I love to do crafts and have cute handouts and activities for church (and school, and friends, and - well you get the idea). I don't consider myself creative, but often use the help of others' talents. I decided to share what I'm doing for others just like me. It may be a link to where I found something or it might even be something *I* created. Right now I work as a paraprofessional at my kids' elementary - in special ed (autism). I started creating items for my 3rd graders this year and can't wait to share them with you. I am the 1st counselor in YW (first time in YW is this past year). I also have ideas for cub scouts and sunbeams posted, my previous callings.

Monday, May 2, 2011

Bright Future - End of Year/Teacher Appreciation Printable


You may think that this idea is too expensive, but not if you do it the way I am.  However, it'll be too late to do it for teacher appreciation this week so I made two printables ~ one can be used during the year (like for teacher appreciation) and one for the end of the year.  If you come across this deal buy some for the end of the year or/and for teacher appreciation next year.  So here is the deal: I bought a grab bag of 10 women's sunglasses for $9.99 on GraveyardMall.com.  They have had this deal a few times, but the only problem is you won't know when it'll be back and it is only back for a day.  I signed up to get their daily emails telling me their Deal of the Day, which is what this deal will be.

 
The glasses varied and all still had tags on them (up to $29.95).  They aren't all my style ~ or they don't look good on me (but I knew that going to happen) so this idea to use them for Teacher Appreciation worked out great.  I also purchased a package of protective bags 10 for $4.99 that I will use.


My future looks bright because you ARE my teacher!

My future looks Bright because you WERE my teacher!




Use that trusty 3 inch punch to cut out some perfect circles.


Punch some holes and tie it onto a pair of sunglasses!  I think they may be cuter tied right to the glasses, but I didn't want them to get scratched so I put them in the bags.

Don't forget when downloading:
Click on the blue download button:
You then need to wait 20 seconds and then click on the link that appears over the countdown (blue underlined words: Download your file now).

Sunday, May 1, 2011

Highlight - Teacher Appreciation Printable



This one I designed with my daughters middle school teachers in mind.  Since there are a bunch of teachers I didn't want anything too costly.  This will also work for specialists (p.e., music, art, computer teachers, or the librarian) a special class (piano, voice, etc) or anybody who switches classes.




With my Staples deal I also got 10 sharpie highlighters for less than $5.  You could get highlighters much cheaper, but I already had these on hand.  They look so fun I almost didn't part with them.

Click on the blue download button:
You then need to wait 20 seconds and then click on the link that appears over the countdown (blue underlined words: Download your file now).

I just used my paper cutter to cut them out leaving a white border.  I used a corner rounder to round the corners, but you could leave them straight.

"Write" Teacher - Teacher Appreciation Printable


For this Thank You all you need is some pencils or/and pens and the printable.  You can find a cute pencil/pen holder or make one like this:
Instructions to make this will follow, but if you don't need step by step here is the basics: cut a 4x4 into a square, drill holes in the top for pencils or pens (this had both), paint, mod podge paper onto all four sides, add your teacher's initial, punch out some flowers and glue them to the bottom of the pencils or the caps of the pens.
 
Or you can just bundle them together like I am doing.  You can use basic #2 pencils (which honestly may be the best gift because they can use them in their class) or some cute ones.  I found a package of 8 pastel glitter pencils 50% off at Target's Dollar spot so that it what I am using.
I was going to use the label I found at a bushel and a peck , but I couldn't get it to print right so I made these labels:


I couldn't decide on a color so I started playing around.  I couldn't decide my favorite so I made 6 different ones.  Use your 3 inch punch out the tags (use a 40% off coupon and purchase one at Michaels or JoAnns if you don't have one).  Punch a hole in them and tie it on with a ribbon around the pencils.

Download Write Teacher Printable here 


Click on the blue download button:
You then need to wait 20 seconds and then click on the link that appears over the countdown (blue underlined words: Download your file now).

Baggies are clear - Teacher Appreciation Printable


I found this cute little poem attached to a box of baggies that someone had given one of the teachers I work with.  When I saw it I had to copy it down because baggies are yet another thing that teachers use a lot.  I ended up changing the saying slightly.  I wish I knew where it came from to give credit, but alas I don't.



If you can't read it, it states:
Roses are red
Baggies are clear
I'm so glad
That you teach here!

So download your Baggie Printable Here and attach it to your favorite size of baggies.  Box Top Plug: if you want, send in Ziploc brand baggies because they have box tops and that is an extra $.10 for your school!

To Download:
Click on the blue download button:
You then need to wait 20 seconds and then click on the link that appears over the countdown (blue underlined words: Download your file now).

After it is downloaded and printed save some time and use a 3 inch punch to punch out the tags.
 

Our Teachers make us Sharp - Teacher Appreciation Printable



This teacher appreciation is designed to use with a Sharpie.  I saw a sale at Staples awhile ago on a decent sized package of Sharpies (I believe 12) for less than $5.  I bought them knowing I could use them as teacher gifts.  After working at a school this year I found out how much we used Sharpies (sound off to my teacher friend Cathy who LOVES Sharpies and has quite the collection for us to use).  I realized that I haven't used Sharpies all that often.  They are forbidden as children so you don't think about using them as markers when you are adults.  Live on the edge, enjoy some permanent marker usage!


Anyway, back to the subject at hand, I made this tag with the idea to slip the Sharpie through tag to use part of the word (sharp) as part of the saying.  If you don't feel like cutting slits just use some glue dots at adhere it to the front.  To cut just make slits under the a (in making) and m (in me).


After clicking link above you will click on the blue download button that looks like this:
You then need to wait 20 seconds and then click on the link that appears over the countdown (blue underlined words: Download your file now).

After it is printed use your 3 inch punch to save you some cutting time:
 
Some finished pictures:



This was printed on cardstock


This was printed on paper.

Bear Cub Scout Elective 2c - Rain Gauge

April has been such a rainy month that I decided it would be the perfect time to make a rain gauge.  This will accomplish Elective 2c:
Make a rain gauge. 
After searching the Internet this is what I did:
  • Have one empty Gatorade bottle for each boy along with some small rocks (other supplies needed: sharpie, ruler, scissors, and some water).
  • Start a cut in the bottle at the top.  There is a little groove that I used (I tried to have my bear scout saw it thinking that they could accomplish part of the tool requirement, but it turns out that this isn't a good item for them to saw).  I ended up using the saw to make a hole just made it big enough to fit scissors in (I used my pampered chef scissors).
  • At the activity give each boy a bottle and have them cut in the groove all the way around.  They will now have two pieces ~ their base and their funnel. {Sorry about the pictures.  I decided to do this after the fact and used my son's beat up water gauge for the pictures.}
  

  • Take the rocks and fill the bottom.  It will only need a thin layer just covering the bubble in the bottom.  This will be the weight to keep it from tipping over.

    • Put in just enough water to cover the rocks.  Mark the water line.  This will be zero ~ they'll need to keep water in it up to zero at all times to get an accurate reading.

    • Using a ruler mark up the bottle at least every 1/4 inch, but preferably closer together (especially for dry areas).
    • Place the funnel into the base.  

    • Record your water levels in the journal:

      The boys need to check their gauge several times a day. The water collected will evaporate throughout the day.  They also need to make sure the water level stays at zero.  If would be best if they can check it right after a storm.  If measuring snow bring it inside and let it melt first.