Johnny, what can you make out of this?...This? Why I can make a hat or a brooch or a pterodactyl!

Yes, I am an Airplane fan.  And those lines kept running through my head as I read through this website.  Ikea Hackers

If you are not lucky enough to have an Ikea nearby, it's an amazing store with DIY furniture at low cost.  Their clean lines keep things modern and they have loads of ways to keep you organized.  It's actually a home store, but the best teachers can make anything work in the classroom, right?!  :)  This website takes it a step even further by showcasing how an Ikea purchase can be repurposed into something completely different.  A few that caught my eye:

Cabinet door turned Lego table

{the STEM initiative is all about working with legos!}

Bookshelf turned divider

{wouldn't it be great to create a separate section for a learning center that where you can still monitor your students?!  double bonus: keep supplies right in the cubbies for quick working.}

Placemats turned pillows

{for your reading corner}

If it's too overwhelming, begin at "Start Here" for some simpler projects.  Then muster up some creativity, grab a catalogue & let us know how you're making something better by using it wrong.

Summer is flying!

Hello blogging buddies!  I can not believe it's been an entire month since I've posted and I am having stalker withdrawal!  It's been a busy summer {not because I'm accomplishing anything on my summer to-do list, of course} but I'm feeling like it's already coming to an end.  I can't even believe it!  What has been keeping me away from you for so long??  A summary:

Bachelorette Weeknd in NYC

{it's hard to blog when you're living up the city life until 4 am!}

Eurovacation

{my husband & I were in a two year long-distance relationship while we were dating and his roommate from denmark got married in france.  if you have to cross the ocean, you may as well stay a while!}

Becoming a Homeowner

{we got a great deal on a house in may and completely ripped out the kitchen.  it's finally just about finished and i've been spending my days packing, moving and trying to pick out paint colors...}

How have YOU been spending your summer vacation??  Any good projects you want to brag about?  I mean...share.  ;)

iHelp?

Hello ladies!! I know, it has been a while since you've heard from me. I have was in NYC for a bachelorette party and have since been...recouping from being in NYC for a bachelorette party. ;)

I have been creating, though. This was Princess Prep week at summer camp so some fun ideas are coming your way soon. Until then, look what arrived while I was gone:

my iPad!!!

I'm actually semi-blogging from it right now! Semi-blogging because...I need help. I don't know how to import photos in this version, create, teach or share with this thing.  And while I am getting awesome at Angry Birds, I'd like to actually utilize this in my classroom.

What apps should I download? How do I create printables? And what else do I need to know?

Hope you're all enjoying your summer!

PSF & Father's Day

In case you don't speak DIBELS {our district adopted literacy assessment} PSF stands for Phoneme Segmentation Fluency, ie. breaking words apart into sounds.  I always have some kids who struggle to hear each individual sound so I created these cards for practice.

*Please note: I have included answer keys based on what I will expect of my students at the time of using these cards.  Answers may vary depending on your children & their skill levels.  If you haven't taught dipthongs, your children will not break ow into 2 sounds.  And that's ok!  :)  Use it as a guide for what you think they should know & score accordingly.

The activities are free at my TpT store!  I'm trying to get some more feedback and ratings before I sell anything.  I'd like to see if people are actually interested and if I'm any good at this first!  ;)  So go ahead and let me know in the "Ratings & Feedback" tab after you download it.  Thanks.

Are you one of {seven} winners?!

If you're looking for new blogs & ideas, this is the giveaway for you!

There are oh so many chances to win.  Have fun exploring all seven blogs {leave comments as you wish} then be sure to visit Little Miss Kindergarten & tell her how you've entered!

{click the pic to see it larger}

Introduce yourself to my new blog buddies...they'll love to hear from you!  ;)

EdLlink:

Primary Connections:

Mrs. Simpson:

 Barrow's Hodge Podge:

 The Accidental Teacher, Mom, Runner:

Little Miss Kindergarten:

We all love feedback but the winners will be chosen from Little Miss Kindergarten's comments.

You have 7 chances...good luck!  :)

easiest giveaway ever.

The Lesson Plan diva is hosting the world's easiest giveaway!

Just share her post and you get this awesome beginning sounds pack.  Looks like I just got mine...click the pic & share to get yours!  :)

Nominate your favorite blogger!

Really Good Stuff {a fab teacher's helper} is hosting a blog contest!

Click the picture to find out more about the contest & nominate your favorite blog buddy, BFF or the one you must stalk daily while you drink your morning coffee.  {is it just me?!}  If you can't decide, just nominate all three!