Fancy Nancy Gift Set

Official day one of summer vacation...and I'm deep into the Christmas gift plans.  Some of my gifts I won't post about until closer to Christmas, but I figured this was a safe gift to post.  I've got quite a few plans for my friend's kiddos revolving around books this year...in particular interactive 'stuff' to go with the book and make it come alive (only a phrase a teacher would say....I know).  This Fancy Nancy gift sert is for Blythe.  I've decided it's time to introduce her to Fancy Nancy, the girl loves her accessories, and I think she's going to be able to identify with Nancy's need for fancy things in her life.  I found a hard copy of the book at my new obsession-Thrift Books.com.  The books are used, and the shipping is free, the condition of this book was great.  I bought a box to store accessories, and then hunted down a bunch of....uhhhs...treasures. 

 Gloves, slippers, tiara, and a tutu skirt all from Walmart (you could make your own tutu, and normally I would, but I already made Blythe a tutu!).

 Wands (two), sunglasses, and a boa from Michael's, along with the pink box they will all live in upon gifting this set. 

The 'jewels' are from Taylor at work, she rescued me while I was hunting down plastic pearls.  I've sent about 7,000,000 bracelets this year, so she can add those as well. 

Everything but the book fits in the box so her Mom and dad can store them for her between reading and interacting. 

Linking To:  Running with Glitter Tip Junkie Handmade Tuesday Cherished Bliss Topsy Turvy Trendy Treehouse Blue Cricket

Teacher Appreciation: ABC Collage

Last year, I saw a link to a free printable for the cutest flashcards on planet internet at Homemade By Jill.  Here is the link.  She has two flashcards with different pictures with every letter, and the clipart she used is the cutest collection...ever.  I decided to make a little something out of these for my classroom so I could look at them all the time.  It also enabled me to compact my alphabet wall, and free up some bulletin board space!
I grabbed black spraypaint for 99 cents at Walmart and sprayed a board I found at Home Depot for 50 cents in the scrap pile. 

I spaced out the cards, added ABC's, glued them down, and then covered them with a coating of mod podge to make the whole collage shine.  I added a hanger to the back, and then popped it up in my classroom.  This would be cute in a nursery as well, but I'm not quite there yet!  For less than 2 bucks, I added a little color to my classroom wall. 

Christy Robbins: Spending on teachers is not the problem | Opinion, Commentary, Editorials, Op-Ed and Letters to the Editor - News for Dallas, Texas - The Dallas Morning News

Here's the article I wrote for this week's Sunday paper.  I know many have opinions on what is important and what can be sacrificed.  We see it from a 'different' side, but I had to speak for mine, at the risk of much critisism.  In the middle of the education world, I see the impact.  The consequences of the choices are breaking my heart.  Cuts are required.  Many people who are making the decisions about what must be cut are the same people who made the decisions that led to the debt crisis in Texas.  It would take a lot to convince me it was excessive spending on education that wrote this story we are living in the State Capitol.  In the end, I can't speak for the higher ups, but down in the trenches, I assure you we have a budget we don't deviate from as teachers.  Decisions will be made.  I just knew I'd feel better for being heard....even if it's just my Mom listening. 
Christy Robbins: Spending on teachers is not the problem Opinion, Commentary, Editorials, Op-Ed and Letters to the Editor - News for Dallas, Texas - The Dallas Morning News
If the link doesn't work, here is the article without the fancy pictures, heading etc, I don't know why it's underlined: 
As a product of the school district in which I teach, I have the unique opportunity to remember well the impact of the very same programs, teachers and resources that are threatened by cuts facing my district.



As a student, I sat back and witnessed the country-sky demonstration at the planetarium and realized the world was bigger than Richardson, Texas.


I remember trips to Enterprise City, a work-force simulation. I worked for the paper, earned a check, shopped on my lunch hour and balanced my checkbook.


I learned to love art, make an impact, create a safe classroom and work with words to make a difference in the life of a child.


At the first murmurs of education cuts, I brainstormed a list of ideas. I like to keep opinions on hand in case anyone asks.


I figured Gov. Rick Perry might want to call and run a few ideas by me. He didn’t. In fact, few in Austin wanted to hear teachers’ voices.


Outside of my district, I’ve yet to be asked what should happen. When I turn on the news, I hear reasons why various education areas can be sacrificed. I rarely read research regarding the value of these programs on the chopping block.


I consult a doctor before I treat an illness. I research maps before heading out on trips.


Shouldn’t someone consult experts on education before heading down this path?


Living in a large state that borders another country creates new educational challenges as cultures collide, and we work to find successful strategies for the ever-evolving Texas student. I’d say Texas teachers have done a good job.


It’s hard for me to know where to begin when defending our current use of tax dollars. Should I explain a teacher’s classroom budget? My team and I received roughly $12 a year per student to buy supplies, make copies, create manipulatives and learning opportunities for all students in all subject areas. We did it. We never went over budget. Not once.


Districts are trying to work out issues with the state to provide ideas for possible fixes, but we are headed for a divorce of philosophies.


Realizing we are better together than apart means the state would have to find another way to fix their budget crisis.


Sure, teachers will maintain a relationship with the state after the divorce is finalized. We’ll stay together for the kids, but it won’t be the same.


Are there definite cuts we can make in education? Yes.


But teacher spending is not the problem. It shouldn’t be the solution.


Yes, demand vendors stop taking advantage of budgets. Yes, trim frivolous spending and perks. But big cuts come in the form of people. People who influence student futures, raise the leaders, entrepreneurs and teachers of tomorrow. The more exposure students get to a variety of people in schools, the more chance we have at reaching them all.






I’ve seen aides make connections with students in desperate need of mentoring, math specialists crack open a student’s division difficulties, and reading specialists teach sixth-graders how to love reading and crave literacy.


As an RISD student, I received the lessons needed to come back and teach future alumni. Experiences like Enterprise City landed me here as a Voices volunteer columnist, though the pay is slightly less than Enterprise newspaper.


Texas teachers aren’t asking for raises, better insurance or more vacation. We want students to have the help they need. We want a voice in decision-making, not room to express our feelings after decisions are made.


Think about what today’s decisions will mean for students 25 years from now. This is about more than economics. Use skills your teachers once taught in social studies classes, economics and arithmetic lessons. Do the math. Apply the logic. What will these choices look like in our history books?

Blythe's Travel Activity Bags

Remember this bag? It finally made it's way home for Blythe Anne's first birthday (May 5th).
Every girl needs a cute bag, right? I decided Blythe needed an activity bag she can carry with her the next few years as she visits family....she's quite the little traveler. I also figured she was too young to remember year 1 gifts, so I took the opportunity to make this activity bag-she can use later. Someday I'll have to conform to 'big' and 'store' bought, but....for now....homemade. I got the idea for this from the following site:
http://chasingcheerios.blogspot.com/2009/06/activity-bags_27.html
This blogger has Montessori schooling activities she shares, and she hangs pencil bags in her daughter's environment filled with activities. So cute. She also takes these on trips. I decided to provide the carrying bag, and the bags inside. I hope it'll be exciting for Blythe to choose between the activities in the bags to keep her entertained on trips to see...well, me! I just have the skeletons of her travel pack ready, and, of course, they are not age appropriate now, but I figure her parents can fill them as she gets older and shows interest in various activities. This start up kit can give them a few ideas. It was hard for me to keep it at a skeleton level of 'stuff,' and even more difficult for me not to write 'lesson plans' for each bag. There are soooo many cute ideas I've seen, more on that later. Here are the inside activities to choose between (like I said, most are too old now, and later can be rotated.) I love the colors I was able to find (at Office Depot) for the pencil pouches and I love the two pockets, and the sturdy material they are made from!
Letter Bag

I wanted to find a little magnetic slate for these, or add a sentence strip with a magnetic strip, but....I just kept these as is...for now. She can play with the letters and discover their shapes, match them with her environment, chew on them, whatever! Someday she can start spelling words...How about A-U-N-T C-H-R-I-S-T-Y?
Finger Puppets and Paper Dolls

I found these finger puppets at Target, but I've also bought them at World Market, and online at Oriental Trading for past 'stuff.' I found the paper dolls at this site I loved, and have shared before.
http://babalisme.blogspot.com/2009/12/doll-printableagain.html
The paper dolls are waaaay too early, but I needed to do this. I also saw some really cute felt story boards on various blogs. You can cut out pieces from felt to manipulate and make a gingerbread house, snowman scene etc (also featured items on Chasing Cheerios)... Again, I'll save these ideas for later.
Books!!

This doesn't really need an explanation. I found the sturdy little books at Target as well. I've seen these bags with 'theme' pouches, and theme items that go with each book as well. Uhhh...don't EVEN get me started on that, ask any teacher I work with, there aren't enough pouches at Office Depot to contain my ideas for these sort of project. I know my limits....I....love...theme....everything, I can't be stopped if I ever get started. I can't be controlled, so I can't do it...for now.
Arts and Crafts

I made this little book with blank pages for Blythe to create her own works of art.
I just included some crayons I made awhile back from recycled crayons in bear shapes using a bear cookie cutter(a little early ulterior motive-Sic 'Em), and stickers. I saw a lot of ideas with little scissors, gluesticks, and fun writing supplies, but....she's not ready yet, so....
Sorting

I've seen this sorting idea with bear counters etc, but I just used what I could find easily, which were these little foam shapes. Blythe can either sort them by shapes, or colors. Or she can eat them. Sure, it would have been more educational if they were circles, squares...but....I figure she'll get enough of that soon...she has a few more Aunts who are teachers. They are also stickers, so she can sort them into her art pouch later, and sort other things (obviously not for another year plus). I found the little containers at the dollar tree, they were small enough to slip in the bags, which I liked. :O)
Here they are all together.

And then....inside their bag. They don't even take up half of the bag....room enough for a favorite stuffed animal, and a blanket. :O)

OK, some other ideas I loved (but I ran out of bags) were bags with tangrams, mini potato heads, yarn sewing, beads, variety of open/close containers etc...oh...the potential!
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http://funkyjunkinteriors.blogspot.com/2010/05/sns-30-brings-you-refurbished.html
Tot Tuesday