Noodle Dying Tips for Wednesday and a Very Hungry Inspired Necklace

Anyone who has ever been on my little blog or in my classroom knows that I have a small obsession love for Eric Carle. Basically, I think that he is the cat's pajamas. Anyhoo....as I was looking through my blog posts, I realized that the beginning of the year came and went with such a blur that I never talked about the Very Hungry Caterpillar necklaces we made on the first day.

Aren't they the cutest?! All we needed to make these were some hole punched construction paper, ribbon, and noodles; however, if you are working with little ones, I highly recommend that you attach a bead to the end of each ribbon.

 

 

I was talking with a colleague this week about how I dye noodles and I thought maybe this is advice the world needs. Then again maybe not, but let's roll with it! :)

All you need is:

-Dry noodles or rice (I used a whole box to make my necklaces and had plenty extra.)

-1 to 2 tablespoons Rubbing Alcohol (Start with 1 tablespoon, and if the noodles look like they are not getting enough liquid to coat the sides, add a little more.)

- Food Coloring of choice (Do not use the gel coloring, it does not fully dry.)

-Gallon sized plastic bag

-Cookie sheet or tray

-Newspapers

Add the first 3 ingredients to the gallon sized bag, seal, and shake like a polaroid picture.

If you have already mixed thoroughly and found that your noodles are not bright enough, just add more dye and mix again.

Lay out the noodles on a cookie sheet lined with newspaper. I like to shuffle the noodles around 30 minutes after laying them out. I usually let them set out over night to make sure they are fully dry.

Helpful Hints on Hump Day! Easy Editable Signs for All Occasions

I'm linking up with Teresa from Fun in K/1 for my first installment of Helpful Hints on Hump Day!

At the beginning of the school year,  I wanted to make one of those cute picture frames that the kiddos could take their picture with on the first day. With all of the business of a new year, I never seemed to find the time to get one made. Sigh.....so I thought how could I get the same idea quick and with less prep. On a rush decision, I had all of my kiddos take a picture holding a blank page of white construction paper.

They looked a little like this. (I added this picture to Powerpoint to edit it.)

Then I realized the greatness of this plan. I can type anything in a text box and center it over the white paper.

I can change the font and the color of the text.

I can use it for multiple occasions and add pictures.

So easy to edit and change.
 

 I'm will be making a banner with all of the kids pictures and on the white paper, will be a letter to spell out "Welcome to Our Class!" This will be great for conferences.
 

Thanks for stopping by and be sure to check out all of the helpful hints from the other teachers linking up with Fun in K/1.

Five for Friday: Fraturday Style

I'm linking up with Doodle Bugs Teaching for Five for Friday (or Fraturday in my case).

Saying Good-bye to Summer!

 

Last weekend, we were able to get out for one more camping, hiking, and dirt biking adventure. I can't believe that October and fall are already here.

 

Miley had a blast! She wishes we went camping and hiking every weekend.

I Found Some Word Work Inspiration

 

I found these amazing dice at the Dollar Tree. I love the sight word dice and had to stop myself from going overboard and buying one set for every kiddo. I settled for 2 of each of the sight word dice sets and 1 of the math sets. When I got home, I was inspired to make Roll and Write mats to go with the dice. Then I thought, why not make a word work set for others to use?!

Bam! Roll and Write Sight Word Addition is Born!

 

Here is an example of a station put together. I love that Roll and Write is so low maintenance. Click here to get yourself a copy.

Roll and Write: Color Word Freebie

 

After I made the Roll and Write Sight Word Addition, I was inspired to make a Roll and Write Color Word Freebie. Click here to get yourself a copy. :)

Speaking of Color Words

 

The time has come for me to switch my sensory table to a more fall theme but I wanted to show you what our current table looked like before I switched it out.

I used shredded black butcher paper for the filling and then added/buried colored items. The kiddos have to use the thongs to pick out the items in the paper and put them in the appropriate bucket. The wonderful cards and color labels came from Marsha McGuire and her Back to School Math Stations. I love all of her kindergarten math and literacy station ideas.

Teaching Ways to Say You're Sorry

 

My little ducks got in a little trouble for not being kind at recess yesterday, so when got back to class, we had to have a discussion about playground rules. I love having my kiddos write letters of apology. It helps teach them responsibility but also encourages them to vocalize their actions and discuss the appropriate behavior.

Plus look at these names! We are getting better at the writing our names with a capital letter and lowercase letters.

Enjoy the rest of your fantastic fall weekend and be sure to stop by and visit all of the wonderful bloggers linking up with Doodle Bugs Teaching.