Travel Journal

Maps are not just used to find your way around the world...Children love to look at them and in my Art Room we use them in a variety of ways. Last spring before the 2nd graders started their summer vacation we used maps to make Travel Journals to document their summer vacation adventures. These easy to make, just the right size books are perfect to write , draw, or scrapbook. The students enjoyed making their journals and they learned a bit of Geography in the process.

***Back in April , 2012 I published a completely different type of MAP activity that I do with slightly older students. Please check it out it is titled, MAP MONSTERS

Step 1: Supplies

(2) Cardboard for book covers (I used 6 1/2" X 9 1/2")

(5) sheets of paper for the pages, folded it creates 10 pages (I used 6" X 9" paper)

maps

scissor

pencil

glue stick

hammer/awl

thin ribbon

gaffers or duct tape

large needle

two large binder clips

Step 2: Measure and Cut the Maps

Measure the map so that it is two inches larger than the cardboard cover. I cut two pieces of map 8 1/2" X 11 1/2"

Step 3: Covering the Cardboard

fold the edges of the map over the edges of the cardboard, making crisp, sharp folds. Use the pencil to mark the corners and then cut the four corners to the pencil mark. corners

Step 4: Glue the Covers

Use the clue stick to glue the flaps to the inside of the cover.

Step 5: Finishing the Inside of the Covers.

Cut 2 more map pieces to cover the cardboard on the inside. I used a different map for contrast, cut the papers, 5 1/2" X 8 1/2" . These papers need to be covered completely with glue and inserted onto the cardboard.

Step 6: Attaching the Front and Back Cover.

place the covers inside down on a table about 3/4" apart. Using the gaffers or duct tape pull out enough tape to cover the spine and wrap around the inside of the cover.

Step 7: Adding Pages

Fold the papers that will be come the pages in half, as mentioned I used 5 papers that created 10 pages, add more of less as you wish. once folded stack them with the crease perfectly down the center of the book and fix in place using the binder clips.

Step 8: Sewing the Pages

Place a piece of wood under the center of the book. Using an awl hammer holes along the spine, two near the top, about 2" down from the edge and about an inch apart. Hammer two more holes near the bottom of the cover. Next cut 2 pieces of ribbon about 15 inches long, thread the needle and push it through the outside, pull it through and leave about 6" then push it back out. Unthread the needle you should have the two ribbon ends on the outside of the binding. Tie a very tight knot and then a bow. Repeat with the second set of holes.

Step 9: Your Book Is Done

If you press the pages slightly it helps the book stay closed until it is broken in. Happy Trails to You...and add the map scraps to the collage basket.