Thanks for looking at these and I'm glad you like them.
I opened up the course last year with having the kids design their own
cover. Took maybe three periods to do this. I told them to buy small 5x7ish blank
sketchbooks. I had the local hardware/school supply store stock up on them,
but they're available in the office supply chains as well.
I gave two entries a week. ONe was to use one of my demos, such as a
watercolor wash, an ink jet transfer, rubbings, etc. The other was "free" or their
choice. Sometimes I would say it was a free entry but they had to combine
media. Two media, three, etc.
By the end of the courseI was giving my strong group complete freedom with
two free entries a week.
With all entries, I stressed "working the page" meaning I wanted them to
really make maximum use of the space and activate it as well.
I also stressed experimentation. I showed them burned edges, told girls
to try make up, nail polish, etc.
I graded them on completeness, level of creativity/experimentation, and
effort.
I checked the journals every three weeks and all entries had to be labeled
and dated.
This was a lot of work for me but when I handed them back, it was show and
tell time and the students loved seeing me spotlight the "strong pages".
Any other questions, please don't hesitate to ask.
