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Simple Toddler Play Ideas

by doitonadimeblog Filed Under: Teaching

It’s been FREEZING and rainy here.  Carson loves playing outside, so over the past couple of weeks, we have gotten creative inside to keep him busy.  I love creative play on a budget that doesn’t require a lot of work or prep on my end.  Clean-up is always the worst…It’s hard enough trying to keep a house in order, let alone cleaning up after a messy craft!

We always ground our play activities in a thematically appropriate book (you can hear more about that here), and these have been our two favorites over the last couple of weeks: Ernest and Celestine – The Picnic and The Snowy Day.

  

Here’s how we’ve been having independent fun.  As always, make sure that what we are doing in our house is safe and age-appropriate for your child.  Independent play is always supervised 🙂

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Valentine’s Toddler Craft | “Stained Glass” Windows

by doitonadimeblog Filed Under: DIY Projects, Dollar Tree, Holiday, Teaching

I love getting crafty during the week with Carson.  That hands-on time is so important for filling our day (and I really think it helps him rest better for naps and a night!).  One of my favorite go-tos for craft ideas is the Dollar Tree.

They sell self laminating sheets (5 for $1) and they make awesome stained glass windows with tissue paper!

Want to hang out more with us?  Check out my newest Day In the Life Video!

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Keepin’ it real DITL

by doitonadimeblog Filed Under: Advice & Vlogs, Teaching

I like to share the day to day with you.  Come hang out with us!  Our (currently insane) yard, groceries, toddler craft, and having fun with the family.

What do you think…keep the cups or return them?

Every day is a blessing!  Glad to share today with you 🙂

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Dollar Tree Haul!

by doitonadimeblog Filed Under: Dollar Tree, Teaching

Went in Dollar Tree the other day and found a few GREAT deals on kid/toddler toys.

Great options for interactive play, reading, snacks, cutlery…I seriously love me a Dollar Tree run!

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Donor’s Choose Donations!

by doitonadimeblog Filed Under: Teaching

If you saw in this video, Chevy sent me $200 to give to classrooms in need through Donor’s Choose.

As a teacher of 8 years, I genuinely “get it”.  I know how hard the public school system is.  I was so excited to see so many of your comments with suggestions for classrooms deserving of this help.  It was extremely difficult for me to try to choose a select few to support, especially feeling like this $200 was such a drop in the ocean compared to the need.

However, something encouraging I found was from the time I posted the video, to the time I set to make donations, many of the projects had been 100% filled.  Almost half of them raised all the money they needed before I could get there!  This made me so overjoyed.

I chose to give $20 to 10 classrooms as a way of spending the $200.  Is $20 a lot?  No.  But it’s something.  And a bunch of little somethings add up to a huge blessing for kids in need. <3

Slide11)  Tasha is a subscriber of mine (also a teacher) and she shared Mrs. A’s classroom of special education students who need to learn in a hand-on and visual way, and they don’t even have a classroom projector.

2) Mrs. B works in a high-poverty school and needs non-fiction reading for her students.

3) Mrs. C’s book project in California.  These are 3rd graders, the age that has been shown to decide your future as a reader and life-longer learner.  Let’s get them reading!!!

4) Mrs. H’s classroom in NC.  This is a very rural area with a large non-English speaking, Hispanic population.  My students have iPads at my school, so I know the learning impact these can have, and how much can come from them, but also how crucial they are in helping with a language barrier.

5) Mrs. V is one of my subscribers!  She teaches Pre-K students in high-poverty Title I, where gangs, poverty and violence are in close proximity.  So happy to support her classroom.  Love ya, girl!

6) Mrs. L’s school is in need of two iPad minis.  It is located in the poorest Congressional District in the nation and specifically most students are living at or below the poverty line, receive free lunch, many are homeless, living in shelters and an increasing population of students are new immigrants from Latin America and Africa who are struggling with English. This project to purchase two iPads for the classroom (just 2 for an entire classroom!) is nearly funded.  They are so, so close to their goal!

7) This is for Mrs. V’s class in NY to support their music program and help send some awesome kiddos to American Young Voices Children’s Choir!

8) Mrs. B’s classroom is in need of a document camera for her students with severe communication abilities and autism.  She teaches 2nd grade.  What a fantastic resource for them!

9) Mrs. S’s elementary students need art supplies!  Watercolors, paint brushes…so they can study the masters and explore the arts.  Love it!

10) Mr. H’s room needs to purchase rocket kits.  Let’s instill the importance of science in our kids.

It felt so good to give to these wonderful teachers!  Many of these teachers have already written me kind thank-you responses, just to say that they appreciated our support.

If you feel called to help, these are some fantastic classrooms worth supporting!

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Help me support a teacher!

by doitonadimeblog Filed Under: Teaching

As I teacher, I know that classroom resources come at a premium, and making a difference isn’t easy without support.

Chevrolet shared a $200 donation on my behalf to support teacher’s efforts and enrich kid’s lives through www.donorschoose.org.  This is not a paid sponsorship video, and I am not being paid to endorse any company mentioned.  Just sharing love to the classrooms that are deserving because it was gifted to me to bless onward!

This is a community platform, and I do this because so YOU, so I want to support as many of your suggestions as possible!  If you are a teacher and have a page on Donor’s Choose, please let me know!

Otherwise, visit www.donorschoose.org, let me know about a teacher’s profile you would like to see supported (there is a search function to find teachers near you!)…who knows.  Your child’s teacher or a teacher you know, might be in need. <3

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TEACHER GIFT IDEAS!

by doitonadimeblog Filed Under: DIY Projects, Holiday, Teaching

Some gift ideas for your teacher this year.  I’ve been teaching for 8 years, and we don’t NEED anything to complete our season or year…your little ones are enough!  But here are some ideas that are $5 and under!

Get more information about these ideas at these fabulous blogs!

Post-it Idea from Ashley’s Craft Corner
Pen Idea for Scholastic
…also from Veri Keri
Starbucks gift card idea from Eighteen25
Hand Sanitizer on That’s what She Said
Redbox Movie Idea from Keeping My Cents
Survival Kit from Everyday Originals

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How I teach and entertain my kid under two :)

by doitonadimeblog Filed Under: Teaching

Play is fun.  Learning is fun.  Especially when you’re 2 🙂  Here’s how I keep it simple to have learning activities during the week.

My secret:  it’s all based on a book I choose.  And then we do simple things to learn about it.

It’s imperfect.  Sometimes he throws the craft and isn’t interested, sometimes we are just WAY TOO BUSY!  But, when I can, I try to incorporate this little system to create memories and a learning experience.

Would love to hear what you do/did!

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Classroom Organization Ideas!

by doitonadimeblog Filed Under: Money Saving, Organization, Teaching

I’ve been a teacher for 8 years.  Sometimes it’s hard to wrap my brain around that…or maybe I just want to feel younger than I am.  HA!  I am so, so blessed <3 I know the Lord placed this calling on my life, and I am so fortunate to work alongside some pretty incredible people and kiddos.  THANK YOU, TEACHERS for all you do! 🙂  Public school, private school, homeschool mommas.  We need strong people like you to lift up our communities.  You inspire the future.

Here are a few quick tips of ways I love to organize my classroom…some of these ideas you can even use in your house, too!

P.S. Only a squillion of you have asked to see my classroom at school.  I actually don’t have my own room, I teach off of a cart and float around the building (yay Spanish class!), but I did have my own room for 6+ years.  So I know these tips can hack it in a room full of energetic kiddos 😉

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DIY Edible PlayDoh! | Easy no-cook recipe for fall!

by doitonadimeblog Filed Under: Recipes, Teaching

My friend Jessica sent me this recipe, and I wanted to share it with you.  It’s fun and easy and perfect for fall!  I hope you enjoy and please post pictures on my facebook if you try it 🙂

Edible Pumpkin Playdough

1 cup canned pumpkin

2 oz. honey

2 cups flour (I used more like 3-4)

1/2 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice

orange food coloring (optional)

Mix together pumpkin puree and honey.  Add flour, powdered milk, and spice.  Knead together until well combined.

STORE IN FRIDGE FOR 2-3 HOURS BEFORE USE.  This will make it PERFECT consistency. 

Store in a gallon ziplock bag in the fridge for a week or two 🙂

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About me

Hi, I'm Kathryn! I'm passionate about organization, frugality, Dollar Tree, and thrifting to create a home I love with my family. Join me as I do it all on a dime! Read More…

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