Planning School Layouts in Advance

by Nicole Humphrey | More from this Blogger

20 Aug 2008 07:34 AM

If you are like the majority of us, school is either already in session in your neck of the woods, or it is just about to start. In any case, you might find yourself with more time to scrapbook, and if this is the case, school layouts might be a top priority. School memories are important to capture each year as your child grows.

I still enjoy looking back at the photo albums my mother put together reflecting my grade school and middle school years. I did my own high school album, and it is still one of my favorites even though it was done before scrapbooking caught on and became a huge hobby.

If you know the types of pictures you plan to take this year, you can plan ahead and get some layouts completed. If you aren't sure of the types of pictures you plan to take, you can put together page kits with all the papers, embellishments and other accessories you might use to complete the layout.

To help you plan, I have made a list.

Important things to capture during the school year:

• Your child on the first and last day of school
• Your child and their teacher at the beginning of the year
• Your child and their teacher at the end of the year
• Your child and their friends
• Their classroom and/or desk
• The bus
• Art projects, homework and special assignments (snapping photographs will preserve these things for a very long time to come)
• Field Trips
• Celebrations or Class Parties
• Awards and/or Honors
• Concerts, Plays or Special Assemblies
• Your child's schedule
• A list of your child's favorites (class, activity, assignment, lunch menu item, etc.)

While these pictures aren't necessary for every album, they are a great list of items to get each year and scrapbook. You might even discover photo opportunities that are not mentioned here, and if so - snap away. (And then leave a comment and let us know what you took photos of).

Creating in advance:

If you already know the types of things you plan to capture, you might be able to sit down and plan your pages ahead of time so that all you would need to do is add the photographs and the journaling. This idea doesn't work for everyone, but it is a great way to get ahead a little and be ready when the pictures arrive.

How do you plan for your school layouts?

Nicole Humphrey writes about the creative and memory preserving side of life and families in the Scrapbooking Blog and Fun Blog, provides helpful hints to blended families and single parents on the Parents Blog, and provides informative tips and advice for students, teachers and parents on the Education Blog. She also guest blogs on a variety of topics. You can read more of her articles by clicking here.

Related Articles:

School Scrapbooking: Meet the Teacher Ideas

Creating a School Year Scrapbook

Organizing a School Year Scrapbook 1

Organizing a School Year Scrapbook 2

Types of Teacher's Albums

Learn more about Nicole Humphrey

Nicole Humphrey is a freelance writer, consultant for CTMH and a Sr. Blogger for families.com. She resides in St. Charles, Missouri with Mike and their five children and two furbabies.

View Full Profile | More from this Blogger