Stories by Storie

Everyone has a story to tell. What is yours?

  • Stories by Storie
  • Home
  • About
  • Blog
    • Book Activities
    • Book Lists
    • Classroom Management
    • Freebies
    • Math
    • Reading Tips
    • Writing
  • Free
  • Shop
    • Teachers Pay Teachers
    • Amazon
    • Bookshop
  • Subscribe
  • Contact

Laminator Love

August 7, 2013

I went back to school shopping.  No, it wasn’t for new clothes.  I bought a new laminator and I am giddy with excitement.  Please tell me I’m not alone in getting excited about things like this (please).

My Laminator

Here is my new little toy – a Scotch Thermal Laminator.
So, what does a teacher who just received a present in the mail do?  She acts like it’s Christmas morning, opens the gift, and immediately puts it to work.
Have you seen this pin?
Source: First Grade Fresh
Well, I tracked it down and bought it last spring.  It’s called Silly Sentences for Word Work.  You can read more about it here.
My kiddos loved creating silly sentences last year.  This year I wanted to do this product justice so I went full out with printing on cardstock, mounting on color-coded paper, and now it was time to laminate.  Here were four of my starting stacks (yes, I’m annoyed that I didn’t notice the cards were facing different directions when I took the picture):

 

My laminator came with several of the laminating pouches, but I also purchased a large box of letter-sized pouches, too.  The pouches have one closed side on the bottom.  I opened it up, laid down my cards, and closed it back up.
Since it was the first run, I was super careful and slow.  Once you get the pouch lined up right, the laminator grabs it gently and guides it through – no pushing or pulling needed.
Now, remember how I said I was being super careful?  Well, let me be honest.  I assumed the pouches had a slightly sticky/tacky surface on the inside to help hold the papers in place.  I was WRONG.  Just another reason I shouldn’t make assumptions.  So, in my rush to get going, this happened:
We all know how frustrating this can be.  Oh, and I should mention that I DO know that the laminating pouches come in different sizes for smaller pieces.  I also think the larger pouches are more cost-efficient (and teachers are on a tight budget).

Tip for Using Your Personal Laminator

Luckily my husband (an engineer) helped me make some adjustments to make it work a little more smoothly.  He used some of his books to tilt the laminator up and extend the loading zone in the back to be more flat.  This keeps the smaller pieces from sliding around as the pouch enters the laminator.
Now comes the fun part.  Trying to get all of my freshly laminated pouches cut without getting the dreaded pain in my thumb and fingers from using the scissors so much!  Wish me luck with all of this cutting!
Are you interested in purchasing a personal laminator? I bought mine from Amazon. They are continually changing the laminator to make it better, but here are a few options that are really close to the one I have. Just don’t forget to stock up on laminating pouches, too!
    
we are a participant in the amazon services llc associates program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to amazon.com and affiliated sites.

Over the years, I’ve discovered there are two types of teachers when it comes to laminating. There are those who cut-laminate-cut and there are those who laminate, then cut. Which team are you on? I conducted my own little experiment to find out if it really makes a difference. Do you want to know what I discovered? Click on the picture below to find out for yourself!

Happy Teaching!

signature

Related posts:

Ideas for Spelling and Sight Word Practice spellingorganization.jpg3 Ways to Organize Weekly Spelling Practice Word Work and Spelling Practice in Second Grade, Part 2 Word Work & Spelling Practice in Second Grade, Part 1 Default ThumbnailRoll & Cover Gameboards
«
»

Filed Under: daily 5, spelling & word study, teacher tips 10 Comments

Comments

  1. Angela@TheTeachersDesk6 says

    August 7, 2013 at 8:56 pm

    You are MOST definitely NOT alone! I am in LOVE with my laminator that I got earlier this summer with gift certificates at Barnes and Noble. I've blown through a box and a half of sheets already. LOL!

    Have you heard of sticker machines? I'm researching these right now. Or the Cameo Silhouette? ENVY!!!!!

    Reply
  2. Bethany Hunter says

    August 7, 2013 at 9:10 pm

    I love my laminator too! I'm already on my third box of sheets! Happy Cutting!

    Hunter's Tales from Teaching

    Reply
  3. Patricia Potts says

    August 8, 2013 at 3:43 am

    LOL the only thing I love more than my laminator (and I got the same one you have and I've only had it for a month) is my labeler. Amazing how those two things can spread happiness and joy. Have fun cutting all those things out.

    Reply
  4. Aimee says

    August 8, 2013 at 4:57 am

    I love my laminator, and no, you're not the only one that gets excited about this kind of stuff-hehe. I love your husband's solution to the loading zone!

    Aimee
    Primarily Speaking

    Reply
  5. Sue says

    February 17, 2018 at 5:01 pm

    I use a paper cutter with slide for cutting laminated card. Quicker, easier and straighter than i could ever do with scissors.

    Reply
  6. Lisa says

    February 22, 2018 at 3:31 am

    I use a glue stick to keep the paper in place on the laminating film. I also use a paper cutter and always laminate after I have cut the pieces to size so they have a seal of laminating around the cards. There is always one student who will pick them apart of they are not sealed correctly! A little more time in the construction phase is worth it in the long run.

    Reply
  7. NICOLE says

    December 13, 2019 at 10:03 pm

    What is the font you used for the words? It’s not arial or times new Roman. I love it.

    Reply
    • Storie Belden says

      December 14, 2019 at 9:05 am

      I’m not sure what font was used on the word cards. The product was made by someone else. You can follow the link in this post and use the Q & A feature on that seller’s TpT page to find out.
      Storie

      Reply
  8. Ashley says

    November 24, 2022 at 8:47 am

    Hello!! I am a teacher and love my laminator!! I also got a paper cutter from Amazon. Mine came with a card stock bundle! It has saved me so much time and energy!!

    Reply
    • Storie Belden says

      November 25, 2022 at 8:18 am

      Sounds like a great combo. I love that it is saving you time and energy!
      Storie

      Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Search

Categories

Latest on Instagram

We just added this new book to our library and I t We just added this new book to our library and I think you’re going to love it, too!

Meet Mazie McGear, a girl who loves to engineer! Whenever she finds a problem, she turns on her imagination and then starts drawing and building. 

Hungry dog?
Mazie creates The Food-o-Matic! 

Heavy boxes need moving?
Here comes the Roly-Ramp!

Sleepy Sibling?
Try The Waker-Upper Rocket Machine!
(P.S. Mazie’s brother is NOT a fan 🤣)

And when the dog gets stuck on the roof, the whole family joins in on the invention action!

This book would be a great addition to your STEM/STEAM book collection. It is sure to inspire future engineers and problem solvers to find out-of-the box solutions to their everyday lives. The dynamic illustrations also include a fun, fold-out spread along with a quick guide to Mazie’s six simple machines. Swipe to take a peek inside!

Mazie’s Amazing Machines
✏️ @sherylhaft 
🎨 @jeremyholmesstudio 
📚 @penguinkids 

.
.
.
.
.
.
#picturebooksofinstagram #kidlit #picturebooklove #childrensbookstagram #classroombookaday #picturebookaday  #teachersofinstagram #teachersfollowteachers #kidsbookstagram #picturebooksaremyjam #kidlitpicks #iteachtoo #maziesamazingmachines #stembooksforkids
“Even the smallest can help make the biggest cha “Even the smallest can help make the biggest change.”

In this story, the smallest turtles have always climbed on top of the biggest turtles to reach the freshest fruit. The big turtles would eat the fallen berries which were often sour and rotten. It’s just the way it’s always been. But Littlest Turtle doesn’t think that’s fair, so he makes a plan to change the way things are done. But can he get the rest of the turtles to agree?

This new picture book shares an important message about using your voice to speak up for what is fair and right. Swipe to take a peek inside!

Have you read this one yet?
Where were the picture book biographies when I was Where were the picture book biographies when I was growing up? Sharing the stories of others through picture books offers kids a glimpse into the accomplishments and lives of others in an engaging and meaningful way. It allows kids to see the potential of big dreams, hard work, and overcoming obstacles, while also helping them broaden their knowledge of the world around them. And when kids connect with the person whose story is being told, they are bound to find even more books about them to learn more. 

Here are three new picture book biographies to check out. Thank you to the publishers for these #gifted copies!  Swipe to take a peek inside each book.

💚 Queen of Leaves: The Story of Botanist Ynes Mexia
📚 @theinnovationpress 

🧡 A Curious Mind and a Very Big Heart: The Story of Designer and Innovator Sara Little Turnbull 
📚 @simonkids 

💜 Friend of Numbers: The Life of Mathematician Srinivasa Ramanujan
📚 @eerdmansyoungreaders 

Have you read about these fascinating people yet? 
What are some of your favorite picture book biographies?

.
.
.
.
.
.
#picturebooksofinstagram #kidlit #picturebooklove #childrensbookstagram #classroombookaday #picturebookaday  #teachersofinstagram #teachersfollowteachers #kidsbookstagram #picturebooksaremyjam #kidlitpicks #iteachtoo #SimonKidsCrew #picturebookbiographies #theinnovationpress #eerdmansyoungreaders
Just because my kids are back in school doesn’t Just because my kids are back in school doesn’t mean our trips to the library have stopped. Here’s what came home on our latest visit. Let me know which titles catch your eye!
“The perfect reader (let’s say that’s you) d “The perfect reader (let’s say that’s you) drinks in the words and together you make a special kind of magic.”

When kids connect with books - whether it’s the characters, the genre, the plot twists, or something else entirely - it feels like a whole new magical world has opened. And all of that magic is on display in this beautifully written and illustrated book that follows one book’s journey through the hands of many different readers.

Have you read this one yet?

The Story of a Book
✏️ Joy McCullough @jmcwrites 
🎨 Devon Holzwarth @devonholzwarth 
📚 Atheneum Books @simonandschuster 

.
.
.
.
.
.
#picturebooksofinstagram #kidlit #picturebooklove #childrensbookstagram #classroombookaday #picturebookaday  #teachersofinstagram #teachersfollowteachers #kidsbookstagram #picturebooksaremyjam #kidlitpicks #iteachtoo
Back to School! I know that many of you have been Back to School!

I know that many of you have been back for weeks, but it’s finally time for my kids to start school. 

✔️ backpacks 
✔️ supplies
✔️ first day outfits
✔️ alarms set

And now it’s time to read all of my favorite first day books. How many of these have you read? 

#backtoschool 
#readalouds
Guess what?!? I just found another fun fractured f Guess what?!?
I just found another fun fractured fairy tale I think you’ll love. Plus, the backmatter includes some fascinating facts about guinea pigs.

In this imaginative retelling, three guinea pigs set off on their own, each building a new house out of different materials. When a fox comes prowling, the first two lose their homes. Fortunately, the third comes up with a brilliant plan to outsmart that hungry fox. Let’s just say I don’t think the fox will POP into their homes ever again!

If you love fractured fairytales as much as I do, be sure to check this one out! 

A big thank you to the publisher for sharing this book with my family!

✏️ @ericaperl 
🎨 @ayoungart 
📚 @MacKidsBooks

.
.
.
.
.
.
#picturebooksofinstagram #kidlit #picturebooklove #childrensbookstagram #classroombookaday #picturebookaday  #teachersofinstagram #teachersfollowteachers #kidsbookstagram #picturebooksaremyjam #kidlitpicks #iteachtoo #macmillankids #mackidsbooks #thethreelittleguineapigs #fracturedfairytales

Copyright © 2023 · Website Design By Jumping Jax Designs