Another Summer Project: Teacher Toolbox

A couple weeks in to every school year, my once neat and tidy desk starts to overflow with papers and office supplies. Last year, I saw many other teachers posting on their blogs about making a teacher toolbox and I couldn't wait until I had time to make my own. 

Here it is: 

I definitely took the longest route because I had particular scrapbook paper that I wanted to use and my printer was low on ink. The easy way to do it would be to print the whole label for each drawer with a colorful background so you just have to cut the labels out and stick them on the drawers. Instead, I cut out all the pieces of scrapbook paper for each drawer and then printed and cut out the cutesy framed label for each drawer and glued it to the scrapbook paper. Then, I taped the completed label mounted to scrapbook paper to the inside of each drawer. I would suggest not doing it the way I did.

I also didn't like the color of the original toolbox (dark blue) so I spray painted it white using the spray paint that works for plastic. I had better luck with the Rustoleum 2x Ultra Cover Paint+Primer from Home Depot than I did with the Valspar equivalent from Lowe's.

I'm posting a link to the Word document (here) that I created in case you also have specific scrapbook paper you'd like to use. You may also edit it to add backgrounds, change fonts, etc. Because the frame I used is actually a font, I'm not sure if there is a way to keep the fill of it white while changing the background of the other text box. If you find a way, please let me know! There are two layered text boxes, one with the frame which is a font called KG Flavor and Frames Four by Kimberly Geswein Fonts. The text is the font VanessaLovesYou by http://bythebutterfly.com. Both of these fonts are available on dafont.com.

Post-it Parking Lot

I love the idea of having a place for students to turn in a sticky note. It keeps each kid accountable and the sticky notes organized. Last year, I whipped up a parking lot using a sharpie and piece of chart paper. I wanted something more durable, permanent, and attractive for this year. So, here's one of my many summer projects almost complete, just needs to be trimmed and laminated. 

A post-it parking lot can be used in so many ways. Here are some of the ways that I plan to use my new post-it parking lot:

-do quick assessments where students either write an answer or their level of mastery (using the Assess Yourself poster that will come in a later post). This is a quick way to find out which students get it and who needs more help. A post it is also less intimidating to many kids which may improve performance for students who are more anxious about tests.

- have students brainstorm on a sticky note and post it on the parking lot so students can build on each other's ideas 

- post their writing topic or project idea when it's decision time and students need to commit to an idea and stick with it

- give each student the opportunity to ask a question, give a compliment, or make a suggestion

- use it for a place for students to post their ticket out the door

Do you have any other ideas about how to use a post-it parking lot in the classroom? (Post in the comments.)