Saturday, July 28, 2012

Word Inventory for Reading Street


I'm taking classes this summer trying to complete my masters degree. After this class I only have three more to go! I'm so ready to be complete. It has be a long, hard road. The class I'm taking now is called Content Area Reading and Writing through the University of Texas at Arlington or UTA. It's a very affordable program. For one of my homework assignments I had to make a lesson plan to do with vocabulary. So I did it using our current Reading Street program. The activity I'm posting is a pre-learning activity where you assess what the student knows. The students rate how well they know the vocabulary words for the story "The Twin Club." This is the first story in the 2nd grade Reading Street Curriculum. Also included is a game to do with vocabulary words. You have to write the vocabulary words on clothespins. The students clip the word to the correct meaning.

Friday, July 27, 2012

Sewing 102 - Making a pillow

I'm continuing my sewing classes at Joann's. I took class 102 this time. We learned about reading a pattern and how to lay it out on the fabric. We did a simple pillow project. The pattern was one of those For Dummies type. This is the one we used below.


I've made pillows before and they're pretty easy and straightforward to make. I ended up making this one for my niece because I couldn't find any fabric I liked to match my room. Besides that I already have a ton of pillows on my bed. I don't realy need any more. I did it in a cute Tinkerbell fabric. What little girl doesn't like fairies? I think I'll save it to give as one of her gifts for her birthday next month. My little bop will be turning 3! You'd think she was 33 the way she acts. But you gotta love her!

Wednesday, July 25, 2012

Sewing Class Here I Come!


I went into Joann's the other day just to buy a tri-board for my classroom. I plan on making a board for my Writing and Math center. I was oh so good, only picking up just what I needed and not boatload of other things. :) That is so hard to do sometimes! Anyhow the lady at the checkout counter tells me they have special going on. A buy one get one free on all their classes.

I have been wanting to take some formal sewing training for ages. I never got to complete Home Economics in high school because of illness. So I jumped at the chance. Who doesn't like a sale? I ended up taking the Sewing 101 and 102 which covers the basics. I've already been to the first class. There was very little taught that I didn't know but it was a great refresher.

 In the next class we will be making a pillow. I also signed up for a more advanced class to make a shirt and a dress. Altogether the classes cost me $90 for four classes. Not to shabby I think.

Monday, July 23, 2012

New Sewing Machine for me!

So I went and bought a new sewing machine. I actually already had one but I've had my eye on the Project Runway model by Brother. It is computerized and has all the bells and whistles that my old Kenmore doesn't. I got an amazing deal on it! The cheapest I've found it is $150 at Walmart. That was still a little more than I wanted to pay. So I went to my old standby, eBay. I ended up paying $99 for it including shipping! You can't beat that with a stick.