As teachers, we often require students to learn a laundry list of basic facts about a multitude of topics -- often a repetitious and boring task for everyone involved. Using educational trading cards to teach those facts, however, can engage students' interest and spark their enthusiasm. Having students make their own educational trading cards can result in an activity -- and a database of information -- they'll be sure to remember.

Help your students use Microsoft Word to create "basic fact" trading cards that are both educational and fun.

First, create the basic outline:

• Open Microsoft Word.
• Find the Drawing toolbar. (If the Drawing toolbar isn't visible, click View>Toolbars>Drawing in the Word menu bar to open it.
• Click the rectangle icon (shown in blue below).

Note: If a "Create Your Drawing Here" box appears, click Backspace to delete it.

Next: Step 1 continued.