Page De Garde 20192020 Ce1ce2

Okay, imagine this: I’m rummaging through my attic – dust bunnies the size of small pets are attacking – when BAM! I stumble upon a stack of old school notebooks. You know, the ones with the slightly-too-sweet glue smell? And there, staring back at me from one of them… la page de garde. It was like a portal to my seven-year-old self’s universe. I’d completely forgotten the artistic liberty we used to take with those things!

Which got me thinking: what about the 2019-2020 school year? (Yes, I know, slightly ancient history now!) Specifically, those pages de garde crafted by our CE1 and CE2 students? They deserve a little spotlight, don’t you think?

"Page de garde", for those not in the know, basically means the title page. The first page of your notebook, where you usually put your name, the subject, the year, and, of course, your artistic flair. Think of it as the notebook's personal calling card. A visual handshake before you dive into the nitty-gritty of grammar and multiplication tables.

Now, 2019-2020... that was a year, wasn't it? Pre-everything-changed. Before we all knew what "social distancing" meant. I bet those pages de garde reflect a simpler time. Full of carefree doodles and bright, uninhibited colors.

Why are pages de garde important, anyway? Well, aside from the obvious organizational aspect (so you don't accidentally bring your math notebook to history class – been there, done that!), they're a fantastic opportunity for kids to express themselves. It's a small but significant act of ownership. "This is MY notebook. This is how I'm choosing to represent it."

Think about it: CE1 and CE2. That’s, what, 7-8 years old? A crucial age for developing creativity and independence. Let them loose with some crayons and markers, and you'll be amazed at what they come up with! (Although, maybe keep the glitter under lock and key. Just saying.)

I'm picturing fields of flowers, superhero logos, maybe even some painstakingly drawn Pokémon characters. (Remember Pokémon Go? That was a thing back then!) Perhaps a few abstract masterpieces that only the artist truly understands. And that’s the beauty of it, right? There are no rules.

So, if you happen to have any old 2019-2020 CE1 or CE2 notebooks lying around, dust them off and take a look. It’s like opening a time capsule. You might be surprised by the memories – and the artistry – you uncover.

And who knows, maybe you’ll even be inspired to create your own page de garde for your… grocery list notebook? (Hey, no judgment here!) It’s never too late to embrace your inner seven-year-old. Especially if it involves glitter.

Let me know in the comments (if there were any!) if you have any amazing page de garde stories! I’m genuinely curious.