English Language Arts: Applying Knowledge

K-12: Standard 6

• Students apply knowledge of language structure, language conventions (e.g., spelling and punctuation), media techniques, figurative language and genre to create, critique and discuss print and non-print texts.

English Language Arts: Applying Language Skills

K-12: Standard 12

• Students use spoken, written, and visual language to accomplish their own purposes (e.g., for learning, enjoyment, persuasion and the exchange of information).

Standards for the English Language Arts, by the International Reading Association and the National Council of Teachers of English, Copyright 1996 by the International Reading Association and the National Council of Teachers of English. Reprinted with permission.

Source: NCTE/IRA Standards for the English Language Arts

Fine Arts: Visual Arts

K-4 Standard 1: Understanding and Applying Media, Techniques and Processes

• Students use different media, techniques and processes to communicate ideas, experiences and stories.

K-4 Standard 5: Reflecting Upon and Assessing the Characteristics and Merits of Their Work and the Work of Others

• Students understand there are various purposes for creating works of visual art.

Source: National Standards for Arts Education

Guide students as they reflect on their academic year and highlight memorable experiences through special books. Engage students as they brainstorm their most memorable lessons, fun field trips and favorite moments of friendship. Categorize these ideas according to seasons to create Fall, Winter and Spring pages for memory books. Students can share their memory books in small groups to practice oral and listening skills. Consider using the back cover as an autograph page for classmates. Collect drafts of these projects and document ideas as a resource for developing successful activities for the coming school year.

Figure A

Figure B

Figure C

Figure D

Supplies Used: Construction Paper, Colored Pencils, Colored Pens, Double-Sided Tape, Glue, Punches, Scissors, Stickers

The teacher will die-cut the materials for student use prior to the lesson.

Creating the Journal:

1. Cut two purple (cover and back) and eleven turquoise pieces of cardstock or construction paper to 8 1/2" x 11".
2. Use any binding system to secure the pages and create an album.
   
3. Hand print or computer generate the student's name, class, teacher and school on turquoise paper and mat on green paper.
   
4. Adhere the matted information to the front of the book using glue, double-sided tape or other adhesive (Figure A).
   
5. Decorate the cover with stickers.
   
6. Alternately, any pre-assembled journal, spiral notebook or composition book may be used.
   
7. Double mat several photographs in two shades of green paper and adhere to journal, creating a double-page spread (Figure B).
   

Creating a Double-Page Spread for Journaling:

1. Die-cut 1" and smaller Squares using two shades of yellow paper.
   
2. Mat the lighter yellow on the dark yellow and adhere to the right side of the double page.
   
3. Die-cut SM Dragonfly from multiple colors of cardstock or construction paper.
   
4. Decorate and layer the die-cuts using glue, double-sided tape or other adhesive. To layer, leave one shape whole and cut or punch highlights from other colors.
   
5. Add subtle color and shadings with colored pens or pencils.
   
6. Adhere decorated Dragonflies to each matted Square (Figure C).
   
7. Die-cut SM Flower, Daisy #2 or SM Flower #1A, Generic out of white and gold paper. Cut along the perforation marks of the gold paper and adhere to the center of the white Daisy.
   
8. Highlight with colored pencils or stickers.
   
9. Attach the Daisies around the matted photo (Figure D).
   
10. Hand print or computer generate information on light green paper.
    
11. Mat the lighter green to a darker shade of green and adhere to the bottom of the page.
    
12. Die-cut the SM Ladybug using red and black paper. Layer the red wings onto the black body and adhere to the page (see Main Photo).