class memory book for teachers
as i discussed in the class beaded necklace post earlier this week, i was a “secret gnome” for N’s kindergarten class this year. for the end-of-school-year teacher gift, we gnomes thought the teachers would love a custom ‘yearbook’ of sorts from the class.
we purchased a few packs of 9″x12″ 140 lb watercolor paper, and gave two sheets to each family in the class. we asked them to help their children design and decorate the pages for the book. to help them out, we emailed simple ideas and suggestions to the parents that said:
- please include somewhere on the pages at least onephotograph of your child, your child’s name, and perhaps your child’s symbol (as i’ve blogged about before, in waldorf kindergarten, the children use an identifying symbol in lieu of their name on artwork and such.)
- please orient the pages vertically (so it makes sense when all are bound together the same way).
- please decorate both sides of the pages since they will show in the book.
- as a springboard of ideas: you might want to let your child paint or color or collage the page; you could include quotes from your child about what her/his favorite things about kindergarten have been; you could include an appreciative note to the teacher; you could include images or words that will remind the teacher of your child or o a particular kindergarten event or memory.
we created a simple cover made from a wet-on-wet watercolor painting and a class photo. instead of doing any fancy bookbinding, we just punched holes and tied the pages together with bows of yarn.
the children presented the books to their teachers, and gathered around excitedly to see their completed work.
in addition to the class gift, we made some of our tried-and-true favorite early summer treats from us to the teachers – handwoven lavender wands.
school’s out for summer!
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