Things I am fond of #10 ... tutorials {and I have one for you!}

I LOVE tutorials ESPECIALLY when they have pictures {I am a visual learner, I guess.}  There are so many excellent tutorials online, and I have really learned a lot from them.  I thought that I would give back by making one for you guys and dolls, AND it's perfect for Valentine's Day. :D 

Here it is the tutorial on the Heart Pocket {you have to say it like the "Hot Pocket" commercial. HA!}

It's a long pic... I tried to figure out how to make it WIDER, but it wouldn't work.  {If anyone has a tip that could help me ... holla!}

 

You could decorate these with stickers, doilies, ribbon ... Ohhhh, you could even paint them.  The options are endless.  I staple them to my classroom wall for delivery of Valentine's cards and they hold a lot!  I hope you are able to use them in your home or classroom. :)

♪♪It Started with a Whisper♪ ... Phone! {Neon Trees, Anyone?}

You will want to say "Good-Bye!" to the whisper phones of yesteryear when you take a gander at this bad boy ... THE DOUBLE WHISPER PHONE!  How cool is that!  This takes whisper reading to a whole new level.  

{WOW! Those kids are cute! ;)}

 

I came up with this idea about 8 years ago while roaming the hardware store.  I wanted to make my own whisper phones when I came across a "P trap."  Then I found some tubing "Bilge/Pump Discharge Hose" WOW that sounds kind of gross! & TADA, the birth of "The Double Whisper Phone!"©  Should I copyright that?! HA!

 

Think of the differentiation... kiddos can echo read {where a higher reader is partnered with a lower reader & the lower reader echoes the higher reader = scaffolding}, choral read {where they read at the same time} & partner reading {where one reads & the other listens and points to the words in her own book.  Then they switch roles.}  

{Little man is echoing little miss.}

 

It WILL cost you more {about $30}, BUUUUUTTTTTT it will last for years... mine has!  I made a second one {well, let me be truthful... my sweet hubbie made it for me. HA!} because in my classroom it is SO POPULAR ... and if it is popular, then GUESS WHAT?!?!?  Reading will be FUN & POPULAR. YEEEEHAWWWW! 

 

Let's go shopping! Head straight to the plumbing department at your local hardware store. {click pictures to enlarge them}

{pick up some hose as seen above}

 

{Pick up your "P trap." I suggest getting the P trap without the extra piece ... you don't need it & it will probably cost less. This is all they had.}

 

{pick out your favorite Duck {duct} Tape.  Look at all of these choices!!! My little man chose red.}

{Let's go home!}

 

Now here is the tutorial.  Pictures & hard work thanks to my hubbie, Andy! 

{Here is all you need ... REALLY!}

 

{Make one straight snip to each end of the tubing.  This will allow it to go around the "P trap."}

 

{Insert the end of the "P trap" inside of the snipped tubing.}

 

{Apply duct tape to secure in place. You could also hot glue the inside prior to taping.}

 

{VIOLA! A double whisper phone. © Ha!}

 

So go forth & shop, so you can get these into your reading corners, nests or spots as soon as you can.  I promise you won't regret spending the money when you watch your kiddos building their LOVE of reading!

 

 

Gone Fishin' for Fishing Poles?

I LOVE to have the kiddos in my class fish for things {numbers, sight words, letters, etc...} at the "Teacher Table."  The kids have a blast and, I have to confess, so do I!

 

If you want to do this too, but DON'T HAVE {or can't find} MAGNETIC FISHING POLES, hang tight because I have the perfect solution for you... A magnetic fishing pole tutorial!  It is{as my hubbie would say} EASY BREEZY!

 

Supplies: Sticks or twigs{from your yard, park or any climbin' tree...make sure they aren't brittle}, yarn, magnets, a glue gun & a happy disposition!

Step 1: TURN ON YOUR GLUE GUN... this will save you some time!

Step 2:  Take your stick and tie the yarn around the thinner of the ends.  I hot glued mine as I wrapped it for durability. Tie in a knot to secure it in place.

 Step 3: Trim the length of line that you would like... shorter lines for fishing poles that are to be used at a table and longer lines for fishing poles that are to be used on the floor.

Step 4:  Wrap yarn around and hot glue a magnet to the end of your fishing line.

 Step 5: Wrap the yarn around again, hot glue, and tie {knot} magnet in place to the end of your fishing line. Trim off the excess line.

 VOILA!  Easy Breezy!  You have your very own ORIGINAL fishing poles.  These are way cooler than any you can find at the stores b/c they are unique. Now just repeat the process to make as many as you need and ....

  HAVE FUN!

Pssssst: Be on the lookout this upcoming week for my "Fishin' for Numbers" center post. :)