Writing this using the new tablet. It is a challenge to write like this. Texting isn't really my thing. I still plan to get a stylus. But, man, this thing needs to learn its autofill a little better. It doesn't guess the words until after I've already typed the whole thing.
I wanted to share some of the things I've worked on this weekend. Must see how easy it is to post a blog here and share pictures.... Here goes.
Not everything I posted from the Blogger app uploaded here. I think due to my ISP timing out. I had gone into detail about the journals I made and there were two more pictures that didn't post. I'll have to retry with that here, but from the computer now. It is still hard for me to type all that on such a tiny keypad. I am a clacky typer!
Above is the Field Journal, which will be used for grocery and library trips and anywhere else we might go. It is a mini journal with 3"x4" pages. The perfect size for small print outs. I may be making some custom ones. I'll need to do a journal post soon. I've made him such wonderful journals. I got to introduce him to them all today and he is most excited about his "Wreck This Journal, Please" one. Inspired by "
Wreck This Journal", which he saw and wanted so badly, I had to make him one.
I halved a spiral notebook. This was a long process of snipping the wire, then cutting through several pages at a time with an exacto knife. My paper cutter would not handle such a task. and I would have had to look for the big cutter. It might not do a nice job, since it was used on shingles. I used a paper grocery bag for the cover and he wrote the letters which I inked in the colors of his choosing. On the inside, I have been adding creative ways for him to begin wrecking! I've told him he can write all over the paper bag surface. Boy did his eyes light up!
These pictures are all taken with our new
NeuTab N7 7''. It's great for the price. An Android device. A little on the slow side, but such an incentive for Chase. He is super excited about using it. He only needs two more hole punches on his reward tickets to earn his first
scratcher ticket. I've printed out about 30 of my scratch card designs. I used the color ones with white bg. The others would likely be too much for my poor printer to handle. Those are more meant for digital layouts rather than printing pages.
Speaking of the
scratch tickets, here's how I made them. First batch I used just silver paint with the dish soap, which is really transparent and thin. So, I added a dab of black and it covered beautifully. Only took 2-3 coats.
Okay, first, I printed out my sheets on cardstock. Then I cut up some white labels and wrote the prizes on each. I Put one in each box and used packing tape to laminate. If you laminate properly, then you should get long life out of your cards, to reuse after they've been scratched off to redo the scratch paint.
I mixed my paint, acrylic silver, a small amount of black, and a drop or two of dish soap. Mix until fully incorporated. You can use any color you like, I recommend metallic ones as they will be the coolest! But for holidays, it might be fun to mix up some colorful ones. Dry between each coat. I used a blow drier to speed up the process. I masked out my second batch, it made them neater, however, I had to peel the tape at an angle to not peel off the paint entirely. The first batch, I used my JoAnn Teacher Appreciation card to straighten the sides by pressing against the edges. Or, you can leave it just as sloppy as you painted it! ;D
Then I cut them out and laid them out to dry overnight to ensure they don't all stick together. The cards look great. (why didn't I take a picture?) They fit into an old crayon box perfectly. I've explained the rewards system so he is eager to behave well and earn those tickets! I can't wait for him to scratch one off as well.
Oh my, it is late! Recap, first day of school was great. He was super excited about the tablet and brownie party and rewards. He loved his new journals (I'll post those up soon, they look wonderful). He got a little bored doing worksheets and writing work (the most dreaded thing ever) but he still had a good attitude and I tried to keep him motivated. I used ClassDojo to track his behavior on the tablet. They have a handy app. I'll let him edit his avatar so he can enjoy it more.
p.s. There might be something awesome happening on the 20th, but I cannot say yet. It is a secret still.
