Twilight! Twilight! Twilight!

For the last 3 years I've read Twilight with my students (after CST testing of course). Every year I get so excited and can't wait for my students to enjoy the book as I do. It all started when another teacher from my school (who was also in love the the Twilight series) wanted to incoporate the book into her classroom as part of her reading component. When I heard of this, I begged the principal to allow me to do it too. Oh, I was sooo happy. Thanks to Nou, we sat down and planned wonderful Twilight themed lessons. We used mainly GLAD strategies. Which is all about student motivation and engagement. There were chants, poems, big books and many more. The best part was having a Twilight movie party at the end. So much fun! We also made t-shirts with ironed on pictures of the actors for every student. Below are some pictures from this years Twilight Party in May.

A friend of mine did the awesomely disgusting vampire blood on the cupcakes (thanks Xee).  Below is a scrapbook mini I did to give away as a prize to an excellent student, who participated throughout the whole thing and scored high on all tests/quizes.

I liked this mini so much that I had to make myself one as well.

Below is a Twilight banner I hung in the classroom.

 

Fun folding mini

This is just a fun folding mini that one of my co-worker shared with me a while back.  It was just before Christmas.  So, of course, I made a few little Christmas gifts.  It's a very fast and fun project to make.  It only takes three cardstock papers and some folding.

Mini for a Friend

I made this mini for a SWEET friend's B-Day in June.  I had some chipboard (circle) beer coasters and wanted to do something with it.  So, here's what I did.  Even made a matching gift bag to go with it (using a white paper lunch bag).  Quick and simple.  When I say quick, I mean a week of stressing out.  Thinking if it's good enough for her.  I'm not anal or a perfectionist (couldn't be even if I tried) but man! Things sure take me a long time to finish.

Gifts for Teacher Friends

I like to give a little of something to my teacher friends on the first day of school.  It’s fun for me to make and I hope it’s fun for those who receives it ;D 

I filled these little purse things with a decorated sticky note pad, sticky note cover, binder clips, some circle punched whiteboard magnets, clear rock magnets and Chocolates.  If they don't like the teacher stuff, they'll at least like the chocolates.  Everyone likes chocolate, Right?.  Well, except for me.  I don't care for it, but I love receiving it so I could give it away to my kids or students :)

I had a stencil for this box.  So I traced and cut out about 9 of these things.

I kept hearing about "Pinterest" through blogs.  So, one boring July day, I decided to investigate and find out what it was.  Well, if you don't know what "Pinterest" is.  You too, have to check it out.  I LOVE Pinterest.  It's like, my very own humongous personal flash drive online.  I can save any great ideas I find online - all on one file.  Mine.  You can categorize your findings however you want.  I have a special one just for gifts for teachers and friends.  I have been soooo inspired by so many.  I don't have the time to sit and think of creative things (or it could just be that I'm not that creative. Period ).  But, some of these teacher gifts are from those very talented people.  You can find some examples of the note pads from Kerry's Paper Crafts, OR Next to Heaven. Follow me HERE on Pinterest if you too want to be inspired.

As for these binder clips, you just simply cut the paper to fit the clip and then glue.

Some more post it note pads

This was a last minute present I put together for my son's new teacher's first day of school gift.  I saw this idea from some very talented ladies on eighteen25.

Can't leave my students out.  I wrapped up pencils, stencils, stickers, erasers, hard candy that can last all year, and some mini toys for their birthday gift on their special day.  I made enough for those kids' whose birthdays are in the summer.  They will receive their's then.