New Dog Bed

Shasta has been sleeping on the same dog bed for a very long time!!  Needless to say it has lost the shape and cushion it once had.  It was definitely time for a new bed.

.http://ovenlovinblog.com/diy-giant-chevron-floor-pillows/   Where I got the idea....
She made floor pillows and in a later post made a dog bed.  Hers didn't have the zipper and where stuffed.  I wanted something I could take off and wash and I was using a piece of foam (like you might use to make a cushion for a chair or for camping)


Supplies

For 32 by 35

1 yard top

1 yard bottom

1/2 yard sides- depends on how high you want the bed.  I got 1 yard and had about 1/2 left. 

1 zipper.  30 inches

I also used coordinating pipping.  It took two packs.

Cut one rectangle each from each top and bottom material at 33 by 36.   

Cut two rectangles from side material at 33 by 4 1/2 and 33 by 4 1/2. ( again this depends on the height you want)

Once all pieces are cut it is time to begin sewing. 

Sew each rectangle right sides together to each side of top.  If using pipping be sure to sandwhich raw edge out and keep close to the edge. After all four rectangles are sewn on your main fabric it is time to insert the zipper.

I am sure there is a better method for the zipper but this is what I did.

I measured the zipper and cut on one of my side panels.

I then ironed it open just a little.  

I then laid the zipper in the opening and pinned it from the front.  Using my zipper foot I sewed the zipper on the side panel.  

Lay your main fabric with rectangles right side up and line bottom fabric right sides together to one side.   Pin and sew.  Match opposite side, pin and sew.  Be sure to open zipper now!    Then repeat with other two sides.   

Now it's time to sew the corners. This can be a little tricky and bulky.   Maybe because my machine is so small!!

Back on topic....be sure to line up seam and pipping to make nice corners.  When finished flip case inside out through the open zipper.  

Stand back and admire your handiwork!  Then stuff the case.  

A quilt for my husband

I bought fabric a long long time ago for a quilt for my husband.  I found it, he loved it an we got a bunch. 

 .....some time later......

 

 I find a block pattern that will work great with the two fabrics I have.  I begin cutting and making a bunch of blocks.  I modified his pattern a little but i could not have done it without the great directions in the pattern. I skipped some steps and started with an 8.5 inch square of my main fabric. I followed the directions for using the triangles to make a square.  It is harder than t looks, you have to pay attention to direction of your triangles.  Then I realize what a LARGE project this is, get bored and take a break.

.....several projects later my husbands asks whatever happened to his quilt.  Then every project I finish he says "that's really nice.  What about my quilt?" I explain its a LARGE project and I am not equipped to complete it. ( I did not share with him that i have short attention span and i like to be able to see the end ) That buys me some time but....then I feel bad and decide its time to work on it. 

I finish the main squares and then do some calculations to figure out how many squares it would take to make the quilt as big as he wants. Answer: a lot of squares! So I do some more calculations and figure out a second square Using the coordinating solids that I have.  Important side note -math is not my friend. I also have to calculate in seam allowances when making up my own square.  I draw this out on a post-it note, make one and then realize I do have some skills when it measures just like I wanted!

- the made up block -

  One 12 x 6 rectangle

  One 5.5 x 5.5 square

  One 6.5 x 5.5 rectangle

  Sew the two small ones together first then add the large rectangle.  Press and then gaze at wonderful           made up block. 

I can see the end in sight and decide to keep going.  Once all the squares are done I do a little happy dance.  Then I return to business and arrange the squares on the bed and again do a happy dance.  I can see the end it is getting closer and closer.  I started putting the squares into rows.  When it comes time to put the rows together I realize again what a LARGE project this is. 

Then it was time for more math! Otherwise known as adding the border.  I read a few tutorials on measuring and sewing borders.   I measured one side then made the strip.  Again counting in seam allowances when piecing together is crucial.   When adding the top and bottom you now have an extra little bit on the sides to count. 

That is all for now.  My mom is going to quilt it for me and I will post a picture when it is finished.

Classroom Management : An Idea

I found this blog post the other day and it made me stop and evaluate what I am using for classroom management, what works and the purpose behind what we do.  As a special education teacher and beyond that as a teacher in an Autism program the goal is to shape behavior beginning with positive reinforcement.  We know that positive feedback should be 4-5 times more frequent than negative feedback.  Feedback should also be specific, direct and quick.  We can shape behavior by the amount or frequency of feedback we give and by raising the expectations in small increments.

This idea of "Happy Sticks" is interesting. It is based on a positive reinforcement system.  Where you might walk around and pass out a sticker or a high five you would give a student a "Happy Stick".  Students then save their "Happy Sticks" to trade in for prizes. 

I think at this point it will be too much for my young preschoolers to fully grasp.  I like that this system gives staff a visual prompt to remember that positive feedback.  You could set a goal each day or each activity or for a single student to make sure that positive feedback is happening and is specific and quick.   This system would also allow you to give more than one "Happy Stick" for exceptional behavior. 


This is just my thoughts. 

What is everyone else using? What has worked?  What has been a disaster?

Leader in Me

My new school is a Leader in Me school.  What that means is that all the teachers are getting three days of Stephen Covey's 7 Habits of Highly Effective People.  Then we will have one day of training and planning to implement Leader in Me in our classrooms and our school.  We are doing three days of the 7 habits because the idea is that this isn't just another program to implement and teach, this is a framework from the ground up.  It starts with us buying into the 7 habits and using them in our lives. I had read The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People years ago and I had a FranklinCovey planing system for years.  In other words it won't take much for me to buy in.  

As for implementing Leader in Me in my special education preschool.......I am still thinking about the specifics.  I am thinking about the things we teach our students that are not lessons.  What they learn from our actions, the routines, the schedule how we treat people and even the atmosphere we create.  

Habit 1 - Be Proactive 

      We foster independence and self-determination throughout the school day.  Students are responsible for their own belongings, they participate in daily routines and they make choices about where they want to play and who they want to play with. 

Habit 2 - Begin with the End in Mind

     We review the schedule for the day, we talk about any surprises/changes to the schedule. 

Habit 3 - Put First Things First

      We do our 'work' before we play and we clean-up before we go outside.

Habit 4 - Think Win-Win

      We are constantly modeling how to treat others, now to problem solve and ways to encourage and congratulate others.

Habit 5 - Seek First to Understand, then to be Understood

     We teach problem solving and friendship skills.  

Habit 6 - Synergize 

    We encourage students to play together and with different peers each day.  We group them for projects mad model and teach how to work together.  

Habit 7 - Sharpen the Saw

     We are consistent.  The most important thing is to be consistent and just keep going.  

In my classroom Leader in Me will mean using some different vocabulary for things I already do.  I will of course explicitly teach the 7 habits in an age appropriate manner. 

 Over at First Grade and Fabulous she has posters for the 7 habits and picture books that she uses.  I think picture books are the most age appropriate manner you can find.  It will be interesting to see how it all comes together this year.  I will do my best to keep you updated and what I try.  

Linky Party #4. Rhyming

Here we go.......

My current #1 rhyming book is.....

  

#2  -  I love books that go together.  Not really a series because they aren't connected but they have the same characters.

#3 - Really all of these are great.  They are so much more than rhyming books.

#4. -  I just picked this one up today!  Just really a cute and short book.  

Subway Art

I am so excited about my newest idea.   Have you seen subway art?  I found, though Pinterest, a blog with subway art to download.  Then the other day I got one of those wonderful e-mails from Shutterfly. "101 Free Prints"!     Because of my wonderful timing I had recently printed all the pictures from our last trip and didn't have anything else pressing to print.   And hen a little light bulb went off.  The subway art downloads and prints as a picture.  

Eighteen25

So, on the last night for the "101 Free Prints" (Again my timing is impeccable) I begin downloading the subway art from eighteen25  And then I upload it into Shutterfly.  These downloads are meant to print as 8x10 or 16x20.  And that of course is what I do (if you have guessed what happens next then you are a step ahead of me).  I crop the photos, order several of each and then try to use my "101 Free Prints".   
And here comes the surprise....."101 Free Prints" is for 4x6 size only.  After a moment to collect myself I came up with a new plan.  Keep in mind that this is still the last night for the "101 Free Prints" and it is getting later and later.  I just can't give up at this point.  Now I begin again.  I delete everything and download again, upload to Picssa.  Now my plan comes into action, Picssa has a an edit feature where I can resize the pictures.  Then of course I have to save the new files and upload them to Shutterfly (again). This plan works and I have beautiful subway art ready to go at 4x6.

  

This is how my pictures  turned out. 

I bought a frame on sale at Target because I couldn't wait to see it all finished.

 

My plan is to put one of each and a frame together as a cute little gift for my friends.  I also thought it would be cute with a two opening frame.  If you were organized you could have a Halloween picture to go with the Halloween subway art.  You know, if you were that organized. 

Linky Post #3

  

1. Mouse Was Mad

 2.  Marvin Gets Mad




























3.  Have You Filled a Bucket Today? - One of the best ways to teach little minds about feelings and consequences of their actions. 

4.  The Duckling Gets a Cookie - A great book about manners.

5.  Winners Never Quit - Keep trying, it's okay to loose.  

6.  Yes We Can! - Friendship and working with friends.

The second Linky Party post.  Books about math. 

1. One Green Frog  -   Book with circles for each animal. Great interacive and tactile book.

 

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2. I'm Dirty - Counting back from 10

3. Mouse Count  - There is tons of great resources to go with this book.

4. Apple Countdown

 

5. Pete the Cat and His Four Groovy Buttons - Simple counting book with basic subtraction and of course Pete's rhythm and songs.

I am going to try my first Linky Party.  First Grade and Fabulous is hosting a Linky Party all about picture books.  I love picture books and I have lots.  Mine are mostly in storage so these Linky posts will be just from my memory. 





First week books


1.Don't Eat the Teacher  -  A silly meet the teacher book.

2. Pete the Cat I Love my White Shoes -  A great song and colors it is perfect.

3. Pete the Cat Rocking in my School Shoes - I just love Pete!!! 



  








4. I'm Your Bus  -  Even the kids who don't ride the bus like to listen to this.

 

5. I Ain't Gonna Paint No More   - Because you have to have one that is just silly.

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