Chair Pocket Project (Part 2)

A few days ago, I began my chair pocket project and walked all of you through my first few steps.

With the labels complete, I was dying to put the chair pockets into action and see the "finished project."

Therefore, I decided to venture into my classroom today to complete the project and do a New Year cleaning and rearranging.

Would you like to see pictures of the chair pockets? Well here they are:

I was thrilled with the length of the nail apron strings because I was able to wrap them around twice. I knew the knots would agitate some of my students (as they would me). Therefore, the string length allowed me to avoid this issue. For this reason alone, I was pleased with my design choice.

As I mentioned in my last post, the home depot logo did not suit my style needs. Therefore, I started the process of applying Velcro to the labels I had created (see Chair Pocket Project Part 1 for a FREE copy of the label). The Velcro allows me to interchange labels based on need or design.

  

Overall, I am pleased with the final result. The chair pockets are everything I have been looking for, but at just the right price (FREE)! I really hope this post inspires you to venture to your nearest Home Depot and try out a set for your own classroom.

Setting New Year's Resolutions

As teachers (or at least this one), I am always setting resolutions and goals for myself. I am constantly looking (aka pinning) new and better ways to organize, manage or improve my life, classroom, etc.

January is a natural time of year to begin setting resolutions for the new year...therefore, I feel I must link up with Teaching Madness and Teaching with Moxie to share some of my New Year's Resolutions.

I am really trying to keep it to a minimum, so here goes nothing...





My Classroom:
This year I am dedicating my time to improving my planning skills. I have great organizational skills and ideas for my classroom, but I am not always so great at planning my thoughts that far in advance. I would really love to make an effort to complete my plans 2 weeks at a time.

My Life:
My life is truly great, but I have really begun to let my house, time management, and relaxation go to the wayside. My true goal is to manage my time better. I would like to come up with a consistent routine for housework, grocery shopping, laundry, blogging, etc. I would like to prepare my lunch and school outfit the night before, as well as devote 15 minutes to picking up the house. I would also like to allow myself at least 30 minutes of quiet reading before bed time (The finance gave me a brand spankin' new Nook for Christmas - I must put it to good use). With the right routine, I truly think I can manage it.

My Blog:
Improving my blog is truly a big goal for me. I would love to create my own linky party, organize my 1st giveaway, and create an organized schedule for blogging. When I began this blog, I was overwhelmed with my masters program and life took over. With some of those milestones complete, I can now devote the time this blog needed!

Now that I have confessed my goals, check out some of my fellow bloggers' goals (maybe you will be inspired to put your goals into words, as well).

Chair Pocket Project (Part 1) & Freebie

Let me begin by saying "Thank You" to Sharon from Teaching with Sight for officially welcoming back to the blogging world! Your support is so appreciated and I will be emailing you with a sweet treat as my Thank You to you!

After blog stalking and exploring many Chair Pocket options, I settled on Home Depot Chair Pockets. I was most inspired by Ladybug's Teacher Files 2 part chair pocket project. Her advice and thoughts gave me the courage to attempt this project.

Part 1 of this project was to create labels and purchase the Home Depot Nail Aprons (Feel free to click on the image below to learn more about the Home Depot Nail Aprons and check you store inventory) . A few days ago, I popped into my nearest Home Depot in search of the nail aprons. I found the nail aprons with help from an employee, who ultimately ended up donating the nail aprons to my classroom. I will be sure to send my thanks to such a caring and supportive store! (Home Depot - I hope you know that your donations are what keeps the teacher world going!)

After purchasing the chair pockets, I was eager to create labels to cover the Home Depot logo...it really isn't my style :) I settled on the design you see below...

In honor of the end of my hiatus, you can pick up my Editable Home Depot Chair Pocket Labels for FREE!

I am linking up with the Teaching Blog Addict's Freebie Friday! It's a must see blog filled with so many amazing freebies!!

Stay tuned for Part 2...

MIA and so much more!

Wow, it feels like forever since I last posted a meaningful blog post. So here it begins...

First, I must begin this post by mentioning how saddened I was to discover the news about Sandy Hook Elementary. Those events struck me to the core and reminded me how precious life is. I am a teacher and everything I do is for those beautiful, little children. The events reminded me, that while some days are challenging than others, these children offer so much joy, love and hope. My prayers and thoughts are still with Sandy Hook and I recognize that the recovery has truly just begun.

As some of you may have noticed, I have been MIA for quite a few months. My apologies. When the school year began, I was swamped with 3 online masters courses, 1 reading specialist practicum, 10 second & third graders, 1 reading specialist MTEL to pass, and 1 wedding to plan. With all of that,  something had to fall by the wayside...unfortunately it was this blog.

However, with the new year upon us, I am ready to re-enter the world of blogging. I have finished those 3 courses and 1 pracitcum. I have a mini-vacation from my those joyous second and third graders. I have passed my reading specialist MTEL (this was my Christmas gift to myself). The 1 wedding to plan is still a work in progress (7 months away to be exact).

With other some of duties completed, I have taken to the time to start a product I have been dying to create. I am making a large States and Capitals bundle, but I am breaking it into smaller Regional Packs.

Let me introduce my first completed pack..........

Ta Da! I am so proud of myself!!!

I am really looking for 2 interested teachers, who would be interested in reviewing and editing my pack. Feedback is so important to me and for those interested parties I will be providing you with a FREE copy!!

If you are interested, please email me at cdeherrera526@gmail.com, comment here or message me on Facebook!

I am so happy to be back and I want all of you to know you inspire me, each and every day!

Silence for Sandy Hook Elementary