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. For a project as large as a staircase, you will likely need to rent a small cement mixer. Follow the directions on your bagged concrete mix to determine how much water you need to add. Smaller projects, like building a single step, might be possible without a cement mixer. You could mix your concrete by hand in a wheelbarrow. Another alternative is to create a mixing box (also called a mortar box) by using scrap/low-grade wood to create a makeshift reservoir where you can mix your concrete. Add colorant to your concrete before mixing it to permanently change the color. . Transfer the concrete into your form with a shovel, wheelbarrow, or (for larger projects) the funnel that came with your cement mixer. If you are using a wheelbarrow, you might construct an earthen ramp so you can wheel your cement up to the lip of the form and tip in the concrete. Lay a screeding tool, like a long trowel or long wooden plank, flat along the top parts of your form and, working from uphill to downhill, work your tool along the form to flatten and smooth the concrete. Once you are finished screeding, your concrete should start looking more like the finished product. If you use a wooden plank or board, it should be as straight as possible and free of warping and other irregularities. These can create gouges or leave the surface of your concrete uneven. . Floating involves pressing a flat surface along the top of the concrete to cause the "cream" (the gravel-free part of the concrete) to come to the surface. A bull float tool is ideal for this process, though it might not be necessary for smaller projects. Smaller projects might only require the use of a handheld magnesium float. These kind of floats are extremely durable and are designed to slide across the surface of your still-liquid concrete easily. To use a bull float, push it away from you across the top of the concrete while keeping the back end of the float slightly elevated, then pull the float back towards yourself, keeping the front end slightly elevated. Float the entire surface of your concrete thoroughly. If you have used a bull float, you should use a handheld magnesium float to go over the surface once again when finished. Use long, sweeping motions for best results. At this point, it is not uncommon to see water bleed to the surface of the concrete. Drag a stiff-bristled push broom across the surface of your concrete to create fine grooves in the surface. Smooth concrete can be very slippery, which can be especially dangerous for concrete steps. Use light pressure when doing this; grooves that are too deep will cause water to puddle on the concrete, and could compromise its integrity. If you notice clumps of cement forming on your broom, this is generally a sign that you are adding traction too soon. Smooth the concrete once more with your handheld magnesium floater, and wait until later to brush your surface. Wait to do this until the concrete has dried enough that you no longer see water seeping (or "bleeding") out onto the surface. Otherwise, brushing will result in grooves that are too deep. You should always follow the directions the supplies you use, especially since different kinds of concrete will have different specifications. Generally, concrete takes 28 days to fully cure. You can improve the curing process by applying a concrete sealer after pouring the concrete. Follow the directions on your sealer for best results. You should be able to remove your forms after a single day. Carefully remove your screws and take apart your form. After a few days, your concrete will be strong enough to walk on, though not fully cured. Enjoy your new concrete steps!

summary: Mix your concrete Pour the concrete Screed (flatten) the surface of your concrete. Float your concrete Brush your concrete for improved traction. Allow your concrete to cure.

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Before every school year, your school should provide you with a list of the items you need for your grade. If you don't receive one of these before the school year begins, you can usually find them at supply stores like Office Max or Staples. The most common items for middle school include pens, #2 pencils, notebooks, wide-rule loose leaf paper, a 3 ring binder, and scissors and tape. Other materials you may need include a USB flash drive, a TI calculator, index cards, a weekly planner, and a stapler. You don't want to overload your backpack, so try to take only the essentials when you can. For example, having one binder separated into multiple subjects will help save you space compared to multiple folders. You should also try to take two pencils and two to three pens, as well as a highlighter, and your weekly planner. This way, the rest of your space can be dedicated to textbooks and notebooks. You'll have a better idea of exactly what you'll need day-to-day after the first week of class. If you have money for lunch, try to keep it zipped up in an inside pocket. If you don't have one in your bag, try to keep it in a change purse or wallet instead. This will help keep your money safe and together, so you aren't searching all over for it during lunch time. If you have a block schedule with different classes on different days, try separating your materials into marked piles. For example, you can mark everything for one day with a specific color like red, while the other day is blue. Then you can switch them out of your backpack when necessary. Now is the moment of truth; you want to make sure you can fit everything in your backpack and still be able to carry it. Chances are you'll have a locker you can store some things in, but you still need to be able to take everything to and from school each day. Put your binder, notebooks, textbooks, and pencil case in the main part of the bag - in that order. You should then put any extra materials into the front pockets. For example, your calculator, tape, stapler, even markers, and highlighters if they won't fit in your pencil case can go in your front pockets. The front pockets of your backpack are also a great place to keep items like chapstick, tissues, mints, or anything else you want to carry with you.
summary: Get a list of what school materials you need. Plan out what to take in your bag. Use every part of your backpack.