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Sarah Plum

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You are here: Home / Other / Monday Made It + a Freebie!

Monday Made It + a Freebie!

July 9, 2012 by Sarah Plum(itallo) 63 Comments

I’m excited about today’s Monday Made It, because it’s something I saw on Pinterest and then had no choice but to complete after finding the perfect materials on my Michaels trip.

Moment of silence y’all, for Dorothy-gingham plates — 12 for $1. Perfect for my bulletin board headers (no purchasing of expensive letters!) and my word wall.
I thought that was going to be my only Monday Made It… but then I found these in the Target Dollar Spot:

What is it? A stress-reliever. And so this was born:
I’ve used stress-relievers before in the classroom to give kiddos a little brain-break and some tactile input, but these were begging to be used as a focal point for kiddos that are stuck.
So I created a little packet with a projectable anchor chart, a reproducible anchor chart, the labels, and some guidance on how I utilize stress-relievers in the classroom and plan on using these. You can find it by clicking on the cover below (it’ll take you to it on TPT)!
I would love to know what you’ve utilized in your classroom to get students “unstuck” and on the path to a lightbulb moment — share in the comments!
So there you have it, my Monday Made Its! I’ll be back later today or tomorrow to share a few things I’ve been working on for my classroom, as well as my plan to tackle creating my language arts curriculum for the first few weeks.
Update: Head on over to this post to see what I added to my “encouraging lightbulb moments” packet and re-download it at my TPT store!

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Filed Under: Other Tagged With: Classroom Decor, Freebie, Monday Made It, Teachers Pay Teachers, The Wizard of Oz

Comments

  1. 4321teach says

    July 9, 2012 at 2:09 pm

    The plates turned out so cute. I love you blog design!

    EmilyK

    Reply
    • Mrs. Plum says

      July 9, 2012 at 2:56 pm

      Thank you!

      Reply
  2. Brandi says

    July 9, 2012 at 2:37 pm

    Love the lightbulb moments…will have to hit up Target! Thanks for sharing!

    Brandi
    Success in Second Grade

    Reply
    • Mrs. Plum says

      July 9, 2012 at 2:56 pm

      You are very welcome! They also had globe stress-relievers, which would still work just fine; you could phrase it as "open your mind to the world's possibilities" or something. πŸ™‚

      Reply
  3. Stephanie @ 3rd Grade Thoughts says

    July 9, 2012 at 2:37 pm

    NO WAY! I just bought 6 of those lightbulbs and was not sure how to present them to the class- this is PERFECT!!

    As you know, I am just loving your theme and those plates are perfection!

    Thanks again!!!

    ~Stephanie
    3rd Grade Thoughts

    Reply
    • Mrs. Plum says

      July 9, 2012 at 2:55 pm

      YES WAY! I had a feeling that there would be plenty of fellow teacher bloggers that did the same thing and might be in need of a focused use for them! πŸ™‚

      You should have seen the look on my face when I saw them and then the frenzy to get them all into my basket, LOL!

      Reply
  4. Kara says

    July 9, 2012 at 2:38 pm

    I love your lightbulb moment idea! Thanks for sharing!

    Kara
    Spedventures

    Reply
    • Mrs. Plum says

      July 9, 2012 at 2:56 pm

      You're very welcome!

      Reply
  5. Jordon, The Messy One says

    July 9, 2012 at 4:37 pm

    So cute!! I love this idea. Thanks for sharing!

    Reply
  6. The Meek Moose says

    July 9, 2012 at 5:35 pm

    Oy! I've got to get to Target! I've been wanting stress relievers for my second graders.
    ~Heather
    http://themeekmoose.blogspot.com

    Reply
    • Mrs. Plum says

      July 9, 2012 at 6:12 pm

      If you can't find them, I did find them online for $.49 more — you may be able to contact the company directly and get a teacher discount (it's linked in the PDF file).

      Reply
  7. Christa Swaney says

    July 9, 2012 at 5:49 pm

    Mrs. Plum.
    Just found your blog! What a great idea with the lightbulbs!! I am your newest follower. I am new to the blogging world as well. Come check out my blog!

    Christa
    sweetlifeofsecondgrade

    Reply
  8. Tara says

    July 9, 2012 at 5:58 pm

    OH MY GOODNESS!!!!! I need those light bulbs!!!! I was just at Target this morning and didn't see them…I am going to another in a bit!!! LOVE that idea! That will work perfect in my classroom. LOVE IT LOVE IT!!! I may even need one for my desk…lol!!! Super cute ideas! Thanks for sharing;)

    4th Grade Frolics

    Reply
    • Mrs. Plum says

      July 9, 2012 at 6:13 pm

      I went to four Targets, and only found them at the one that had re-done their Dollar Spot for Back-to-School. I asked around and all of the others were in process of clearancing things out and were planning on putting them up in the next few days. If not — in the PDF there's a link to a company that sells them for $.49 more!

      Reply
  9. Mary says

    July 9, 2012 at 8:30 pm

    Love this! I use a lot of stress balls in my room (special ed.) I definitely need to check these out! Thanks for the great idea and the freebie!

    Mary
    Teaching Special Kids

    Reply
  10. Lisa R. says

    July 9, 2012 at 9:10 pm

    I am loving that lightbulb idea!! I think with all of the great ideas that I'm seeing around blogland, I am going to be a very broke teacher when I go back to school! Thanks for the cute freebie!
    Lisa
    Learning Is Something to Treasure

    Reply
  11. Mrs. Cupcake says

    July 9, 2012 at 10:43 pm

    I love the lightbulb moment idea!! Love!!!
    ❀Teri
    A Cupcake for the Teacher

    Reply
  12. A Teacher Without a Class says

    July 10, 2012 at 12:10 am

    I love the lightbulb idea! Kids really do need to have sensory breaks–and usually the classroom doesn't have enough sensory input for kids!

    I'm your newest follower. I would love to have you come and visit my blog.

    http://www.ateacherwithoutaclass.com

    Reply
    • Mrs. Plum says

      July 10, 2012 at 1:08 am

      I'm going to incorporate whole-class brain breaks, but I totally agree that there's not enough sensory input for kids usually! I'm hoping that with lots of modeling, my kiddos learn to take recognize when they are in need of a break and take one without prompting. πŸ™‚

      Reply
  13. Krista Carlson says

    July 10, 2012 at 12:49 am

    Love your "lightbulb" moment idea! Too cute and creative! Not to mention your blog is adorable. Found you at the linky and I am now your newest follower. Looking forward to sharing ideas!

    -Krista
    The Second Grade Superkids

    Reply
    • Mrs. Plum says

      July 10, 2012 at 1:09 am

      Thank you so much!

      Reply
  14. Amanda Madden says

    July 10, 2012 at 2:01 am

    Love those lightbulbs!! Glad to find another 2nd grade blog. I'm your newest follower.

    Amanda
    Teaching Maddeness
    Come join my linky party!

    Reply
  15. Mrs. M says

    July 10, 2012 at 2:06 am

    Cute! I'm a new follower πŸ˜‰

    Color Me Kinder

    Reply
  16. Tamera says

    July 10, 2012 at 2:38 am

    Cute idea with the lightbulbs!
    πŸ™‚
    Tamera
    http://myheartbelongsinfirst.blogspot.com
    Kaizactan2001@yahoo.com

    Reply
  17. Dollie Evans says

    July 10, 2012 at 3:47 am

    Love the lightbulb moment-great idea thanks for sharing!

    Reply
  18. Jena Snowden says

    July 10, 2012 at 4:03 am

    Your blog is so cute! Glad I found you through Monday Made It. πŸ™‚

    Jena
    1st Grade with Miss Snowden

    Reply
  19. Erin McCown says

    July 10, 2012 at 4:42 am

    That idea is absolutely precious! I've been trying to figure something out for my 8th grade kids so they can get little brain breaks.

    Reply
  20. Rachel Lamb says

    July 10, 2012 at 11:27 am

    I LOVE Wizard of OZ! I actually have CAFE posters in my TpT shop for free. Go grab em! Your newest follower
    Rachel
    http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/CAFE-Literacy-Board-Headers-Wizard-of-Oz-theme

    Reply
  21. Tara says

    July 10, 2012 at 7:42 pm

    I found them!!!!!!!!!! So excited and just downloaded your packet to go with them…I also bought the smiley face ones…may return them…..I have to think…lol….I have to take a light bulb moment and decide!!!! Thanks again for sharing….totally making this today:)

    4th Grade Frolics

    Reply
    • Mrs. Plum says

      July 10, 2012 at 10:23 pm

      YAY! I am *so* glad you found them! Let me know if you want me to whip up a smiley-face label for you — I don't mind at all and it would take me like two seconds.

      Reply
  22. Lana says

    July 10, 2012 at 9:31 pm

    Now why can't my Target have anything like what I'm seeing on all these teaching blogs?! Haha! Love the lightbulbs. I just bought a pack of lightbulb notepads. I don't know what I'll do with them, but they are too cute!

    Reply
    • Mrs. Plum says

      July 10, 2012 at 10:26 pm

      Your Target may not have put them out yet — I would definitely ask! I can look on my receipt and give you the item number if you want them to look it up on their scanners!

      Reply
  23. Jill says

    July 11, 2012 at 1:57 am

    I love your creations and the ideas. Thanks for sharing.

    Jill
    Bubbalulu.blogspot.com

    Reply
  24. April Walker says

    July 16, 2012 at 4:35 pm

    My Targets all are always picked over. I love the globe idea. The plates are super cute too.
    ~April
    The Idea Backpack
    ideabackpack@gmail.com

    Reply
  25. Molly says

    July 16, 2012 at 4:47 pm

    The lightbulbs are so cute!! So thankful for Tara's linky and all the wonderful ideas I am getting!! I was just at the Dollar Spot at Target yesterday and didn't see them, but of course I wasn't really looking for them, so I'm gonna have to go back and try to find them!!! Thanks for the wonderful idea!!

    Molly
    Lessons with Laughter

    Reply
    • Mrs. Plum says

      July 16, 2012 at 9:52 pm

      You are very welcome! I hope you can find them at Target soon — if not, you can purchase them online for only slightly more. πŸ™‚

      Reply
  26. Aimee V. says

    July 17, 2012 at 12:19 am

    I'm heading straight to Target tomorrow!! What a great idea! I'm your newest follower!!

    Aimee
    aimee@vanmiddlesworth.org
    Pencils, Books, and Dirty Looks

    Reply
  27. Barbara says

    July 17, 2012 at 10:34 pm

    Thanks for the awesome freebie . . . I cannot WAIT to see how my students react to your lightbulb moment packet! I found you on Tara's site and I'm adding you to my blogroll!

    Barbara
    The Corner On Character

    Reply
    • Mrs. Plum says

      July 18, 2012 at 9:10 pm

      Thank you so much! I hope it's useful for you!

      Reply
    • Barbara says

      July 18, 2012 at 9:11 pm

      Got my lightbulbs and smiley faces this afternoon!

      Reply
  28. Cait22 says

    July 18, 2012 at 8:28 pm

    Such a cute idea for the stress ball light bulbs!! My Target didn't have those πŸ™ I'll have to check back!

    Cait
    Sliding into First!

    Reply
    • Mrs. Plum says

      July 18, 2012 at 9:10 pm

      Definitely check back — sometimes they re-stock toward the end of the week! πŸ™‚

      Reply
  29. Natalies Nook says

    July 18, 2012 at 9:26 pm

    Hi there,
    I am brand new to the blogging world and came across your blog at the suggestion of 4th Grade Frolics. Congratulations on finally getting your own classroom! You'll love it! I absolutely loved your Lightbulb idea – so much that I am paying $20.00 to have them shipped to me in Canada! We need Target so badly! Thank you for sharing this idea and the labels.

    As a side note, how do I get my blog name/link to show up at the bottom of my comment under my name? This simply eludes me:)
    Thanks!
    Natalie

    http://www.nataliesnook123.blogspot.com

    Reply
  30. Mrs. Plum says

    July 18, 2012 at 9:36 pm

    I cannot imagine a world without Target! I'm so glad you'll be able to use it, though — do let me know how it goes!

    As far as the link, you need to use a little bit of HTML code. I'll put it below for you; you just need to change [] to <>.

    [a href="http://nataliesnook123.blogspot.com&quot; target="_blank"]Natalie's Nook[/a]

    That should do it!

    Reply
  31. Miss R says

    July 24, 2012 at 4:26 pm

    I am so sad! I have been to 3 Target stores and haven't found them!! I was even willing to settle for the globe stress balls. Sad day! Did you have a link up yesterday to where you can buy them online? Or did I see that on a different blog? Anywho, great idea!

    Leslie
    Miss R's Room

    Reply
    • Mrs. Plum says

      July 24, 2012 at 7:01 pm

      Hey Leslie! I left you a comment on your blogpost with a link to where you can find them online — hope that helps!

      Reply
  32. Ashlee @ Life's Little Lovelies says

    July 24, 2012 at 7:56 pm

    I love the lightbulb idea! How long ago did you find them at Target?

    Reply
    • Mrs. Plum says

      July 25, 2012 at 7:27 pm

      I found them there about two and a half weeks ago; the last time I saw them was a week ago — they sold out rather quickly in my Targets!

      Reply
  33. nicpower says

    July 24, 2012 at 8:45 pm

    LOVE this! I work with kids with language challenges. These will be so perfect and encouraging. Thanks a bunch!

    Reply
    • Mrs. Plum says

      July 25, 2012 at 7:28 pm

      You're very welcome!

      Reply
  34. Holly says

    July 25, 2012 at 2:16 am

    I'm your newest follower and I just love it when I find something that makes sense and that I fall immediately in love with – LOVE your lightbulb moment. I wish Target wasn't closed – cuz I'd head over there right this very minute.

    Thanks bunches!!!!!!

    Holly
    Crisscross Applesauce in First Grade

    Reply
    • Mrs. Plum says

      July 25, 2012 at 7:28 pm

      I hope you're able to find them!

      Reply
  35. Jessica says

    July 25, 2012 at 7:13 pm

    LOVE the lightbulbs–I saw this over at Tales from room 17, what a great way for kids to release energy in a safe way. Plus I am doing an electricity unit for my TPT store and this would be a great idea as a little prize at the end for the students.
    Great Ideas!!
    stop by my blog,I'm having a giveaway, trying to get to 100 followers.
    http://tale-of-a-first-grade-teacher.blogspot.com

    Reply
    • Mrs. Plum says

      July 25, 2012 at 7:29 pm

      They would be super cute paired with an electricity unit!

      Reply
  36. Liz Mccaw says

    July 26, 2012 at 5:13 pm

    Hello,

    Love your site. I have nominated you for an award. Please visit
    my site to read about it.

    Liz πŸ™‚

    Reply
  37. Jen W says

    July 27, 2012 at 1:21 pm

    I love the light-bulb idea! Thanks for sharing! I am your newest follower! Please check my blog out!

    Jen at http://wherelearningisfun.blogspot.com/

    Reply
  38. Holly says

    July 29, 2012 at 9:31 pm

    Hey You!

    If you get a chance can you send me an email? I can't find your email anywhere or else I'd email you!!!!

    hollywazy4@gmail.com

    Thanks bunches!

    Holly
    Crisscross Applesauce in First Grade

    Reply
    • Mrs. Plum says

      July 29, 2012 at 11:21 pm

      Sent you an e-mail! It's actually right under my TPT store button on the right tool bar — the "@" graphic. πŸ™‚

      Reply
  39. Katie Smith says

    July 29, 2012 at 9:41 pm

    This is a darling idea. I hope they still have those cute lightbulbs available at Target.
    Katie
    I Want to be a Super Teacher

    Reply
  40. Heather's Heart says

    July 31, 2012 at 12:02 am

    Thank you so much for this wonderful idea! I love the packet you put together for us also. I just ordered some lightbulbs. =)

    I love your cute blog. =)

    If you get the chance, come see the Hug your Heart jar I shared about today. =)

    Blessings,

    Heather
    Heather's Heart

    Reply
  41. Charell says

    July 31, 2012 at 1:41 am

    I love this idea and already added this "Lightbulb Moments" basket to my do do list (And I pinned it on my Pinterest board)…Thanks for being so creative, my 4th graders are going to love you for it!

    http://www.missmiltonsmemoirs.blogspot.com(Tales of a 4th grade Teacher!)
    Newbie Blogger

    Reply
  42. *Eden* says

    July 31, 2012 at 3:49 am

    I need one of those on my desk at work! I am super excited to try this in my High School English class. I think it will work great for those students that need some movement or manipulative while they work. Great blog, I love it!

    Eden
    http://teachinginflats.blogspot.com

    Reply
  43. Amy says

    August 2, 2012 at 12:48 am

    Love, love, love this light bulb moment idea!!!! I just wish the Targets next to me carried those…. I'm your newest follower!

    Amy
    Krazy About Kiddos

    Reply

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About the Author

Sarah Plum(itallo) is a teacher of emerging multilinguals and 21st Century Grant coordinator in Virginia. She writes curriculum for inclusive classrooms and presents professional development on a variety of topics.

Read more about Sarah and her background in education here.

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