Projects Galore

Even though I still have until August 20th before I return to school I still feel stressed with the many projects I want to complete before then.  For every one thing crossed off my to do list, five more things are added.  But hey... that is the life of a teacher!  
Currently, I have been going in my classroom a few hours here and there getting things unpacked and set up.  Today, I started a jungle tree in my classroom.  I used Melanie's over at Schoolgirl Style for inspiration.  I am super psyched to share this with you BUT not until it is complete :)   I just finished up my Back to School Olympic Games Packet, which I will post on TPT tonight and share on here tomorrow.  I am planning how I am going to create my version of In Our Classroom.  And today I am sharing with you a little craft I have been working on to match my jungle theme and can be used for various activities.  I have seen on Pinterest super cute summer craft activities moms are doing with their kids.  They inspired me!  I decided to create my version of binoculars.  My students will use these for word work activities in the room. 
Here is how I created them!

Binocular Tutorial

Supplies Needed:

   toilet paper rolls

   various colors of construction paper or cardstock

   hot glue gun

   twine, string, or yarn

   Optional- label

- Decide which colors you want to go where

- Your base color (green for me) you cut first

- When cutting use the length of the paper and leave about 1/2 an inch on either end

- Hot glue the length of the tube on the paper about 2 inches and hold to tube.  Continue around the rest of the tube until you have almost met your beginning edge.  Cut off extra so that you only have a little overlap and glue down.

- Next we have to hot glue the edges to the inside.  Hold the roll and along side the inside of the roll, put a ring of hot glue.  Carefully, push the paper in against hot glue as flat as possible. 

- Now, down the seam put a line of hot glue and hold tubes together until glue cools.

- The next part is optional.  I decided to decorate with the extra color construction paper.  I cut the blue paper about an inch and a half shorter then the tube.  I start, tucking into the seam with hot glue.  I tightly wrap around tubes, adding hot glue along the way.  

- I then cut a thin strip of light blue paper and wrapped/glued it around just like the bright blue.

- I glued on my Tegeler Safari Tours label.

- Finally, I punched holes in either side and knotted twine through each hole.

Here is my finished product:

Look for a freebie in the next few days that I will have my kids use with these!