2011's Favorites!

If I had to pick our readers 2011's favourite posts here on Kreative Resources I wouldn't have been able to do it - but the stats show that you all enjoyed my Texture Boards the most. If any of you made your own I would love to see your variation.

http://kreativeactivities.blogspot.com/2011/05/texture-boards.html 

Then storage ideas seemed to be an important choice - we all need storage ideas for our classrooms - since space is usually at a premium.

http://kreativeactivities.blogspot.com/2011/05/storage-idea.html

Then bulletin board ideas was an attraction. I like to see what others create as well - it inspires me to keep up with creative new boards when ever possible!

http://kreativeactivities.blogspot.com/2011/11/our-winter-bulletin-board.html

http://kreativeactivities.blogspot.com/2011/12/our-christmas-gift-christmas-bulletin.html

http://kreativeactivities.blogspot.com/2011/05/bulletin-boards.html

 Next came sensory activities. I love making these and the kids love playing with them!

http://kreativeactivities.blogspot.com/2011/11/sensory-christmas-bin.html

http://kreativeactivities.blogspot.com/2011/11/christmas-i-spy-jars.html

 I would really love more feedback in 2012 - so that I can provide things which interest you or some inspiration for new sharing in 2012.

Teaching Essentials

It's amazing how each and every year I add to my stash of essential resources for teaching. Those resources have certainly changed over the years. Especially since technology has changed. I think of all the things I have provided for the children in my charge with out technology. Not to mention the hours and hours of prep time it took to make sure I could provide all I had envisioned in my mind.
At this time in my career I have a few essential tools to help with my task of providing a full and fun program.

First I got on to a computer - I am a late bloomer - I have only been on the computer since approximately 1990 (perhaps later than that). Wow this computer thing is really cool eh?! LOL Having really good programs is important to assisting in the creation of all those ideas stashed in my brain! I have had many different publisher programs - which I adore - I couldn't live without them. Now I have a husband who is 'Mr. Computer' and he can add anything I request. Of course that means that a printer is in order because you definitely have to print off all those ideas that you find and create!
The best part about being on the computer is meeting all the other great educators through blogging - Facebook and other social networks. Those people inspire me like I have never been inspired before!

The next important thing for me is a laminator - I LOVE MY LAMINATOR!

I recently had to purchase a new one since I jammed up my older one.

That was a sad day - I wanted to cry! :( Fellow laminator addicts know what I mean!

Now I have recently purchased Cricuts - OMG my new addiction!

If you don't know what they are - they are personal die cut machines to make letters and images for bulletin boards - calendars - class projects etc. Some people use them for scrap booking!

  

I got mine from Kijiji - the large machine was only used once - just not the ladies cup of tea - her hubby bought it for her as a Birthday present - she's not a crafty person. The small machine I got from a young lady who updated hers to a larger machine - it is in immaculate condition. I have already used both and they work like a dream - I can't wait to put up my bulletin board and have the children make their first project! I will definitely post pictures when I get back to school in a week or so.

I am so glad I have hobbies where I make additional income - because that paid for my new toys. :)

I got the 2 machines and 4 cartridges plus a 'Jukebox' (seen below) for the price of one of the smaller machines, retail.

Pictured below is the Jukebox - which holds up to 6 cartridges.

I don't have to keep switching cartridges as I create.

Here are the cartridges which have the designs available to cut.

Each one has many choices and there are many others available.

I am just so happy I am able to have all the resources I find essential to creating the things I want to enhance my classroom and my activities!

Created Resources for a New Year

I love to create resources as much as I like to seek them out at garage sales. Here are some of the ones I have been making while on the holiday break.

I made this with clip art from the web (laminated) so we could sing the Elephant song and count.

We can put it on our flannel board as I will affix Velcro to the pieces.

One Elephant went out to play
Upon a spider's web one day;
He had such enormous fun
That he called for another Elephant to come!
Two Elephants went out to play
Upon a spider's web one day;
They had such enormous fun
That they called for another Elephant to come!
Three Elephants went out to play
Upon a spider's web one day;
They had such enormous fun
That they called for another Elephant to come!
Four Elephants went out to play
Upon a spider's web one day;
They had such enormous fun
That they called for another Elephant to come!
Five Elephants went out to play
Upon a spider's web one day;
They had such enormous fun
That they all had a picnic in the sun!

This is to play a colour game - players roll the dice and select the corresponding star.

The game is over when all players can identify the colours in the game.

The stars are foam sheeting.

Counting cards - I made with 'word'. Laminated.

Students place the counters on the circles of each card as they count.

Watches for toddlers to play with, just for fun.

Cut and paste - no sewing!

I am not fond of sewing even though I know how.

Stop and Go sign to control the crazy traffic in my room!

We also have many games we can use this for - to make the stop and go visual - to eliminate the noise level - mostly mine! LOL Printed images from the web and laminated - then taped to a paint stir stick.

I'll be making a few more things I am sure - since I just got a cricut machine (for die cutting)

Old School

We are going to do some old school play with things that may not be familiar to this generation of toddlers - but they are certainly familiar to this old gal.

A gyro wheel - I always loved these! Oh and those funny trapeze monkeys!

I got these at Indigo - book store.

We are going to read some old familiar stories and play with some hand made finger puppets.

These are some of our favourites already - but reading different variations seems to make them refreshing and new!

I intend on bringing out as many 'old school' toys - books and activities as possible this year. I enjoy seeing the wonder of old things through young eyes.

Speed Racers

In my classroom I have a lot of boys - boys with tons of energy. No matter how much we move, they want to move some more. We even play hockey inside our classroom! Dues to this, I ended up buying mini hockey sticks with sponge balls and we took the hockey game to the gym.

We also made sure the girls got involved.

There is no lack of gross motor movement in our day. We even get up during our circle activities while we are teaching things like the ABC's, to 'shake our sillies out'. All this on top of our daily outdoor recess times.

So again - no matter how much we move, they want to move some more!

Which leads us to the new daily activity which the boys spontaneously get involved in. They race around the room as fast as they can - pushing the cars and trucks available on our toy shelf.

I get a little nervous when they do this - there have been some face planting moments - but I don't want to be a total party pooper and tell them to stop all together, so I simply ask them to slow down.

They go so fast it was even hard to take these pictures!

                                                                                       So they haven't really slowed down at all!

                                                 Yikes! 

Ideas to extend - challenge!

This is a little fun challenge!

I saw these ideas while peeking around at some interesting blogs - so now my goal will be to include them in my January activities and extend them with other fun things to do!

http://alittlelearningfortwo.blogspot.com/2010/09/moon-balloons.html

http://whimsy-girl.blogspot.com/2009/10/goofy-glasses-from-pipe-cleaners.html

http://familyfun.go.com/crafts/crafts-by-age/toddler-crafts/waterproof-puppet-theater-796098/

http://www.readingconfetti.com/2011/12/i-spy-snow-globes.html

http://kelleighratzlaff.com/life/no-sew-super-hero-cape/

http://www.craftinessisnotoptional.com/2011/03/tacky-penguin-finger-puppets.html

http://www.littleredfarm.com/2011/09/learning-about-clothes.html

Have a peek at what I am seeing and please share an idea or activity that can be an extension of these great ideas. When I have compiled a bunch of fun - I will implement them and post our experiences!

I find you all such inspirational educators with so much to share - so don't be shy - please have fun participating!

Please post your link or idea in the comment section below!

Wishes!

Wishing you and yours a Very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year - thanks for following Kreative Resources!
We hope to share much more fun and adventure with you in 2012!