Literacy

Professional Development

March 6, 2016

5 Ways to Use Clothespins in the Classroom

I love when I can use something simple and affordable in my classroom in so many ways! Clothespins are JUST that.  I want to share 5 simple ways to use clothespins in the classroom with you!
5 Ways to Use Clothespins in the Classroom--love the 2nd idea!

Display Student Work

This is nothing new at all, but I don’t know why I didn’t do it years ago! I simply laminated construction paper, then hot glued a clothespin to the top. I then glued a little paisley decoration on the top of the clothes pin to match my bulletin board boarder. It’s so simple to change out student work this way.

Use clothespins to easily display student work and change it in and out! Cover up the clothes pin with a cute cut-out, too!

You can also easily hot glue clothespins to most classroom walls (cinder blocks are perfect for this)! They peel right off when you are ready to take them off.

Work Station Activities

Using clothespins in work stations is one of my favorite things. I love that students are able to not only practice the academic skills covered in the station, but they also work in some fine motor work for their little hands.Use clothespins in workstations to let students work on fine motor skills

Use clothespins in workstations to let students work on fine motor skillsYou can read more about these station activities HERE and HERE.

Teaching Phonics

As I was brainstorming other ways to use clothespins, it occurred to me that it would be SO simple to write digraphs and blends on the clothespins and use them as visuals of the letters and sounds they make.Use clothespins to help teach phonics! Great visual for students and their little hands get fine motor practice!

For example, student says: ‘s’ ‘h’Use clothespins to help teach phonics! Great visual for students and their little hands get fine motor practice!

Student then says: /sh/

Use clothespins to help teach phonics! Great visual for students and their little hands get fine motor practice!

Then repeat with other blends and digraphs!

I also love the idea of making each child a QU wedding clothespin to remember this tricky rule!

Earbud Holders

These always ended up a tangled mess in my classroom. Goodness gracious. But this, my friends, was simple to make and the kids can easily use it!Use clothespins to hold earbuds for little hands in the classroom

Use clothespins to hold earbuds for little hands in the classroom

I followed this tutorial to make mine.

Display Mini-Anchor Charts

I don’t know about you, but since I love anchor charts, I was constantly using mini-anchor charts as I taught concepts.  You can easily change them out with different units by using clothespins that are hot glued to push pins, then pushed into your bulletin board!Attach clothespins to thumbtacks and stick them on bulletin boards to easily change out mini-anchor charts

Attach clothespins to thumbtacks and stick them on bulletin boards to easily change out mini-anchor charts

Do you have any other ideas for using clothespins in the classroom? I would love to know!

You may also be interested in following my Classroom DIY Pinterest board for more simple ideas!

These 5 ways to use clothespins in the classroom will help your classroom organization and inspire some phonics activities. These DIY ideas are practical and simple. LOVE the second one! #ClassroomOrganization #ClassroomDIYpin it

Happy Teaching,

Amanda

EASILY PLAN YOUR K-2 READING SMALL GROUPS​

Want to use the latest research to boost your readers during small groups? This FREE guide is packed with engaging ideas to help them grow!

Hi, I'm Amanda

I’m a K-1 teacher who is passionate about making lessons your students love and that are easy to implement for teachers.  Helping teachers like you navigate their way through their literacy block brings me great joy. I am a lifelong learner who loves staying on top of current literacy learning and practices. Here, you’ll find the tools you need to move your K-2 students forward!

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