School scrapbook

It’s always a challenge to collect and store your child’s academic "keepsakes"—all the drawings, worksheets and fragile crafts. When I was little my mom stored them in a big manila envelope or shoebox in the basement. Reflecting on it now makes me think, what kind of message do we send our children if we don't celebrate their academic achievements?

As the calendar year comes to a close, help your child create a year-end scrapbook—a keepsake that demonstrates their writing and creative skills, and documents something important to them. Scrapbooking can serve as a motivational tool that will enhance their individual learning abilities.

In my class we do an academic scrapbooking project we call Adventure Journal. The Adventure Journal chronicles the travels of our classroom mascot, Hootie the Owl. Each child gets to take Hootie home for one week. During their week with Hootie, the student records a few pages in the Adventure Journal describing all the fun things they do together.

Hootie’s adventures give the children a subject to focus on; the scrapbook allows them to be creative in how they express themselves. Brainstorm a few ideas for your scrapbook project. Your child might choose a favorite toy, a good friend or a sport they participated in this year.

Materials needed:

• Journal booklet. This can be as simple as some loose-leaf paper you place in a binder or as fancy as a picture album with photo page protectors.
• Art materials, such as stickers, markers, colored pencils, glitter pens, puffy paints, scissors and glue.
• Camera. Give your child an old point and click. Empower them to validate their own view of the world.
• Space: Creativity can be messy! Help your child find a good space where they will have plenty of room to create their journal.
• Containers: Plastic bins or baskets will help children stay organized.

Here are just some of the skills your child will be engaged in while scrapbooking:

• Writing: Encourage your child to write a paragraph on the topic of their scrapbook, including any important details. 
• Handwriting: Ask your child to neatly label and date photos and drawings.
• Photography skills: Encourage your child to document their subject in photos.
• Creativity & design: Your child will practice design skills as he or she considers overall page layout.
• Independent learning: Allow your child to work independently at their own pace.