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Tuesday, May 14, 2013

Tried It Tuesday (PowerPoint: Making Products the Easy Way!)

It's Tuesday and you know what that means! Another Tried It Tuesday!!
I am loving all the ideas linked up each week by everyone.
No idea is too small.
You know the sayings, "I learn something new each day" or "Why didn't I think of that?"
This linky has me thinking saying the above MANY times each week.
Like, literally, until I think my head may explode!
Thank goodness for Pinterest!

What is Tried It Tuesday?  Read more about it here.

Awesome linky button above designed by the talented Michelle at The 3am Teacher!
My Tried It:
PowerPoint
If I had to name ONE change I made in the last year that made the most difference (with the exception of starting a blog), it would be using PowerPoint to create products and resources for my class!  Disclaimer: I have only been using PowerPoint to create resources for about 8 months.  I am by no means an expert but keep reading if you could use a few BASIC tips:))
WOW!!  I can't even imagine my life before using PowerPoint for creating basically all my worksheets and resources!  I always used PowerPoint for, well, creating PowerPoints.  Which wasn't very often.
  I was a Microsoft Word fanatic.  
I knew all the tricks to manipulate pictures in Word except that it still didn't work that well!  
My worksheets were pretty plain with a little graphic here or there.  Nothing too exciting.  
When I started exploring the blogging world, I kept reading about teachers using Power Point to create products and thought I should give it a try.
I'm so glad I did!!!
I know that many of my readers already know about the miracles of powerpoint, but I thought there has to be some readers out there stuck in Microsoft Word Land like I was:)
What is so great about powerpoint?
1.  Ease of Inserting and Manipulating Clip Art
I use only png images when I can (jpeg often leaves the white space around the image).  It is super easy to insert pictures in powerpoint AND you don't need to worry about moving the image "to the back".  If you want a different image to appear on top, I just copy, cut, and repaste the image! 
 The images appear in the order you place them in the document.
Also, there are these handy lines that line up images as you move them.  It is genius, I tell ya!
2.  Save your Power Point as Pictures
When you save your power point as pictures, you can insert each slide easily into a new document as a picture for preview files on all your teacher's products!  How easy is that?
Once you save as images, you can insert the images into a new document to create a preview display.  
(Note: The screenshots below are taken on my Mac by pressing the shift+command+4 key at the same time.  Drag the little ball to surround your image and release.  The image is saved as a screenshot on your desktop automatically).
Add a border to each image to separate the pages by formatting the "object".  
This makes each page on the preview stand out as its own page.
 

One problem I have with PowerPoint is you cannot change the page orientation within the document (it would stay all horizontal or all vertical pages).  However I found THIS POST by Erica Bohrer's First Grade that describes how to merge PDF files with different page orientations!  
I haven't tried that yet but have it bookmarked for the future!

Here are the finished preview pages of two new centers on multiplying fractions by whole numbers!

Remember I said yesterday in my Monday Made It post that I would like to give away two of these sets?  I would like to try a "Pin It to Win It" (another first for me!).  Just leave me a comment with your pin URL of my new product and I will choose two winners by random number generator later tonight! Make sure I have access to your email:)
The WINNERS are:

Check your emails Ursula and I'm Lovin Lit!

What Tried Its have you tried lately?

24 comments:

  1. I have recently found powerpoint too. I still use word for some of my classroom things, but I am using powerpoint more and more! I love it!

    http://pinterest.com/pin/90564642479218890/

    Rosie
    Rosie's Rambles

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  2. I was always a Publisher person and thought I was ahead of the game because most people I work with don't know how to use anything but Word. I started making things in PowerPoint months ago as well, and would never go back! Plus, it is more universal since not everyone has Publisher. Thanks for hosting this link!

    Jessica
    Literacy Spark

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  3. Ooops...I spelled collage wrong when I linked up and I have no idea how to fix it!!

    Jessica
    Literacy Spark

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  4. I, too, was Microsoft Word girl. Now I won't go back! I have merged the PDF files many time, and it is wonderful! YOu will have to try it out!

    Andrea
    Reading Toward the Stars

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  5. I just started using Power Point to make things, and you are right it is so much easier. I never knew how to make a "preview" with all the pages layered. Thanks so much for sharing! I will have to try that on the next project I make.

    Hunter's Tales from Teaching

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  6. Thanks so much for hosting this great linky and thank you so much for the wonderful post! I have been debating about switching over to powerpoint to create...this will definitely be a post I save for future reference!

    Thanks!

    Amanda
    Learning to the Core

    ReplyDelete
  7. Okay, so first I have to say I LOVE this linky. I look forward to it each week and I feel bad all week if I don't link up (I only missed one so far!)! Second, I LOVE your new set. I have it on my wish list already...here is my pin http://pinterest.com/pin/286471226269956925/. And third, I am also new to PowerPoint. I didn't even think of the difference between inserting a jpeg and a png...AHHHH...that would have said a lot of headaches! Thanks for hosting this and teaching this PowerPoint newbie a new trick! :)

    Tracey
    Third Grade All Stars

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  8. I'm going to win this Holly! I really am! I can feel it! I want this set because it is so dang cute and functional which is a perfect combo! Awesome post. Have a great Tuesday wonderful Holly :)
    http://pinterest.com/pin/365213851002538555/

    Tina
    Crofts' Classroom

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  9. I was SO going to blog about using PowerPoint today toooooooo! Great minds think alike :) It has REVOLUTIONIZED how I create products - it is SO much easier! I'm kicking myself for not switching over sooner.

    I pinned it...hope I win it! http://pinterest.com/pin/212443307395126983/

    Now I'm off to brainstorm a new idea for today's blog post :)

    ~Jessica
    Joy in the Journey

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  10. Hmmm... I am a Publisher girl, I like how I manipulate the pictures and such. I will need to try power point and see how it feels. I like power point for presentations so I can't imagine it will be that hard. After reading the comments, I may try it fairly soon.

    Thanks!
    Elizabeth
    Hodges Herald

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  11. Thanks for the Powerpoint tips!

    I pinned your pack here:
    http://pinterest.com/pin/316096467566444703/

    cheriemae@gmail.com

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  12. OK.. I sooo thought I was also the expert at making products with PowerPoint but you just taught me something else! Of course I new how to make pictures from powerpoint slides but it NEVER occurred to me to save time and do them all at once that way for previews. I mean wow. Pop myself on the forehead for that one. THANKS!

    I just pinned this to a collaborative board but can't extract that URL from school since I did that on my phone (pinterest is blocked.. WHAT!). I'll come back with that.

    Thanks! :)
    Erin
    I'm Lovin Lit

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  13. Too funny! I was going to post how I made my button in Power Point for my linky, but your directions were so perfect (along with your screen shots) that I just referred back to them! Great job explaining. I started on Word so I'm hard to convert and although I use Power Point SOMETIMES, I do think it is easier especially with those great lines that tell you if something is lined up correctly!
    Have a great day!
    Theresa
    Pinkadots Elementary

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  14. Holly,
    This is great. I'm a mac person myself and use Pages, but you've now given me something else to possibly spend my money on.

    thank you
    matt
    Digital: Divide & Conquer

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  15. I love using powerpoint! Thanks for the tips!
    And your new centers are so cute!
    http://pinterest.com/pin/14144186302648125/

    mahoopingarner (at) gmail (dot) com

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  16. Thanks for hosting this linky each week Holly - so many great ideas! I love PPT - I used to be a Publisher gal but now I only use PPT. I have never tried making one of those layered previews using all the picture files - thanks for the info, maybe this summer...which is what I seem to say about everything.

    Your unit looks amazing. I love those letters! Here is my pin (to win it!)
    http://pinterest.com/pin/47991552252013132/

    Looking From Third to Fourth

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  17. Hey beautiful!! I wish I was introduced to Powerpoint sooner with making products because they have been SO MUCH EASIER.. my favorite part that you pointed out is how you can save your file(s) to pictures!! Ahh so much easier :) :) I will be linking up tonight! XO

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  18. Alrighty I'm home now so here's the link!
    http://pinterest.com/pin/388646642813643703/

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  19. I didn't know about formatting the object and making frames-I love learning new tips! Thanks Holly!
    I pinned it! I will wait with my fingers crossed until you announce the winners!
    http://pinterest.com/pin/147070744053804241/
    Joanne
    Head Over Heels For Teaching

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  20. Here is my pin: http://pinterest.com/pin/135671007497074626/

    I love the way your preview looks, especially with the polka dots peeking out!
    Sarah
    MissKinBK

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  21. Wow. Your products look awesome. I love everything that everyone makes. Everything looks so spectacular. I wish I could make some of these things. I feel like an old dog that cannot learn new tricks. I'd love to try some of your power point tricks. Thanks for the opportunity to win one of your products!!!
    Here's my pin:
    http://pinterest.com/pin/279786195573217211/
    Ursula
    ugamler@boyertownasd.org

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  22. I just found your blog through iTeach's giveaway. Excited to be your newest follower:)
    -Julie
    The Techie Teacher

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  23. I'm sooooo glad I stopped by your blog tonight. I am one of those people stuck in the land of Microsoft Word. Thanks for the encouragement to step out of my comfort zone! :)

    Jennifer
    Mrs. Laffin's Laughings

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  24. I just found your blog from Polkadotlessonplans and I love your Tried It Tuesday linky's. I've been using PowerPoint to make worksheets, etc. because I can never figure out how to manipulate things in word, but some of the tips you posted about PowerPoint I had no idea about. Now I have an idea of how to make a preview page for my Tpt store. Thanks so much. I'm now your newest follower.

    Stephanie
    PolkaDotPalace

    ReplyDelete