How to make an accordion Sketchbook with Your Students

When it comes to writing lesson plans and projects planning, sometimes I feel like I have ADD ( which I don’t), but I do have a lot of interest and love learning, which is great but can also get in the way.

For example, today I was working on an assignment for a class that I”m taking, its focus, the elements, and principles. I’ve been wanting to do a deep dive into the work of Sol Lewitt, so this seemed like the perfect opportunity. I looked up his work and gathered images that I liked, makes sense. Then I proceeded to watch 2 videos about him and read an article, and just before that led me to a documentary, I cut myself off and decided that it was time to start. I”m not saying that research is bad, but the internet does allow us to go very very far down the rabbit hole if we aren’t careful, and as creative people, we can often feel a bit scattered.

Curriculum and standards can help to keep you focused, but if you’re anything like me, you need a little bit more help. I choose a theme each year, they vary greatly but tend to connect to something that I’m really interested in, and/or an area that I feel I’m a bit weak. This year I decided to focus on the artist process, specifically sketchbooks, as they’re a powerful tool that I feel I’ve let go by the wayside.

” It is often we come the closest to the essence of an artist… in his or her pocket notebooks and travel sketchbooks… where written comments and personal notes provide an intimate insight into the magical mind of a working artist. ~ Eugene Delacroix

I”m going on sketchbook adventures with students in grades 1-12. Here’s the sketchbook that my elementary students just created.