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(Last updated October 25, 2020)
You never know what will come out of a broken crayon.
Welcome to my Broken Crayon Classroom Resource! Thanks to all the educators and librarians who have helped me put together this resource. Special thanks to Rhonda Jenkins, who first inspired me with this post of the Broken Crayon Makerspace in her library.
Are you an educator, librarian or bookseller who has been inspired by GURPLE AND PREEN or my Broken Crayon art to encourage art and writing with your young readers? I would love to hear about it! 
If you post photos online, please do tag me (@inkyelbows on Twitter, @inkygirl on Instagram) and use the hashtag #BrokenCrayon.
Here are some free, print-ready activity sheets, Makerspace and Student Gallery signs:
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Looking for more FREE, print-ready activities, posters, bookmarks and other free downloadable material for your classroom, library, home or bookstore? See Debbie's Free, Print-Ready Archives.
How educators and librarians are using Broken Crayons with young readers:
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Some tips and ideas (thanks to educators/librarians for the inspiration!):
WHAT TO USE FOR THE PAPER:
- Use heavier paper or cardstock.
- Use regular paper but then put it on top of construction paper. Not only will this provide more support, but if the construction paper is a bit bigger than the regular paper, it also serves as a colored border/frame!
WHAT TO USE TO ATTACH THE CRAYONS TO THE PAPER:
- Glue stick or regular white glue. This can get messy, though, so have wipes available! It also requires some coordination that very young students may not yet have, so see below.
- Clear tape. After the students draw with the crayon, have them snap the crayon in half and then help them tape the crayon to the paper.
- Hot glue gun. On Twitter, @MrsLyonsLibrary said that they let the students dictate where the crayons are supposed to be placed, then an adult uses a hot glue gun to attach them to cardstock.
Do you have tips on doing Broken Crayon writing or art activities you would like to share with other educators? Please let me know!