Sketchbooks

I started giving sketchbook assignments last semester. I'm a big believer in students having their own sketchbooks. It gives them something they can take out of class to have and remember their experience by. Sketchbook assignements are also a GREAT thing to assign so they have work to do after they complete their assignments for the day. We get about 4 sketchbook assignments a semester. They are to complete them IN class when they have free time. Surprisingly, they are able to get them all done without having to take them home (minus a few slackers :))

I know several teachers who are able to buy cheap sketchbooks for their students. I know SaxArts has some for as little as $3. However, I have 280+ kids so we have been making our own. They really enjoy learning how to make them and we have a lot of fun making them together. I hope in the future to bring in lots of goodies for them to decorate their sketchbooks with-- scrapbook paper, stickers, beads, etc.

Here is the kind of stitch we do --- the pamphlet stitch. We do it a little differently, instead of cutting the tops and bottoms, we poke just 3 holes in the spine and we stitch it together with bobby pins and yarn instead of ribbons.

Happy sketchbook making!!!