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How to Have a Good Relationship with Your Teacher
How to Print on Balloons
How to Tape Handlebars

How to Have a Good Relationship with Your Teacher

Posted: 07 May 2019 01:00 AM PDT

Your education is very important, and because of this, it is important to build a good relationship with your teachers. Whether you are a new student to your school looking to start off the school year right, or if you've had a fight in the past with your teachers, you can build a good relationship with them. Through working on making a good impression daily, working hard at your studies, and being a good role model to your classmates, you can enjoy a positive dynamic with your teacher.

EditSteps

EditMaking A Good Impression

Greet your teacher with a smile. Your teacher likely arrives to work every day very early, perhaps even before the sun is shining. Every day, they have to work with dozens and sometimes even hundreds of different students, many of whom have bad attitudes. Greeting your teacher with a smile and a warm remark every morning is a great way to sow seeds of positivity in your relationship and to improve their day^[1].
- Smile and say "Good morning" or "Good afternoon" to your teacher.
Come to class on time. Another way to establish rapport with your teacher is by being consistently punctual to class, never arriving after the bell rings, and always being in your seat once class is about to begin. This will allow your teacher to see you as a dependable and reliable person who is respectful of their time.
- Arriving late can often indicate a lack of respect for the class and for your teacher's time, as your late arrival can disrupt learning.
- If there is any work on the board that you are supposed to begin, like bell work or a starter, go ahead and complete that. Your teacher will appreciate if you are on prepared for class to begin.
Never argue with your teacher. Though you may see many of your classmates show disrespect to your teacher, work very hard to not become one of these people. Your teacher has been hired to guide your education and to help you gain important knowledge that will be useful to you in life. Respect this and do not argue with them, but do ask questions if you are confused about something.
- If you feel that your teacher is wrong about something, present it to them after class and not in the presence of others.
- For instance, if you received a C on your report card, but you have only received A's and B's on your homework and tests, you might want to talk to your teacher. Say something like "I've really enjoyed your class so far this year, but I noticed that my report card grade doesn't correspond with the grades I've earned in your class and I wanted to see if you could check into this for me?"
Follow instructions. Your teacher likely has a set of rules that you must abide by in class, in addition to the school rules that exist for the larger campus. Be sure to make a note of these rules and to keep them without question. If your teacher feels that you keep yourself out of trouble, they will view you more positively and your relationship will strengthen.
- For instance, many teachers have rules about not chewing gum or eating in class. Use your time between classes or during lunch to do those things if your teachers do not allow them.
Apologize for past mistakes. Perhaps you and your teacher have gotten into a spat in the past and now they do not have a great opinion of you. Before you develop a good relationship with them, you will need to apologize for whatever you have done to offend them. Apologies can go a very long way in repairing a relationship and your teacher will respect you for taking responsibility for your actions.
- You can apologize by waiting until class is over and the other students have left. You can say something like "I wanted to let you know that I am sorry for what I said to you. It was very rude and offensive and you didn't deserve that at all. I hope you can forgive me."
Don't talk in class. One of teachers' biggest pet peeves is students who talk during class when they are trying to teach. It is disruptive and rude and is a bad habit that should be avoided at all costs. Anything you need to say to a friend can be said after class or during a break. Should you have a question about the lecture or classwork, raise your hand and ask your teacher instead of asking a friend.

EditMaintaining Your Academics

Pay attention in class. Your teacher has likely spent quite a bit of time preparing for this lesson, and it is important in assuring that you do well on your final exams. Pay attention to the lesson and take notes on important points that your teacher makes. Treat the information like it is of interest to you and your teacher will respect you for it.
- Get a proper amount of sleep the night before, at least eight hours, to ensure that you are alert and ready to learn.
Turn in your homework on time. More often than not, teachers appreciate students far more for being reliable and dependable workers than they do for anything else. Your teacher does not need you to flood them with compliments, but they do need you to turn in your assignments when they are due^[2]..
- Make sure your assignments are neat and presentable. If your handwriting is bad, consider typing some assignments.
- Take your time on your homework, avoiding simple mistakes.
Ask for help when you need it. Your teacher's main desire is that you learn and are productive in their class, but you cannot be productive if you don't understand the material or are confused about something. Should a question arise while they are teaching, raise your hand and ask it. Your teacher will appreciate your honesty and willingness to seek their guidance.
- Go to tutoring if necessary. Your teacher likely provides tutoring hours after school. Take advantage of this if you are having significant difficulties.
Study. Another way to gain the respect of your teacher is to study the material. If you know the information well, when your teacher asks questions of the class, you will be able to answer them. Studying is also a way to improve your grade in the class and will impress your teacher when they are grading your tests and homework.
- Don't answer every question the teacher asks; you want to give others the opportunity to engage as well.
Express interest in the subject matter. Take some time to learn some additional information about the subject matter that your teacher is teaching. Your teacher likely has a strict lesson plan that they have to adhere to, but their interest in the subject likely extends beyond that. Take some time to research information that is not in your textbook and talk to your teacher about it after class or incorporate that information in a paper that you are assigned.
- For instance, if you are taking a history course on the Roman Empire and you learned about Julius Caesar but are interested in learning more, do so on your own time.
Ask for extra credit if possible. If your grade in the class is not the best, or even if you have a great grade but are looking for some extra points to boost your GPA, ask your teacher about extra credit options. This will indicate to your teacher that you are serious about your studies and about the information they are teaching you. This is a win-win as well because your grade will improve as a result.
- You might say something like "I feel that I'm doing pretty well in your class, but I think my grade could be a little better. Are there any options for extra credit?"
Help others in your class. Another way to build rapport with your teacher is to help other students in your class. If your teacher has assigned group work, and your group is confused about the information, explain it to them if you understand. Your teacher will appreciate that their own lessons have empowered you to teach others in return.
- Don't cheat. If someone asks you to help them study for a test, that is okay, but if they ask for your help on test day by copying your answers, you should refuse.

EditModeling Good Behavior

Be honest. Beyond your academics and your dedication to the class, you should strive to make your teacher respect you as a person and admire your character. One way to do this is to always be honest, even if honesty will not benefit you or if there are consequences. Though lying can sometimes be appealing, it can also blow up in your face should your teacher find out the truth. Honestly helps to establish trust and respect in a relationship.
- Perhaps you have seen a student being bullied and your teacher asks you what you saw, but the bully is your friend. You should still be honest in this difficult situation, though it may get your friend in trouble.
Be respectful. Model respect for your teacher at all times. Unless they have asked you to, never refer to your teacher by their first name, but always place a "Mr." or "Ms." in front to express the proper deference to them. Remember that they are your elders, even if they are not much older than you and they are in a position of authority that deserves recognition.
- If others are disrespectful to the teacher, stick up for them. Maybe your friends bash your teacher when they are out of class. You can try saying something like "I recognize that they can sometimes be frustrating, but I also think that the job is frustrating. You all should try to be more empathetic. They're doing the best they can to teach us."
Be kind. Show kindness to your teacher whenever possible. If they look upset or you notice that they have been crying, ask them if they are okay. Remember that your teacher is a person first and a teacher second and respect that they have feelings, emotions, and issues just like you^[3].
- Maintain boundaries, however. Do not buy your teachers things that are expensive and don't try to hug them.
Be a role model. If you demonstrate how to be a good student and a good person to your classmates, your teacher will develop further trust and respect for you. Work every day to model good behavior to your peers in hopes that they will follow suit. You never know if your own positive demeanor could change the vibe of your entire classroom. Do you best to shine your own light to your peers.
- Stick up for people when they are being bullied.
- Stay away from drugs and alcohol.
- Don't curse.
- Try to smile a lot and keep a positive attitude.
Thank your teacher for their service. Your teacher has one of the most important jobs in the world and yet likely receives very little credit for it. Often teachers are paid very little even though they put in a significant amount of time and work. Take some time to thank your teacher for their hard work and to acknowledge how much you appreciate them.
- You might say something like "I wanted to let you know that I think you are a wonderful teacher and I am so grateful for all that you have taught me this year. I have learned so much and that would not have been possible without you so for that, I thank you."
- You could write it in a card at the end of the year and give it to your teacher in appreciation if you don't want to tell them verbally.

EditReferences

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How to Print on Balloons

Posted: 06 May 2019 05:00 PM PDT

Balloons are a classic way to decorate for parties or other festive events. For a more personal touch, you can print custom words or images on the balloons. Transfer your design onto a Mylar balloon with tattoo paper, or onto a latex balloon using rubber stamps and quick-drying ink. For professional-looking custom balloons, create vinyl designs with a Cricut machine that can be applied to both Mylar and latex balloons.

EditSteps

EditStamping the Balloons

Inflate your balloon so it is ¾ full of air. Using your mouth or a pump, blow up the balloon until it's three-fourths of the way full. Hold the neck of the balloon tightly between your thumb and forefinger to keep the air from escaping.^[1]
- Make sure the balloon that you plan to stamp is at least long. Small balloons are difficult to stamp.
- This method only works with latex balloons.
Ink a small rubber stamp with quick-drying ink. Double-check that the stamp has been fully inked or some of the design will not be visible. For the best results, select stamps that are no longer than . Whether your design contains images or words, make sure the lines are bold and thick.^[2]
- Select a color of ink that contrasts with the color of your balloon.
- You can buy pre-made rubber stamps at a craft store. Or, you can order a personalized stamp that relates to the event you're celebrating.
Press the stamp gently on the balloon in your desired position. Determine where you want the design to appear on the balloon, then gently press the fully-inked stamp on that section of the balloon. Rock the stamp back and forth slightly to make sure all areas of the stamp have come in contact with the latex.^[3]
- You can repeat this process with additional stamps if your design involves multiple words or images.
Wait for the stamp (or stamps) to dry, then deflate the balloon. Let the balloon sit for up to 2 minutes to allow the stamp ink to dry completely. Then, release your fingers from the neck of the balloon so it deflates. Set it gently aside with the inked design facing up.^[4]
- You can touch the ink lightly with your finger to test if it's still wet.
- Repeat this process with any remaining balloons.
Inflate the balloon with helium and tie on a string. Using a helium tank, fill up your stamped balloon with helium. Tie the neck of the balloon in a knot with your fingers, then tie on a ribbon so it's easier to display.^[5]
- You can also re-inflate the balloon with air, using a pump or your mouth, but it will not float.

EditApplying Tattoo Paper

Create a design using a word processing or design software, then flip it. Using a program like Microsoft Word or Photoshop, design your custom balloon. Incorporate words, images, or a combination of both. Once you've finalized your design, flip it along its vertical axis.^[6]
- If you're using design software, you can flip the design within the program. Many inkjet printers also have the capability to print mirror images of a document, which you can select under "Properties" in the Print dialog box.^[7]
- Since you'll be printing this design using an inkjet printer, you can use multiple colors for your words or images. However, consider the color of your balloons when selecting colors for the design—black words will not show up well on a dark blue or black balloon, for example.
Print your design on tattoo paper. Tattoo paper can be bought online or at your local craft store and consists of a sheet of wax transfer paper and a clear top sheet. Print your mirrored design onto the transfer paper using an inkjet printer. Make sure to read the instructions included with the tattoo paper you've purchased, since they vary slightly between brands.^[8]
- Tattoo paper is generally used to create your own temporary tattoos, but in this case, you will be transferring your design onto a balloon rather than someone's skin.
- You can print multiple designs onto a single sheet of tattoo paper, then cut them apart to decorate several different balloons.
Attach the clear, sticky top sheet to the printed transfer paper. Once you've printed out your design onto the waxy transfer paper, apply the clear sheet on top. Make sure the edges of both sheets align when you press them together.^[9]
- Make sure there are no air bubbles between the two sheets. Smooth them with your hands to get rid of bubbles.
Cut out your design with a pair of scissors. Stay close to the edge of your design while you cut. If you've printed out several designs on the same sheet, cut them apart.^[10]
Remove the top sheet and place the tattoo ink-side down on the balloon. Gently pull the clear top sheet off your tattoo, starting with one corner and working your way across the entire design. Holding the tattoo paper along its edges, place it in the center of the balloon. Make sure the ink side is facing down.^[11]
- Use a Mylar balloon. It should not be inflated at this point in the process.
Blot the tattoo paper with a damp sponge or paper towel. Get a sponge or paper towel wet, then wring it out so it's no longer dripping. Press the damp sponge against the back of the tattoo paper several times.^[12]
- Make sure the entire piece of tattoo paper is damp. You may have to add a bit more water to your sponge or paper towel if you are applying a large design.
Peel away the tattoo paper after 15 seconds. Once the entire piece of paper is damp, let it sit for 10 to 15 seconds so the ink can adhere fully to the balloon. Then, starting from one corner, slowly peel back the paper until it's fully removed.^[13]
- Your design should now be printed on the balloon. The transfer process will flip the words or images back to their correct orientation.
Allow the design to dry fully, then inflate the balloon. Let the balloon sit for a minute or two until the ink has completely dried. Then, using your mouth or a pump, fill up the balloon with air or helium.^[14]
- If you'd prefer a double-sided balloon, you can flip the balloon over after the first design has dried and repeat the process on the back.

EditUsing a Cricut

Buy a Cricut to print the design for your balloons. Cricuts are available for purchase online or at most craft stores. A Cricut is a die-cutting machine, and it operates a lot like a printer—you create a design on your computer and then send it to the machine. But, rather than printing your design with ink, the Cricut cuts it out of the material that you've inserted into the machine (anything from fabric to vinyl to craft foam).^[15]
- There are two types of Cricut machines: the more expensive Cricut Maker, which features additional blade types, and the Cricut Explore. Both will work for cutting vinyl designs to transfer onto balloons.^[16]
Create your balloon design digitally. The design can include words, images, or a combination of both. Use Cricut Design Space, a free design software, to create your custom balloon design. Or, use a separate image editing software like Adobe Photoshop or PicMonkey to craft the design. Then, upload it to the Cricut Design Space.^[17]
- If you've created the design in a separate program, you will need to save it as a PNG file in order to upload it to the Cricut Design Space.
- Since the design will be printed using a single color of vinyl, simple graphics and line drawings work best if you plan to include images.
Inflate the balloon and measure the space you plan to decorate. Blow up one of the balloons using your mouth, a pump, or a helium tank. Determine where you want your design to appear on the balloon and how big you want it to be. Mark this distance with a washable marker. Then, using a flexible measuring tape laid flat against the balloon, measure the width of that marked area.^[18]
- Wipe off the marks with a damp finger one you've finished measuring.
- Printed vinyl designs can be applied to both latex and Mylar balloons.
Adjust your digital design to fit the balloon. Change the sizing of the design in Cricut Design Space so it will fit the area you just measured. If you plan to print multiple designs in the same color, see if you can fit them both on the same page without overlap.^[19]
Set the Cricut to its vinyl settings. On the Cricut Design Space, click the green "Make It" button in the top right corner and then select the type of vinyl you plan to use. Make sure the dial on the Cricut machine is also set to vinyl.^[20]
- Vinyl options include holographic vinyl, glitter vinyl, and metallic vinyl.
Cut a piece of vinyl and place it on the Cricut mat. The piece of vinyl should match the size of your file on Cricut Design Space. Position the vinyl so its paper liner side is facing the mat. Use your hands to smooth the piece of vinyl flat across the mat so it sticks.^[21]
- Scrape out any air bubbles with a card.
- If you're using high-shine vinyl, use a non-stick roller to smooth it out instead. A scraper could damage the vinyl.^[22]
Load the mat into your Cricut and press go. The machine will translate your design onto the vinyl using a series of small, precise blades. The Cricut is designed to cut only the vinyl, not the paper liner.
Remove the excess vinyl from the sheet. Once the Cricut has finished cutting the design, take the piece of vinyl out of the machine. Start by gently pulling up one corner of the vinyl sheet and work your way across to completely remove the excess vinyl. Don't forget to pull off the smaller pieces of vinyl that remain inside or around your design.^[23]
- This process is called "weeding."
- Although you can do the entire process by hand, a metal weeding hook makes it easier to work with precision when removing the small pieces of vinyl inside letters or images.
Cut a piece of transfer paper and apply it to the vinyl design. Measure the transfer paper so it will completely cover the vinyl design. Peel the sticky transfer paper off its paper backing and lay it across the vinyl design, pressing down to make sure it's attached.^[24]
- Smooth out any air bubbles with a plastic card.
- If you're working with a large design, consider cutting the design into several sections that can be applied separately.
Peel the transfer paper off the paper liner, taking the vinyl design with it. The sticky side of the transfer paper attaches to the vinyl design, allowing it to be pulled off its paper backing. You will end up with something resembling a large sticker.
Position the vinyl on the balloon and press gently on the transfer paper. Start by pressing in the middle of the design with your fingers. Do this gently, or you will pop the balloon. Let the rest of the transfer tape fall naturally against the balloon, and continue to work your way outwards, pressing gently.^[25]
- Once you've pressed it down with your fingers, you can go back in with a scraper and gently smooth out the transfer paper to make sure the design has completely adhered to the balloon.
Gently peel back the transfer paper, leaving the vinyl design on the balloon. Start at one corner and peel the transfer paper back carefully to keep from shifting the vinyl. Once you've completely removed the transfer paper, go in with one finger and press down slightly on each piece of the design to make sure it's completely attached.^[26]
- If you cut your vinyl into multiple sections, you can repeat the transfer process with each section until the design is fully applied to the balloon.

EditReferences

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How to Tape Handlebars

Posted: 06 May 2019 09:00 AM PDT

The original tape on your bicycle handlebars will wear out with time and use. However, replacing the tape is a quick and easy project. You will just need to remove the old tape and any residue, wrap the tape neatly around the handlebars, and finish off the ends cleanly. Replacing the tape on your handlebars will allow you to maintain a firm grip on the bars, and it will keep your handlebars looking great.

EditSteps

EditCleaning Off the Handlebars

Flip back the brake lever hoods. Most handlebars that are taped have flexible covers that fold over the connection between the brake handles and the handlebar. Flip the end of these hoods back over themselves, towards the brake handle. The goal is to get the end off the bars so that the wrapping can go under them.^[1]
- The brake hood lies on top of the brake lever and provides a comfortable grip.
Remove the old tape. Using your fingers, start peeling off the existing tape starting at the center of the bars. There may be a piece of electrical tape holding the end in place, but this can be peeled off just like the bar tape can.^[2]
- If the old tape disintegrates or breaks apart, try using isopropyl alcohol to remove any adhesive without causing any damage.
- Do not cut off the tape. You may scratch the metal on the bars or nick your cables if you use a razor blade or scissors to remove it.^[3]
Pull out the bar plugs. There should be plugs in both ends of the handlebars that are holding some of the bar tape inside the end of the bars. These can typically be wiggled and pulled out with your fingers.^[4]
- However, if they are inside the bars securely, when you have peeled off the old tape, pulling the end out will loosen the plugs.
Clean the handlebars and let them dry completely. Remove any dirt and glue left behind on the bars by scrubbing them with a rag and de-greasing cleaner or soap. If everything doesn't come off easily, you can go over the bars with rubbing alcohol to clean any stubborn spots.
- Allow the handlebars to dry completely before rewrapping the handlebars.
Adjust the brake levers. Brake levers are located at the front of the curved part of the handlebars. They are depressed to bring the bicycle to a stop. To adjust them, unscrew the screw on the brake lever to be able to move it. Once unscrewed, move it up, down, or to the side of the handlebar if needed. Screw it back tightly into place once adjusted.^[5]
- The bottom of each handlebar on one side should be level with the bottom of each corresponding lever. Each brake lever should also be level with the side of its corresponding bar. Hold a ruler along the bottom to check if it's level or not.
- Having the brake levers in the correct position will help ensure that the handlebar tape can be wrapped around them and will not be disturbed by repositioning the levers. Set a level across the hoods to make sure they're in an even position.
Wash your hands. Clean your hands with soap and water if any debris from the old wrap has gotten on them. This is especially important if you are applying white or light-colored tape.^[6]
- You may wear gloves to keep from getting the tape dirty.

EditApplying the Tape

Tape down the cables. Secure any cables that run along the handlebars with electrical tape. Some bikes feature cables that run along the handlebars to the brake pads. This cable system allows you to brake the bike with your hands instead of using the pedals to come to a stop.^[7]
- To cut the tape, have a pair of sharp scissors nearby.
Tape the brake lever. Detach the two short pieces of tape that typically come with a new roll of handlebar tape. Place each one of the strips over the back of each brake lever. Ring the tape up around the brake lever so that the inside of the curve of the handlebar is covered.^[8]
- Placing a piece of tape in this spot ahead of time will ensure that there is no gap in the tape as you wrap it.
Start your tape hanging over the end of the handlebar. Attach the beginning of the roll of tape to the bottom end of the handlebar so that half of its width is hanging off the end. This extra tape at the end of the bar will be secured later.
- The end of the tape should still be stuck to the handlebar, as the adhesive on the tape is in the center.
Wrap the tape around the handlebar with overlapping layers. Overlap each pass by about a third as you continue taping. Make sure all spots are taped. Move up the curve and along the flat part of the bar towards the center of the handlebars.^[9]
- Wrap in a counter-clockwise direction on the right handle and a clockwise direction on the left handle.
- Alternate wrapping from the inside to the outside to create a "figure-8" pattern so you don't need to use an extra piece of tape on the brake lever.^[10]
- Keep the tape tight as you wrap. Do not pull so hard that you wrinkle the tape or tear it but don't let it be loose.
- As you wrap up around the brake lever, make sure the extra piece of tape you added stays flat.
Secure the end of the wrapping with electrical tape. Wrap electrical tape around the end of the bike tape and the bar in order to secure it. Keep some tension on the electrical tape as you wrap it around the end of the handlebar tape. This will ensure that the electrical tape sticks to the bar.^[11]
- Try to use an electrical tape that is the same color as the handlebar tape. This will help it blend it.
Insert the bar plug. Place the remaining tape at the end of the curved part of the handlebar into the hole at the end of the bar. Insert the bar plug into the hole at the end of the bar.^[12]
- You may need to use quite a bit of pressure to get the plug in the end of the handlebars. If pressing with the heel of your hand doesn't work, use a soft mallet to get it in.
Flip down the brake lever hoods and inspect your work. Make sure that all ends are secure. Also look over the whole surface to make sure that each wrap is overlapped and there are no areas of the handlebars visible between the wraps.^[13]
- The handlebars are now taped and you are ready to ride!