Take a Spin Awards

My part-time job at a local elementary school consists of working with a group of kids who have trouble focusing and staying focused. So, they are a bit behind the rest of the class. We work together in reading comprehension and math skills. The group that I do reading with struggles a bit more than the math group so I have been promising to make them something if they could stay focused every day for one week so we could actually make it through an entire reading lesson together. I was beginning to think it was a lost cause when suddenly, last week everything changed! For the first time since I started this job in December, those kids decided it was time to focus, focus, focus......and that is exactly what they did :) We got through an entire story in their reading book, answered all of the questions and completed their grammar packs! They were awesome!!!!

So, needless to say, it was time for me to put my money where my mouth is! The kids I work with are in the 4th grade so I wanted to make them something they would like and yet not think it was too childish...I know - not easy!! But, thank you Stampin' Up for the perfect stamp set - Take a Spin. I had seen some great little award ribbons made with this particular stamp from the set so I made these:

The complete list of supplies:

Stamp Set: Take a Spin

Cardstock: Night of Navy, Pretty In Pink, Whisper White

Ink: Night of Navy, Melon Mambo

Accessories: Big Shot with 3" Circle Die, 2 1/2" Circle Punch, Pretty In Pink 1 1/4" Striped Grosgrain Ribbon, Night of Navy 1 1/4" Striped Grosgrain Ribbon, Game Spinner Hands, Paper Piercing Tool and Mat, Basic Rhinestones, Vintage Type Rub-ons, Stampin' Dimensionals, Velcro Dots (non SU)

I decided to put their names on them at the last minute when I found these rub-ons next to the Rhinestones I added to the girls' awards:

I didn't have quite enough of the lowere case letters for all of them so I added the boys' names in capital letters since they didn't have any "bling" on theirs:

The stamp is so fun because you can place the little game spinner arrow over several different little praises for them:

I thought they turned out pretty cute but the true test was going to be actually giving them to my kids. To my surprise and excitement, they loved them!! All during our group work they wanted to know where they should point their arrows. I had added a velcro dot to the backside so they could stick them on their shirts if they wanted to and a couple of them even wore them out at recess. I was so happy they liked them. Now the extra 3 girls who work with us in math are working to earn one as well :) I say, as long as it keeps them focused and learning, I will make awards 24 hours a day if I have to!!

I am just SO proud of all of them and I am happy that I could do one small thing to let them know they are special. However, one of them was absent today and he had specifically asked if this was going to involve cupcakes........so, I guess the final test comes when he comes back to school. LOL!! So, keep me in your prayers :)

Thanks for stopping by and sharing with me today! I hope this has inspired you to create a special reward for someone special in your life :) 'Til next time..........................

Happy Stamping,

Laurie

Remember to get your mammogram!