Hand Drawn Decorative Border Patterns

I have spent a bit of time recently drawing some borders to use in the classroom. I ended up designing 15 borders but could have done lots more, as I absolutely loved just sitting drawing. It would definitely be one of my favourite hobbies. I have put them on Teachers Pay Teachers so you can download and use them in your classroom.

The borders can be used to frame a variety of children's work- paintings, drawings, collage, written work or photos. Teachers can use these hand drawn borders for classroom signs, notes or messages.

Colour them, paint them enlarge them, reduce them or draw on them......Get creative!!

I designed several different themes. 

Some examples of how to use the borders....

Colour them for classroom signs...

Paint them...

I hope you like them!!

Until next time,

Niccola

Decorating Tween Boys Bedrooms

I love the Summer holidays as you get to complete some big projects, often projects that you have been putting off all year.

This is one of those projects....

My 11 year old has been asking for months for us to take off his bedroom door and replace it with a TARDIS door from Doctor Who!!! 

This took a bit of time to put together but he learnt so much. From drawing the design, measuring and buying the materials, assembling the door, painting the door and installing the finished product.

He is pretty happy with the result, so I'm happy!!

Niccola

Free Birthday Chart

I am getting ready for the new school year making name tags, bag tags, charts and posters. I have just finished my birthday chart and put it on Teachers Pay Teachers. It is the first time I have put anything on their website but I have a few resources that I will share soon!! I thought I would show you how I use the chart.

Find the free printable here....

Print out and cut out the cupcakes and the birthday cake stand.

Write your children's birthdays on each month and laminate for durability.

Cut around the laminated cakes and stand.

I always attach Velcro to the back of my posters so I can put the posters straight on the pin up board.

The finished product.

I hope you like it.

Niccola

Frozen Names

Do you want a fun activity that is perfect for battling the heat when we go back to school?

Frozen names are the answer. 

Write the children's names on plastic file dividers with a permanent marker.

Put the children's names in plastic cups or icy pole containers and fill them with water.

Pop the cups in the freezer over night.

Put the frozen names in the water trolley and let the children try to find their frozen name.

The aim of this activity is for the children to identify their name, their friends names, the letters in their names, keep cool and learn through play.

The names can be used again and again.

I hope you have some frozen fun with your class when school goes back.

Niccola

Pom Pom Poppers

Every school holidays I head to the local Library with my kids and we stock up on a variety of books. Last holidays I borrowed lots of books on using natural and recycled materials. They gave me lots of great ideas, including this one that my class absolutely LOVED!!!

Here are some of the books I borrowed....

I adapted this idea from one of the books.

Instead of using paper cups, I used plastic cups as I thought they would be more durable.

Cut the base out of the plastic cups.

Tie a knot in your balloon and snip the end off the balloon.

Stretch the balloon over the bottom of the cup and secure with some tape.

Get your child to decorate the cup with stickers, markers or coloured tape.

Now for fun part!!!

Put a pom pom in the cup and show your child how to pull on the knot and let it go. The force will shoot out the pom pom.

If you are really clever, you can try and catch it back in your cup. My class loved making these, playing with them inside and outside and shooting pom poms all over the classroom. Of course it was more fun when we filled the cups with pom poms and shot them all out at once.

This is a quick, simple, clever and fun holiday activity to make with your kids. Give it a go.

Niccola

Christmas Presents Kids Can Make

I know it's hard to come up with Christmas present ideas that young children can make for their parents, but I don't think you can go past hand print art. This gift idea is simple and something that the parents will love and cherish.

This year I found some great festive placemats and got the children to print on them with fabric paint.

We started with green handprints.

The children then printed a base for their handprint Christmas tree and a star for the top.

Using their pointer finger, they dotted little Christmas lights over their tree.

Once the placemats were dry, I ironed the placemats to set the fabric paint.

I'm sure the parents will love their gifts come Christmas morning and continue to use them over the years.

I hope you have a wonderful Christmas!!

Do You Want To Build A Playdough Snowman?

Do you want a few extra minutes to wrap presents, cook or just have a quiet cup of tea in this crazy busy lead up to Christmas?

.... Then I have the answer for you!!

 My class created, played, talked, sung (Frozen - of course) and thoroughly enjoyed this playdough learning experience.

Make a plain batch of playdough, grab some simple accessories and let your children get creative.

I added some buttons, eyes, sticks, orange pipe cleaners, little wood cookies, sequins but really you could add anything.

Some cute and interesting snowmen.

I hope your children enjoy this activity and I hope you get a few jobs done.

All the best, Niccola