Student Locator-GPS

I have just completed my first summer project! This was a combo of 2 Pinterest pins that I have been wanting to do all year.

The idea for the board came from Second Grade Style at this link. http://secondgradestyle.blogspot.com/2012/07/i-made-it-student-tracker-board.html

And the magnets came from Hereen's Happenings at this link.

http://heerenshappenings2.blogspot.com/2013/06/diy-glass-marble-magnets.html

I started with their awesome tutorials and made a few changes as I went along. First, let me say that this was not a "quick" project. I worked for about 2 hours total. Creating the graphics was the MOST time consuming part of it all. So, if you can find graphics you like online USE THEM! I created all of my graphics on powerpoint using 1 inch circles. They were SO cute!

Alas, after going to 4 craft stores I could not find 1 inch clear glass tiles ANYWHERE! So, I got creative. I purchased a bag of floral stones from Michaels $6. But, I found a smaller bag at Dollar Tree. I will be returning the $6 bag! After I got home and measured my new stones I realized that they were nowhere near 1 inch in diameter. I then reconfigured the graphics to fit the new size.

Like I said, this was the most time consuming part of the project.

You will need

A cookie sheet-I got this one at Big Lots for $3.50. You do not need a nonstick pan. The Washi Tape doesn't like to stick to a non-stick pan. Go figure!

washi tape-office supply stores carry this, not craft stores??? But, it comes in many different colors and patterns $2 per roll

Mod Podge-I actually ended up using the hard drying purple label variety because the bottle pictured was empty and cemented shut.

magnet buttons-$2.99 Michael's craft store

I do NOT recommend using the spray adhesive pictured above. You don't need it if you use Mod Podge and it gets all over the front of the stone. YUCK!

foam brush or other wide paintbrush

numbers-you can custom make these on your computer or use scrapbook paper. 

You can download the ones I created for FREE here. 

Glass tile numbers

I had to cut off the cute border to make them fit. Trial and Error. 

Step 1-Download or create your numbers. Print and cut out the circles. 

Step 2-Apply a small amount of Mod Podge to the back of the stone (the flat part) with your foam brush. Try to keep your hands clean or the Mod Podge will make fingerprints on the front on the stone.

Step 3-Adhere the paper circle to the back of the stone. You want to be able to see the number through the glass. 

Step 4-Apply a thin coat of Mod Podge over the back of the paper to be sure that it is sealed. Let that dry for a few hours or overnight. 

Step 5-Peel the backing off of the adhesive magnetic buttons and stick to the back of your stone. 

VOILA!

To make the board

Step1- I traced the cookie sheet size on a piece of large construction paper and drew lines to divide it up based on my school. 

Step 2-Once I got an arrangement that I liked I used the Washi Tape to create the same layout on the cookie sheet.

Step 3-I typed up the locations that my students visit most often. Printed it on colored card stock then laminated it. Cut out the words and adhered them to the board with double stick tape. 

Here is my final product! I am super excited to use this in my classroom next year. My students had numbers this year that we used for many things. However, I always found myself saying, "Where is so&so?" And the kids' reply "You said they could go to the xyz." Teacher brain! With this board the students won't have to interrupt me during small group time to ask to go to the bathroom, and I will always know where everyone is located. I will probably add 2 stone size circles to the bathroom area and 3 to the media center area. That way the students know when there are too many people out at those locations, and they need to wait.

In case you are wondering, Mrs. Price is the attendance clerk, school nurse, and OR. I left one spot blank in the event that I have a student who goes to Speech or Special Education etc. in my class next year.