MINI JOURNAL – Printmaking, Bookmaking, Journaling

Students use a piece of their own, handprinted paper created in a previous lesson to make a small, locked book.

Required Time

40 Minutes

Grade Level

Grade 4 to Grade 6

Subject

Language Arts
Mathematics
Visual Arts

Vocabulary

accordion-fold colour line shape space texture

Materials

Crayola Scissors Crayola Glue Sticks Crayola Glitter Glue Crayola Construction Paper Paper Strip - 1.3 cm x 30.5 cm (½" x 12") - 1 per student Previously Printed Paper - 30.5 cm x 45.7 cm (12" x 18")

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Steps

MINI JOURNAL – Printmaking, Bookmaking, Journaling - Step One

Step One

  1. Choose a sheet of your handprinted paper created in the Exploring Lines lesson.
  2. Fold the paper in half twice in both directions to make 16 boxes. 
  3. Place the paper with the printed side facing down.
  4. Draw lines and dots along the folds as shown.
MINI JOURNAL – Printmaking, Bookmaking, Journaling - Step Two

Step Two

  1. Cut along the folds and stop at each dot.
MINI JOURNAL – Printmaking, Bookmaking, Journaling - Step Three

Step Three

  1. Place the paper with the print side facing up.
  2. Begin at one end and make accordion folds to the end of the row.
  3. When you get to the end of each row, fold the paper away from you and continue with the accordion folds until the whole paper has been folded.
MINI JOURNAL – Printmaking, Bookmaking, Journaling - Step Four

Step Four

  1. Fold the two end papers out.
  2. These will make the cover of the book.
  3. Gently fold them in half, long end to long end, but do not press them flat.
  4. Make two small cuts at each end as shown.
MINI JOURNAL – Printmaking, Bookmaking, Journaling - Step Five

Step Five

  1. Fold the thin strip of paper in half.
  2. Slip it into the bottom opening and out the top opening on each side of the covers.
  3. Pull the strip snug.
MINI JOURNAL – Printmaking, Bookmaking, Journaling - Step Six

Step Six

  1. Glue the paper strip on the inside of the covers to keep it from slipping out.
MINI JOURNAL – Printmaking, Bookmaking, Journaling - Step Seven

Step Seven

  1. Your book is filled with many colourful pages. 
  2. Use construction paper to make a cover.
  3. Decorate it with glitter glue.
    - Think of how you can use the elements of design to decorate your cover, e.g., line, colour, texture, shape, space.
  4. Tuck the ends of the paper strips into each side of the book to lock it closed.
  5. Let the lines and colours on each page inspire you as you write and draw in your book.

Learning Goals

Students will be able to:

  • create a small book from a single sheet of handprinted paper;
  • use the elements of design to create a decorative cover for the book;
  • demonstrate technical accomplishment and creativity; 
  • support their ideas with evidence found in the artworks.

Extensions

Have students:

  • use their mini journal to make an entry at the end of each school week describing 'what is important at this moment in time';
  • add drawn or collaged images to accentuate their text;
  • share their journals with each other when the books are full.

Prepare

  1. Prior to this lesson have students explore line and printmaking in the Exploring Lines techniques lesson available on this website.
  2. Gather the materials required for this lesson including the papers made by students in the exploration lesson.
  3. Create 2 samples – one with a construction paper cover and one without.

Introduction

  1. Show students the mini journal that does not have a construction paper cover.
  2. Demonstrate how it looks when it is a book, and when you unfold the paper completely.
  3. Discuss how you might use such a small book.
  4. Introduce the challenge.

Activities

The Challenge

  1. Create a small book from a single sheet of handprinted paper.
  2. Use the elements of design to create a decorative cover for the book.
  3. Demonstrate technical accomplishment. and creativity
  4. Support your ideas with evidence found in the artworks.

The Process

  1. Make sure everyone understands the challenge.
  2. Establish success criteria with your students, for example,
    I know I am successful when I have:
    - created a small book
    - cut the paper accurately
    - made crisp accordion folds
    - used elements of design to create a decorative cover
    - kept the paper in good condition
  3. Ask students to choose their favourite handprinted paper to use for the book.
  4. Guide students through the steps outlined in this lesson plan. 
  5. Observe students as they work. 
  6. Provide individual assistance and encouragement.

Sharing

  1. Place students into small groups. 
  2. Ask them to: 
    - Compare their work and describe to each other what they like best about their pages and why.
    - Talk about what was difficult and what was easy for them.
  3. Share ideas with the whole class. 
  4. Ask them to tell how they might use their mini journals.

Assessment

  1. Observe students as they work – thoughtful focus, discriminating, seeking more information, elaborating, experimenting.
  2. Observe students as they discuss their books – speaks with a clear voice, looks at audience while speaking, points to areas in the book, provides accurate information, answers questions from the audience effectively.
  3. Observe students as they listen – looks at presenter, asks effective questions, supports ideas with evidence found in the artwork.
  4. Use a checklist to track progress. (Download - Journal_tracking.pdf)
  5. Have students use the self-assessment form to evaluate their work. (Download - Journal_self-assessment.pdf)

Downloads

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