I’m in the middle of a classroom makeover. Chances are, if you’re already a follower of my blog or Facebook page, you’ve heard a little about it. 🙂 Being moved to a new room next year really encouraged me to switch things up in our classroom. Having an entire summer to get the room ready has also given me the chance to get crafty with it. Tara over at 4th Grade Frolics has started a series of posts called Monday Made It where we can link up to share some of the crafty things we’ve made for our classrooms. I have several things planned and am excited to share them while seeing all the creative things you are making too!
My first one is an easy one: cute letters for bulletin boards and signs. I can’t stand the plain cut out letters that came with our school’s Ellison machine. They aren’t big enough and are kind of boring. However, they are super easy to cut so they do earn bonus points for the time-saving factor. I’ve never been one to take the easy way though, so I make my own bulletin board letters. Warning: this can be a time-consuming process. To make the letters by hand, you start by resizing the letters so they take up most of the page, change them to outline so they don’t print in black ink, and then print them off from your computer. Then, I to cut them out, laminate them, and then cut them out again. It’s a labor of love, but the letters just look so much better.
Now, for the time-saver: the Silhouette Cameo Cutter. I just purchased one last weekend and was anxious to put it to work on on our room. It cuts any font on your computer in a matter of seconds! I made all new letters for our entire classroom in less than thirty minutes. I wanted to squeal with glee (and I might have danced a little around the table too, if we’re being honest).
The boards just look so much more interesting with letters that jump out and scream “read me!” as soon as you seen them. I also made new cardinal directions signs and plan to update a few other posters too. If you don’t have a cutter, chances are someone you know does. Give it a try; there are so many things to make with it for your classroom and your personal life too.
I also used the Target gift card I won from Darlene over at Third Grade Love to pick up a few school items. I bought a new (and much needed) tape dispenser, but of course I had to style it up and go with this purple one. I also bought a new polka dot notebook with different colors along the edges of the paper for each section. I use one notebook for all of my meetings each year (grade level, monthly school-wide, RTIs, committees, parents, etc.). Let’s face it, meetings can be boring but going with cute paper and pens make them a little more fun. 😉 Thanks so much, Darlene!
I could talk about school supplies all day, but click on over to see the other Monday Made It posts and
be sure to check back here for my next one. I have lots of classroom
makeover projects up my sleeve!
Christi,
Thanks for joining my linky:) I am in total agreement….if it's not fun and colorful why bother with it:) I love your letters! Thanks for sharing;) Can't wait to see what else you have up your sleeve:)
4th Grade Frolics
I didn't know about the Silhouette Cameo Cutter! I can think of so many things to use it for. I'm definitely going to have to check that out soon!
Lisa
Learning Is Something to Treasure
I hadn't heard of the Sihoutte Cameo Cutter! Your letters look great!
Lori
Conversations in Literacy
What the whatttt? I need to get my hands on a silhoutte cutter! I was doing letters like you, and it took forever. I can't wait to see how it works. Thanks for sharing!
Meg
Third Grade in the First State
Love the font of your newly cut letters. I'll definitely have to look into getting Silhoutte Cutter for my own classroom so that I can have cute fonts too!
Thanks,
Amy
Turtley Loving Teaching
Love, love, love your new letters! I love how the Silhoutte can make them in any font, how cool!
Lisa
Stories From Second
If anyone decides to get one, Silhouette has a 20% teacher discount on the cutter and all accessories. I didn't know that before I bought mine. Sometimes you can get a good deal on Overstock.com as well.
Where can i find this cutter without breaking the bank or getting divorced????
I love my silhouette! It's worth every penny. What font did you use? Very cute.