Home » Teach » Lesson Plans » Lesson 1: Making Your Own Sketchbook

Lesson 1: Making Your Own Sketchbook

Overview

In this lesson, students will learn how to make their own sketchbooks.

Grade Level

K-5

Media

Drawing, Construction

Lessons In Unit

2

  • Unit & Lessons
  • Slide Deck

Materials and Tools

  • 5 sheets of paper or construction paper  
  • About 20 inches of string (or yarn, shoelace, ribbon) 
  • Scissors 
  • Pencil 

Activities

Artists use sketchbooks to record what they see, feel and think. Many artists make their own sketchbooks! Let’s make our own today!

Step 1: Combine 5 pieces of paper into one pile or stack and fold in half. 

Step 2: Make two marks on the folded edge of your book and cut holes. 

Step 3: Thread string through one hole and then the other and tie. 

Reflection Questions for Discussion

  • We started with paper and string, now we have a book—how did that happen? 
  • What would you like to put in your sketchbook? 

Vocabulary

Sketchbook, spine, bind

Resources

Betye Saar, Sketches for Sanctuary Awaits: 4 May 1996, Ballpoint pen on paper, 19 June 1996, Courtesy of the artist and Roberts Projects, Los Angeles, California. © Betye Saar. Photo © Museum Associates/LACMA 

Baetye Saar sketchbooks:
Sketches for Sanctuary Awaits | Betye Saar: Call and Response | The Morgan Library & Museum Online Exhibitions

Betye Saar in studio:
Betye Saar: Call and Response | The Morgan Library & Museum Online Exhibitions

Maria Patino collage sketchbooks:
Artist’s Books | mariapatinostudio