Decorating WNB: Part II

Scrapbook papers, white craft paint, roller, stamps, magazine cut outs...

I used a sponge roller to paint the cover.
You need to be patient and let each coat of paint dry (3 coats).

Torn scrapbook paper glued on with Mod Podge, matte finish.

Add more paint.

Use stamps and markers to decorate.

Front cover

Back cover

Part III: One more 

You can also use printed papers, magazine cut outs, photographs, etc.
to cover and decorate a WNB.

Now what will we write?...

Decorating Writer’s Notebooks: Part I

I started my first Writer’s Notebook when I switched from teaching 1^st grade to 4^th grade. My teaching partner at the time insisted I keep one. It only made sense that we try out what we were asking the students to do. I think I may have been more excited than the class to decorate my notebook and write my first entries. I’m excited now to decorate some new notebooks, which will hopefully inspire me to write.

Going through my stash and getting materials ready.

First notebook: brown take out bag, sharpie markers and flare pen.

Trace the notebook onto the paper. If you want tabs, leave an extra inch around when cutting.

Use a glue stick to make sure cover stays on.

Use extra paper for the inside cover.

You can use stencils to start drawing a design.

Add black marker and colored pencils to your drawing.

Last but not least, add lots...

...and lots of doodles ( I used my doodle book for inspiration).

And we are ready for writing!

To be continued...

Goal Setting

Most people make New Year’s resolutions in January. In the teaching world we set goals in September. We ask students to consider academic goals, social goals, physical goals, etc. and we try to revisit them periodically to monitor if we’re on track.

In my personal world goal setting has helped me achieve small every day things as well as some biggies that took years to tackle like starting this blog, paying off student loans, and having a place to call home. This September I’ve made a list of learning goals:

10 things I want to learn more about this year:

1.     How to take better photos.

2.     How to use my electronic devices (currently am only using them at about 10%)

3.     How to use this blogger layout and template designer to add a banner and links and gadgets and …

4.     How to hack an IKEA console table.

5.     New York State

6.     Mexico, China and South Africa

7.     Embroidery and fiber arts

8.     Sketching, drawing, painting

9.     Collage and mixed media

10. Yoga and meditation to slow down and quiet the brain

What are some of your learning goals?

Journaling 

I love the idea that objects tell stories. Here are my summer artifacts documented in my journal.

Photograph of Lello Bookshop with journal entry.

Sketch of embroidered bookmark with journal entry.

Summer Artifact

At the beginning of each school year we (the teaching team) ask students to bring in a summer artifact, something that represents a moment in their summer. These artifacts provide an opportunity for students to share and get to know each other with the intention of building classroom community (See activities in: The First Six Weeks of School by Paula Denton and Roxann Kriete). They can also serve as a jumping off point for journal entries and writing entries.

Everyone, including the adults, choose one artifact to share. I always follow this rule in the classroom but because I’m not in a classroom this year with 27 other people who have to share, aaand I have so much to say (I’m a teacher after all), I decided to share two.

Bookmarks 

This summer I traveled to Porto, Portugal for 3 days with my older sister, Helena. I bought these bookmarks because I love to read, I love embroidery and I love the colors. They remind me that embroidery is an old and popular art & craft in Portugal. They remind me of a special trip with my sister.    

Book

We visited the Lello Bookshop in Porto. It is said to be one of the most beautiful bookshops in the world; also said to have been frequented by J.K. Rowling during the time she lived in Portugal, and to have served as inspiration for the bookshop in Harry Potter.

What summer artifact would you bring to school?