Classroom Organization: The No Name Drop

One of my classroom team members and I were chatting about 'nice classrooms' last week. As all good teachers do, we thrashed around ideas about the effects of Pinterest on the expectations for teachers - decor, cutesy printables and neon plastic tubs and containers. 




Lesson #6 - foundations 

Following along with my Less=More posts of late I considered all of this. How can you delight in the appeal of the organized, aesthetically appealing classroom and not spend a fortune or every minute of your life labelling tubs. 

The answer is to take the time to analyse exactly what it is that you find appealing about those classrooms. I can guarantee you that when you identify those specific elements and apply them to a space that you can manage, in the time you have available, you will achieve the same sense of classroom-fulfilment. 

Is it the $500 worth of neon plastic that is really appealing, or is it just the colors used? Is it the rows and rows of labelled tubs, or is it just that things are straight and lined up - easy on the eye? 

Think about color, line, shape and space. Take a look at the pinterest-classrooms and look deeper than the things you have to buy. Incorporate some of those elements with the items the school has provided you or with what you already have.


I know from years of practical classroom experience that there are some ordinary 'daily housework' type routines that will make your classroom ooze 'organization'. 

Now, don't laugh, but a simple one is 'nothing on the floor' {mostly 15 minutes before ether final bell rings}. Nobody ever left my classroom until desks and the floor were clear. If you don't think this has any impact on the appearance and 'feel' of your classroom environment, I challenge you to try it for a month. Everything gets returned to its place - and with 50 hands helping you, it can get done pretty fast.

When the children do not know who something belongs to (random pencils, erasers, books, toys and trinkets) or they can't remember where something belongs - it goes into a tub. One tub. It gets emptied on a Friday and sorted. Students can go to find their lost possessions in there through the week if needed.

Here is one I have made for my classroom team member, with a $12 plastic trash can. Students can simply drop items through the flip-flap lid as they tidy the desk and floor. 






If you would like to make one, download the little sign from Google Drive HERE


Similarly to the clean floor, a bright clear clean wall can make a big difference to your overall classroom appeal too. 

One of my classrooms was covered in staples (like, thousands), old blu tac, double sided tape and torn gyprock. It happens over the years. 


Lucky for me, I have a very handy Dad who spent every morning over 8 days with me in the summer, repairing, patching and painting. My sweet husband might have got several blisters from pulling staples out as well. 


The result was sensational. The effect it had on the whole space was so much more than thousands of dollars worth of plastic tubs ever could have made. Elbow grease, some time and a few tins of paint and plaster.

You can see in the photo below (that is my Dad and daughter, very proud of their hard work) I used elements of color and line in my word wall. The effect this has on the room is similar to one you might feel looking at rows and rows of plastic tubs - but cost me nothing. I trimmed a centimetre off the edge of each piece of paper so that the blue background made a line between each pieces - both horizontally and vertically. This gives a sense of organisation and order too. 


Many of my readers are on summer break at the moment and I encourage you to think a little deeper about what it is in a Pinterest picture of a classroom that draws you in - other than the things you have to buy. 

Thanks so much for stopping by, have a fantastic day!

- Mel x

Cactus Screen Wallpaper

Cactus screen wallpaper anyone? I thought so! 

If you are like me and 'green' always gets you in a terrific motivated fresh mood for the week - you might just like a new screen wallpaper for the week.



Have a lovely day friends thank you so much for stopping by!

- Mel x

Pineapple Goodies

Friends, I am beyond excited to be sharing with you with some fun pineapple printable pages as the final 'goody' of the week.

I have created a 'pineapple sampler' that includes 4 fun projects for your little ones based on some of our favorite resource lines.

free pineapple tracing sheet

Pineapple Projects

Simply print the pages and gather some basic classroom equipment to get started.


The pages are pulled from my newly listed packets:




You can download the sampler from Google Drive HERE

  

  

I've combined these 4 packets with another 4 'fruity favourites' into a Fruit Goodies Bundle for you. These new 'I Want it All 8 Pack' s are a great way to purchase multiple packets that you see me listing and secure a considerable discount.


Thank you so much for your time today and joining me in a week of goodies - it has been so much fun!

You may like to find more of our ideas for teaching and learning with pineapples over on the website!


I have planned a few more 'week of' promotions for the coming months but will take this next week off to spend some time with my precious Sam who is recovering from some day surgery.
- Mel x

Today's Goody! Free HAPPY Banner!


I've just added a little 'happy' banner to the shelf here in my home office. As today's goody, you can download it for free. Find it in Google Drive HERE


I printed my pages out at 50% on the scale function to make the pennants smaller. 



In addition to this goody, I also have the full alphabet version of this banner design as a 'dollar deal' for today only. You can use it in the classroom to make any message by printing out just the letters you need. Included is a backline version that students could help you to shade or paint. 


Thank you so much for stopping by, I hope this goody brought you a little happiness today!

- Mel x

Who loves TpT?




Friends - one of my favourite places in the world is TpT. Yes it is true. I was telling a friend only just last week about my years on the site and how there is so much more to the teacher-author community than what you see on the product pages of the online marketplace. 

I've made friends I will have for life, been involved in amazing professional development and been a small part of something that is changing the way teachers prepare, collaborate and engage across the globe.

Please support TpT. The heart and soul of TpT is teachers and there is no other place quite like it. 

I would love to give some $10 gift certificates away today as part of my 'week of goodies'.

Simply enter you email address here when the rafflecopter opens. Rafflecopter will select the winners at random tomorrow. 


Thanks so much for stopping by today - I appreciate you very much!

- Mel x

Free Font - Rainbowday


Hi friends! Wednesday? Where is this week going?

Nothing like a schedule to keep you on track. While my big little sweetie was having a piano lesson today, I made a new font to add to my growing collection. It was named Pond Rainbowday after the two rainbows I saw today. Profound, I know.

It will be a font to purchase, but as part of my week of special goodies, you can download it for free from TpT today.  



If you stumble upon this post after today, please enjoy other Free Fonts in my store and I urge you to 'follow by email' so you don't miss out on flash freebies like this one in the future. 





If you can't get enough 'fonts' for your commercial projects, check out my  Big Bundle of Pond Fonts. They can be used without credit back to me and I will continually add to the collection. If you are not able to secure a license today, add it to your wishlist ready for the next TpT sale!

Thank you so much for stopping by today - I appreciate you so much!

- Mel x





Cool Pineapple Classroom Accents

Create a beautiful, warm classroom atmosphere with our big happy pineapples!

Quickly print, trim and display to add positive encouragement to a boring corner or wall! Your bulletin boards, windows, halls, displays and classroom doors will be instantly eye catching with our classroom decor.

Features of the printable pack include:
  • 5 happy pineapples
  • with word and without-word version
  • plain word accents included too
Phrases included are:
  • strong
  • great
  • bright
  • brave
  • ready

Strawberry Paper Kids Craft Free Download


Hi friends!

Each day this week I will have a little 'goody' for you - a giveaway, freebie, sale or idea!


Today's treat is right HERE on my blog - a free printable strawberry 'one page craft'. This craft is a special edition and not included in the bundle that is on sale in my TpT store

One page crafts are easy to prep and implement in the classroom as you just need one piece of paper per child. 

You can get them to colour, paint or crayon their picture and add additional crafty decorations if desired (think sequins, pom poms, google eyes etc)



I've also included writing papers so you can follow up the creative experience with some literacy.

I hope your sweeties enjoy this activity!

If you missed yesterday's goody, be sure to click on the Sunday button to find a fun fresh and fruity screen wallpaper!



If you like this easy strawberry kids craft activity, you may be keen to see my newly listed growing bundle of 'one page crafts'. The price will go up with each new addition, so if you are keen to buy in early - head over to my TpT store today!



Seriously, you can never have too many ways to explore creativity. 

Have a wonderful day friends, thank you so much for stopping by.


- Mel x


Fruit Screen Wallpaper and Strawberry Planner

It's Sunday and I am getting my week set up, organised and planned.

First is always making my workspace - somewhere I love to be.

After all the sweetness of ice cream and cake last week - I need to focus on the goodness of real food! A rainbow of fresh happy fruit will keep me happy, healthy and creative.

fruit screen wallpaper

I've made a new screen for my computer and phone and would love to share these with you too. 

Printable Strawberry Week Planner

And of course, for my paper loving friends, a week-planner in the shape of a strawberry! Grab all these free goodies at the end of this post!

Some great ways to use the week planner include:
  • clipping it to a page in your teacher diary
  • adding it your desk for quick notes
  • attaching it to the wall for a quick overview of your week
  • laminating it and using it for recording information in your classroom
  • setting a goal for each day

strawberry planner

strawberry planner


Week Wall Planner HERE

Screen Wallpaper HERE

Phone Wallpaper HERE

Have a wonderful day friends, thank you so much for stopping by!

Friday's Sweet Treat: Free Directed Drawing


A directed drawing makes a relaxing summer art project for kids! I have an ice cream version of my popular directed drawings for you to try today! 

I have posted this 'clever ice cream' in a previous blog post but have now updated it to include 4 different presentation options, including 2 writing papers. Have your students draw AND write!




Find it in google drive HERE as  today's 'sweet treat'!

If you love directed drawing as much as I do, you might want to check out the new packet on TpT. 




Thanks so much lovely friends, have a fabulous day! 

- Mel x

Thursday Sweet Treat

Hi friends!

I have a very special treat for you today! A free summer coloring page! It is ready for you over in the summer category of the free Pond Coloring Club library!

summer coloring

In the club we've also added some premium pages - take a peek!

summer coloring pages for kids

ice cream coloring pages


Thank you so much for stopping by and joining in the sweet fun this week!


- Mel x

Wednesday Sweet Treat - free font

Friends, my newest addition to the Pond Fonts Big Bundle 'Pond Sweet' is free for today as a single font. 

Head over HERE to my clipart store to find it!

free commercial use font

Thanks so much for stopping by - I wish you a fabulous Wednesday! 

Sweet Treat Page Frames

I'm so excited to be bringing you another set of frames! Head over to my TpT clipart store to find our new 'sweet treat' themed set of Edge It frames.
Edge It Frames allow you to add a 'little something' to the very edge of your page, without tooooooooo much clutter and distraction from your brilliant content!

Ice Cream Borders

And if you are as addicted to Edge It frames as much as me, you may like to check out my very new bundle that includes Set 66, Set 67, Set 68, Set 69 and Set 70. 

Edge It Frames

Thank you so much for stopping by and supporting me in so many ways - I appreciate you so much!

Monday Treat - Free Summer Craft



Hi friends,

It is a week of sweet treats for you!

Each day this week I will have something little to make your day a little sweeter - a giveaway, freebie, sale or idea!

Today's treat is right here on my blog - a free printable one page craft: Ice Pop One Page Craft.

This craft is a special edition to celebrate the new bundle!

One page crafts are easy to prep and implement in the classroom as you just need one piece of paper per child.

You can get your students to colour, paint or crayon their picture and add additional crafty decorations if desired (think sequins, pom poms, google eyes etc).





Students then cut around the simple shapes and glue together.

I've also included writing papers so you can follow up the creative experience with some literacy - perhaps some story writing or brainstorm a list of cool adjectives!



I hope your learners enjoy this activity!

Thank you so much for stopping by - I look forward to our sweet week together!
Enjoy your weekend!

A Week of Sweet Treats just for You!

Hi friends!

If you've been following me for a while you will know that I like to make my desk and work area here at home pretty and change it up each week to keep me inspired and engaged. I am a little like that when I am in the classroom too! Fresh new visuals warm my heart!

This week, I had 'ice creams' down on my calendar to decorate with (last week you may have noticed it was sunshine). 
ice cream wallpaper

This week of course, I have gone with the ice cream theme and combined a bit of rainbow too - heck, as teachers don't we always add a bit of rainbow order whenever we can?!?


Find the Computer Wallpaper in google drive HERE
and the Phone Wallpaper HERE


These are strictly for your own personal use and  you do not have permission to distribute them to others in any way. Sorry. That sounds bossy doesn't it. Still love you! If you know someone who would love them, send them over here to download. Please and thank you so much. 

As usual, I also have a printable weekly plan for you to use this week. They look great on your wall, desk, folder, diary or in your planner. Jot down ideas, activities, inspirations or goals. 



Find the Ice Cream Wall Weekly Planner HERE

Have a sweet day and thanks so much for stopping by!

Sunshine on a Cloudy Day

I made long strings of paper suns today to brighten a dull and cloudy outlook. 


Sunshine mobile from paper suns hanging from window in home office


They would look cute in a happy and bright classroom too! Simply print these suns (I printed mine on yellow paper) and glue them onto long strands of yellow cotton. I used washi tape to attach them to my window frame, as it is easy to peel off when I am ready to take them down. 

Adding little pops of inspiration to your classroom or workspace can give you and your learners that extra spark and help create a learning environment they cannot wait to get to each day!

So happy you stopped by - I appreciate you very much!

Mel x