Making Fib Accordion Books

Third graders at St. Therese Catholic School made their Fib accordion books on Wednesday and Thursday as part of a special project with visiting author/photographer, Sarah Campbell. We had already met Sarah during an author visit and reading of her new book, Growing Patterns: Fibonacci Numbers in Nature, on March 31, 2010 (see our posts here and here). The next morning, Sarah returned to St. Therese for an outdoor photography session (posts here and here) with students on the playground.

Book-making was very hard work that involved measuring, folding, cutting, taping, and stapling. While the third graders were familiar with measurement, applying this skill required concentration and attention to details. I had thought we could make the books in one class period, but it actually took two, 30 minute sessions for all 13 students to complete the book-making from start to finish (along with returning and checking out new library books). Three students were able to complete the book in one session after watching me construct a book in a start-to-finish demonstration. Other students needed one-on-one assistance to complete the process.

Photos of a student-made, but empty, Fib accordion book are below. Sarah and I plan to create a step-by-step tutorial to share for making these books. Next week, the students will write their photography-inspired Fib poems in these bare books. The Fib books will not be blank for long!

Summer Sewing Started

I woke up on Saturday morning with the urge to sew. My dining room table has had two sewing machines on it since December-- and piles of fabric, scissors, thread, needles, etc. Now, at the end of the May and the beginning of summer, I am finally getting to some projects! Yesterday, I turned out three small projects for gift-giving. This morning, I sewed my first pair of shorts! Feelings of accomplishment abound.

My daughter caught the sewing bug, too. She whipped up three mini tote bags for three hand-stamped journals for herself and two friends. One bag and journal made it to a birthday party on Saturday morning, while the other two were finished on Sunday.

I love blank journals waiting for words, sentences, ideas, sketches, poems, lists-- whatever. I love these journals with their butterflies, and I love their little fabric homes of flowers and pockets. What will three 9- (and almost 9) year-old girls write in them?

"It's secret, Mom."

Yes, I remember that.

Handmade Holiday Journals

The second birthday party of the season was held yesterday. My daughter turns nine years old soon, and we had five of her friends over for a house party and then went to see the new movie "The Tale of Despereaux." While I had a craft planned, the event of the afternoon was dancing in the den to Christmas tunes.

The journals above are simple hot-dog fold books that were glued together and decorated with a spine of holiday paper. Instructions for making a hot-dog book are here. We gave these little books in the girls' treat bags. They looked so pretty standing up on the dining room table-- like little trees or monuments or a mini Stonehenge.

Today, we are taking it easy. I'm finishing some last embroidered bird ornaments to give as gifts. The children are doing the craft that was planned for the party yesterday-- making beads out of Sculpey clay that will be strung and turned into wreath ornaments.

I think I'll make a pot of tea and enjoy the rest of this inside at-home day.

First One Up

Today is the last day of school for my children before the holidays. I finished my school duties yesterday by sharing the Christmas pop-up books of Robert Sabuda with my students. The "oooohs" and "aaaaahs" appropriately appreciated the artistry and whimsy of these amazing books. As time allowed, I also taught the students how to make simple pop-ups like the one that my daughter made two years ago.

I was the first one up this morning-- "popping" out of bed at 4:30 am. More than sleep, I needed some thinking and writing time in the quiet of the early morning before the obligations of the day took over.

What are the plans for the day? One more gift purchasing trip, a "winter party" for third graders, a school assembly of singing and strings, a mother/daughter group outing to an animal shelter for a service project (probably a future blog post), piano lessons, pizza making, and a little embroidery at the end of the day when I finally get to sit down again.

Looking at the day ahead, no wonder I got up a early.

Our Advent Calendar of Mini-Books

This is the advent calendar that we worked on over Thanksgiving. First, we folded little hot-dog books out of half sheets of 8.5 x 11 size paper. The instructions to make these are here. Then, we used pencils to carve Styrofoam from recycled take-out sushi trays. These became our blocks from which to print the numbers. (Numbers and letters must be carved in mirror-image. How many times did I get that wrong? Several). Then, we printed the numbers on the covers of the books. On the first Sunday of advent, we strung up the books with sisal twine and mini clothespins across the kitchen windows. Everyone in the family is encouraged to write reflections or daily happenings or draw pictures for each day. On some days, I'll put a clue in the book for a mini treasure hunt.

The light this afternoon was so beautiful, so I'm starting a new set of photos around the theme of advent light. The Japanese maple is almost done shedding it's brilliant, fiery leaves. Look who joined me to marvel in the carpet of drying leaves.

Book Project

Over the next few days (in between Thanksgiving cooking, visiting with my sister, brother-in-law, and adorable niece from Arkansas, and knitting or sewing) I will be creating an on-line "Who Am I" Book Exhibition. It will be cross-posted on both of my blogs because I did this project with my third through sixth grade students at St. Therese Catholic School. I have to figure out the best way to create it.

I've been thinking a lot about the "Who Am I" book project that I just completed. I was not prepared for the difficulty that some students had with just folding paper, measuring, and envisioning how it all fit together. When I talked with my principal and other teachers about this, we wondered together whether children today do not have enough opportunities to make things from scratch or whether they don't have many craft-like hobbies (beyond Foamie Kits from Michael's) because a lot of free time is spent at sports and/or technology pursuits. I'm sure that they have skills and talents far beyond mine in these areas, but I think some of these children may be forfeiting valuable experiences with problem solving and the creative process. It was obvious to me which students have opportunities at home to make things at the kitchen table. That said, some of the projects were amazing, and I can't wait to take a closer look at them all. I've got some more thinking to do about this. . .

I have been worried that the leaves on my tree might fall off before my company comes this afternoon. It could still happen during the day today, but I'm hopeful that we can all see the before and after process of the Japanese Maple in person. Just a few leaves have begun to decorate the brick sidewalk and grass. From two days ago:

Happy Thanksgiving Preparations!