Classroom Library Book Shelf---DIY

Here is another one of my DIY projects.  I really wanted to make my classroom library an inviting place to read and for me that means that everything needs to be organized.  I do not have a lot of my chapter books organized into different bins based on topic so instead they all go on a book shelf.  So, this summer I decided to make a new bookshelf for my classroom to help maximize my space without needing another book shelf from the school.



First, I started with regular old cinder blocks that were behind our house.  I used three of them.  I then spray painted them blue.



I bought a 2x8 from Home Depot.

I painted the board white first.

Here is the whole board painted white.

I then used blue painters tape to mark off different areas on the board.

More tape marks before painting.

Almost had a giraffe look when I was done taping.

I then painted some of the marked off spots blue.

I painted the rest of the spots green.  Once the paint was dry, I peeled off the tape.  (I did this whole process to both sides just in case I ever wanted to flip over the board.)

And the finished product in my classroom library.  It fits perfectly under my bulletin board.

Another look at the shelf, I have the students' book boxes and math boxes stored under the shelf, they fit perfectly.

This was such an easy and cheap project to do and I love the way it looks in my classroom!

Clipboard Bin-DIY

So, I was inspired by so many blogs this summer and all the teachers that do their own projects for their classrooms I decided to do a few myself.  I like to think that I am becoming more crafty but I will let you be the judge of that.  Earlier this summer, I also made stools on crates, you can see that post here. 

My next project was to make a bin for my clipboards in my room.  I inherited a yellow tub during the spring/summer and had yet to find a use for it until I was organizing my classroom and I could not find a good spot to put my clipboards so I decided to convert the yellow tub into the clipboard tub.



First, I grabbed my yellow tub.

<>

 

Second, I marked off the areas I wanted to spray paint with the chalk board paint with blue painters tape.



 

I painted both sides in case both sides of the tub would be showing in my classroom.



This is the chalk board spray paint that I used, bought at Home Depot.



This is what the tub looked like after I sprayed it, once it was dry I carefully peeled off the paint and it was perfect.



Here is the finished project in my classroom with all of our clipboards.  This tub sits near the Work on Writing area for Daily 5 so the students have different ways they can write or can go and write on one of the comfy chairs in the classroom.



So, that is my DIY project for this week.  I will be showing you another project I did for my classroom library that I love!

Stools

So I know I have seen these DIY stools on a bunch of different blogs so I am in no way taking credit for these but, I also do not know who to give credit to for them so I am sorry. 

Anyways, when I saw these stools, I fell in love with them.  They are a great way to have extra storage and seating for the classroom and something a little different for the kids to sit on.  I used the same fabric that I covered my bulletin boards with so everything matches.

The stools are really simple to make.  I used storage bins, wood from Home Depot (that they cut for me, highly recommend), old egg carton, fabric, and a staple gun.



The wood that I got cut at Home Depot so it was measured perfectly.  I brought the crate with me to make sure they fit.

Cutting the old egg carton for the padding of the stool.



Covering the wood and padding with fabric.

 

My puppy wanted to help!



 

The finished product.

 

Again, the finished product with all of the fabrics matching my bulletin boards.



Like I said above, I am not taking credit for coming up with this great idea but thought I would share my DIY project.