Easiest teacher toolbox, ever

So of course when something hits pinterest, it is like a virus.

That is exactly what the "teacher toolbox" has become. I have no idea who started it, but they are a genius. I could see these little boxes being useful for WAY MORE than teacher supplies. However, they are the perfect solution to a very crowded desk.

This can be found in the tool organization section at Lowes or Home Depot (I'm sure other stores like those as well).

Side Note: Yes, some are crooked but that will be fixed when I put the clear tape on. Also, some don't have labels. That is because I need to wait until I get into the classroom to see what else I can put in there!

Um, excuse me Piper. Attention hog.

 Another side note: They come in blue. Like a really manly looking blue. And I just wasn't down for that. I have this weird thing with colors and I just couldn't do it. Therefore, I painted that bad boy white. So if you are wondering why this looks different, that is why. And let me tell you, it made me about 10x more happy. Oh the little things.

Anyway, that it neither here nor there...you don't have to do that part.

When I was browsing other teacher's toolboxes, I noticed they went to A LOT of work making them look really cute while making a whole spreadsheet (typed that spreadshit first, and that is exactly how I feel about spreadsheets) of labels exactly the right size for each spot.

Me? Girl doesn't have time for all that. I am still in my lazy summer mood and just didn't have the energy to go to all that effort. Mine may not be as fancy, but it is much quicker and I love it...so I guess that is all that counts.

So what did I do to make it not look like a boring white box?

Well I did what any normal person would do. I would look in my purse to find all of the shades of turquoise paint chips I had hijacked from Lowes and use those instead. I mean, who doesn't do that?

All I did was stick them in the tray, fold it over to see where I needed cut it off, and snip snip...it was ready to go. There was enough left over to use for the little drawers so it worked out perfectly.

NOTE: I did glue them in there with stick glue just for now. When I get back to school, I will take them on the back with clear tape to ensure they stay. But the glue keeps them there for the time being.

As for the labels, I used my handy dandy label maker - (that I am slightly in love with AND on sale) and they fit perfectly on the top of the drawer. If you don't have one, well you need one, but you can always put a label on the paint chip or heck even just write it.

Anyway, that is how I whipped out the teacher toolbox in a matter of minutes.

And now I am so happy, happy, happy.

the life and times of 3rd grade

So I was just thinking that  I really never talk about my job. And let me tell you, there is a lot to say. The things that come of these kid's mouths are just too darn funny not to share sometimes. I love these kids. Even though sometimes they may drive me up a wall. A large wall. I flipping love them to death.

And they are FUNNY. Boy are they funny. I would have never guessed in a million years that these kids would think spelling the word trapped was hilarious. When I spelled it out, I was so confused. T-R-A-P-P-E-D. And then they died. Straight up laughed hysterically. I quickly realized if I spell a word with "p-p" together they will instantly think of the word, well you know.

I also realized to never again talk about peanuts, ever. Peanuts are the funniest word ever to them. I told them I just don't get what is so funny. They responded "pee-nuts", GET IT?! No my children, I don't. So then somehow I ended up laughing too because there were eight sentences in a row with the word peanuts in it. Never will I think of a peanut the same. Lucky for me they were thinking of the word "pee" and not the word I was thinking of. Whew.

Lastly I learned that if I show them a brain pop video on digestion, expect them to think seeing the "waste" was the most amazing thing in the universe. Another laughing spree went on for a good five minutes. I was actually a bit surprised it showed it (animated and didn't really look like it) but hey, what's real is real I guess. They wanted me to play it again. Sorry, kids....

I may not be the best teacher ever, but holy cow do these kids rock my socks off (most days). They teach me so much each and every day. It's just beyond me how each child is so different, yet special little people. Some more talkative and crazy than others, but still special nontheless.

I can't wait to actually write down and remember the things they say. You will die just like I do. Oh kids.

the story of Santa Jr.

(warning: for my viewing pleasure years from now)

When it comes to teaching, I like to have fun. I feel like if I'm bored, I know they are at least twice as bored as I am.

This December I decided to follow the trend and get an elf on a shelf for my classroom. I looked for them everywhere and the only one I did find was 30 bucks. Yeah, my teacher self just couldn't dish out that for a little stuffed toy.

I settled for the 9 dolla version, that happened to be plastic. And short. With a head the size of Texas. Luckily the kids all thought it was because it was the "most special elf" of Santa's because he didn't look like the rest, could hide easily, and had more magic because he was so small. Good thing they didn't know it was just because their teacher was cheap.

Anyway, I was so excited the first day I brought it to the class. They have previously been almost begging an elf to come to our class, so I had to produce. They were more excited than I ever imagined. Oh the excitement and entertainment one little plastic toy can bring to 36 third graders.

I need to take a picture of their mural for the elf. Too funny. And maybe a little creepy.

Anyway, for the actually point of this story. I am going to recap some awful things that have happened with Santa Jr. (that is what they named him).

Day 1 was all good. He quietly sat on the whiteboard with a note written to the students about who he was and what he was there to do. Okay so smoothly it started.

Day 2 was pretty good. Until day 2 ended and I tried to hide mr elf behind one of the pictures the kids drew. Long story short, the damn thing fell off the wall, smacked his little elf noggin', and his santa hat broke off. My face was in shock mode :O.

Okay if these kids are going to find out these types of things aren't real it is NOT going to be from me. So I did everything in my power to make sure they believed this little elf man was real, even after I had to hot glue his hat back on. They believed he had fallen from the ceiling and got a bruise on his cheek and Santa fixed his hat. All was good.

Today, Day 3. A traumatic day in the life of Santa Jr. He decided to hide in the books today. Threw them all over the room. Not so smart on my part because the kids wanted to check out books. Well, he got hit and his hat got knocked off, again. They felt so bad for the elf.

As we were walking to specials a little girl came up to me a little behind the class and I could tell something was wrong. I asked her and she just looked at me with a sad sad look. I asked her again if she wanted to tell me what was wrong. She said I would get mad and of course I said no of course I wouldn't.

Her answer in tears, "I accidentally touched the elf."

It took all of me not  to laugh. Poor girl. She thought that she ruined the magic for her entire class all because she accidentally touched the elf. She asked me what was going to happen and I made sure she knew elf man would not hold it against her.

Who knows what in the world that elf will bring next....and to think, it's only day 3.

A New Adventure

In about a month I will be embarking on a very new adventure.
I will be a role model to a couple dozen first grades.
I will be showin students how to read, write, and tie shoes. {hey, you never know.}
I am terrified. Excited. nervous. Ready.

I am terrified I won't do a good job.
Scared they won't learn and grow each day {not physically}.
Excited because I get a chance to change these littles lives.
Nervous I can't or don't have the skills to do so.
Ready, because I know I will learn so much more from them...as they will from me.

I think it's all setting in because the school e-mails are flooding in, teachers are getting their bulletin
boards ready, and the summer joys are slowly coming to an end as they flood back to organize their
classrooms to get ready for the new year.

So if anyone has any advice for shaking little student teacher Molly, please throw them my way.
Here are only a few {your welcome} things I've found I want to use in my classroom on the one and only pinterest.com.