Button Bucket - Summer Project #1

I was up early this morning and decided to cross the first summer school counseling project off of my list! A Bucket of Buttons!!!

On Pinterest, many months ago, I saw a Pin highlighting badges that had the question, "Ask me what I got on the test." I knew I wanted to take this idea one step further - highlighting student effort and giving students the opportunity to be proud of, and speak about, their specific accomplishments. I began writing down phrases that I wanted to highlight on the buttons....I must admit, it got a little out of hand.  I quickly realized that there are so many things that can be said on these buttons and the nice thing is, the sayings can be switched out at any time!

Phrases include:

• Ask me why I had a great day!
• I was as cool as a cucumber! Ask me about it!
• Ask me how I made a difference in someone's life.
• Ask me why I'm a star student
• Ask me how I used a Tool to solve a conflict
• Ask me how I did on my classwork
• Ask me how I calmed down
• I made a bright choice! Ask me about it!
• Ask me how I improved.
• Ask me why I made my teacher smile!
• I'm a fantastic friend! Ask me what I did.
• Ask me how I used my noodle.
• Wow! I worked hard today!
• Super Star
• I'm kind and caring
• I had a great morning!
• I followed directions
• I did a great job!

For a few months, I collected all the materials I would need:

#1: A number of do-it-yourself plastic buttons/pins from a local craft store.

• I purchased large buttons (3.5 inches) and small buttons (2.25 inches)
• Now is a great time to buy them - craft stores have these buttons for summer kids craft projects

#2: A bunch of decorative scrapbooking paper and cut to 8.5 x 11 - to run through your printer

• I looked for fun papers that I could make cute sayings up for
• The print on the paper can't be too dark - so you can read the words printed on it

#3: A fun colored bucket from the dollar store

Then, I made them.

1.  In word, I created 2 documents - one for the 3.5 inch buttons and one for the 2.25 inch buttons.
2. I inserted a shape (circle). I set the size to 3.5" x 3.5" in the one document and 2.25" x 2.25" in the other document.
3. In the 3.5" document, I also inserted another shape (circle) and set that shape size 3.25". On this circle, I inserted text (centered on the bottom) - my name.
4. I inserted text and played around with all the different fonts.
5. Using the decorative scrapbook paper that I cut down to size (8.5 x 11), I inserted one piece at a time into the printer and printed one button out at a time. I did this so each button/saying has a different paper background. So, for the 3.5 inch buttons, 2 circles will print out per decorative sheet - one with the saying on it and the smaller one (3.25") with my name on it.
6. I repeated this process with the smaller 2.25" buttons....but I only printed out one circle per sheet of paper (unlike the larger ones).
7. Cut out the circles. Insert into the plastic pin/button and snap together. The circle with my name on it was the back of the button.

3.5 Inch Buttons

2.25 Inch Buttons

Store in a Button Bucket!