How to Make Pencil Nametags - School and the City

Thank you SO VERY much for all of your compliments and kind words about my writing board.

I love it too – It’s one of my favorite parts of my classroom for three reasons:

1. It’s pretty so that makes me happy.

2. It’s so easy to hang papers.

3. I’m going on year three without changing out the board. Can I get an AMEN?!

When I created this board, I hot glued pushpins to the back of clothespins. Then, I put hot glue on the back of the length of the clothespin before sticking it into and onto the board. They don’t budge. They hold at least 30 papers throughout the year, no problemo. Yes, the hot glue will destroy the board when I try to pull them off… so I’m just not planning on doing that anytime soon! You know what they say… If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.

Many of you have been asking me how to make the pencil nametags. Keep reading:

1. Click here to download this free clipart from Melonheadz.

2. If you want to use the same font that I used, click here to download KG Blank Space from Kimberly Geswein. (Note: This free font is for personal use only.)

3. Place the pencil clipart in Powerpoint. My pencils have a height of 1.65″. Then copy and paste until you have 5 pencils.

4. Add a text box and type in the first name. I used KG Blank Space Sketch, size 60. I also added a white glow behind the text to add some contrast so it is easier to read. (Highlight text… Format –> Effects –> Glow)

5. Copy and paste your text box into the other pencils, then change the names. For fast results, next copy and paste the entire slide so that you can just change the names on all of the other slides.

6. Print on cardstock, laminate, then cut. Ta da!

At the end of the year, I peel the pencils off of the clips and give them to the students to use as bookmarks. They love them!

Happy creating!