Stools for My Kidney Table!

For the past couple of years I've seen lots of great ideas on how to turn a plastic milk crate into a cute adorable stool to use in the classroom.  I've never had extra milk crates, or extra time for that matter, so I never got around to making my own.....until now!  Being at a new school this year has given me the energy to try so many projects that I just hadn't gotten around to doing yet.  

Making these stools was super simple and it took me under an hour to make all six of them!

First, I sent my husband to Home Depot with one of the milk crates to get the plywood.  They were able to cut the plywood for us right at home depot, and it was under $10 for all six pieces!  Once my husband got home, he also shaved off the corners a little bit, to make it fit into the curved corners of the milk crates.  

Then the rest of the assembly was up to me!  First, I laid out a piece of fabric that was long enough to wrap around the plywood, put a piece of pre-cut foam seat cushion (you can find these at Wal-mart) on the fabric, and topped the foam with the plywood.  Then it was just a matter of wrapping the fabric over and using a staple gun to secure the fabric.  (You will notice that I folded in all the corners first, and stapled them, and then folded in each of the sides, and stapled those.)

 Once I flipped it over, it fit perfectly into my milk crate! 

Look!  All six done and ready for my classroom!  I was so excited to have another part of my classroom ready to match my "jungle" theme.  (Not to mention, it's super easy to change the fabric if I ever want to change themes!)  There is actually another added bonus, too.  You can pop the plywood/foam "seat" off, and fill the crate with whatever you want, so it can double a storage!  (I'm using mine for all the extra supplies that we don't need out (like tissue boxes, disinfecting wipes, etc.)

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Teacher's Tool Box

Back to school is always so crazy, so I haven't really been able to post anything.  Here is the start of many posts, with lots of great organization ideas and things to start your school year off right!

With no teacher's desk, I had to find a way to organize all of the "little things" that would normally go into my desk (staples, push pins, paper clips, erasers, etc.)  I bought two hardware storage containers at Sear's and filled them.  

 I couldn't just leave them plain though! :)  I had to give them a "jungle" makeover.  I made these great labels that fit right into the drawers (big ones and smalls ones.)  I have these labels for sale at Teachers Pay Teachers.  Use the link if you would like to purchase them!

 Animal Print Labels - Teacher Tool Box

I also made them in "pink chevron" and "purple chevron," so check them out!  

Pink Chevron Labels - Teacher Tool Box

Purple Chevron Labels - Teacher Tool Box

A New Beginning

I am so excited that I am finally starting my blog, to help share my ideas with my fellow educators.  I am also super excited because I will be starting this school year at a new school!  I love fresh new beginnings because I really feel like it gives me the energy I need to reorganize my things, revamp what I've already done, and invent some new and exciting ideas for the upcoming school year. 

The first great thing about my new school was the fact that I was able to get into my classroom 4 weeks before the school year starts.  Yes, I said 4 WEEKS!  I feel like the beginning of the year can always be so rushed, so I have taken full advantage of being in my classroom and organizing, organizing, organizing.  I thought I would share some pictures of the before and after of my classroom (with still a few things left to be done.)

Here are some pictures of what my classroom looked like before I moved any of my stuff in.  It is a fairly small classroom, so I knew I was going to really have to organize to utilize the space to the fullest.  

Before:

 I'm so excited to have a Promethean Board again!  

 A kidney table is a must in education now, everything needs to be differentiated!

 For the past three years, I have had an inside classroom, so I am thrilled to have these huge windows!

 I love the built in cabinets in the back of the classroom, which will be my teacher area.

I'm also excited that I will be sharing a classroom bathroom with the teacher across the hall.  

After:

 The school provided us with the cubbies, which I will use as the students mailboxes for the year.  If you haven't guessed yet, I have a jungle theme in my classroom.  There is an "Information Hut" by the door, for things like school calendars, lunch menus, homework, etc.  

 Here is the view of the front of my classroom.  I have most of my materials in reach here, as this will be where we do most of our learning this year.  Supplies (like glue, crayons, and scissors) will be in the bins under the whiteboard on the right.  Math and reading manipulatives are all under the whiteboard on the left. 

 

 I have built a reading tree in the corner of my classroom.  I plan on using it to track some of our classroom data.  On the leaves I will write the books the students have read to me independently throughout the year.  I will also be having them move something (I'm not sure what yet, ideas are welcome) up the tree as they make growth on the reading levels throughout the year.  

 

 I usually have both an alphabet and a word wall in my classroom, but this year I have decided to merge them into one to help save a little space.  My word wall words will just go under each letter.  You can also see my library here, which is finally organized and just needs to get labeled!

 Here is my "teacher corner."  We are not given teacher desks at our school, so the kidney table will be my home for the year.  All of my supplies have been organized in and on the cabinets behind the kidney table. 

Questions, comments, and feedback on my classroom would be greatly appreciated!!!

-Mrs. Gagnon
Teaching is a Piece of Cake