicing taking turns, and forming ideas with others!

In our classroom we had a designated "share time" for student authors!  Students would "turn & talk" to a partner about a story or picture they wrote about during centers or during journal time. This time spent sharing helped us to point out characters, setting, and tell the beginning/middle/ending to stories!

Rotating materials and bringing out new tools helps keep the writing center fun and engaging! Our classroom parents were always willing to stock our writing center with scrap paper, junk mail envelopes, greeting cards, etc.

To help you build, stock, and enrich your writing center, here is a list of materials I have had in our writing center:  

- A variety of writing materials: pencils, markers, colored pencils

- A variety of papers: scrap paper, colored paper, index cards, old greeting cards

-Emtpy stapled together stacks of paper for book making.

- A word wall, vocabulary chart/poster, and/or vocabulary cards..students love to copy words and label their drawings! 

- Bulletin board to display student work, an author study, or vocab. 

- A few ABC letter games (like matching cards, bottlecap matching, etc.)

- Handwriting tools (I stocked my writing center with an extra set of Handwriting Without Tears materials like chalkboards, doodle boards, white boards, and letter sticks.)

In addition to those materials listed above, I also like to incorporate books into each center. For the writing center I have a few books that stay in there year round and then add a few fictional ABC books that rotate with the theme. 

Here are a few of my favorite books for the writing center! 

I love to showcase student learning around the classroom! If you don't have room in the center to display student writing, consider alternate areas in the classroom. During our bookmaking study, we displayed students' books in our classroom library. They loved sharing and "reading" each other's stories! 

Also, if you don't have room for a word wall/vocabulary in your writing center, have it nearby so students can add familiar and new words to their drawings/writings. Students also love to write their friends' and teachers' names! 

The teacher's role is to provide materials that encourage creativity/ideas, motivate students to "do more" than they think they can, and of course document student learning in centers.  Sometimes students can get stuck on what to write/draw about or have trouble even just starting! That's one reason, among others, why I keep books and vocabulary for inspiration in the writing center. Highlighting authors and doing author studies during group time can enhance student writing/drawing too! Teachers can encourage students to "add details" like more colors, grass/sky, letters, and/or words. Teachers can motivate students to express themselves and use verbal language skills to tell about their drawings/writings. Teachers can document, take notes, and observe students in the writing center and see where students are at with motor skills, social skills, and literacy skills. 

Stay tuned for more learning center fun during the Pre-K Partner's Learning Centers Blog Hop Series!

Hop on over to Fun in ECSE for more writing learning center ideas! 

Fall coloring pages!

Fall coloring pages are here! I'm so excited about these fun new designs! These autumn themed pages make great time fillers and present plenty of doodles & fun to color! Coloring pages include scarecrows, apples, leaves, and pumpkins. There are also a couple of roll & color apples and pumpkins...12 pages included! Download here!

Learning Centers Blog Hop Series: Art Center

Welcome back to the Pre-K Partner's Learning Centers Blog Hop Series! Every other Thursday (through November) we are highlighting unique learning center ideas. This week we are going to take a look at our art centers! 

My classroom consisted of individual art, group projects, and artist studies. Students created art in my classroom to express themselves and their creativity, to display a unit of study we were learning about, to learn about a particular artist/medium/technique, and to teach others about beauty in recyclables/nature/everyday items. 

I am certified as an early childhood teacher AND as an art teacher! I have always LOVED integrating art into my pre-k teaching curriculum. I am actually not teaching this year (so I can actually focus on my art career.) I've been given a new career opportunity, but I will greatly miss the fun art projects we have done in the classroom! I am continuing my Pre-K Tweets blog and I look forward to sharing with you my ideas, diy's, photos, products and experience from my very own teaching career. 

It took me quite a few years to build up the courage to have a "free art center" in the classroom! A free art center means to me is that all materials in the center are available and encouraged for students to use freely. Before, I did the traditional four kids at the teacher or teacher assistant table making a craft of some sort with googly eyes no less. Over the years, I learned more and more about process art and tried to encourage students' creativity in that way. We did still do the occasional Mother's Day look-a-like crafts and maybe an animal paper plate craft or two. But I think students' "got the most" out of or "best learning experiences" out of our free art center play, group projects, process & expressive art, and artist studies. 

Our art center consisted of cube shelving from Target and a table & chairs. In my last classroom, the art center was placed in the middle, centrally located, and close to the sink. Students were welcome to visit the art area during morning arrival (we also had breakfast and table toys going on) and during center time.  

We also had an art easel that could be used for watercolor painting and as a dry erase board. In this photo it is on display for Meet the Teacher night. Usually, the easel is closer to the art area and to the sink. I really liked this easel because it was on wheels and had a drying rack underneath!

As with all my centers, I themed them according to what the season was or what topic we were studying. Here, in the photo above, the art center was set for Valentine's week.

For art material storage I used mason jars for students to practice sorting marker colors. (A friend of mine used colored scrapbook paper to wrap around metal vegetable cans for her color sorting of markers/colored pencils.) I also used plastic Dollar Tree bins and baskets from Save-on-Crafts. 

During the first few weeks of school the art center is pretty bare looking as with all the other centers. During the first week it only has blank paper, coloring books, and crayons. I never introduce a new center or center item (like markers or scissors) before explaining, modeling, and practicing expectations with students. 

Creating art, expressing through art, and art appreciation is SO important in early childhood! Creating art stimulates small and large motor development through painting, drawing, pinching a crayon, dropping sequins, etc. Art helps children to gain self esteem, become proud of what they created themselves, and art also promotes decision making skills. Art allows students to experiment, make predictions, and learn from observations! Art provides an outlet for children who might not express themselves verbally.  Social skills are also practiced, such as sharing & taking turns, in the art center.  

I integrated art appreciation and introduced to new mediums/art techniques through "artist studies."  For pre-k, I showed a power point about an artist that told short interesting facts about the artist, showcased his/her art works, and asked higher level thinking questions of the students about the artists' works.  Questions like....how does this painting make you feel? What can you think of that looks similar to this sculpture? How do you think the artist created this piece?  I also asked questions like...how many shapes do you see in this painting? How do you think the artist made this color? Which one of these sculptures is your favorite? I would also place posters, framed art, and children's fiction/non-fiction books about the artist in the art center.

We then would begin a group project or individual art pieces. Sometimes the art would look similar and sometimes we were more selective in our choices. Also, sometimes the project would be short and sometimes (particularity a group process art project) would take weeks). It really depended on the students' interest as with any of our art projects. Some of the artists we studied were Monet, Chihuly, Mondrian, and Kandinsky.

The art center should grow into an area that encourages creativity/choice making by providing a wide range of materials! 

Here is a list of art center materials that remain in the art center permanently:

- markers and crayons

- pencils and colored pencils

- plain white paper

- glue sticks

- stencils and tracers

- a cutting tub with scrap paper/scissors

- vocabulary (for labeling drawings if students want to)

- books about art and artists (for motivation and inspiration)

Here are a few of my favorite art books! 

Here is a list of items that I rotate in/out of the art center:

- punches (like hearts, circles, stars..great for fine motor!)

- newspapers (for painting..easy to get from parents)

- coloring books (great for fine motor practice, also good 

morning arrival activity)

I also like to bring out something fun (especially on a rainy day) like a paint spinner, crayon melter, or introduce a new technique (like painting with yarn blocks)! 

The teacher's role is to act as a guide during art engagement. Students might need direction and motivation to make choices and decisions. Teachers can also build self esteem by saying things like "tell me about your painting..how did you think of that?" instead of "It's beautiful! Good job!" Students will be proud to tell about their art works and what parts they like about it! 

During art engagement is an optimal time for teachers to document student learning with photos or quotes! New discoveries are made everyday in the classroom through art. Documentation is a way for students to look back and see what they have learned. Documentation is also great to keep in students portfolios and show at parent/teacher conferences. 

Displaying student's art they have made in the art center is also important. The simple act of displaying a students work let's them know they are important and part of the class family. I hung my students work in the hall (command hooks/string/clothespins), on the classroom walls (command hooks, twine, clothespins) and from the ceiling off of branches and a wagon wheel.

I love art and the art center is one of my absolute favorites! I encourage you to encourage your students creativity by arranging an art center in your classroom! 

Now, hop on over to 

Fun in ECSE and learn about the art learning center importance and environment!

Welcome to School!

Download these First Day of School posters & COORDINATING gift tags just in time for Back 2 School! Posters and tags are designed for pre-k through 5th grade! They also have an EDITABLE date so you can use them year after year! http://bit.ly/2b8RUQB 

For the poster, I placed it in a painted dollar store frame! I also glued a fabric flower to the frame for an added touch! Take photos of students (or your own child!) holding this sign on their very first day of school! Posters come in white or chalkboard style! 

Tie these cute white or chalkboard style first day tags to goldfish or a sweet treat as a welcome gift for Meet the Teacher night or to give out on the first day of school!