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An End of Year Autograph Page Project

First grade is a whirlwind of new friends, exciting adventures, and a whole lot of learning!

It's a year filled with incredible growth, both academically and socially.

To help your little one capture the magic of this special year, consider creating a simple and fun DIY autograph page.

This keepsake will be cherished for years to come. Imagine your child flipping through the pages years from now, reminiscing about the funny drawings, silly nicknames, and heartfelt messages from their classmates.

It's a wonderful way to celebrate friendships, preserve memories, and create a lasting reminder of their first year of school. Let's get started!

DIY Class Autograph Page Keepsake

This is a very low prep, cost efficient project that can be done for your entire class! You can follow the instructions in this post, or make it totally your own!
 
Materials: 
-White Cardstock
-Watercolor Paints (preferably Prang brand)
-Label with Class Name and School Year
-4×6 Class Picture
Directions: 
Step 1: Give students the white cardstock and watercolor paints. Let them use any colors they choose. I decided to have mine do only stripes, but you could let them do any design that they choose. Be sure to have them write their names on the back of the page BEFORE they paint!
 
Step 2: After the paintings dry, set them out (face down) around the room. Pass out colored pens to each student and let them walk around and autograph each page.
 
Step 3: Glue on the label with the class name and the class picture.You could easily let the students do this part, but my OCD kicked in and I did it for them.
 
Step 4: Laminate, cut and you are done!

Tips for Painting with First Grade Students

Here are my top 5 tips for watercolor painting with kids:

  1. Start Simple: Begin with basic shapes like circles, squares, and triangles. Focus on color mixing and basic brushstrokes before moving onto more complex subjects.
  2. Wet-on-Wet: This technique creates beautiful color blends. Apply water to the paper first, then add the paint. The colors will naturally bleed and create interesting effects.
  3. Embrace Imperfection: Encourage experimentation and remind kids that there are no mistakes in art. The beauty of watercolor lies in its unpredictable nature.
  4. Provide Inspiration: Show them examples of simple watercolor paintings or nature scenes. This can spark their creativity and give them ideas.
  5. Make it Fun! Play some music, let them wear smocks, and provide a relaxed and enjoyable atmosphere. Most importantly, focus on the process and let them have fun exploring.

Capture More Memories with a Memory Book

End of the Year Memory Books are the perfect ending to a memorable school year! Capture and record end of year memories in a fun and easy way!

The end of the year is CRAZY, so I like to stick to VERY low prep memory books. 

I usually print the booklet and start it with two weeks left in school. We work on 1-2 pages a day together as a class and then when students have extra time in the day they can work on coloring pictures, etc. 

Ultimately, the end of year memory book becomes my early finisher/morning work activity for the last two weeks of school! 

More End of Year Favorites

End of Year Autograph Page

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Picture of Kristen Sullins

Kristen Sullins

I am a current Elementary Librarian and
Enrichment Teacher, mother of two, follower of Christ and Texas native. In my own classroom, I love to save time by finding unique ways to integrate writing, social studies and science into all parts of my day. I also love all things organization!

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