With school days coming quickly...kids can get so busy. After school can be a whirlwind of backpacks, notebooks, permission slips, homework, coats, and hats. What better way to keep your “A-students” organized than their very own homework board.

More than just a chalkboard…more than just a cork board….more than just a place to hang their coat, packback, and hat…A homework board is the central place for all their school needs. Record homework assignments on the chalkboard, post permission slips and notes to the cork board, and keep everything they need for school in one location…ready to be picked up as they walk out the door.

In this month’s Crafty Chic, we’ll make a homework board perfect for students of all ages. Learn how a little plywood and paint can be transformed into a cute and practical creation.
 

By Lori Garcia, editor-in-chief

DEGREE OF DIFFICULTY Easy: if you use a pre-made frame, Intermediate: if you use molding to frame your homework board. PREP TIME one hour (minus paint-drying time) EXPENSES About $30, but you will have many supplies left over. (We went ahead and make a second for a Christmas gift for my niece.)

WHAT YOU'LL NEED • Piece of smooth-finish plywood the size you want your board. (If you use a rough-surface plywood board your chalkboard will NOT be smooth.) We used 3/4 inch plywood in a 18 inch by 24 inch rectangle. (about $5) • Molding to frame your plywood (or large enough picture frame). We used 3/4 inch “half-round” oak molding along the top and sides (total of 84 inches) (at $ .33/foot, we paid $2.31) • Wood Adhesive. We used Liquid Nails because it holds together very quickly ($2.65) • Chalkboard Spray Kit (our was from Krylon purchased from the leading discount store.) Kit comes with spray paint, eraser, and box of colored chalk. ($10) Chalkboard paint comes in black and green. We chose the black. • Red, blue, and white spray paint ($6) • Cork by the roll (at local hobby store) ($3.25) • Three wooden pegs ($ .99) • Old bread pan (ours was free but you would pick one up at a thrift store for less than $1)

STEP BY STEP (1) Using a circular or table saw, cut plywood to desired size. Our 3/4 inch plywood is cut into a rectangle of 18 inches by 24 inches. (FIGURE A) (2) Sand edges lightly to remove splinters. FIGURE A FIGURE B (3) Using masking tape (we prefer the blue painters tape because it does not adhere as strongly and won’t hurt wood), mask off the section of the homework board that will become the chalkboard. We chose to make the chalkboard the same dimensions as the cork board, about 12 inches wide. (4) Following the directions from the chalkboard spray paint, spray the chalkboard side of the plywood. (Note, you can use the roll-on latex version of chalkboard paint as well.) Let dry for at least four hours. Apply two-three coats of the paint to create a nice slate surface. (FIGURE B) (5) Cut molding to fit around plywood board. In our case we cut four strips that were 18 inches long and four strips that were 24 inches long. Place the molding around the board to determine where corners meet. There are two ways to finish the moldings...(1) Cut edges diagonally so molding sizes join or (2) Cut side strips slightly shorter so the top and bottom moldings cover the entire 24 inches, while the side strips are filling in the gaps (about 17 inches each). The second version is the easiest, and the route we decided to go with this project. (6) Paint molding (or picture frame) with blue spray paint. Allow dry at least one hour. (7) Paint bread pan with red spray paint and also allow to dry. (8) Paint wooden pegs with white spray paint and allow to dry.   (9) When chalkboard paint has dried the allotted time and a second or third coat has been added, it’s time to add the cork. Remove the masking tape from the plywood. Taking the roll of cork, roll out the size you will need to fill the remaining plywood. Adhere cork with Liquid Nails or other wood adhesive. Allow to dry for 30 minutes. (FIGURE C) FIGURE C FIGURE D (10) When molding is dry, adhere molding to plywood board with Liquid Nails or other wood adhesive. (If you are using ordinary wood glue, be sure to clamp wood into place so it will dry in proper place.) Hammer in small nails to help frame together, if desired. (FIGURE D) (11) Using standard screws, screw wooden pegs into cork portion of board about one inch above molding. Place the pegs about two inches apart. (FIGURE E) (12) Screw the bread pan into the chalkboard side of the board about an inch above the molding (level to the pegs). The bread pan will serve as the chalk and eraser holder. (13) Attach sturdy hook(s) to back of homework board that can support the weight of the board, and a heavy backpack full of books. Attach to wall, ensuring it is connected to a stud. FIGURE E Use fun details like small wooden balls, ribbon, etc., to decorate your board. You could even paint wooden letters that spell out "Homework" or your child's name and adhere to board.