Free Art Lessons Online

                                                                                                                                                                                

 FREE art lessons

Have you ever wanted to learn art but you didn't know where to look for lessons or you didn't want to pay the extra money. Well I have just the place for you - and it's FREE.

This site has a variety of media the instructor will guide through each step. In no time you will be an artist. Why not try it! It's FREE.

Cement form planter

A couple of years ago, I bought a plant holder from Value Village that was made from a cement form. These forms are made from sturdy cardboard and they can be cut into a variety of sizes with a hack saw. 

So this was the year I was going to create some new plant holders for plants in my classroom. I started off with a rrrreally tall form and then cut it into 2 pieces using a hack saw.

 Next I decided what colors I was going to spray paint each one. One planter was going to be yellow and the other I decided was going to be orange. Then I painted one with a base coat of white and it sorta covered the writing.

The other one I painted black and I thought this one would have a really nice coverage. 

Boy was I wrong. The one painted black had to have many coats to finally reach the coverage I was satisfied with. 

I actually went out and bought different spray paint that would cover twice as much: Rustoleum did the trick. I am much happier with the coverage using this brand of paint. 
                                 
 Don't you think these turned out a nice color. See below for the final results.

 Final results in the classroom.

The duck planter has a purple daisy in it (not sure it will last inside). The blue metal shelving and the bird house on the wall were all Goodwill finds.

Update on temporary job change

Here is an example: Yesterday I began the day with a writing prompt. All I was asking was 5 complete sentences - some students gave me that and even more. The majority gave me 3 incomplete sentences - maybe. Then we moved onto a spelling list (taken directly off of their school work) - students complained that it was elementary and yet this is what they are needed. I wanted students to alphabetize their spelling. From experience I decided to put the alphabet on the board - I saw every student that was following the directions look at the alphabet on the board. Next was a sheet of handwriting (do you know that some districts aren't teaching cursive any more - what a shame - what are students going to do when they need to sign a legal document).

If students would spend less time complaining about their work and just get started, they would finish it much faster. 

Today I decided to ask another special education teacher who also teaches English what she does in her class. She gave me some reading material and then I created questions to go along. Of course some students did this, but most did not. 

Tomorrow I am going to try another approach and see if I can grab their attention. Luckily I am grabbing some materials from my own classroom (the one I am finally getting students in- which is a whole another issue).

Change jobs after school year starts

I went to work yesterday and boy I got a surprise. One of our special ed directors came by and asked if he could talk to me. Of course, my heart dropped and I felt that awful feeling that I was being sent to the principal’s office- yikes! He wanted to tell me that I was needed somewhere else in a teaching job since I didn't have any students. A high school was in dire need of a special education teacher who could do Individual Educational program (IEP's). So I said what would happen when I got students within my program and he said that I would stay at the high school until they could hire someone full time. When I get students the district would get a tutor or a sub for my position.

So I head over to the high school to observe and get a feel of the land. I never thought I would ever teach in an English class but that is exactly what I am doing - wow! Of course, after observing the class I realized that I needed some material from my class. After work I went to my program and picked up writing prompts, logic puzzles, finding facts- most of my Do it Now worksheets. I think these will be a life saver.

Today we used one of the writing prompts and it gave me an assessment on how students can write a complete sentence. Quite a few students start their sentences without a capital and all I's in lower case-EECK! So now I need to find some worksheets regarding capitalization and the importance of the capital I.

I am hoping that this job will be short lived so I can get back to my original job. Now in the present I plan to get curriculum for at least a couple of weeks. This way I will at least know what is happening daily. I really don’t like the unknown- but I do my best teaching by the fly of my pants.

Have any of you been thrown into a situation that was out of your control?

What is a lapbook, you ask?

A lapbook is created using mini booklets to hold information regarding a certain topic.  These booklets can consist of drawings, timeline, pictures, written work, graphs and stories. Normally the reading material accompanies the booklets. If you need you could create your own mini booklets for any subject you would like to do. I have also from time to time combined different lapbooks for each of my students to learn a topic more in depth.
 
After the mini booklets have been filled out they are glued in a file folder that has been folded into thirds and if needed card stock is added by taping to the creases or top or bottom of each page to hold all the important information. 

This is a unique learning tool that I have used in my classroom over the years. I use these instead of worksheets on given subject curriculum.  I think the quote from Benjamin Franklin sums the lapbook all up when he said, "Tell me and I forget. Teach me and I remember. Involve me and I learn." 

I have created a few examples to show my students a finished product. Here are my human body lapbook. 

                                           The cover

                             The brain and the heart

 I also added the five senses into my human body lapbook.

                    Here is my Oregon Trail lapbook cover.

               A variety of mini booklets glued to a file folder.

Here is the lapbook my assistant worked on regarding Butterflies.

 

Her cover.

The inside with her mini booklets.

There are many sites that I have used over the years to find my lapbook subjects. If you look here or here or here you will be able to see a variety of different sources for lapbooks. Also there are a few sites that have lapbooks for free, like here or here. These sites are great to see if lapbooks will work for you. 

One thing that I like about these educational lapbooks, is that students can keep on learning by looking over them again and again. Also with them sharing their books to others they are cementing their learning. I have had students return to their sending school and be so proud of what they accomplished in my program that they have shared their lapbooks with their teachers and fellow peers.

I have learned over the years, no matter how old the student is I have cut out all the mini booklets to save time and frustration. 

Supplies for school I have bought for this year

I decided to have a running total on this blog of what I have bought for my classroom this year. This should be interesting - I always seem to go overboard, but I want to try and keep it simple and cost effective for now.

1 - 8 boxes of Puff Kleenex at Target - $9.00 (I bought 3 bundles for a total of $27 and received a $10 Target gift card back - but I need some at home).
2 boxes of 160 count Up & Up Kleenex for $.77 each (originally $1.52 - $.75 Target coupon)
1 6' bookcase $12.50 at the Goodwill (half off)
1 removable white board from Tanga.com $10.00
2 cactus for $1.00 each from Home Depot clearance section (reg. $2.00 each)
1 - 10" cement form to create plant holders $7.52
10 - art coloring books for $3.98 at Value Village
1 metal shelving rack for $3.99 (I used spray paint I already had)
1 metal bird house $2.99
1 package of community picture cards $3.99
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~as of 09.06.14 
1 Microwave $10 (garage sale find - I forgot to mention before)

CLASSROOM STORE
1 big box of PopTarts (included 2 boxes of 12 count of brown sugar and 2 boxes of 12 count of strawberry) at Costco $5.29 on sale
6 boxes of Betty Crocker snacks $1.00 at Fred Meyer (On sale for $2.50 each and if I bought 4 boxes I had an Fred Meyer e-coupon for $6/4)
2 boxes of Capri Sun @ $1.67 each (on sale at Fred Meyer with coupon)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~as of 09.06.14

School is just here - Time to get ready

The school district where I work officially started Wednesday, September 5th. So that meant that Tuesday I spent rearranging my classroom to accommodate students. I never know how many students I will be getting, since my program houses the students who got expelled for weapons, drugs and serious bodily injury. This year I have created seating for 15 in 2 separate rooms, it will be tight but it is what it is. 

Today I also started hanging motivational posters on the wall. I found a few websites that have FREE downloadable printables which I love. It's really easy to do, just bring up the poster you want and then print off your printer. Motivational quotes for women or Activity Village or even Poster-street is where I have found some of the motivational posters. Activity Village has free printables for a variety of resources. I have printed their book markers, they are colorful and cute. 

I moved in the bookcase I bought at the Goodwill over Labor Day weekend and started weeding out the books I no longer use.

This is the year that I start looking at my curriculum and see what I need and use every day and what I have only opened once or twice. My problem is that I never know what I might need for my students to be successful, I teach students from 2 - 12 grade in all subjects, so I have to be prepared for anything.

I also would like to use most of the printable consumables that are hiding in file cabinets and bring them out into the light for students to use - maybe I won't need to print so many worksheets up. Last year I had the daunting pile of worksheets that I had students help stack - I will use those for this year and save a tree or two. 

If anyone teaches - how do you prepare for the school year?

Ideas for Target for week of August 31 - September 6

Colgate Toothbrush $0.97
-$1/1 Target Mobile Coupon – text: THANKS to 827438 (you can only use this once per item)
Final Price: FREE
(I hand these out to students who might need hygiene products)

Post-It Notes $1.02
-$1/1 printable
Final Price: $0.02

Sharpie Highlighters 2 pk. $0.89, B1G1 50% off = 2/$1.34
-$1/2 Target printable HERE
Final Price: $0.17

Softsoap $.99
-$.50 Target printable HERE 
Final Price: $.49

Awesome deal on Lifesavers, Gummiburst, Starburst or Skittles at Walgreens, August 31 - September 6, 2014

 

Lifesavers, Starburst, Gummiburst or Skittles 2.75 – 7.2 per bags 2/$2
Final Price: $1.00 each
and Earn 1000 BR points on two ($1) (you need to have a reward card)

I love these little treats for rewards or for students in my classroom to work on manners.

Scotch Expression Tape Coupon $5 off when you spend $10 - WAHOO

Do you have any creative ideas you want to get started and you just don't have the right material, like expression tape? Right now coupons.com has a great coupon if you spend $10 you get $5 off of your purchase, here.

I love the fun and exciting tapes they have. It comes in many different sizes - I normally buy mine on sale at Fred Meyer's or Office Depot. I used these tapes to cover the PVC pipe to make homemade hula hoops.

Have you checked out ScotchBrand.com/EXP - it has creative inspirational ideas for everyone.

Great deal on Seattle's Best Coffee at Safeway this week on Friday August 29th.

Do you need coffee for school or home? 

What a deal on Seattle's Best Coffee at Safeway this Friday on August 29th. They have 12 oz. coffee or K cups for $5 and use a $2/1 coupon here or here. So your total will be only $3.00 - what a deal!

Remember this sale is only good for tomorrow for $5 Friday at Safeway.

Saving money as a teacher in the classroom

In the district that I work, I receive $200 per year to help outfit my classroom. Most of the time I try to use this money for extra curriculum or consumables. Last year I bought art supplies and a map for the wall. This year I plan to use my classroom money on buying more consumables like Kleenex and things the students use on a everyday basis. Time will tell what I will need this year for my students, since every year is a little different on needs.

Every year I state when the school year begins, this is the year that I am not going to spend a lot of money. I am getting better at looking for bargains (Goodwill, Value Village and garage sales) do help stretch the dollar. Also Target and Fred Meyer along with coupons. I also download FREE items from Currclick and Homeschoolshare. Pinterest is another site I will be checking out for great ideas.

So I am going to say it again this year - this is the year that I will not over spend money for my classroom and maybe you can follow along and see how I do.

So far this year I have bought a peel and stick white board (I'll let you know how this works once I get to school), 5 coloring art books (Value Village - $4.00), 1 box of Kleenex (Target - $.75), cement form to create plant holders (Home Depot - $7.54) and a few other odds and ends.

In the past I have used my own money on buying intriguing lapbooks and handwriting skill workbooks that I thought would have high interest and students would be able to take ownership in their learning. 

What do you do about spending money for your classroom? 

** UPDATE: Another site I think is worth mentioning is Homeschool Freebie of the Day  - this site has a variety of materials to download FREE. Whether its in MP3 format or storybooks, science material or social studies. It has a little of everything.

Single Serving Overnight Oatmeal

School starts for me next week and I am thinking of ways to be more efficient regarding breakfast and lunches. I am normally running out of the house and forgetting about breakfast until lunch time and by then I'm starving. I tried the recipe last year and I loved it - it was quick and I would fix it at night and forget about it until the morning. I would take it with me and when my students were eating their breakfast (they eat in the classroom) I would bring out my overnight oatmeal. Breakfast in a jar and all healthy. You should give it a try.

Single serving overnight oatmeal

Did you know that 1/2 cup of oatmeal provides 3 grams of protein and 2 grams of fiber (Source:www.livingstrong.com)

1/2 cup rolled oats

1/2 cup yogurt (your choice - I use coconut milk)

2/3 cup milk (your choice- I use coconut milk - I was out the day I took this picture)

1 tsp honey

1/4 tsp cinnamon (health properties)

Handful of craisins (dried fruit of your choice)

Optional: chopped nuts

Put all in a wide mouth pint size jar and stir. Place in the refrigerator overnight. 

         Eat the next day. I find that I like it cold. Even on a cold day.

Homeschoolshare - this is the place for FREE lapbooks

As an educator in an alternative program for students who have learning deficits, I am always on the lookout for educational learning tools. A couple of years ago I came across some homeschooling sites that helped me create a hands-on learning approach for my students. Many of students thrive at this educational tool.  One of the sites that offer free lapbook (a creative way to learn material through a file folder and graphic organizers) is www.homeschoolshare.com.  I have found many unique topics here. The age range is from toddlers to upper elementary (I use a variety of these for high school students also, since quite a few have the learning ability of a 4th or 5th grader). Also if you join their site they will send periodic emails to you with great free lapbooks. 

      

Recently, I received a write on to create my own templates. This e-book will save me time. Normally I type a heading, print it off, glue it on the template and make photo copies of it. This new e-book is great, all I do is find the template I need and type on it. 

If you are an educator in a school or you are teaching your children at home, I would suggest you look over this site and see what you think.

Reward store in classroom

When I started teaching in a special education classroom, my fellow teachers all mentioned that I would need to have a reward store in my classroom. This system went against all that I believed in. I believed that students should do well in class and not be rewarded for good behavior or doing well on an assignment. Of course I listened to them and had a store which included items that I thought students would like to have.  I have changed the items over the years depending on my students wants and needs (I now ask them what they would like to see in store).

So this brings up this article, since school items are now popping up all over the place with sale prices and coupons. I like to buy store items at the lowest price since these products come out of my pocket.  Fred Meyer this week has Betty Crocker Fruit by the Foot, Gushers, Fruit Roll-ups for $2.50 each and then if you add the Fred Meyer digital coupon onto your card you will have $6/4 deducted off your price (expires 08/24/14). Also this digital coupon can be used 5 times within a single transaction. What this means is you could buy 20 Betty Crocker fruit snacks and receive $30 off. At that rate it would be great for lunches or after school snacks if you have young ones at home or even a pick me up for yourself (watch the sugar level - it's easy to get carried away). I love all of these products.

This would be a stock up price for me since each box would be $1.00.

Also each box should have a Box Tops for Education label and you can cut this out and give it to your PTA or fundraiser committee to collect - you will receive $.10 for each label (awesome fundraiser). 
You might think how will just a couple of labels help my school - well if each teacher and student brought in 10 a month ($1.00) that could add up over time.
                                                                         

Target deal on Up and Up tissues

In my classroom, I always buy Kleenex for my students and myself. The stuff the district calls tissue and gives out to classrooms is so rough that over time it increases the soreness around the nose area during cold season and is unacceptable. 

Target has a deal on facial tissues:


Up & Up facial tissues (160 ct) for $1.25
Use $.75/1 Target beauty coupon 
Also Use 5% off Cartwheel (limit 4)
Total $.48 - stock up price

Thanks, momsbyheart

Currclick - Homeschool site with great deals

Whether you homeschool or an educator or a parent looking for fresh ideas - Currclick! is the place to go. This site has a wide variety of e-books, free e-books, free clubs, live clubs, lapbooks, unit studies. 

 

A couple of years ago, I stumbled upon Currclick while looking for something different to teach my students. Lapbooks were an intriguing supplement that I grasped and jumped in with both feet. I am still using lapbooks in my alternative classroom to help students learn through a hands-on approach to all subjects. 

I know you are asking what is a lapbook? It's a variety of mini-graphic organizers placed within a file folder after they have been filled in with the correct corresponding information.

Currently my middle school students are learning about the life cycle of a butterfly. I bought the butterfly lapbook from Currclick.

I supplement it with other mini-graphic organizers from Homeschoolshare.

One thing I like about Currclick, is that they keep track of what you have bought. So over time, if something looks good and you click on it, you can see if you have bought it or not. Sometimes I forget if I have the ebook or not - then I can download it again if needed.

I highly recommend this site to anyone - take a look and see for yourself and tell me in the comments what you think of the site.

What I bought at Target

I went to Target specifically for the pet food deal going on this week at Target. Of course everyone else was scooping up the Target kitty food and the shelf was empty. I will need to go again this week and retrieve the kitty food and the cat litter and will need to revise what I buy since both items are on sale. I might need to buy another cat litter for me to reach the $40.

Instead of the pet food I was going to buy - I decided to check out the other deals in the store and match them with the coupons I had brought. This is what I got:

1 - 24 pack of watercolor $4.00

2 - Oil Pastels $1.41 each = $2.82 (minus 50% off original price of $1.41 = $.71)

1 - 24 erasable colored pencils $4.49

3 - 10 thin colored markers $1.29 each = $3.87

Used $2 off $10 of crayola products 

Total was $12.28

1 post it notes $1.02

 Used $1.00 off Post-it's

Total was $.02

1 Scotch tape $1.00

Used $1.00 off Scotch tape

Total was FREE

1 Juicy Fruit Gum Chews $2.99

Used $.75 coupon for the gum

Used 50% cartwheel coupon for the gum

Total for the gum was $.75

2 Coffee-Mate Creamer @ $1.50 each

Used 2 - $1.00 coupons for the Coffee-Mate 

Total for the creamer was $.50 each

 1 Nail polish remover $2.59

1 soccer ball $4.99

the last 2 items my daughter decided to throw in - the soccer ball was important because the last one got kicked under the deck at my parents house

Total spent at Target after all the coupons and then using my Target Red Card  (5% deducted) was $23.43 and I saved $11.13.

Coffee mate creamer on sale at Target this week, August 10-16

New **HOT** deal at Target on 16 oz. Nestle Coffee-Mate Liquid Creamer

Nestle Coffee-Mate Liquid Creamer, 16 oz 2/$3 – just $1.50 each (Through 8/16)

Use the $1/1 Coffee-mate liquid creamer coupon found here (Facebook)
Plus, use the 5% Off Coffee-Mate Cartwheel discount (will deduct $0.08)
Final cost only $0.42!

(Thanks, Totally Target!)

Fred Meyer deal on coffee for August 10 - 16

Seattle's Best Coffee $5.99 (expires 08/19) freezes well
Use $2/1 coupon (prints 2)
Use $2/1 printable coupon (prints 2)
Final price: $3.99

This means with all of these coupons you will be able to get 4 Seattle's Best Coffee for $3.99 by using 1 - $2 coupon on each $5.99 bag of coffee. Awesome deal for those mornings we need a caffeine pick me up especially since shortly we will be back into an early routine.  

Also grapes are at a great price of $1.28 a pound. This is great for lunches and also for freezing for snacks and smoothies.

Great deal on Juicy Fruit gum this week, August 10 - 16 at Target.

Anyone need gum? Target has a great coupon along with the Cartwheel coupon to get 40 pieces of Juicy Fruit gum for only $.99 cents each. What a deal? This is how to get that price.

 

Buy 1 container of Juicy Fruit Chews gum for $2.99
Use $1/1 Juicy Fruit Chews gum bottle coupon
Stack with 50% Cartwheel coupon for 1 bottle of Juicy Fruit gum
Final Price: $.99 cents

Apparently there was another coupon for $.75 here, but I looked and I couldn't find it, so if you can find it - let the power that be - your awesome.