TAEA convention

Leaving for TAEA convention today in Dallas. Looking forward to 4 days of like-minded educators, art, exhibit tables and fun!

A little nervous about doing a presentation for the first time- even if it is on a small scale. Luckily, I am going first. Tomorrow, 8-9 am and done! Then I can enjoy the rest of the weekend without worries.

If you are in Texas and you are heading up to Dallas for the convention, stop by the Simple Sketchbooks Walk-Up table and say hi! I believe I will be on the second floor.

Will post pictures on my return. Pin It

TAEA convention in November

Our state convention is coming up in November (Texas Art Education Assoc). I look forward to this event every year and this year is no different. I love seeing other art educators all in one place and getting new ideas from amazing teachers!

This year, however, will be something new for me. I just volunteered to do a walk up workshop at convention..... Not a full-blown workshop, but one of the mini workshops that are set up in the hallway on your way to the big ones. However, for anyone who knows me.... you know that public speaking (except in front of children) is not my thing!! At all! I have nightmares about it! My speech class in college was enough to scar me for life!

Anyway, I am trying to overcome this phobia and am taking baby steps. I am going to do a mini workshop on sketchbooks. I do 4 different types of sketchbooks with my students and I will be sharing this at convention. Unless I panic and back out..... Pin It

Fourth Grade Sketchbooks

This year I had my fourth graders make a different sketchbook than usual (in the past, we used construction paper and manila paper- boring!). So this year, we branched out.

I had my faculty bring me all of their boxes (cereal, cracker, cookie, etc). I cut them so that they measured 9" x 12".

The students folded these in half.

 They used a ruler to mark off every inch and then used their scissors to make a snip at each line (easier for sewing- I tried it without the snips and it was very difficult to get the needle through cardboard and paper).

I gave them 10 pieces of plain white xerox paper and had them fold it in half. They used their ruler to mark every inch and snipped these, also.

The xerox paper was placed inside of the cardboard and the snips were lined up.

 I had found 2 trays of embroidery thread at a garage sale a few years ago for next to nothing (that will never happen again!), so we used that for sewing. I don't see why you couldn't use any thin string, though.

 I used size 13 tapestry needles for the sewing for a couple of reasons.

First, it was easier to get through all of the paper and cardboard.

Second, I didn't want anyone poking themselves with anything smaller.

These worked really well. I threaded the needles for them for time purposes, but you could always allow the students to do it themselves, if you have the time.

 The students used their threaded needle to sew their pages together. I did all of the knotting (again, time constraints).









I don't know if anyone has seen all of the fun duct tape that has come out lately, but I have been collecting it every time I go to Walmart. Each student was allowed to pick their tape and this was used to bind their book.

Then I had a collection of materials- stencils, markers, confetti, scrapbook paper, etc. They students used this to decorate their books and they were allowed to use Mod Podge if they wanted to.

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5th grade sketchbooks

5th graders have begun making their sketchbooks for the year. I bought the same book making pack that I did last year (5th grade sketchbooks), however, this year, I decided to leave the activity more open ended. I brought out a variety of different materials:

markers, Crayola Color Sticks, colored pencils, scrapbook paper, old greeting cards, stencils, sequins, etc.

I showed them some things that they could possibly do and then left them to their own devices to create their own unique designs.

They are still in the process, but here are a few in the works:

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Fifth Grade Sketchbooks

Every year, my 2nd through 5th graders make their own sketchbooks. We make these out of basic manila and construction paper, stapled together. The students use these to do quick drawings of what they want their final product to look like. At the end of the year, the students get to take them home and they have a sketchbook to draw in over the summer. Last year, I gave the students a challenge: keep your sketchbook and draw in it throughout the summer vacation. Bring it back in the fall and I will automatically give you extra credit. I actually had quite a few students who took this challenge to heart and brought their sketchbooks to me during the first 2 weeks of school.
This year, I decided to splurge on the 5th grade sketchbooks. I bought a journal making kit from Sax (Item #404154).

The students used metallic watercolor paint and painted 2 pieces of paper (I gave them a choice of white or black- next year, I might give them more options) and they filled the pages with color.

When the pages were filled with color, they ripped the papers into pieces the size of a quarter.

They applied the pieces to the chipboard covers using tempera varnish, creating a collage effect.

 When both boards were completely dry, they assembled their sketchbook with 2 chipboards, 30 pages and 1 spiral binder. I let them use metallic markers to decorate the covers. Throughout the year, they will be able to use these to plan out their projects, draw, create a scrapbook, etc. At the end of the year, they will have a genuine sketchbook to take home.

They are so excited about these- especially since they are the only grade level that got to make them! I debated about spending the money on it, but watching the excitement and pride makes it all worthwhile!

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