READ-ALOUD BULLETIN BOARDS

Our read-aloud book last month was "Frindle" by Andrew Clements. It is such a fun read, and I love that it goes over definitions and dictionaries. We spend so much time on dictionary skills in 3rd grade that it fits perfectly with the curriculum.

This focus bulletin was easy: colored print-out of the book cover, an enlarged dictionary definition for the word frindle, and a giant butcher paper pen...er...I mean, frindle. I tried to give the cap dimension with white chalk highlights and by curling the paper slightly to look round. 

In October, our read-aloud book was the hilarious, adorable "Bunnicula" by Deborah and James Howe. I wanted to help my kiddos keep the characters straight, so I made this bulletin. I added white vegetables and my favorite quote from the story for good measure. 

Any of you teachers have favorite read-alouds to recommend? Do share!

OLD, VINTAGE-Y WINDOWS

Andrew grabbed a few old windows for me from THIS house he is remodeling. I begged him to with all energy of heart. I couldn't stand to see them go in the trash.

And I had a vision.


Check out the inspiration I've found for using such windows...

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Put fabric or scrapbook paper behind the glass...

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Use it as a dry-erase board...

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Spray chalkboard paint right over the glass...

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Use them as picture frames for small pictures...

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Connect several together with hinges and display on a table, dresser, or mantel...

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Replace the glass with a mirror...

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Hang on the wall with a wreath...

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Build a flower box to hang under the window and fill with faux plants. 

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Display over the fireplace as a mirror...

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Place on a shelf with a wreath and other decor...

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Build shutters to display on either side...

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Use as a picture frame for a large picture...

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Hang a mossy monogram in front...

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Hang stars in front...

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Use to frame smaller pictures...

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Use as a coat rack (love the bunting too!)...

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Build a coffee table...

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And hang two and use as a headboard.

Phew...lots of ideas! I can't wait to move in to our new house and put some of these great ideas in to action. I'll be sure to show you the finished products!

OLD, VINTAGE DOOR

Andrew's been working to remodel this old house. As a result, I have been the lucky recipient of some of the old things being torn out and thrown away. 
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First, Andrew brought me home this door.

I was excited because, I bought this random thrifty item a long time ago, and wanted something to do with the old, vintage door knob. It fits perfectly on the door and will give it an even cooler old-fashioned look. 
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As for what to do with the door...I have a few ideas:

I can replace the glass with a mirror and add hooks...

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I can spray paint it a fun, bright color and sand it down a bit for display...

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I'd like Andrew to add wooden strips to make panes. Do you think it's too weird to just lean up against a wall in the front room?

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It might look cool as the front on a bookcase or cabinet...

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We could build a hall tree out of it for the front entryway...

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Or it could decoration over/behind a desk. Anything is prettier with a wreath hanging on the front, don't you think? 

You'll have to tell me what you think. I've even seen people hang them sideways over beds or couches. Hhmmm.

HOUSE UPDATE--wood floors and doors

I think it's about time for an update. A lot has happened, but pictures don't show the progress of plumbing and electrical so well. The inside and outside is going to change so drastically in just a few days time, I thought I'd hurry and document up to his point. 

This is what the house looked like about a month ago...right after our crazy October snowstorm. 

Exterior doors are installed. I love the vertical lines in the panels. They  look so country. 

Are you as in love with my backdoor view as I am?

Tubs are in. This is our master's JETTED TUB. 

We will be living the high life, folks. 

It was especially exciting to pick out and order our hard wood flooring. We got an amazing deal. Can you guess what kind of wood it is?

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Did anybody guess "bamboo"? It is supposed to be extremely durable. This scan of our sample doesn't even do the color justice. This beautiful stuff will be in the entryway, great room, kitchen, and all of the hallways. 

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I am so over having traffic paths worn into my hall carpet. 

This was our front door when it first arrived. 

This is after Andrew taped the windows and applied stain.

Ready to install...except for a little decorative piece that we paid for and didn't come until Andrew made a phone call and set the record straight. 

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This is what our door will look like with the decorative piece below the windows. 

And here is the house with a front door! I can't believe this picture is already out of date. Things are going to happen fast from here on out! 

CODE

As usual, I was running around my classroom like a crazy person, trying to multi-task an insane number of tasks at once--straightening, copying, grading, sharpening pencils, arranging bulletin board displays, filing, answering questions, keeping an eye on the clock, monitoring students, planning, e-mailing, and applying band-aids...when I hit a roadblock trying to enter a grade into the computer. 

Ha. Ha. Ha. Very amusing. Like I have a spare second to sit and figure out whose paper this belongs to! 

Though to be quite honest, without doing any sort of number figuring, I knew EXACTLY who it belonged to:

That gal whose "creativity" will soon be the cause of my first gray hair. 

*smile*

OUT MY KITCHEN WINDOW

Zoom lenses are fun...So's playing with textures. 

For some reason, this photo makes me feel all winter-y. Hope you're staying warmer than we are here in this corner of Idaho. I am officially done with the wind whipping through our valley lately. Brrrr...

And it's only November.

AUTUMNISH CLASSROOM DOOR

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A friend pointed this classroom decor idea out to me on Pinterest, and I thought I'd give it a try. It looked simple enough. 

After putting it together, I was thinking it didn't look exactly like my inspiration, but it was still cute. 

That is...until the students walked in the door that first morning. Their reactions deflated any improper pride I had over my creation. 

"...Creepy..."

"Whoa. What is THAT?"

"Is it a pilgrim?"

"No, it's a pioneer!"

"It's a CAT!"

We had an unplanned mini lesson on scarecrows, and I think we're now all squared away as to what the heck our door is supposed to be. 

A CAT???

Hmph.