Paper Bag Journal

Third graders made these paper bag sketchbooks at the beginning of the year to show off their lettering skills and to bring home a book to collect their drawings and memories.  We talked about things the way artists use sketchbooks not only to draw, but also as a place to collect bits of inspiration.  These books are perfect for collecting because when the bags are folded the opening creates a set of secret pockets in the book for storing small items.  The bottom of the bag, the part that is folded over, makes a flap in the book that is a fun addition.

We used four bags for our book.  The bags have to be hole-punched one at a time.  I folded a piece of paper cut to the size of the binding and punched it twice for the children to use a template.  Finished with a  an easy rubber band and popsicle stick binding.

Sketchbooks for Kids

Sixth graders have been working on block lettering variations this month and today they put their new skills to the test on the covers of their sketchbooks.  These books were super-easy to whip up.  They are also nice and roomy for drawing and sketching.  The covers are a 12 X 18 piece of construction paper folded in half.  The pages are the largest size copy paper...11 1/2 X 17 1/2 folded in half. 

We used a modified pamphlet stitch to bind them and you can find the complete directions for this great little book here.

If you have a laminating machine at your school, laminate the covers and they'll last forever and don't forget to round the corners for a nice finished look.  

I think our sketchbooks will be happy in their new home.  They'll be living in student portfolios this semester.

Strathmore Online Workshops

If you've wanted to start a visual journal, but need a jump start; here's a tip. Strathmore Artist Papers is offering a series of free on-line workshops that explores visual journaling techniques through videos and free downloadable instructions.
I'm in the process of putting together a new unit on bookmaking and am very interested in ways to get kids invested in keeping sketchbooks and art journals. I've been collecting resources for a while now and those "free downloadable instructions" sound perfect for the classroom. The first workshop begins on January first and they continue through the spring.
You can register here: http://www.strathmoreartiststudio.com/
Happy journaling.

Doodleball

This looks like fun.  Here they build their ball around an old tennis ball (which i don't have).  I think I'll try a core of newspaper and masking tape.