Alphabet Notepads
Lesson #8600
Concept:
Create a personalized notepad using a student's own initial.
Objective:
Create unique notepads from individual alphabet letters.
Recommended Grade Levels: 1-2, 3-5, 6-8, 9-12, Pre-K-K
Curriculums: English Language Arts, Fine Arts & Crafts
Supplies Used: Cardboard, Cardstock, Stickers, Knife
The teacher will die-cut the materials for student use prior to the lesson.
- Die-cut a letter from chipboard or heavy cardboard using a Notepad Alphabet letter.
- Die-cut 20 to 50 copies of the same Notepad letter from colored, white or lined paper. Note: A small notepad can be made cutting 10 to 20 pieces of paper per pad (Figure A).
- Die-cut a cover from construction paper, cardstock or heavier paper using the same Notepad letter.
- Ellison die-cuts are exact every time they are cut making it easy to align the parts for a perfect notepad.
- Using the Pad-It X-Press, lay the stacked "letters" so the top of the letter extends out from the base of the press. Tighten the press to hold the letters firmly in place (Figure B). If a Pad-It X-Press is not available, compress the "letters" on the edge of a table with a heavy book or can. NOTE: Up to 20 copies of the same design could be done at a time. Continue stacking a chipboard base, paper and a cover in stacks on top of each other.
- Using Padding Compound (notepad adhesive available from Ellison) and a small paintbrush, paint the compressed edge of the alphabet letters. Notepad edge will be painted a total of 3 times, allowing the notepads to dry for 15 to 30 minutes between each application (Figure C).
- If more than one pad has been created, lift the stack of letters forming the first pad slightly and slip a butcher knife between the chipboard bottom of the first pad and the cover of the second pad. Slice the top pad off. Repeat until each pad is separate.
- Decorate the top of each pad with stickers or small die-cuts (see Main Photo).











