Free Time Choices Flower Display by Ms. Green

After watching the documentary Bag It (see trailer here), I soon became better friends with a lady named Ms. Green. I had heard of her before, but I hadn't taken the time to get to know her until watching the documentary.

Now, as a person, she can be a bit overbearing and it seems she is always over my shoulder watching what I'm doing. But, she's a person who really makes a difference and can make what appears to be trash into quite a treasure. In fact, the other day my husband gave me one of those Edible Arrangement bouquets for our anniversary, and she did something pretty nifty with it as you can see in the picture.

Since it was her deal, I'll let her explain it to you in her own words:

"Well, it's true what Sra. Carro says. We just became friends recently and really, I think she's a great person, but sometimes she does things that just make no sense. For example, trying to throw that bouquet away -  basket, foam, plastic, and all. Tragic! I'm sure the dolphins would have loved that for breakfast (please insert MUCHO sarcasm here)!

I went behind her and grabbed that "diamond in the rough" out of the trash. I wiped it all down with warm water and soap.

Then, I placed the foam back in the basket. The foam looked pretty shabby, so I found some shavings from the shredder in her husband's office and added that on top. Repurposing doesn't have to be ugly, people!

Then, since Sra. Carro is a 4th grade Spanish immersion teacher and about to head back to school, I decided to make a little "Free Time Options" display for her when those speedy students have a few extra minutes on hand. Using some free flower clipart, I made a title and some flower choices for her on the computer. I stuck those with packaging tape to the plastic sticks.

If you're like me, you only know uno, dos, and tres in Spanish. The title there says, "What to Do in Your Free Time." The flowers say thing like, "Read, Write a Comic Strip, Write a letter..."

Here's the final product (for now! You never know what other purposes there are out there for things. Kind of like us!)

Now, let's see what other amazing items Sra. Carro has decided to throw away. Yep, right here, a bunch of bottle caps, geeesh! Well, I'm on it like white on rice. I'll be sure to update you as soon I'm done. Remember -  Things, just like people, deserve a 2nd chance (and 3rd, and 4th, and 5th....)! Adios!"

Well, that was really nice of her! I hope I can find a place in my classroom for it. Somehow, I think if I don't, Ms. Green will!