You would be surprised with how much I struggled at the beginning where making my own worksheets was involved. The frustration was real. After a lot of practice I am proud to say that after many, many attempts, I am now very confident in my own Microsoft Word and Powerpoint skills. So much so, that I now want to pass on the key tips that have saved so much of my time with you.
Now before we begin, if you are unsure of where to start, or how you want your worksheets to look, have no fear my friends, teachers pay teachers is here. I found it a great place to become inspired where creating my own worksheets was concerned. Not only can you take away great ideas, you can also purchase amazing worksheets, workbooks and display pieces for your class. This can be very useful when your timeframe is limited. The best part is that you are supporting fellow teachers.
Another website I like is superteacherworksheets, however you do have to pay a registration fee for the year of $20.
Once you know what you want you can begin.
I would like to note that the best place overall to make a worksheet is with photoshop. However, if you have never used it before, Microsoft Powerpoint is the next best thing.
The first and main reason behind nominating PowerPoint over Word is that it is simple to use. Powerpoint allows you to move your images with ease, and without disrupting your text. It also aligns everything which takes away any worries you might have of the pictures not being straight or parallel with one another.
If you want to add a cute picture or clipart all you have to do is type in the key word into your google engine. For example; if you are creating a worksheet for The First Moon Landing, type in the words astronaut clipart png.
Key Tip: Typing png after clipart ensures that your image can be copied and pasted without any background colours or annoying shading. Thank you Miss Tor for that amazing tip!
If your image appears with grey and white boxes in the background, this is perfect. When you copy and paste your image, the grey and white boxes disappear and you are left with the silhouette of your clipart image.
If your preference is to use Microsoft Word over PowerPoint that is perfectly fine too. If you want to create a worksheet with a few images and need to place them in various places follow these easy steps.
Step 1: Find the image that is appropriate for your worksheet.
Step 2: Copy and Paste it to your word document.
Step 3: Double click on your image and place your arrow on the Wrap Text icon, this icon has the picture of a dog. Why? I have no idea. Choose the option Behind Text.
Step 4: Drag your image to where your heart desires ♥.
Double Click on your astronaut.
once you click on the option Wrap Text, choose the option Behind Text
You can now move your picture with ease and place where ever you prefer.
You will also notice a green circle above your image once you have doubled clicked on it. This allows you to rotate the image should you wish to do so.
Key Tip: As bright, colourful and appealing some images maybe, try to resist. It can be a good idea to search for the black and white option, especially if your worksheets are for younger classes. The children love to colour them in and this will allow them to personalise their page.
All you need to do is fill in your worksheet with your information text, some activities and you are set.
One Step Further
If you are like me and you are slightly OCD with your worksheets and how they are presented, then downlading some free fonts and boarders might be for you. They really add a little something extra to your worksheets and the children love them.
I am a huge fan of Kimberly Geswein Fonts. Her creations are playful and child friendly. You can find her here. I absolutely love the variety and amazingly enough she allows you to download them for free!
Boarders
No worksheet is complete without a nice boarder. Once again I have found a great place to download some free boarders. Click here to jump on over to Graphics-From-The-Pond by Mel to see all she has to offer. I used these boarders in my own All About Me booklet I created for my own class. You can download it for free to use with your own class.
There you have it. My introduction into creating your very own worksheets with ease. Please remember to differentiate your worksheets to cater for the needs of all the children in your class. Keeping the worksheets visually similar will help a lot so that those on a lower level don’t feel isolated in their learning.
I hope this post has helped someone somewhere with their worksheet making skills.
Happy Teaching!
♥ Múinteoir Amy ♥
muinteoiramy.com 