Showing posts with label tutorials. Show all posts
Showing posts with label tutorials. Show all posts

Sunday, May 12, 2013

Ready for summer... Hula Bear Tracers


Happy Mother's Day to all of the mothers out there today!  If I know my own Mother, she is out mucking stalls with her furbabies. She used to tell me that all of her gray hairs were merit badges for raising kids.  Hmm...she should have had a head of white hair along time ago then, she's raised hundreds, if not thousands of kids in her lifetime. Happy Mother's Day, Mom! :) 

I decided to post something today that is summery.  Why?  Because I am really ready for summer.  Not that I like the excessive heat and bugs,  I DO like the sunshine!  The 'hula bear' featured in this project was part of a "summer camp" that I created last year where my fans/followers were able to download cool stuff to keep the kids happy during the summer months.  It was then picked up by a craft company (that shall remain nameless) and published last year. 

I've always wanted to go to Hawaii.  Have you been there?  I think my aversion to flying, kind of crimps the plans of that ever happening. lol  Not unless they get some sort of teleporting system similar to Star Trek, I'm land bound. :)

Note: Do you LOVE fonts like I do? The cute font that I used on the cover of the free packet in the link below was made by my friend Wendy at Teacher's Toolkit!  You can download it for free from here TPT store here!  

Click picture to Download


Materials Needed:

Cardstock
Scissors
Lamination
Binder Rings
Hole Punch
Dry Erase Marker
Hula Bear Alphabet Tracer Template
(Blank template included)

The Hula Bear Alphabet Tracing Cards are perfect for a summer theme! A blank template is being provided as well as the pre-made alphabet tracer cards in case you'd like to make other tracers to go along with the same theme.

Directions:

1. Print out templates onto cardstock.
2. Cut individual cards out, and laminate. Laminating after the items have been cut out provides a better seal around the cards.
3. Punch a hole in the left (or right) corner of the cards and insert a binder ring. Using a large binder ring makes it easier to trace on the separate cards without tearing them.
4. Cards are ready for play. Use a dry erase marker or crayon for tracing alphabet letters.


Great news!  The winners of the Teacher's Appreciation Extravaganza have been announced.  WOW, there were over 11,000 entries!!! That's amazing!  A huge thank you to all of you who stopped by our Blogs and supported us!  We had a lot of fun!!!

 
 
  
Congratulations to Linda K., Emma, and Kayrn W.   The winners have been contacted by email!  WOO HOO!  

If you didn't win a prize this time,  stay tuned for upcoming events.  We're planning some more fun activities!  
Classroom Freebies Manic Monday




Wednesday, May 1, 2013

Teacher Appreciation Project - Create a Frame

This project was created for publication for Think Crafts. It's a project that does take a couple hours from start to finish between paint layers, so be sure to give yourself enough time to finish it. This is is a great gift idea for teacher's for Teacher's Appreciation Week.  A custom frame could also be made for Mother's Day or Father's Day too.


Materials Needed:

Unfinished Wood Frame (with wood center piece that is removeable)
Acrylic Paint
Paint Brushes
Chalk Board Paint
Character buttons (large) or other embellishments
E-6000 Glue
Mod Podge Clear Acrylic Sealer (Gloss)

Directions:




1. Take the wrapping off of the unfinished wood frame, and remove the center wood piece so that it is easier to paint.



2. Paint the wood center piece with chalk board paint. (hint: paint a primer coat before painting the chalk board paint so that it will go on smoother.)



3. Let the chalk board paint dry completely between layers. At least 3 coats of the chalk board paint is needed.

4. Begin painting the unfinished wood frame. It is recommended to use a primer coat before using the frame color. The primer coat will soak into the wood and make the acrylic paint go on smoother. In the example, a shiny acrylic paint was used.

5. Let the acrylic paint in between layers. 2-3 layers of paint will provide a nice covering. Let dry completely before painting designs.




6. With a small brush, paint embellishments onto the frame. In the example, I painted leaves and flowers to go along with the ladybug buttons that I chose for my embellishments.

7. After the painting is complete, let dry. Anywhere from a few hours to overnight will be needed.

8. Spray with Mod Podge (Gloss) Clear Acrylic Sealer over top of the entire frame. Be sure to seal the sides too.

9. After the Clear Acrylic Sealer is dry, then it is time to glue on the embellishments. In the example, I used large ladybug buttons. I used a pair of scissors to remove the thread hole so that the buttons would glue flat.

10. Using E-600 Glue, affix the buttons or other embellishments onto the frame and let dry.

11. When the frame is completely dry, put the chalk board painted wood piece back in the center of the frame as shown in the photo.






12. To complete the gift, add some ribbon or tulle to dress it up. You can write a note or thank you on the chalk board. Another idea for gift wrapping is to include a colorful piece of chalk, and enclose the frame in a cello bag and tie with a ribbon. Attach a hand made card, and you have a special gift for a special teacher!




Sunday, April 28, 2013

Facebook Tutorial # 2 - Woobox Fangate and Custom Tabs


Woobox has several different Apps to choose from. I started with the App for HTML Fan Gate. This will allow me to give away a Fan Only Freebie each week.  Only the people that LIKE my Facebook page will be able to see the freebie.  (If you go to my Facebook page, and click on the FREE tab, you will see how the landing page looks.)

If you do NOT want to learn about Woobox, you can scroll down to just the portion about the custom tabs.

To set up an App on Woobox, you first start out by logging in using your Facebook log in.  If your business (TPT) page is different than your main account (some TPT sellers use their main FB account for their business, while others like me created a separate page for the store) you can still set up your App for the Fan Gate.  I'll share the difference later in this tutorial.

Note:  Woo Box changed their format at the end of October 2014.  This tutorial is being updated with a few new screenshots.  The process is still the same,  it just looks a little different than it did before.



After you have logged in to Woobox, you will want to click in the upper menu (as seen in the above screen shot) where it says static tab.  When the new page opens, you will click where it says "Create New Tab"

If you already have tabs (like I do) to re-configure them, you click on Edit tab.



To configure your tab, you will need to follow a few simple steps.

The first section is the PAGE SOURCE.  This is for the first image for your fan gate.  This particular section highlights HTML.  This is a little advanced, but it is used when you want to make an image map.  An image map is a clickable image.   You'll see in the upper right corner 4 choices; URL, Redirect, Image, or HTML. The URL section is in place of the HTML pictured.  You'd type in the URL path for the image you want to use.  The Redirect, is if you are redirecting the image to another URL.  IMAGE is when you upload the image you want to use onto Woo Box.  and HTML (as seen below) has coding which tells the App what image, link, etc.


This next screen show shows what the page will look like when the URL is selected rather than the HTML.

Below, where it says FAN GATE PAGE SOURCE - is where you will put the URL, or upload the image that fans see.  You have the option to choose URL, Image, and HTML.  Note, there is a selection for OFF. If you click OFF there,  anyone will be able to see your freebie.  So you want to make sure that you have either a URL, or image uploaded there.



Once you have configured your tab, be sure to SAVE.  

After you are finished saving,  the tab is then installed.  To view it, there is a link on the left hand side that says View Facebook Tab.  The page will redirect to your Facebook page.  Please note:  If you are using your main account to create the tabs, you won't have to do anything else to reach the settings page on Facebook.  If you are using a separate business FB page, then  you'll see a request at the top of the page that asks you to change names.  At this point after I click to switch from Crayonbox Learning to my name, Danielle Westvang I usually go back to my FB page and log in again.  It's pretty simple.

How that you have the tabs made,  it's time to make it look cute! :)




Custom Tabs
(update 7/10/14 - This is for the older version of Facebook.   Scroll down to see the tutorial for the new version)


This is a screenshot of how my FB page looks today.  As you can see there are 3 custom tabs for TPT, Free, and Pins.   

To the right of the last custom pin (where the purple arrow is) there is a little pull down icon. Click on that.  It will bring down the 2nd row of button spaces and also the edit button as shown in the next screen shot.


 You will want to click on the little edit button in the upper right corner of the tab you would like to customize.  You will see a scroll menu that comes up when you have clicked on the edit menu.



Scroll down to where it says EDIT SETTINGS:



After you click the Edit settings, a little box will come up that looks like this:


In the box that says Custom Tab Name: That is where you type in what you want to call your button. On mine it says Fan Freebies.  Above that where it says "Custom Tab Image" you will click on the link next to it marked change.

If this is your first time changing the image, it will be a generic FB image at first.

The size of the image you need is 111 x 74 pixels. It HAS to be exact for it to work.  It will not upload and save if you have it too wide or too tall.


You will choose the file you want to upload and save.   



You can complete the process for how ever many App tabs you have.  This tutorial may seem long, but to actually complete the steps takes just a few minutes.   After you have installed your Apps and changed the images,  then you will want to log into your Facebook page/account and see how they look.  If for some reason they did not load correctly or look different then you can go back through and repeat the steps.

Even if you use different Apps for the HTML Fan Gate,  changing the images will work the same.

NEW FACEBOOK PAGE LAYOUT

If your Facebook page layout has not changed, it will soon enough.  Facebook has changed the look of the page so that the tabs are on the left menu instead of underneath the cover.  The screen shots below explain how to edit those tabs.  (You will still install the Woo Box App the same as above)


This is what the new page layout looks like.  As you can see, just below the header are links not tabs.  Click on the MORE to see the pull down menu (as seen in picture below).


From the pull down menu, select the tab that you would like to edit.


You'll change out your images just like you would on the old page format. (Above)


This screen shot shows the bottom of the settings page  You can change the tab image, and title of the tab where the green arrow indicates.  The tab dimensions 111 x 74 are still the same.



Update 7/6/13 - If you would like to know how to host your fan freebies on Google Docs, I have written a new tutorial to explain the process {HERE}.

I hope that this tutorial helps.  If you have any questions,  feel free to email me and I will do my best to help you.


2/15/14 -  I have updated this page to include a link to Erica Bohrer's new "Getting Started on TPT" link up.  She has written a really thorough how-to post for new and veteran TPT sellers alike.  Click on the link below to stop by and visit her Blog.  




Wednesday, March 27, 2013

Recycled Seed Packet Matching - Take it/Make it



It's  time for another installment of Take it And Make it Thursdays, hosted by Cynthia at the 2nd Grade Pad!  Click on the logo above and you can visit all of the wonderful Blogs linked up.  

My project for this week is Recycled Seed Packet Matching!

Materials needed:

Cardstock
Lamination
Large Popsicle Sticks
Recycled Seed Packets
Old seed catalogs, ads or photo/clipart images
Scissors
Permanent Ink Marker
Glue – E600

Recycled crafts can be fun to create as well as educational. This project is one that the kids can help you with! There aren't any set rules as to what types of seed packets you use. In my example, I have used a packet of vegetable seeds, and 2 flower packets.


Directions:

1. Gather together recycled seed packets. Select 5-10 different seed packets that feature a picture on the front. Look through seed catalogs, websites, or ads for pictures of the flowers/content of the seed packets.

2.  In my example, you'll see that I selected a picture of Acorn Squash, Dianthys, and Zinnias. Even though the pictures weren't exactly the same pictures as my seed packets, they were close enough.

3.  Cut out or print the pictures of the flowers/veggies to match the seed packets.
4.  Trim the pictures to fit on the end of a large popsicle stick.
5.  Laminate for durability. (Optional)
6.  Count out as many popsicle sticks as you have pictures. With a permanent ink pen, write the name of the flower/vegetable on one end of the popsicle stick.
7.  Glue the picture at the end of the popsicle stick opposite the writing, and let dry completely.

Once the tags are completely dry, the game is ready to be played.


Variation: Another variation to this game is to have the children sort vegetables from flowers by sorting into recycled aluminum cans marked with seed packets.

All of the supplies used to create this activity can be purchased from your local Dollar Tree/Store.



Tuesday, March 26, 2013

Techie Tuesday...Facebook

I really hadn't planned on writing this particular Blog post today, but I happened across a message on discussion regarding Facebook launching the thread comments for Pages (Launched yesterday, March 25) and there were several people asking how to set it up onto their pages.

This is a feature that has been in the works since last November. Facebook was beta testing it with a small collection of pages.  If you are unfamiliar with the new feature,  I'm including some screen shots of my own Facebook page to show you.


The screen shot above shows you where the new comments feature will be located in threads.  With this feature, you can reply to comments without having to tag the individuals that you are responding to. 



Right now, FB Page owners have the OPTION of turning on the comments. This may not be the case later in the year, as most pages will automatically have the feature. 

To locate this feature, you'd go up to the tool menu just above the Cover Image where it says Edit Page (yellow arrow points to it).  On the pull down menu you will scroll down to where it says Manage Permissions.  The page will open (as seen in the screen shot below)...




When you scroll down to where it says REPLIES and then tick the check box and save the changes.

The next tutorial will focus on adding and changing tabs on the Facebook tool bar.

Fern Smith's Thursday's Tech Tips for 
Teachers






Sunday, March 17, 2013

Bunny Book Craftivity



Click HERE to download Bunny Book Template!


Materials Needed:

Bunny Template (included)
Cardstock
Writing Paper
Glue Stick
Scissors
Stapler

Optional:
Scrapbooking Scraps
Colored Paper
Squiggly Eyes

Young children learning to write love to make little books and practice writing on any piece of paper that they find. I created this project with young learners in mind, but it also can be adapted for adults too!

This bunny book is a simple project that can be made as a group project or with light supervision. You can create different variations by changing the colors of the cover, or adding different types of paper for the pages, or adding embellishments to the cover.

With Easter right around the corner, the bunny book would make a great gift idea. Add some crayons and wrap in cute cellophane for an inexpensive party favor or for classroom parties.


Instructions:
  1. Print and cut out the bunny template.

  2. Fold 1 piece of 8 x 11” cardstock in half (width)

  3. Unfold cardstock with the fold verticle.

  4. Glue the bunny cut out flap onto the top, right
    side of the cardstock. You will want to adjust
    the bunny cut out so that the head is sticking up
    above the closed book. (See picture)
  5. Fold a 2nd piece of cardstock in half and glue
    it on top of the previous piece covering the bunny
    cut out flap. This will provide a sturdy cover for
    the book.

  6. Fold in half 3-5 sheets of writing paper. You can
    use lined or unlined.

  7. Place the writing paper fold on top of the fold
    of the bunny book cover.

  8. Staple the bunny pages and cover along the fold.

  9. The book is finished, and now can be embellished.



A big thank you to everyone who participated in the "Find the Leprechaun's Gold Blog Hop."  The winner of the $100.00 TPT Gold is Aanika P.  You can learn more details on Christi's page here!  This Blog hop was a lot of fun.  Stay tuned for more activities coming up!  Have a great week!


Educents is a new store for educators coming online April 2.  If you click on the logo, and go sign up at their website you will receive a $10.00 gift card to use in their store once they open. FREE.  Who doesn't love a little free? :)   Just a few more days to get signed up!!




Classroom Freebies Manic Monday

Hoppy Teaching,



Friday, March 15, 2013

Spring Playdough Mat Freebie



Materials Needed:

Spring Playdough Mat Template 
Cardstock
Page Protectors


Playdough mats are a great way to work with kids on their motor skills, shape recognition, alphabet and number skills. It is also a fun activity for kids to play with on rainy days when they can't go outside and play.

The template provided is Spring/Easter themed, and is ready for use.

Using page protectors is an inexpensive way to keep the playdough from sticking to the cardstock template. You can use lamination film, but the page protectors work just as well and then the cards can be stored in a 3 ring binder when not in use.

Playdough Recipe:

1 ½ – 2 Cups Flour
1 ½ Cup Water
2 TBSP Oil
2 TBSP Alum
½ cup Salt
Food Coloring

Mix water, food coloring, salt into a sauce pan and bring to a boil. Boil on high until the salt crystals have dissolved. Put flour in a bowl and add oil, Alum, and any scent (optional). Once the liquid has dissolved, pour it over the flour and mix completely. Start out with less flour, and if it's sticky add a little bit more. Store in a closed, tight container. Will stay good for several months. If it gets dry, add a little water to it.



Just a reminder to stop by the Find the Leprechaun's Gold Blog Hop for some great freebies and a chance to win $100.00 in TPT Gold! :)   The Blog Hop ends on St. Patrick's Day - March 17th.


Happy Teaching,

Thursday, March 14, 2013

Spring Clothespin Game


Materials Needed:

Tulip Clothespin Game Template (click link to download)
Cardstock
Scissors
Lamination (heat laminator or clear contact paper)

Colored Clothespins:

Small – Medium wood clothespins
RIT Liquid Dye


The Spring Clothespin game is a fun, and flexible game that can be adapted to the age group you're working with, skills, and themes. The PDF template that I have included in this tutorial features a tulip, but any character/theme can be substituted.



On the first example, I put words on the flower pots. The object of the game is to find the rhyming word in the bubble that matches. The correct answer is clipped with a colorful wood clothespin.




In the second example features simple math problems written on the tulip, with the answer being in the bubble that is clipped by the small wooden clothespin. I put pre-cut cards in a cute cello bag, including a little bit of recycled (pink)shredded paper, 3 colored wood clothespins. The bag was topped with a simple cardstock header and ribbon. Perfect for party favors, holiday gift giving, teacher gifts, or a surprise for your children. The options are endless for this game!


Directions:

1. Print off a copy of the Spring Clothespin game template provided.
2. Color, and cut out prior to laminating. (The lamination will have a better seal of the game cards are cut out and then laminated).
3. After the cards are laminated, the cards are ready for play.

Coloring Wood Clothespins:

1. Select the number of wood clothespins that you'd like to color.

I used the smaller wood clothespins for this project tutorial, but it's recommended
to use the larger clothespins when working with young children.

2. Select the color dye that you want to use. RIT dye comes in a dry or liquid coloring in an array of colors. For this tutorial I used the liquid dye and I think it worked better.

3. Put warm water in a plastic or glass container, add the RIT dye to achieve the desired
color that you want.

The longer that you keep the wood clothespins in the water, the darker the color they will be. For large batches of pins, use 2 cups of warm water and ¼ cup liquid dye. I dyed a small batch and so I did not use as much water or dye. For my example, I used Petal Pink RIT dye and it took a few hours for the color to soak in to the desired color. Depending on how dark the dye is, you may not have to leave
the pins in very long before they have reached full color.

4. After the pins have been dyed, pull them out and lay them on paper towels or something absorbant (not fabric because the dye will stain it).

I let my clothespins dry over night to make sure that they were fully dry before I used them.



This spring activity has been linked up to my buddy Cynthia's "Thursdays Take it and Make it Linky Party!!!!"  It was such a cool idea for her to put together.  Be sure to click on the logo above to visit Cynthia's blog to see other "Take it and Make it" projects and also to show some bloggy love all around! :)

Next week,  I will have an Easter project to share!  Stay tuned!