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!
4321teach says
July 9, 2012 at 2:09 pmThe plates turned out so cute. I love you blog design!
EmilyK
Mrs. Plum says
July 9, 2012 at 2:56 pmThank you!
Brandi says
July 9, 2012 at 2:37 pmLove the lightbulb moments…will have to hit up Target! Thanks for sharing!
Brandi
Success in Second Grade
Mrs. Plum says
July 9, 2012 at 2:56 pmYou 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. 🙂
Stephanie @ 3rd Grade Thoughts says
July 9, 2012 at 2:37 pmNO 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
Mrs. Plum says
July 9, 2012 at 2:55 pmYES 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! 🙂
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!
Kara says
July 9, 2012 at 2:38 pmI love your lightbulb moment idea! Thanks for sharing!
Kara
Spedventures
Mrs. Plum says
July 9, 2012 at 2:56 pmYou're very welcome!
Jordon, The Messy One says
July 9, 2012 at 4:37 pmSo cute!! I love this idea. Thanks for sharing!
The Meek Moose says
July 9, 2012 at 5:35 pmOy! I've got to get to Target! I've been wanting stress relievers for my second graders.
~Heather
http://themeekmoose.blogspot.com
Mrs. Plum says
July 9, 2012 at 6:12 pmIf 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).
Christa Swaney says
July 9, 2012 at 5:49 pmMrs. 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
Tara says
July 9, 2012 at 5:58 pmOH 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
Mrs. Plum says
July 9, 2012 at 6:13 pmI 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!
Mary says
July 9, 2012 at 8:30 pmLove 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
Lisa R. says
July 9, 2012 at 9:10 pmI 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
Mrs. Cupcake says
July 9, 2012 at 10:43 pmI love the lightbulb moment idea!! Love!!!
❤Teri
A Cupcake for the Teacher
A Teacher Without a Class says
July 10, 2012 at 12:10 amI 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
Mrs. Plum says
July 10, 2012 at 1:08 amI'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. 🙂
Krista Carlson says
July 10, 2012 at 12:49 amLove 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
Mrs. Plum says
July 10, 2012 at 1:09 amThank you so much!
Amanda Madden says
July 10, 2012 at 2:01 amLove those lightbulbs!! Glad to find another 2nd grade blog. I'm your newest follower.
Amanda
Teaching Maddeness
Come join my linky party!
Mrs. M says
July 10, 2012 at 2:06 amCute! I'm a new follower 😉
Color Me Kinder
Tamera says
July 10, 2012 at 2:38 amCute idea with the lightbulbs!
🙂
Tamera
http://myheartbelongsinfirst.blogspot.com
Kaizactan2001@yahoo.com
Dollie Evans says
July 10, 2012 at 3:47 amLove the lightbulb moment-great idea thanks for sharing!
Jena Snowden says
July 10, 2012 at 4:03 amYour blog is so cute! Glad I found you through Monday Made It. 🙂
Jena
1st Grade with Miss Snowden
Erin McCown says
July 10, 2012 at 4:42 amThat idea is absolutely precious! I've been trying to figure something out for my 8th grade kids so they can get little brain breaks.
Rachel Lamb says
July 10, 2012 at 11:27 amI 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
Tara says
July 10, 2012 at 7:42 pmI 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
Mrs. Plum says
July 10, 2012 at 10:23 pmYAY! 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.
Lana says
July 10, 2012 at 9:31 pmNow 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!
Mrs. Plum says
July 10, 2012 at 10:26 pmYour 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!
Jill says
July 11, 2012 at 1:57 amI love your creations and the ideas. Thanks for sharing.
Jill
Bubbalulu.blogspot.com
April Walker says
July 16, 2012 at 4:35 pmMy Targets all are always picked over. I love the globe idea. The plates are super cute too.
~April
The Idea Backpack
ideabackpack@gmail.com
Molly says
July 16, 2012 at 4:47 pmThe 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
Mrs. Plum says
July 16, 2012 at 9:52 pmYou are very welcome! I hope you can find them at Target soon — if not, you can purchase them online for only slightly more. 🙂
Aimee V. says
July 17, 2012 at 12:19 amI'm heading straight to Target tomorrow!! What a great idea! I'm your newest follower!!
Aimee
aimee@vanmiddlesworth.org
Pencils, Books, and Dirty Looks
Barbara says
July 17, 2012 at 10:34 pmThanks 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
Mrs. Plum says
July 18, 2012 at 9:10 pmThank you so much! I hope it's useful for you!
Barbara says
July 18, 2012 at 9:11 pmGot my lightbulbs and smiley faces this afternoon!
Cait22 says
July 18, 2012 at 8:28 pmSuch a cute idea for the stress ball light bulbs!! My Target didn't have those 🙁 I'll have to check back!
Cait
Sliding into First!
Mrs. Plum says
July 18, 2012 at 9:10 pmDefinitely check back — sometimes they re-stock toward the end of the week! 🙂
Natalies Nook says
July 18, 2012 at 9:26 pmHi 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
Mrs. Plum says
July 18, 2012 at 9:36 pmI 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" target="_blank"]Natalie's Nook[/a]
That should do it!
Miss R says
July 24, 2012 at 4:26 pmI 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
Mrs. Plum says
July 24, 2012 at 7:01 pmHey Leslie! I left you a comment on your blogpost with a link to where you can find them online — hope that helps!
Ashlee @ Life's Little Lovelies says
July 24, 2012 at 7:56 pmI love the lightbulb idea! How long ago did you find them at Target?
Mrs. Plum says
July 25, 2012 at 7:27 pmI 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!
nicpower says
July 24, 2012 at 8:45 pmLOVE this! I work with kids with language challenges. These will be so perfect and encouraging. Thanks a bunch!
Mrs. Plum says
July 25, 2012 at 7:28 pmYou're very welcome!
Holly says
July 25, 2012 at 2:16 amI'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
Mrs. Plum says
July 25, 2012 at 7:28 pmI hope you're able to find them!
Jessica says
July 25, 2012 at 7:13 pmLOVE 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
Mrs. Plum says
July 25, 2012 at 7:29 pmThey would be super cute paired with an electricity unit!
Liz Mccaw says
July 26, 2012 at 5:13 pmHello,
Love your site. I have nominated you for an award. Please visit
my site to read about it.
Liz 🙂
Jen W says
July 27, 2012 at 1:21 pmI love the light-bulb idea! Thanks for sharing! I am your newest follower! Please check my blog out!
Jen at http://wherelearningisfun.blogspot.com/
Holly says
July 29, 2012 at 9:31 pmHey 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
Mrs. Plum says
July 29, 2012 at 11:21 pmSent you an e-mail! It's actually right under my TPT store button on the right tool bar — the "@" graphic. 🙂
Katie Smith says
July 29, 2012 at 9:41 pmThis is a darling idea. I hope they still have those cute lightbulbs available at Target.
Katie
I Want to be a Super Teacher
Heather's Heart says
July 31, 2012 at 12:02 amThank 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
Charell says
July 31, 2012 at 1:41 amI 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
*Eden* says
July 31, 2012 at 3:49 amI 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
Amy says
August 2, 2012 at 12:48 amLove, 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