Move Over Raskog

I love Ikea, but don't get me wrong. Every time I check for those popular Raskogs, they are always NOT IN STOCK! That's a big ouch for this teacher (I get frustration in me)! I have completely revamped my classroom into a flexible/alternative seating this school year (more on that in a later post).  I removed my reading kidney shaped table to make more room for flexible type seating arrangements in my classroom. I realized a Raskog could be very handy in housing all of my guided reading materials. 

  But back to my dilemma...no Raskogs available AND you can't order one online from Ikea. Well, yes you can, but you will pay double for one on other sites if you are that desperate.  I was!  I browsed Amazon for a utility cart when I came across this beauty.  Ordered, delivered in two days, and it took me about ten minutes to put together. Took it to school and was able to put all of my guided reading supplies in it! I am in LOVE!  I was desperate and dished an extra $10 to get this. And it was worth it (I justify it by saving gas and the wheels on this locks).  

 It rolls around easily from carpet to tile. I love the deep bin at the bottom that houses students' guided reading composition books. I can take the book bins out of each shelf easily.  

There is plenty of room! 

Click HERE to get one for yourself!

    ENJOY!

Jump Around!!!

Recently, my coworkers and I have been on Fitbit's Workweek Hustle Challenges (we received Fitbits as Mother's Day gifts).  I wondered how one of my coworkers was getting her 20k+ steps a day in. She told me about her trampoline. She let me borrow it the other day and WOW! It's so awesome to have in the classroom! I hop on it when I get a chance to add more steps towards my daily step goal. The best part is my students LOVE it as well!   
I purchased one by inMotion on Amazon (click on link) for under $30! My coworker found hers at Aldi's for under $25.  The Aldi version was a spring type trampoline, and I noticed that it did make a creaky sound as soon as a student jumped on it. 

I love the one I purchased on Amazon. This one comes with band tension resistance springs.  NO MORE SOUNDS! 

It's a quiet jump which helps during Read to Self in our Daily 5 or when students are working on individual work.  I did set up some rules to keep students safe and prevent bickering on who has a turn. Anyone can jump whenever the trampoline is free. They cannot jump when someone is speaking, during tests, or when we enter the classroom from recess or specials. They are allowed 35 consecutive jumps per subject. For instance, when I am finished with any mini-lesson and students begin their independent practice, students may jump when the trampoline is free. They are not allowed to line up or stand around the trampoline when someone is jumping. When a student is ready to jump they MUST step on and step off the trampoline. NO JUMPING ON OR OFF OF IT.  Their feet may catch the safety pad that surrounds the trampoline.

This has helped get their wiggles out on rainy days. It also helped them refocus on their tasks. And it's a fun quiet way of getting their exercise in!  

I ended up purchasing two more trampolines! Two for the classroom and one for me at home! 

Happy Jumping! 

Enjoy!!! 

Ever Wondered About These Scoop Rockers?

My colleague obtained these chairs that look like baby car seats for her first grade classroom. At first, I thought they might be too small for my second graders. I always wondered if my students could fit in it.  They are called Scoop Rockers and she found them for about $5 at Aldi Grocery Store.  I have heard that you might be able to catch them at Wal-Mart, too.

 My students loved them! I added them to my classroom as another alternative to my flexible seating for Daily 5. My second graders seem comfortable enough to sit in them for their Read-to-Self.

This kid found a way to get himself all comfortable!

Here's a closer look at their label so you can track them down.  I think these scoop rockers works well with 2nd grade and below.  You might want to get a few to try in any higher grades after 2nd. 

 It's a hit for my second graders! 

Enjoy!