12 February 2012

Pencil Decorations--Momenta project

Hello, friends:}
OH!!! I've been waiting for several weeks to share this creations with you! It was featured yesterday over on the Momenta blog--check it out HERE! And leave some love while you're there! I've created some pencil decorations using several Momenta paper pads. 
Background story: I have a degree in Elementary Education and minored in Fine Arts. I used to teach 4th grade, and it was SUPER fun! I always tried to get the kids to enjoy school. Each year they would take two major tests: a writing test in February and Reading/Math in March {also called FCAT- state standardized tests}. My heart broke every year because the kids would cry and get upset about these tests. So I decided they needed some "friends" to help them during the tests. At first, I gave each child a TY beanie baby to be their "friend" {which by the way--they loved! The beanie babies would answer questions and play with the kids daily!}....well that got expensive. So I decided to make pencil toppers and special pencils for the tests, specifically the writing test. This was the BEST idea ever!
The pencil toppers would be given to them around Christmas. I wanted to teach my students as much information and details before each test, and then the "friends" {pencil toppers} would come to stay with them and help them (from Jan.-Feb.) when they would forget or needed more help. I even said that some of the "friends" forgot how to work out math problems, write sentences, etc....that would help the kids explain and work out their homework or math problems out loud to the "friend". And these pencils, along with their "friends", would help them on these tests.
So how do you make these pencil decorations and toppers? **NOTE: I would sharpen each pencil before decorating it! I would use pretty papers to decorate their special tests pencils. These papers are from several Momenta paper pads: Let's PartyFamily OutingsKaleidoscope, and Cuddle & Coo

Pencil Decorations: Just cut the papers 1.5" x 7" (or length of pencil), using glue tape to attach it to the pencil. 
Pencil Toppers: Using scraps of paper from your Momenta pads, stamp images {Paper Smooches} several times and paper piece together. Cut a small square about 1.25" x 1.75" and roll into a tube (using glue tape to secure). Staple the top of the small tube and adhere to "friend" using glossy accents. Decorate any way you want:) 
If you make any of these pencil toppers for your children or students, please let us know! I know that your children will LOVE them! **NOTE: Did you see that there is a pencil topper that is a coffee cup??? That's for the teacher! LOL! So you can even make these for adults! 

Gooooood luck to all my little 4th grade friends who will be taking their writing test soon!!! 

Thanks so much for stopping by! Be blessed:}
Photobucket

Momenta Product
PA- 2386 Let's Party Pyramid paper pad
Purple Polka Dot, Green Stripes
Brown Grid paper
Orange circles, Pale Pink
Yellow Polka Dots

Other Product
Other: Glossy Accents, Liquid Pearls, pencils


20 comments:

Laurel said...

These are ABSOLUTELY adorable!

Julie Tucker-Wolek said...

You are a GENIUS!!! I just love love love love these!!!! Sooooo cute!! And loving that you even made one for the teacher!

Unknown said...

These are so cute! You are so clever!

Erin (Homemade Cards by Erin) said...

These are to precious, congrats.

Shannon Fralish said...

Oh, these are super cute! I was a 1st grade teacher and my kidlets would have LUV'd these...great idea and tutorial to go with.

itsallrosi said...

great tutorial, and a great idea to help out the kids!

Wendy ten Hove said...

These are absolutely adorable! Oh, these will certainly stimulate students (and teachers :-) in their results! Love them! What a fabulous idea!
Hugs, Wendy

Miriam Prantner said...

These are so cute! Love the fun papers you used for the critters too!

Susan @ PaperCrafter's Corner said...

Super cute project! HAD to share it over at PCC for our readers to enjoy too :)

Paper Issues said...

Ohmygoodness!! I love this project!!! I think I will do this for the kids and instead of making it for the whole pencil, I will do just an eraser cover. That way the kids won't have to worry about sharpening and taking away from class time. This totally rocks!!! =)

trog said...

How lucky where those kids to wind up in your class! #bestteacher

Andrea M said...

Cute Cute CUTE! Sav, these are beyond ADORABLE! How fun - such a neat idea!!! Hope you've been well my friend! I'm finally dragging my lame butt around to comment on blogs :( So much to do so little time *sigh*

Virginia L. said...

Absolutely FAB idea and execution!! You rock, my friend!!

Michelle McClure said...

Awesome idea, this would totally have come in handy when I taught 3rd grade. What a caring teacher you must be.

Mara Campbell said...

These are seriously the cutest ever!!! I love them, what a great project. Thanks for sharing all the details!

Angi Barrs said...

LOVE, LOVE, LOVE...they are super adorable. I can so relate to the standardized testing. It makes the kiddos soooo nervous! :(

Lindsey said...

Wow, are these ever cute, Sav! And you were such a dedicated teacher -- you gave your kids beanie babies and pencil topper helpers; I always just made sure there was FOOD every day during testing. :D (We did often have "beanie baby days" in my classes, though -- everybody, including me, would bring in their collections for the day!)

~Tammy~ said...

Savannah, your post melted my heart because there needs to be more teachers like you out there! If you are not teaching currently, I hope you go back to it because positive encouraging teachers are sooooo needed!

I love love your test pencils! what a great and positive thing to do for your students and I know they know they were loved because I can see this took some time! TFS!

Jinny Newlin said...

Too cute, you, genius, you ;)!

Lisa Arana said...

you are a GENIUS and so so so amazing. I adore your idea to help your kids.