Artist of the Month

Artist of the Month started in my classroom because I wanted the kids to take time and do the best job they could on the projects and activities we were doing in  class.  One of the requirements I started early was to have 5 different colors in the illustration.  Later it was for 5 different details and 5 different colors.  Finally, were the details in the right setting and did it make sense.  I could  have many artists of the month and sometimes I chose one or 2 a week. On the Artist of the Month award sheet I would put a picture of the artist and  I would usually attach the award winning project to the  artist of the month sheet.  I displayed it in the hall outside my classroom door so whoever passed by could see the artists.  I also put a gold medal sticker award on the project.  The kids were so proud.  Often times parents would come in and take a picture of their kiddo and their award.  I did keep track, and made sure everyone in the class was artist of the month.  There is always the kids who did great all the time, but I explained I always wanted to see improvement and effort. This award certainly encouraged pride and encouraged nice work in the classroom.

Here is what the artist of the month pictures look like

You can get a whole set for free (a sheet for each month of the year) at my Teachers Pay Teachers store.  Please be sure to check out some of our other products while you are visiting.  Share this with your friends!

Glue Solution

Glue is such an irritating necessity in the classroom. If I don’t check or wipe off every bottle after it is used, it is clogged!  Then out comes the paper clips to unclog them.   I think I have tried everything.  Glue sticks are great for small projects, but too expensive if used for big projects.  Tap-N-glue tips also get clogged.  The other problem is the kiddos can't regulate the amount of glue to use.  It sometimes takes 2 days to dry!

Clogged Glue Bottle

My solution in the last couple years has been small paper plates in the middle of the table with glue to share with others at the table and my table captain gets it ready. Now I just have one bottle to take care of.  I do run into the problem of someone hogging the glue plate.

My best solution is I use milk bottle caps.  Each student brings in a couple of bottle caps and I used them as individual glue containers.  My row captain or table captain also fills them and at the end of the project washes them out.  The kiddo uses his or her finger to apply the glue.  At first the kids want to wash their hands right after applying the glue, but soon get over it.   Now I have no more pools of glue on projects and I do not have clogged bottles.

Sensory Bottles

This weekend my occupational therapist friend and I got together to make our boys sensory bottles.  Yes we realize this is dorky but what do you expect from a pediatric physical and occupational therapist  :).  We had two different types of bottles that we tried to make them with.  The first was the Voss Water bottles and the second Fred Water bottles.  We choose the Voss due to their ability to roll, sturdy plastic that was most importantly BPA free.  We went with the Fred's due to their flask like shape which we thought would be easier for smaller hands to grip.  The problem that we ran into with the Fred bottles is that they did not have a sticker with their name on them, the name Fred was printed directly onto the bottle.  We made a variety of bottles.  Here are some pics below.

Voss Water Bottles

Fred Water Bottles

We made bottles several different ways.  The bottles with water or oil were hot glued shut.  The bottles that had dry items were not yet glued shut so they can be interchanged with other items.  As Cade gets older I may have to hot glue them shut for safety but at this point he can't open them so I'm not worried.  

These are nice options for use with kids in the school setting!  They are easy to make and store.  Students can easily grab them and use them at most anytime during the day.
To see instructions on how to make each bottle visit: http://pinkoatmeal.blogspot.com.

Sensory Shapes

These lovely sensory rectangles and circles are some of the first "learning" toys that I made for Cade.  He is just 5 months old so a lot of his toys mostly go into his mouth.  However I do try to spend time with him each day doing some kind of "educational" play.  I can see that Cade is starting to seek out different sensory sensations as he scratches and reaches for all different objects. These sensory circles and rectangles were super easy to make and are easy for Cade to access.   Right now I have them just in a sensory box but have BIG plans on getting them up on a wall for a later date when he is sitting with greater stability and pulling to stand.  What I really like about the sensory shapes is that they are easily portable and I can have them upstairs, downstairs, or even bring them with us. 

These sensory shapes are great to be used in a classroom, put on a board, used in a sensory box.  They work wonderful in special education and early childhood as well!

DIY Sensory Shapes

All you need is very basic items.

1. Different sensory surfaces

 First I would just look around the house to see if you can find items with different tactile inputs such as soft, furry, slippery etc.  You probably will easily find things and won't have to go out shopping for anything.  Different items I used in my sensory shapes included aluminum foil, parchment paper, freezer bags, scrap material (flannel, cotton, fleece) and burlap.  I didn't have to go out and buy any of it.  

2.  Embroidery Hoops

For my circles I used embroidery hoops.  First I bought a few at Michaels but quickly wised up when I was out shopping at a thrift store and saw they had plenty there for the picking and will now only buy embroidery hoops second hand.

3.  Picture Frames (Cheap)

For my rectangles or you could even do squares I used cheap picture frames that I got on sale at Target for around a dollar.  I actually had those on hand as I didn't use them in his room project

4.  A scissors - to cut the material

All you need to do is roughly cut out the shape of the sensory material you are using to match the shape of your frame or embroidery hoop.  Place the sensory material in the frame or embroidery hoop and trim the excess off.  That's all it takes!

Right now I am always with Cade when we do the sensory shapes.  I'm careful with the screw on the embroidery hoop (I'm planning that won't be an issue once he is older and I get them all up on the walls for him).  When he feels them I will use the words to describe what he is feeling.  For example I will say "Isn't that soft"  as he is touching the fleece sensory shape.  I also try to incorporate the shape.  "Let's touch the slippery circle" is the language I may use with him.

Here are a few pictures of Cade doing his "educational" play.  He is really into rolling right now.  So he rolls to a shape and we feel one.  If he rolls the other direction I may put a different sensory shape there.  

Enjoy this cheap, easy, sensory project for your kiddos!  

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Happy New Year

Thanks for reading our blog!  Have a wonderful 2014!  Many new teaching ideas to come!

Cyber Monday and Tuesday Sale!!!

Hope the school year is going well!  Don't forget to check out our store http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/The-Teacher-Bin for Cyber Monday and Tuesday Sales!

YOGA!!!

Yoga has really grown in popularity over the last few years and for good reason.  I use yoga with my kiddos in special education and also strongly encourage classroom teachers to utilize it in their classrooms as a nice movement break for their students.  I have made up cards that I can use with my kiddos that can also easily be implemented in the classroom.  Yoga movements are easy to incorporate into morning meetings or circle times.  They can also be used during free play or as a station!
So why yoga? Here are just a short-list of the benefits of yoga!

• Yoga can help improve strength and balance
• Yoga helps kiddos with body awareness and a sense of self in space
• Yoga helps with breathing and awareness of breath
• Yoga helps with relaxation
• Yoga helps with concentration and focus
• Yoga partner poses promote social interaction
• Yoga can help with self-control
• Yoga can help with poor motor coordination for those in need- this point is especially important with my special education kiddos
• Yoga can help regulate the sensory system- thank you occupational therapists for helping with this point!
• Yoga can also help those with heightened anxiety
• Yoga is all inclusive - poses are meant for all abilities and can be adjusted to for each individuals

Yoga can also be done using a story format.  Doing certain poses as you go through the story.  (Example- you take an airplane (airplane pose) to visit your grandma.  She lives on a mountain (mountain pose) with her dog (downward dog pose).  The story can go from there and the children can help create!

I have also found fun books that can be read to students to promote yoga.  This book is by a physical therapist in Minnesota http://shop.livehappilyeveractive.com/SearchResults.asp?Cat=37.  Her whole website is dedicated to yoga.  I have enjoyed using this book with my students as well!  

Yoga cards are a popular way to get yoga out in the school.  Our store has a new set of yoga cards out there for you to check out!

  http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Yoga-Cards-926802