DIY Chalkboard Sign--Freehand!

Apparently I was feeling crafty this week because I learned to "french braid" my hair. I would post pictures.....but my husband informed me that I needed A LOT more practice.  Thanks babe. :(

 Although I am not too proud of my hair.....I am proud of my VERY FIRST chalkboard sign!  I did this baby freehand, without using printables. I know....I am crazy, right?

A friend of ours was going to throw out this chalkboard....but (luckily) we snatched it up before it made it to the trash.

I am not going to lie---it hung on our wall blank for about two months.  I was actually scared to make a sign---because I wanted it to be PERFECT.  Uhhhh hello........chalk is able to erase.  What  dummy I am.

Anyway...once I got up the courage to attempt a chalk design, I did my research first.  Also known as: Pinterest.  That is the modern day encyclopedia, right?

Check out my Chalk Talk board---that is where I pinned a lot of ideas, tips and tricks.


I started the process by finding a quote I wanted to use.  This sign is in my kitchen, so I knew this quote would be perfect.


Next I planned out how I was going write my text using paper and pencil.  This is where Pinterest became my best friend.  There are tons of pins on font ideas, lettering, shading, best font combos,etc. Once I had down my design I practiced, practiced, practiced.

Next I measured the size of my chalk canvas .  I had 26 inches to work with, which I divided into seven rows for my seven rows of text.

It is difficult to see....but that is why I used the blue painter's tape.  On the painter's tape, I measured and drew seven sections, that way I would know if I was making some text too large...which would make me run out of room at the end.

When I had my spacing down, I knew (eek!) I was ready to start.  I taped all of my practice drawings around the outside of the chalkboard.....easy to see and remind me what I was going to do.

Then.....I just went for it!

Here are my tips on creating a successful chalkboard sign:

• Mix fonts (bold with skinny, scripts with serif, tall with short, thick with skinny, etc.)  Having contrasting fonts makes your eyes happy!
• Embellish--this means add doodles---like arrows, banners, symbols, dividers, etc.   Again--this adds visual appeal. 
• Research--hit up pinterest or google and get ideas.  There are a TON out there!
• Plan ahead--this might not be the best for everyone, but it saved me time.  Grab a piece of paper and plan your fonts, your doodles, spacing, etc.
• Practice--again not for everyone--but saved me time because I knew what I was doing once I started with my chalk.  
• Have fun--be artistic and creative!  If you make a mistake---erase it, or turn it into something great!

If you want to become a professional ....check out this book:  The Complete Book of Chalk Lettering .  A friend of mine read it, and apparently it is amazing!  

  

Did you know you can also sign up for online classes?  Another friend of mine (I guess I have a lot of friends that chalk art) took a class from Hand Lettered Design. 

Check out their website.....they have free downloads, tips and tricks!

 

Tried it Tuesday

Today  I am linking up with Fourth Grade Flipper's Tried it Tuesday linky party.  I love blog hopping, and reading all the tips and techniques teachers have tried.  It always gives me some GREAT ideas!!

This past year I knew I wanted to incorporate spelling/word work into the daily routines of my students.  Since, I am the reading specialist...I have a unique situation in where I only have students for 30 to 45 minutes a day.  That time with my kiddos is PRECIOUS...and very limited, but I felt word work was important.  Soooo...I came up with "spelling contracts."  

I must confess it wasn't my original idea.  In fact---when I was in fourth grade my teacher had us do contracts for our spelling words--and I loved it!  I adored the fact we were able to choose what WE wanted to do as long as we met the point requirement. :)

I know there is a lot of controversy with spelling words, spelling lists and spelling instruction, however I personally feel spelling is very important.  On the flip side---memorizing a random list of words isn't the most effective way to teach spelling.  Instead of giving my students a list of "hard words," I wanted to give them a list that they were developmentally ready for, and I wanted to teach them spelling patterns.  This way when students came to a unfamiliar word they would have another strategy to attack the word.

So, I first had my students take a spelling inventory assessment.  I used Words Their Way, which has a quick spelling test that you give all students. Once the assessment is given, you analyze the students spelling patterns and place them based upon their spelling development.  Not all kids will be on the same list, it just depends on what level of spelling they are at.  In some of my classes I had all 5 students on the same list, and  in others I had 5 students on 5 different lists.  Seems crazy right!?!  

After you know where your students are, you then provide them with a developmentally appropriate list, which is what my kiddos would use to complete their spelling contracts.  I gave my kids 2 weeks to finish their contract because I had them for a limited time.  The students were in charge of picking what tasks they wanted to do---as long as they had 30 points by the end of the two weeks.

All in all my kids really enjoyed having the freedom to choose what they wanted to do. Some weeks we struggled to get finished, so I would lower the point requirement...but as a whole...my kids really enjoyed it--and I got them to do word work.  If you are looking for a way to spice up your spelling instruction then spelling contracts are a Win-Win! 

I created a variety of spelling contracts that you can download for FREE on my TPT store.  Click the picture above to visit my store and download today!!   

Katie