Reprting verbs to write an article summary

I am taking ESL 101 in Parkland college. It is more heavy load than the Research writing course I studied when I was junior in my college 8 years ago. The class teaches me different kinds of academic writing with the most basic structure. I may have written them when I studied Master of TESOL from University of Canberra from 2005 to 2007, but I have a little impressions about them until now...
The first week, 3 page opinion essays. I missed the discussion on the first day. Then the class discussed more about typing format, basic structure of an American essay and culture differences affecting how to write essays among international students. Then, the essay was due last Tuesday. Boom, no ideas, a lot of ideas to narrow down, my baby being sick, housework, and so on. I feel I was behind.
Next Tuesday is the due date for the second assignment- an article summary. Just in one page.
After 3 years staying home, totally devoted to housework and baby care, I had no ideas to write, if yes, I wrote in my mother tongue. Now, If I want to be prepared for back-to-school, I have to learn again, seriously.
I started this blog. I force myself to write English on this blog. Just tell myself to write more, and read much more. If you find grammar mistakes or silly sentences, please help me by telling me. This blog is a place I try to write naturally by trusting myself, as my teacher suggested, but I need help. Thanks a lot.
Hey, I found this very useful material for writing the summary. Just want to share with you.
First is VERBS used to report the information in the article. Sometimes I can't distinguish when to use "argue" and "reckon". Here is the explanation. Thanks to University of Adelaide. It has explanation about meanings, patterns and some examples to use in a summary.
Secondly, you can practice paraphrasing and summarizing on this website. It is so useful. I love websites having exercise for me to practice.
Just one class but I feel overwhelmed. Now, a course in Coursera is waiting for me.

How to make a paper gift box

Here is the instruction for making an origami box, using a square paper
Video: http://www.videojug.com/film/how-to-make-a-paper-box-2?sourcelink=verticalrecommendation

It's a good source when you have a lot of gift wrap paper around your house. I made some tiny boxes, put several chocolate candies in and voila, a tiny gift from Santa Claus. My daughter didn't have any desire for Christmas gift, and after California trip, she was so happy to find 2 tiny gift boxes for her.
Here they are:

 And this is a pillow gift box making from the core of bath tissue paper. The instruction is found here.

Thanks to all creative crafters.

Crocheted mittens and fingerless gloves

I pinned these useful instruction to make fingerless gloves and mittens. They are for adult size but I used Patons sock yarn (number 1), which is 80% washable wool. I drew my daughter's hands on the paper and tried to try them on when I was crocheting. I intended to make for her first because they will be faster to make.

My daughter love them and doesn't want to put them off though she is in the class. A boy in her class also likes them and ask his mom to make a pair for him.

Here are the instructions:

http://crochetandknitting.com/mitglov2.htm

tutorial: http://itzibitzitinka.deviantart.com/art/Crochet-Glove-Tutorial-106948905

http://www.woolcrafting.com/crochet-gloves-pattern.html
fingerless gloves: http://petitepurls.com/Winter12/winter2012_p_wristy.html
http://myfavouritethingsblog95.blogspot.com.au/2012/04/confessions-of-crocheter.html

how to make a cardboard box

I am frugal. I don't know what you feel but I feel regretful to dispose all the cardboard boxes after unwrapping gift boxes though they were torn so I kept them in my closet. Garbage huh?

I saved them and made a smaller box to contain my crochet hats, wrap them up and send it to my friends.

I have to figure out how people cut and glue it to make a box  so it was not so nice but still acceptable. Here it is.

You can make one by following the instruction in this page.

Other pages for your reference:

http://www.echocartons.com.au/Style.html

http://www.instructables.com/id/Build-A-Cardboard-Box/

http://zedomax.com/blog/2009/01/23/warehouse-diy-how-to-make-a-box/

Happy box making!