Sunday, July 29, 2012

Teachers head back to school in style with cute classroom decor kits from simply sprout!


We have been hard at work over the past few weeks designing away trying to create the perfect classroom designs to bring your learning space to life! My favorite part of starting the school year was the chance to recreate my classroom design. I would get giddy the moment I saw Wal-mart start to set up for back to school. The colorful folders and composition notebooks were enough to send me overboard with ideas for a colorful new classroom design......but sadly this is the first year, in over 10 years I will not be heading back to school with the rest of my friends. So instead of spending my time decorating a new classroom I have decided to share my passion for a creative classroom with you. The first design I created is perfect for any classroom colorful shades of green, fuschia, teal, orange and yellow polka dots are combined with adorable owls to bring you Back to School is a Hoot! This 98 page kit features a variety of items perfect for any classroom.   
A classroom newsletter template
How we get home transportation cards (bus rider, after school, van, walkers, car pickup)
Blank labels for cubbies or supply cabinets (3x5) and (3.5x10)
Blank sign (perfect for class rosters, welcome signs etc.)
Nametags for student desks
ABC's for a word wall or ABC chart
Blank round signs
Pennant signs with owls and ABC's, perfect for making your own bulletin board headers or welcome signs (just hole punch and string together with ribbon)
8.5x11 learning center signs ( Math center, writing center, language center, reading center, art center)
Supply labels for classroom supplies
Table signs ( Table 1, 2 ,3 & 4)
Large number signs ( 1 - 20)
Small number signs ( 1-20)
Open house sign in sheet
Open house wish list tree and owls (for parents to take at open house to donate supplies to the classroom)
8.5x11 binder covers (blank, data notebook, grade book, lesson plans, sub plans, progress monitoring, common core, parent communication)
Afternoon dismissal chart
2 page lesson plan template




Cute little locker storage containers found in the $1 section at Target are the perfect little organizers for crayons and smaller items.


The cute colorful number chart comes in two sizes. The smallest size is shown above. The larger ones would be perfect for a number wall, the smaller ones ideal for a smaller counting chart. Blank owls are also provided for you to add your own numbers or words to.




One of my favorite additions to any classroom are colorful tissue pom poms. They are easy and inexpensive to create. All you need is some colorful tissue paper (I like buying mine from Target in the gift wrap section for just 99 cents).  You cut tissue paper into a square and then fold it like a fan. Tie a ribbon in the center for hanging.  Use scissors to cut a pointed triangle on the ends and then peel apart the layers revealing your pom pom. These are great for bulletin boards, hanging above tables, or lining the wall to add some much needed color to drab concrete block walls often found in classrooms.










These cute welcome to school circles were made by adding my own text to the existing templates found in the printables kit.



Use an online program to convert your PDF to a word document (there are several free versions out there).  Once in Word draw a text box, right click on it, and click format.  Choose lines, click no color, and no fill so the text box is clear.  Add your desired text.  I used Howser and Love you like a Sister.  This way you can create your own custom labels for your classroom, binders, boxes, cubbies, etc.
 

I found these two great locker storage bins at Joann Fabrics last year and they were just perfect for me to use for putting my papers in that needed to be graded or filed.



To compliment this kit I used a tree and owl cutout from Carson-Dellosa.  I used the pennant banners to make an ABC sign.   All you need to do is just print, hole punch, and attach with colorful ribbon. These pennant letters are perfect for bulletin boards, welcome signs, etc.  In the kit there are letters A - Z and a few blank ones with the colorful owls on them.


This cute over-sized clothespin was found at Target in their $1 section.  The colorful striped frame is magnetic and just 50 cents at Wal-mart.
If you don't want to take the time to customize your blank owl templates in word you can also use a white paint pen (sold in the craft department).


My best finds came from Wal-mart. They had this black chalkboard poster paper for just 97 cents. I trimmed it out using my two favorite supplies double sided tape and polka dotted ribbon. Ribbon can often be found on sale at most craft stores (especially at Hobby Lobby) and makes the perfect border trim.  It stores easily and you don't have to worry about it getting wrinkled or creased like border trim.


I always loved creating my lesson plan templates each year I liked having something that was different from everyone else. This colorful owl template is perfect for lesson planning.  You can either print and write out your plans (that is the method I prefer, there is something about hand written plans that comforts me), or use the template to type on (just remember you may have to convert it from a PDF to Word document first).
 

Creating this cozy space has me wishing I was headed back to school myself!
By the way, Wal-mart also has the cutest metal signs for just 50 cents. They have three different designs, this one was one of my faves! Will trade Coffee for gossip!

I hope you love this set as much as we do! This is just the first of many to come. so be sure to check out our Simply Sprout Store, and become a fan of our store by clicking add to favorite shops.  That way you'll be the first to find out when we add new items.  We will be creating thematic units, science and enrichment materials, bulletin board seasonal decor, organizational printables, and much much more! We also love special request so if you are looking for something specific please don't hesitate to send us a message or email us.
simplysprout@gmail.com

How do you like our new design? Leave us a comment below!




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