Launches

Need a fun way to launch at the end of a meeting? I agree that anytime you can share the same moment with a group of people, you have something in common to build on.  I am compiling a list of launch ideas for a principal friend of mine so I figured I would blog it too! 




 Sometimes it can just be a quick word of encouragement so check out my Words to Live By Pinterest Board.








Or just try to keep it real...and funny with my Just For Giggles Pinterest Board.






Or take something that isn't related to your job at all and make an analogy!  Like this harmless prank where a kid is trying to rinse out the shampoo in his hair and the prankster keeps adding more.  

Teachers can relate to this one.  We seem to have an endless supply of expectations (shampoo) in our lives and we can't ever seem to get it all done (wash it out)!

You could also just expose them to a video they can use in their classrooms.  There are a ton for inferencing, basic concepts, and brain breaks out there.  I have a few compiled on my 

Videos for School Pinterest Board.  But here is a fun & easy one minute launch:

Some videos can be teacher stress breakers, like this classic one about standardized test scores:

watch until the end- it's priceless  

I also think that a great launch could be DOING something for the school, community, staff member.  Here are some ideas off the top of my head:

• Give everyone an index card to write an encouraging word to a nameless student.  Have them place it in their favorite library book! (Plan on doing this during this school year!)
• Standing Ovation for a staff member. (feels so cool)
• Everyone pitch in to complete a quick project
• How about just a mandatory 60 second moment of peace and quiet? (wink)

Here are some quick links that have TONS of inspirational stories, jokes, etc to motivate educators:

• Inspire21
• The Blueberry Story (and more)
• Ted Talks -Education
• 11 Clean Comedians (it says 12, but Cosby was #4...)
• YouTube Mix of Teacher Related Videos (PREVIEW each before showing- NOT ALL are CLEAN)
• Anything Kid President (google it)

Powerpoint is my BFF

I don't know about the rest of the creative people out there, but I don't think I could live without Powerpoint.  I prefer it over Word or Publisher and is my go to no matter what I am doing.

Today I wanted to make a personal graduation gift for a friend who will be an elementary administrator next year.  We are both gaga for all things Brené Brown and if you don't know who that is, stop reading this and google her NOW.  She is the "Words to Live By" Queen in my opinion.

Anyhoo, I googled images for Brené Brown Quotes and I had a ton to choose from but I just wanted it to be more special than copy/paste.  So I turned to my BFF (Powerpoint) and check out my creations!

 

Who needs anything more than coffee, Powerpoint, an arsenal of fonts, and a little creativity and love?

Still figuring it all out...

I feel like I have a much better understanding of paper piecing and quilting basics.  I just need to figure out how to get all my seams to match up in the end.  Practice makes perfect...

This is a Star quilt block pattern from Fresh Lemon Quilts.  After I pieced a 1/4 section, I decided to work more assembly line style- I'm blaming the janky  center on that.

Sewing Machine Cover Upgrade!

Here is my sewing machine cover before...

 Yes, that is a Half Price books bag.

Then I found this tutorial over at Sew Delicious and had a Moda "Social" Charm pack that was just waiting for the right project.  This is actually one of the few things I've sewn for myself!

Definite upgrade right?   So proud!

Made my own paper piecing pattern!

I wanted to make a Sugar Skull quilt square for a friend.  I couldn't find a pattern that didn't look like a minecraft skull so I decided to make my own!  (crazy right?!?)

Here is what I started with:

A coloring page.

Then I divided it into strips..

Tada!  Even the back doesn't look too shabby!

I appliqued the eyes and nose so they would stand out.

I then made a throw pillow!

This was the first time I added a (gigantic) handmade tag!

Best part is that my friend LOVED it!