Kathleen - Tonight's live session at Teachers.Net is enhanced by the contributions of Badge-a-Minit http://www.badgeaminit.com. All prices quoted here are valid as of October 19, 1999. Welcome to a discussion about ways to make use of button making machines in schools.
Kathleen - Hi! It's nice to see the interest in button making. I thought it would be an interesting and unique discussion. Thanks for coming:-) How many of you have button making machines hidden in closets?
Doug - I thought I would take my old button maker out of the garage
Doug - I like making buttons for presents such as Xmas and mom's day...any ideas
carolinajoy - I found a button maker at school...everyone thought it was broken, but I borrowed some parts and it works dandy. I haven't told anyone else yet :-) Now I just have to figure out how to buy button parts without alerting everyone (selfish? You betcha!)
carolinajoy - I thought of using it to make badges for special awards for student recognition.
Cheryl in NH - Kathleen-I don't have one, but have seen them many times and wondering how we could use them in preschool.
Mary K&1 - I have two of them and kind of forgot about them ... until this
pearl - our PTA had a button making machine a few years back...I wonder if it is still around since the PTA folded
meeha/ece/tx - Cheryl -- how about for ID badges ... for substitutes, for field trips, for special teachers and guests ...
Kathleen - Well, pull those machines out of the closet! You can incorporate buttons into just about any lesson plan for all ages. For example, have your students find flowers or leaves during a nature walk, press them, and turn them into buttons.
pearl - what ideas does anyone have for primary students
meeha/ece/tx - i like that idea, Kathleen!
Kathleen - Yes, let's brainstorm ideas for using these nifty machines for enhancing school programs.
Mary K&1 - I just have the regular size, do they still have the big size machines for making the great big badges?
meeha/ece/tx - (a lot of science ... the identification of the flower, the process of drying it, the making of the button ...) and language!
carolinajoy - Kathleen, that idea alone was worth logging on!
Kathleen - Use pin back buttons on calendars, personalized with student photo for their birthdays, then award the button to the student on his/her birthday. Other dates can hold buttons to designate holidays, school events, legal holidays. Letting the students design the buttons is a wonderful literacy activity.
Cheryl in NH - good idea....we had a child today who was so proud that he remembered to go "potty" without being reminded..I would have loved to make him a badge today!!!
pearl - perhaps the button could be worn by the Student of the Day (helps with calendar activities)
meeha/ece/tx - a friend had her kids draw numbers daily (determined where they walked in line through out the day, which seat they sat in, etc ... could select a badge/button instead of a paper number...
Cheryl in NH - Also--we go to specialists twice a week..perhaps their picture and name on a badge...
Kathleen - Badge-a-Minit offers software for button designing. Or your students can do free-hand designs, use xeroxed clip-art designs, or incorporate photographs, magazine cut-outs, even wrapping paper with word processed or handwritten text glued on.
pearl - what type of software is available?
Cheryl in NH - pearl..Great idea! Also..classroom helper buttons?
Kathleen - Mary, I have a 3" button making machine from Badge-a-Minit. They sell the parts for button making http://badgeaminit.com
carolinajoy - Just thought of this...I'm the media specialist...could put barcode & student name on a button.
Kathleen - pearl, software that allows you to design button faces
Kathleen - carolinajoy, what a terrific idea!
meeha/ece/tx - our school uses buttons to identify parent volunteers after they check into the office each time they come in to volunteer...
pearl - perhaps make "partner badges" and the two students who get the matching badges could be study and lunch buddies for the day
Mary K&1 - I'll have to look into that software - it would be great with the digital cameras!
Kathleen - During classroom holiday parties, make button name tags for room mothers and allow the class to make their own buttons with markers, colored pencils paint, glitter, or anything they can find.
meeha/ece/tx - i like that idea, pearl!
Cheryl in NH - carolinajoy--I wonder if your scanner could read it..Kathleen-is there a plastic cover that goes over it that may prevent bar code reading?
Kathleen - oh, yes, with a digital camera you open up all kinds of button possibilities!
Kathleen - GREAT IDEAS! Keep them coming! :-)
Cheryl in NH - Some of our classrooms have "center tags" (i.e. 3 friends in writing at one time) badges would work great for that!
meeha/ece/tx - with a subject like "Pokemon" if you're looking for a fundraiser, you could make up some badges (watch copyright issues, though!) and sell them for a pretty small price ... probably make a decent profit!
carolinajoy - Cheryl, I'm sure...we now use laminated cards (laminated after barcode put on.)
Kathleen - Use Badge-a-Minit buttons as name tags for field trips to designate groups. Let students design their own button using their name and a theme related to the event or trip. Stamps depicting works of art could be incorporated into the button name tag design for a trip to the museum or at gallery. For the zoo: animals.
Mary K&1 - You can make lots of others things, like key chains, mirrors, things with a magnetic back - great gift ideas
Kathleen - Give out buttons as Treats for Halloween, capturing a current fad or "craze" (such as Pokemon;-)
Cheryl in NH - Kathleen-do you know if the buttons have pins on the backs or do they come other ways also (my kiddos are very young)?
Cheryl in NH - carolinajoy--THANKS!! Our library specialist will love this idea!!!!
Kathleen - Cheryl, Badge-a-Minit also has the materials for magnets, key chains..
meeha/ece/tx - Cheryl -- like 'alligator clips'? wouldn't that be great!
Cheryl in NH - meeha-clips would be perfect!!!
carolinajoy - All these ideas should help shake some money for supplies out of the PTA.
Cheryl in NH - Ok, Ok, now I can't wait to get my catalog!!!!!!!
Kathleen - Badge-a-minit offers pinless "lanyard button sets" for wearing on ribbons
Kathleen - Also, they offer adhesive back sets
Mary K&1 - Do they still have those beautiful ribbons that you can put with the badges? Those were very popular when I was making buttons like crazy a long time ago? The ones that go around the button - like the grand prize at the fair?
Kathleen - Please go to http://www.badgeaminit.com/requestcatalog.html to request a free Badge-a Minit catalog
Kathleen - Yes, they do offer the ribbons to use to turn the badges into beautiful awards
meeha/ece/tx - Kathleen, what are the adhesive back sets? any idea?
Kathleen - Student - designed or school logo buttons can be used as fundraisers. Sell them during athletic events, fun fairs, concerts. Have a contest and select one student's design to represent the school.
Cheryl in NH - Ribbons? I love it..I can make "Potty Party" ribbons for them!!!
Kathleen - meeha, what do you mean? what are they like?
carolinajoy - These would make great recognition for Accelerated Reader progress , too.
meeha/ece/tx - how are they used? like id badges? to adhere to notebooks? how adhesive are they?
Kathleen - self adhesive sets feature 2 sided pressure sensitive adhesive disks that attach to the smooth back of buttons and adhere to most fabrics.
meeha/ece/tx - thanks! i was wondering.
Kathleen - The adhesive badges are reusable. Ea. set includes a metal front, a plain metal back, a self adhesive strip and a plastic cover
Kathleen - Parent-Teacher groups are often happy to buy button-making machines and supplies for their schools because they find they can use the machines for making name badges for volunteers, etc.
Mary K&1 - If you get the ones with the plain backs you could put Velcro on them and use them on flannel boards or almost anywhere
Kathleen - Badge-a-Minit offers machines at a variety of costs. A hand-held machine is only $29.95 (includes materials to make 10 2.25" buttons. I have the Badge-a-Matic3 machine (makes 3" buttons). With materials for 250 buttons it costs $446.95 and is SUPER easy to use.
meeha/ece/tx - a button to acknowledge a 'big accomplishment' -- be it reading the first book at school, a week of good behavior, etc. would be a great way to make everyone aware of a child's hard work!
Kathleen - Decorate a fabric "tree" with pinned-on button "ornaments" that have designs or messages important to a holiday or theme. For Earth Day, the tree could display buttons made with students' slogans created for the occasion.
Kathleen - Yes, Teachers and Librarians can use buttons as motivation for students to read and as awards for book club members.
Mary K&1 - Name tags for when the sub comes
Kathleen - Designing a button to go with a theme can be a learning center activity. A parent stationed in the room can turn the creations into buttons.
Cheryl in NH - Our school is collecting 2000 diapers and 2000 packages of wipes for the local shelter...these badges would be great to acknowledge each families donations....
Mary K&1 - Badges for center choices - if you have to limit the number of kids to a center
pearl - what a great undertaking and recognition idea, Cheryl
Kathleen - Cheryl, yes! What a nice idea!
Kathleen - Raise funds at your school or church fair by setting up a booth at a fair. Have an assortment of papers, writing tools, stickers, etc. for kids to make their own button design, and then you turn it into a button for them. All proceeds can be donated to the sponsoring group.
Cheryl in NH - ...we will have a large diaper (drawn on poster board) and were going to color it as we reached our goals but I like the badges better!!
Kathleen - Cheryl, for a venture like that, I'll bet you could get a local business to underwrite the cost of materials!
Kathleen - Badge-a-Minit has authorized me to announce: You can obtain the fully-automated Badge-a-Matic II for FREE (a $569.95 value) when you buy 7000 pin back button parts for $999.95! Share with others in your school or grade level or district--you'll have enough buttons to last the whole school year.
Mary K&1 - Christmas ornaments with the child's picture - a keeper!
Cheryl in NH - Mary--that's a great idea!! the Sunday School teachers would love it too!!
Kathleen - Church school classes can produce buttons depicting religious figures or messages. These might be posted on a bulletin board displaying a large religious symbol cut out of felt. Or make a large advent calendar using buttons designed by the children. As each date comes and goes, the button is removed and presented to the child, or to someone else as a gift.
meeha/ece/tx - if you have kids ready for such activities, you could print numerals on buttons (on outside of plastic) or alphabet letters or words ... and have several children put the buttons on, one or two work together to rearrange friends to correct numerical or alphabetical order ...
meeha/ece/tx - if you have kids ready for such activities, you could print numerals on buttons (on outside of plastic) or alphabet letters or words ... and have several children put the buttons on, one or two work together to rearrange friends to correct numerical or alphabetical order ...
pearl - that is a nice offer from Badge a Minit.. but I'm not sure my school would be able to purchase 999.95 worth of materials
Kathleen - Badge-a-Minit's toll-free phone #: 1-800-223-4103
Kathleen - meeha, yes! and we wouldn't have to keep recreating them year after year. They would last forever.
Kathleen - pearl, your parent group might be able to buy it. Also, local businesses might fund it for a special project.
pearl - Kathleen, that is true. perhaps someone could help us finance it
Kathleen - You can order pre-printed designs to be made into buttons - the catalog shows a whole array.
Cheryl in NH - Kathleen, I don't think I'd know where to start with approaching local business..but that may be another meeting topic!!!!
meeha/ece/tx - maybe in exchange for financing you might include a tiny sticker/logo of the company on the badges -- front or back -- to thank them!
Cheryl in NH - meeha--great idea..free PR...how could they resist!!!
Kathleen - Cheryl, telling the business owner/manager that you can provide lots of positive publicity in school newsletters in return for a donation toward this item that will be used for kids is a good start.
pearl - will the catalog have the offer of the free machine
Kathleen - pearl, that offer is not in the catalog. But you could telephone the company. 1-800-223-4103 or go to the web site and contact them that way http://www.badgeaminit.com
Kathleen - Identify your candidate, class, or group with buttons containing unique sayings that support or promote an upcoming school or community election or referendum.
Kathleen - Use pin back buttons on calendars, personalized with student photo for their birthdays, then award the button to the student on his/her birthday. Other dates can hold buttons to designate holidays, school events, legal holidays. Letting the students design the buttons is a wonderful literacy activity.
Cheryl in NH - Also--to encourage conversations at home..how about putting a question on a badge to go home like "Ask me what we used in the sensory table today?".
Kathleen - WOW! Cheryl, that is a terrific idea! I love it!
Kathleen - Pin-back buttons can be made for under 35 cents and sold for a minimum of $1.00 or more.
Kathleen - Hi, Sylvia! Do you have a Badge-a-Minit machine yet?
Mary K&1 - Badges would be nice for the AR students when they reach a goal
Cheryl in NH - My little ones LOVE stories, especially when there is a visual effect to it. I may try making flannel stories to correspond with our books..they will last a lot longer that way.
Sylvia/CA - I've taken digital pics and taught the kids how to make their own buttons...I've used badge a minit for YEARS!!!
Kathleen - Of course, the helper of the day should be wearing a badge that announces that important job!
Kathleen - Sylvia, did you know that Badge-a-Minit now offers software for designing buttons?
Cheryl in NH - We have share day (like show and tell) twice a month. We could use that to remind parents of their share day.
Sylvia/CA - Yes, Kat! We tried using it and couldn't figure it out... but we were on a deadline so we didn't fiddle with it much.
Kathleen - With the current attention to security in schools, a badge-a-Minit button maker would come in handy to making ID badges for volunteers, parents, other authorized visitors.
Kathleen - Sylvia, I've used the customer support service at Badge-a-Minit and they are absolutely wonderful. You should call them for help with the software program
Kathleen - yes, the buttons would make wonderful reminders. And since so many things we do are repeated year to year, we could use the buttons for many years.
Sylvia/CA - Kat, thanks for the reminder about customer support!! They ARE very helpful!!!
Kathleen - The transcript of this session will be chock full of ideas. Order your free catalog today so you'll be ready to get what you need to implement them! Go to http://www.badgeaminit.com/requestcatalog.html to request a free Badge-a Minit catalog and BE SURE to fill in the form where it asks where you heard about Badge-a-Minit by listing Teachers.Net!
Mary K&1 - Sylvia, tells us what you do with the badges - I'm trying to remember what I used to do, but I've forgotten many
Sylvia/CA - Mary, I do a lot of volunteer community work and volunteer on several conference planning committees, so I use Badge a Minit for making buttons with the logo and slogan of the given event and pass them out to all participants...
Sylvia/CA - At our school, we let the kids design their own buttons and they wear them as name tags for the first two weeks of school, and whenever they have substitutes.
Kathleen - Well, let me close by thanking the Teachers.Net educators for their valuable contributions during this session. Contact Badge-a-Minit at http://www.badgeaminit.com or 1-800-223-4103.
Mary K&1 - Thanks Kathleen, this has helped me remember some things that I haven't thought about in a very long time
Kathleen - Goodnight, all, and thank you!
