Creating for the Classroom: DIY Pointers
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It’s no secret that I love to create, especially when it comes to making items that enhance learning in my classroom. New ideas are constantly popping into my head, and you will often find evidence of a recent “craft time” in my house… ribbon scraps on the floor, anyone?! So when Jo-Ann Fabrics and Crafts contacted me about co-hosting a creating to learn contest with Hadar and April, I jumped at the opportunity!
I knew right away what I wanted to make for my kiddos! Take a look!
Aren’t these pointers the CUTEST?! I just *know* that my firsties will love to complete Write the Room activities with these little guys! I can’t wait to introduce them to my group! 🙂
To make this learning tool, I headed to Jo-Ann to grab a few things. If you’ve ever been to Jo-Ann Stores, you know they have a great selection of craft and teaching supplies… AND they offer teachers a 15% off discount… anytime! You can sign up for their teacher rewards online or in store!
I picked up a package of six dowel rods, six painted wood shapes, and three spools of ribbon {in my classroom colors of course}. I also bought Duct Tape with intentions of wrapping the dowels, but soon after starting my project, I remembered that Duct Tape and I don’t get along very well, so I ditched it… I think the ribbon looks 10x prettier anyways!! You will also need hot glue to complete your project.
To wrap the dowels with ribbon, I started by putting a few dots of hot glue at the top of the dowel to secure down the ribbon. Then I spiraled the ribbon tightly around the dowel, gluing down a spot every inch or so. At the bottom I used a few more dots of hot glue to make sure the ribbon wouldn’t go anywhere.
I just LOVE how ruched the ribbon looks! Next, I cut strips of each ribbon color and tied it around the top of the dowel. I put a nice amount of hot glue over the knot so that it would stay put. I had JUST enough ribbon to wrap six dowels and add the “flair,” so you might want to pick up extra ribbon if you don’t want to gamble 😉
Then, I flipped over the dowel and hot glued a wooden shape over the flat side of the ribbon.
Voila!
The completed project {again, hehe}!
Now for the really exciting part… you can join in on the crafting fun!!! Create a classroom project and link up with me, Hadar, and April! Be sure to include our linky button in your post, and link back to our blogs!
But that’s not all! Jo-Ann LOVES to encourage teachers, so the members of Jo-Ann’s Inspiration Team will judge linky party posts and award one $50 gift card to THREE bloggers. Yep, that’s THREE winners!! The team is looking for teachers that share the most innovative, creative, or impactful projects that engage students in the learning process or enhance the classroom as a learning environment.
The link-up will be open until September 23rd {to give you a chance to get your craft on!} and the winners will be announced shortly after!
Good luck! I can’t wait to see what you come up with!
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