Learning and Laughing in Kindergarten: Paint Can Classroom Storage

As part of my Construction theme for this year I wanted to use some paint cans as storage containers. The above containers where in my craft stash but I know i bought them at Lowes in the Paint Department for another project I did. Being a primary teacher I couldn't leave them like this so here is a quick glimpse at what I did and how you can make your own.

Using my Cricut and a Program called Sure Cuts A Lot I cut one of my favorite fonts out along with shapes. I found the great construction scrapbook paper at Michaels and Hobby Lobby.

These are for the job chart. I'll keep the kids shovels in them. The kids who haven't had a turn will keep their shovels in on deck and the ones who've had a turn will be put in off the clock so everyone gets a turn.

This is for a larger paint can. I hate finding crayons on the floor; when the kids or I find a crayon on the floor we stick it n the crayon bucket. When someone needs a color they can't find they know where to go and look in the crayon bucket for it!

Tables have assigned pencils. My pencil sharpener was over $80.00 and has lasted for the last four years because the Children do not touch it (one of the only things they aren't allow to touch). I made a can for pencils that need to be sharpened to be put in. I only sharpen pencils once a day. Kids can borrow a pencil if their table has lost some, theirs needs sharpened, etc. I keep the borrow pencils in a cup.

After cutting and gluing these together I pulled out my trusty laminator and laminating pouches.

Under $25.00 at Walmart


Between 10-20 dollars at Sam's Club

My laminator only does 8 x 11 sheets and the can labels were longer than that. I just ran the labels through the machine twice, it didn't take long at all.

Next I used my hot glue gun to glue the labels to the cans. I've tried several other types of adhesives with laminated materials on the cans but hot glue seems to work the best.