Week 1: Bookmaking

The first period I see a class its mostly about rules, procedures, introductions and art room expectations...This does not lend to much time for art making, however the class does like to leave with something after my boring speeches! The last few years I have started off with simple bookmaking projects that I can ask to become blank books or give them extended time with a subject (summer memories, family, robots!). I am more concerned with the technique than the content so that they can make more books at home on their own. The Kindergarten and First made envelope books by sticking the flap into another envelope and licking (you hear lots of "yuck!" at this stage). Then they just continue to place the triangle flaps of their envelopes to create the additional pages. The second grade and up made Diamond books where we carefully fold 8 squares from paper (long way is hotdog, width way is hamburger!). You make on scissor cut when folded in half, then the pages fold together for a real nice book. Kids like stuff, just something to put in their pockets and carry around! This is a great way to get them to begin drawing spontaneously!