They Don't Look Cheap

School starts in the blink of an eye so I am busy getting my classroom ready. To celebrate our new traditional calendar (No more year round school!!!) I am putting a little extra love into setting up.

I love my public school and believe deeply in it's value, but sometimes when I read homeschool blogs or browse the Magic Cabin catalog, I long for more of the Montessouri/ Waldorf aesthetic. Surely there is room for better design in my classroom? Something that isn't laminated!

My math manipulatives have been in assorted Gladware containers and plastic boxes for the better part of 10 years. Two years ago I moved classrooms 4 times in one school year! It took a toll on all those plastic boxes and they are pretty shabby. Plus, they were all mismatched.

To remedy this situation I bought a big swath of heavy canvas. It was possibly 2lbs (I am guessing) at the $2/LB Loft at Michael Levines downtown. I also got some $0.99 sew in velcro from Joannes. I had a few ribbon scraps in my stash. Some of that was from gift wrap I had received so it was free. I also had freezer paper in my stash. I paid $ 8.95 for 30 sheets and only used maybe 3 sheets total so that works out to be about $1.

1. Sewed up simple bags and pouches with velcro closures.

2.

I stenciled on some graphic symbols for easy identification. I was going for a modern clean Ohdeedoh type of look.

3. Here they are drying! Yeah!


4. I used 3M Command Hooks (the best) to hang the bags next to my math board.


I am in love! They look cool, take up less space, and cost under $15!

For lots more under $15 inspiration head over to Maman Tatoo!