Bookmaking With Kids

To mark the start of the school year, I thought it would be fun to invite teachers to share beginning book-arts projects from their classrooms. Here’s a project that Debra does with her 1st graders:

“Fold a piece of paper into three sections, and you’ve got a storyboard. My kids create lots of these. They’re great for summarizing stories that we’re reading; in fact, I reorganize my classroom to support the work that goes into retelling a story.

First, I read the kids the story on the rug. Next, they listen to the story at the listening center in small groups of four. Sometimes we act it out. Then they have to write their favorite part. Then they go to the retelling center and retell it.

In the beginning of the year, they retell three parts: beginning, middle, end. Their summaries become six parts by mid-year, when they’re ready for more complex retelling.

I thought Jared’s effort with Caps for Sale—both the sentences and the artwork—was unbelievable for the 3rd week of school.”

Thanks, Debra!

To respond or add your own experiences with a beginning-of-the-year book from your classroom, just click the Comments link, below. Or, if you’re new to blogging, email me, include a jpeg and description, and I’ll post an entry about what you’re doing.

If you’ve never made books with kids before but you’d like to try, or if you’re looking for new bookmaking ideas, stop by the Redwood City Public Library. The library is showcasing children’s book arts throughout September, and the display is eye-catching and inspiring.

Good thing the books are behind glass; otherwise visitors would be picking them up to read, examine and admire up-close!

This month-long exhibition was curated by Susie Peyton, a book artist and instructor who also taught most of the workshops in which kids made these books. Kudos to Susie, and many thanks to children’s librarian Jacky Averill for making this opportunity possible. more…