Computer Crafts--Farm Magnet Set

I went back to the archives today to share a project I posted a year ago. My daughter still enjoys pulling this set out and playing with it.


One of my hobbies is digital scrapbooking. I never thought I'd switch from paper scrapping to digital, but I did and now I love it! One of the advantages is that I can purchase one kit and use it for a scrapbook page and then turn around and use the same kit to create another project. Even if you are not a digital scrapper, you can still use digital products for custom printables (for personal use). If you purchase products in jpeg or png form, you can use them with your word processing program just like you do any other clipart.

Creating a Farm Magnet Set
Recently I created a farm magnet set for DD#3. I used a digital set by Pattie Knox. I actually created my set in Adobe Photoshop Elements, but you can use OpenOffice or other word processing programs too. Since OpenOffice is free, and that is what I have loaded on my computer, I'll show some basic steps using that program.

1. First download Barnyard Buddies by Patti Knox. It will come as a zipped file. Unzip using an unzipping utility. [Your computer probably came with one, but if not, click here for some options.]

2. Open a new document in your word processing program.

3. Go to Insert>Picture>From File ---Go to the Barnyard Buddies folder on your computer. Click on an animal and press Open.

4. Now the image is in your document. Follow the same steps for all the images you want to include in your magnet set. You can make your image smaller or larger by clicking on the image in your document. You will see the image surrounded by little green boxes, or handles. If you press shift while dragging those handles either in or out, it will resize your image proportionally, without causing it to get skewed.

5. To create the word tiles, I inserted a table into the document. Insert a photo following the instructions in #3. Resize the image so that it is small enough to fit in the table. Right click on the image>Wrap>Optimal Page Wrap. Then type your word. Repeat this process for all the words.

6. Once you are done, save your project and print on magnet paper. If you don't have magnet paper, you can print on cardstock, laminate, cut and adhere magnet strips to the back. (I actually printed mine on cardstock and then ran it through my Xyron 900 using the magnet/laminate cartridge)

Uses:
--Pretend play on a cookie tray or a magnetic dry erase board (my older kids enjoyed drawing a farm scene for DD#3 on the dry erase board.)
--Match the words with the picture (yes, I added the little picture by the word because at this age they are not reading---it is more matching pictures)
--Use the words in a rebus story

Other ideas:

Using the same clipart, you can create farm yard dominoes, flashcards, memory match, birthday cards, scrapbook pages---the options are endless.

If you end up creating a similar project, I'd love to see it!

**Please contact me for permission to use any images or content from Spell Outloud. Linking to this article is an acceptable way to share this information and is encouraged :)

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Graphing Apples in OpenOffice

(click photo to see full-size)

I want to thank those of you who participated in our informal apple survey. Today I had my 9yr. old son tally the results and make a graph in Open Office. It looks like Golden Delicious apples were the winner.

Lately I have been looking at ways to integrate technology into our curriculum. Truth be told, I'd rather they were rarely on the computer, but that's just not going to happen in my house. They see me on the computer all the time. They know I blog, Tweet, Facebook, digital scrap and write articles. My husband is in an IT related field as well, so he's on the computer often. Computers are a big part of our lives. My goal is to show them how to responsibly use technology, and to use it for learning, not just to keep them busy. I previously wrote about how we are starting to integrate digital scrapbooking into their schooling. I realized that I haven't been teaching them any word processing/database skills. Other than typing and playing educational/Webkinz games, they haven't been using much technology, and they haven't been using it as a tool for showing what they have learned.

So today's graphing lesson was intentional. We needed to review graphing skills and I wanted my son to learn how to create a table using OpenOffice. Combining the two created a great thinking activity. He first had to sketch out the graph on paper and record the results from my blog. Then we worked together to create his sketch on the computer. I taught him how to set up the table, add color, add columns, merge cells and change fonts. He loved working on the computer (I knew he would which is why I started with him--lol). In fact, after the graphing assignment, he stayed in OpenOffice and wrote a play! His idea! The boy who earlier that day was giving me grief about just filling in answers for a personal writing exercise wrote a mini-play.

So do you use technology with your schooling? (Technology can be more than computers--video recorders, Ipods, etc.) To what extent? Certain ages? Any great ideas on how to use technology at home to promote learning? I'd love to hear your thoughts on the subject.

How to Create Custom Flashcards with Open Office

I've had several emails from readers saying that there is no way they can create their own printables. Oh yes you can! :) I normally create most of my items with Photoshop Elements, but you can create wonderful things without expensive programs and I'm going to show you how.

First you need to download and install OpenOffice. Why OpenOffice? Well because it's free! When my family made a cross-country move four years ago, somehow we lost all our Microsoft CD's. They were too costly to replace and I was beyond bummed thatI did not have access to a word processing program. Someone mentioned OpenOffice and I've been using it ever since!

Next download and save my chunky flashcard template.

After you've downloaded and installed the program, open Create a Text Document.

Go to Insert>Picture>From File ---then go to where you saved the flashcard template.


This should insert the template as the background of your document. You will notice that the image is active when you see green squares (or "handles") around the image. In order to deactivate the photo, click toward the end of the document. You should get the text prompt(flashing vertical line).



Now repeat the process adding in the graphics on the left side of the template:

Insert>Picture>From File --- whatever graphic you've saved.jpeg

This graphic should be on top of the template image. You can move it to the appropriate square by right-clicking on your mouse and dragging the image. If the image needs to be resized, click shift and drag one of the corner handles (green boxes) either in or out (depending if you want the graphic bigger or smaller).



Once you have all the graphics in place, you can add text using the Fontworks Gallery toolbar.

Click on the T image (see arrow in the image above)


Move the text tool cursor to the area in the document that you want to create text, and click and drag to make a text box. It is active when you see the flashing horizontal line in the text box.

If you click the text box, you will notice blue squares (handles) all around it. You can click and move the text box when it is in this state. Click off toward the side or bottom of the document if you want to deactivate the text box. If you want to edit an existing text box, double click on it.



You can change the font, color, alignment on the text toolbar. Just highlight your text and make your changes.


You are done! Don't forget to save. OpenOffice has the ability to save as a PDF too. Just click the PDF icon on the top toolbar.

Tip:
If you are having problems moving a smaller graphic, make sure the large background graphic is not active (green boxes around it).

See Other Related Posts:

Under the Sea Flashcards
Barn Yard Magnet Set

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The cute dinosaur graphics are by Mindy Terasawa, www.designerdigitals.com