Back to School Challenge: What We Learned Board Tutorial

Can you believe back to school season is nearly here?  I know, it's coming up fast!  Michael's stores contacted me and asked if I'd like to participate in their First Day of School Blogger Challenge and create a craft project to celebrate the First Day of School.  

This was a special challenge for me, since we're homeschoolers and the usual lunchbox, teacher gifts, backpack type stuff doesn't really apply to us.  I came up with something that is ideal for all families, no matter what way you do school.  The What We Learned Memory Board.

This reusable board gives a fun & easy way for kids to show off what they're doing.  Not only is this a great way to summarize a day's activities or for making a visual "report" for a particular theme, it makes it easy for Mom to save the memories.  

Just keep the pinned items or - better yet - photograph the board and just save the photo. How's that for saving space!

 Materials Needed:
- Chalkboard paint
- Corkboard sheet - 8.5x11
- Unfinished wooden frame - 8x10
- Scrapbook notes - I used Recollections Creative Chaos Pads.  These are perfectly themed for this
- Foam paintbrush, scissors, chalk, pushpins

Start by removing the back panel and cover sheet from the wooden frame.  Paint the the front and side edges with the chalkboard paint.  I did 3 coats for good coverage, leaving an hour between coats and then a full 24hrs to cure.

Trace the back panel onto the cork sheet and trim to size.

  
Condition the surface of the frame by lightly rubbing with chalk and then wiping off.

Place cork into frame, followed by the back and close.

Then fill out and add the scrapbook notes.  It's a great way to help the kids put what their doing into words.  No more "What did you do today?" questions being answered with "I don't know".

Add some extra details or descriptive words or images for that day or a particular theme in chalk on the frame.  

Since it's now a chalkboard & bulletin board combined, this can have different notes, drawings or projects everyday:

Are you ready for school to start?  For more fun ideas, check out Michael's Back to School Challenge Pinterest Board and Lookbook. 

I'm also sharing this project with my FAVE LINK PARTIES.

Click HERE to check them out!

I was not financially compensated for this post and received a Michael's gift card to use for purchasing supplies for this project.  The opinions are completely my own, based on my experience.  For my complete disclosure policy, click here.