I filled the last page of my notebook, the one I use every day as I write alongside my students. We use marbleized composition books. With decorative paper, magazines, and other things, we collage covers for our notebooks. The last few days I have been stealing a few minutes here or there to work on my new notebook. Here are my completed covers. I tend to be pretty critical of my own collage work, but I like these.
One of the elements on the front cover came from an ArtSpark postcard exchange with Jone MacCulloch and Amy Souza. I cut the quotes on the back from a 2021 calendar.
May the space between where I am and where I want to be inspire me.
Tracee Ellis Ross
This week I am sharing videos from Margaret Alvarez about gratitude art journaling that I discovered in an email from The Network for Grateful Living. We’ve enjoying playing with these easy, yet creative ideas in my classroom. Day one was “Life is a gift” using watercolor shapes and sharpie designs. Day two we did string art. My students have been highly motivated by art journaling. These ideas are simple enough for my second graders while creative enough for my 6th graders. And it’s fun!
Reflections on the Teche 
I really like this idea—love the covers, and they inspire me to collage my next notebook!
I am mesmerized by the interlocking hands on your (back?) cover. The visual art additions to journaling are very inspirational, I think! Great idea!
This is absolutely beautiful. I love the idea of this journal, and I love the care and craft you’ve brought to its creation. And the way you’ve collaged the postcards and images together with the quotes is fascinating.
Art journaling sounds interesting to me – I may have to give it a try at some point in the coming weeks!
Breathtaking journal, Margaret. I love the focus on “keep writing, it’s what the world needs most from you” and that majestic monarch wing. There’s nothing like writing alongside students! You are always, always an inspiration to me,
This sounds like such a great idea, Margaret! I have tried to make a nature journal but had trouble completing even one month of work (November). Usually, I count my photography as art, as well as my jewelry making. I definitely need a visual art outlet alongside my writing. I will keep this idea in mind for my future writer’s circle students (if I offer one again). I like it better than nature journaling because it can encompass that but also “be more.” Thanks! (And, I love the collage of the Monarch flowers and hands!)