Grid Design for Sketchbook Cover

The 3rd/4th grade class used a grid format to design their sketchbook cover.  I am loving using grids in my personal artwork.  I am doing a series of grid mixed media paintings which you can see here, here and here, and oh yeah here too.  

To prepare for this lesson, I drew a 1 inch square grid on a piece of 8.5" x 11" piece of paper.  Then, I photocopied it for the class.  Here's a trick.. if you cut down construction paper to an 8.5" x 11" sheet of paper, it can go in the bypass tray of a copy machine.  It took me several years of teaching to figure that out!  

Then, the students found the letters of their name in magazines and put them on the grid.  Then, they added designs and other magazine clippings to the rest of the grid.  There were a few kids who were resistant to the magazine letter thing, so I let them draw their name with markers.  I think it's important to let the kids branch off if they have a strong desire and vision to do something else. 

I find it easier to be creative when there is a set structure already in place.  That's probably why I'm drawn to the grid format.

Isn't this the cutest koala EVER!?