Proud of Something Nobody will Appreciate

Tonight I tried my hand with Mod Podge. I never realized how easy it was! My sister-in-law, Karissa, is the queen of Mod Podge so when I got an idea for Language Arts Center Boxes and found some paper that would go with my new classroom theme I called her for instructions.

A few hours later I had painted two cars, Mod Podged the edges of my now clasp-less box, created a painted scene on the top of the box for the car to "drive" on, and painted the inside black. I am pretty proud of myself!

I am very well aware that not one student will appreciate the energy it took, nor will many of them even think once, let alone twice about the artistic skills it took to create such a cute box. That is were functionality comes in! During my school day there is about an hour set aside for guided reading and literacy centers...it drives me crazy (no pun intended) that students can't seem to remember their pencils/highlighters/scissors for each center until about the last week of the school year. This handy little box will be recreated 2 more times and placed in each center. Inside will be all of the materials needed for that center. The black paint will even take away the temptation for students to mark the inside of the box with graffiti. Now not one student will have the excuse "I couldn't highlight because I didn't have a highlighter," Ha.... I have out thought them again! No More Excuses, and no more going to their desk during center time!!!