The first 9 weeks of school is almost over and we have so much to share! We start our middle school students off with a hand-bound sketchbook to compile their sketches, thoughts, brainstorming, reflections and feedback throughout their time in art class.
This year we once again chose a very difficult stitch, the Coptic Stitch. It's incredible to see how much progress these kids make once they get the hang of it. I don't know if they love making them but it sure is a learning journey! I tell them that they are going to be driving a car in a few short years so they need to get used to completing difficult tasks now ;).
We had a long discussion and viewing art session about visual metaphors. The kids were then challenged to choose a metaphor and illustrate it for their journal cover.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiCn53njAwWOgEx5i6VmgCG5kMUKwoLUaET8oCfdE22v1oKbzqfJKPHwViLDZvFmC1x5p7v-9DDZQfG1O6olffoR7gRBnIH_5RVETuS5xSiUTAoJl439Eg8L3e8mLtEu1DWnjqYJNdpaQP/s320/IMG_5722.JPG) |
Many in process journal covers on the dry rack. |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqrIwnmGidyFea-fPkv3plvPGqFDrdmyDN-02NvOks1ECt58BohyPdNgqu-rtP3gT_3mkihN4UQKf2eCAilTIWDgTjRI4ZRO2flOyzE-2jer1LUq_o6joCVNoaYOyQqRTxDDOK43n4r-E5/s400/IMG_5726.JPG) |
Ah! The gorgeous stitching!!! How I love to look at them on our shelves!!! |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7u72zNrcNFbJxAKrpyVZo7Z61uxTqcFDlHiVwzoub2b2QkoUHy0MCHhS4eISEfai13V7h0MCdfZZyCE98MYSuSIZbUNIq-g9jQQFXCkdCmxsyG6gALeGm2InIkN6gcxnoGk0THy6BbZTe/s320/IMG_5864.JPG) |
;) Love this kid!!! |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNZym8r_SrbRcK2Q_tm9G2bWUiFQ99oXNmAEMceJ4uVBfN1h2PMNnzm9Gg5BfoTwPHnLRT_KsPYD4X5zTNbj67d-scvpBdT6yqnEAskCSQcRztEXn9piFB36GBR5Q2KasD1MMcgkU_j91P/s320/IMG_5866.JPG) |
Completed journals....folded, measured, hole punched, stitched, metaphors chosen and illustrated and then adhered onto the covers. Lengthy, glorious, process. |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLDZtyZo2KMZuEqfm8Q7fZLY0rr6IdQNudFInVN-OYrnG66ZH-A2ydKzTHE-wKAXNBioaUe0gm-95Wu2TSBgp39YjZ9IIYt0AciZWDQqH6ZyEdVnrGWnrzi9Xj9VechfwkaOpVNZSp-773/s320/IMG_5867.JPG) |
I swoon! |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbHQPh9G7JqVM9zYU1CG1UzHOmfmyMsRqZ0f8k8AHxSofUJc4u9c9Drbre8tS4N02E6N6mR68FiBY_VVjWnxaUbPqn_Z4mq54mJWrbp4Kz5Myx6Frv6-w6t78g3yxS4M6EpQI1ST2qlKlY/s320/IMG_5882.JPG) |
This student always impresses me with his ideas and work ethic. This is his illustrated metaphor cover. |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDMbLuUXRd-empVNY6cIJzQfAGNbpUKHN0smhaa4WEaW6Kikc-_7xn0JycPtr8Q_cv8EbFcPfs8ijqFT5Y0SbvBmrLXUa4lDAspbUTgoEbVn16rXGhmZZEVklnITfyuBvFNDLSLVtncdlG/s320/IMG_5883.JPG) |
Here is a sketch from inside of his journal for an upcoming project. |
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Blank pages, meticulously stitched to lay flat when the journal is open. |
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The back of his journal. Fantastic work!!!! |