Friday, June 28, 2013

DIY Glass Tile Magnets

Today's project was making numbered magnets to use with my Behavior Chart!


Here is a quick tutorial on how I made custom magnets for my classroom:

You will need:

1 inch clear glass tiles (Buy online!)
Magnetic Buttons w/foam adhesive (Buy at Walmart or online!)
Spray Acrylic Sealer
Mod Podge
small brush
scissors
circle designs (1 inch)

Here are the ones I used:
 (Click image to download.)

To make the designs, I used various digital papers I'd purchased to create the background of each circle.  You can easily make a set to match your own classroom by using a word processing program (Pages, Word, PPT) to create 1 inch circles and to "fill" them with the design of your choosing.

1.  Print off the numbers on card stock.

2.  Lightly spray with acrylic sealer.  Allow to dry for at least 15 minutes and then add one more light coat.  (This will prevent the ink from smudging when you apply the Mod Podge. Thank you, Kayla!)

3. Once the sealer is completely dry, cut out the circles.

4.  Put a THIN, even layer of Mod Podge on a glass tile and press the paper circle onto it. Do this for each one and allow to dry.  

5.  On the back of each magnet, add another thin layer of Mod Podge to ensure the paper won't be going anywhere.  Allow to dry. (This doesn't take long!)

6.  Place an adhesive magnet on the back of each.  (I have tested this! The magnets I suggested are plenty strong enough to hold the tiles AND the adhesive is all you need for attaching them to the back.  No glue necessary!)

I hope this helps!  Let me know if you have any questions.  Note - Do not laminate paper circles before attaching them with Mod Podge.  Unless you want them to turn out like this:
     
I think not!  :)

13 comments:

  1. I'm so glad you found a solution to the mod podge dilemma. They turned out GREAT!!

    Aimee
    Primarily Speaking

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  2. I love these! I linked you in my Made it Monday as I tried to do something similar but used a tutorial I created a few years ago to help update my magnets! :) Love your blog! Newest follower!

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  3. I am one of your newest followers! I taught kindergarten for 17 years and I am switching to 2nd grade this year! I am very excited about the move! I have been busy preparing for the CCSS in 2nd and implementing Daily Five/CAFE also this year! It's been a busy summer, since I also taught summer school the month of June! I love your magnet idea, but was wondering if you could update your link with numbers to 30? I am anticipating possibly 28 students this year! Thanks for sharing the great ideas! Love your blog!

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  4. Hi, Colleen! Here is a link to magnets with numbers up to 30- https://docs.google.com/file/d/0ByV1hWeTSYEcVG00Z0NSRUVxR1E/edit?usp=sharing

    Best of luck with your transition to second grade...I think you'll love it! :)

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  5. This is absolutely awesome! This is indeed very creative. I really find this very interesting to make. This is very much adorable and pretty. I'm sure my kids will love this, too. Thanks for sharing this guide. Two thumbs up for this.

    -TheGlassMosaicOutlet.com

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  6. I love these! So adorable! Although I'll be in 5th grade and could have upto 36 kids. Is there anyway that you could update them to have upto 36? Thanks!

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    1. Sure thing! Shoot me an email {mrs.heerenshappenings@gmail.com} and I will send them to you! :)

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  7. I have a question about how you made these. Did you put the paper label on the front of the glass tile or the back of the tile? I want these to hold up for more than one year!

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    1. You would use the Mod Podge to attach the paper numbers to the back of each glass tile.

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  8. I have no words to explain only amazing one word I can say and love to share it also Glass Tile

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  10. Would it be possible to make the DIY Glass Tile Magnets numbers go up to 35? I am expecting 29-31 students next year.

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  11. Hi Jessica- I just came across your post and am wondering if you have tile magnet numbers that go up to 42? I am a team teacher and see this being a great way of monitoring students leaving the classroom!! Thank you!!

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