Wow!  I have been so busy prepping for the beginning of school and am EXHAUSTED, but I just had to link up with Tara from 4th Grade Frolics to show you my Monday Made Its!

Thank goodness it was a rainy Saturday because I got so much done, and I have a FREEBIE for you!

First up, the seat crates I recovered!  I made my original seat crates about two years ago, but wanted to update the fabric to match my new color scheme.

The one on the left is my old pattern.  Cute, but I absolutely love my new, lime, quatrefoil pattern!

Next up, my DIY black pocket chart!  I have been wanting to try this all summer, but was so nervous.  After reading The Very Busy First Graders’ post, I thought I’d give it a go!

First, I brought some water to a near boil using a stainless steel pot.  I was a little worried about staining my sink or tub, so I opted for the stainless steel.  Then, I added two packages of Rit Dye and a cup of vinegar.  The vinegar is for nylon fabric.

I pretty much followed the instructions on the Rit Dye package.  Be sure to stir the water and readjust the chart frequently, so the dye gets in all the creases.  Here’s my hundred chart cooking away!

As my chart was soaking, I noticed that the clear pockets were turning a little cloudy.  This had me beyond worried that it wouldn’t work!  There was no turning back now, so I plodded on!  After about an hour or so, I turned the burner off and just let the chart soak for another few hours.  Then, I rinsed with warm, then cool water.  I did NOT wash my hundred chart in the washing machine like the package suggested.  Instead, I used a plastic pant hanger and hung my chart to air dry.

It totally worked!  As the chart dried, the cloudy pockets turned back to clear!  YIPPY!  Here it is in all it’s glory, new numbers and all!

Because I am so unbelievably happy that this worked, I am giving the numbers to you for FREE!

Click on the image to grab your freebie!

My last MMI has been scrambling in my brain for awhile now!  There are so many things that I need to still prep for my room, but I wanted to get this finished before the Boost Sale.  Plus, I want to use it for my writing board!

This is my version of a kid-friendly writing checklist!  It is meant to be a “growing” checklist, meaning that I will only start with one item on the checklist and add more as the year progresses! Once I’ve introduced the first item on the checklist, I will add it to my “Writing Checklist” bulletin board. The students will then use the corresponding writing paper.

My “Writing Checklist” will be discounted for half price until Tuesday night!  This price is cheaper than what it will be discounted during the Boost Sale!

Speaking of the Boost Sale, my entire TpT Store will be on sale this Wednesday!  I know I will be stocking up again!  How about you?!?!

Button courtesy of For His Glory Teaching.

This is my last Monday off, friends!  Next week, I will be back in full swing – PD, Open House, lesson planning, setting the alarm!  Good luck to all of you who have already started!