Put a Cap on It

I love the pump lids that come with many gallon paints, but good GOSH I can't stand how much they clog... I even stopped using the pumps for a year because I was so tired of sticking a paper clip in there. Alas, I also did not enjoy tipping the gallon over to poor into my smaller paint bottles. 

Smaller paint bottle

I always wondered why someone could not come up with a stopper for the paint like they have for the Elmers glue pumps... Maybe they have, I just haven't found them yet. I don't spend my days googling paint pump stoppers. 

One day it finally hit me. I needed something I could mold to the pump to stay and fit perfectly...

MODEL MAGIC! Why had I not thought of this before? I just rolled a ball and stuck it on there and it fit like a glove.

This little cap comes off easily and is a perfect fit.

I've used it for a month now and no clogs! Thanks Crayola!! 

Art Room Portfolio Organization

I wish I had those flat file drawers or horizonal shelves, but I don't. Here's how I deal with portfolios.

My school is on an A - E day schedule. The first full day of the school year will be A day and we will continue from there. I love it because it ensures that no class will fall behind.

First, I divide my classes by A - E days with heavy cardboard pieces that are taller then the portfolios. It's much easier for me to sort by day then by grade.

"How do all the student portfolios fit in one tub?" They don't, by the end of the year I will need 4-5 tubs. 

 Next, each class is separated by a clip labeled with the class code. 

 As you can see all classes are in order by the schedule and not grade. Another easy way to grab and go or put away.

 Finally, every class has it's own "Master Portfolio" where I put all finished/graded work. Behind the master portfolio will be the student portfolios followed by class table folders that hold continuing projects. 

You may be wondering where the student portfolios are. I don't pass them out until our first "Ketchup Day". I believe that it is more beneficial to introduce the portfolio on the day you will actually utilize it. I usually have ketchup day after every third project. 

Inspiration
http://media-cache-ec0.pinimg.com/originals/4b/e4/bf/4be4bf5ef402eae261b54ab551d69663.jpg

http://www.flickr.com/photos/30897033@N04/4935276534/in/set-72157624826174412