Materials
Paper of all kinds, shapes, and sizes (notebook, typing, construction, wallpaper wrapping paper, graph paper, rolled paper) tape hole punch stapler string glue brads rings scissors magazines greeting cards stickers clip art stamps and stamp pads crayons pencils variety of markers examples of different kinds of books, commercial and homemade
Instructions
1. Bookmaking encourages creativity, literacy, language development, and fine motor skills. Discuss making books at circle time, and show examples of commercial and homemade books. Explain that a person who writes a book is called an author and that they will be authors of their own books.
2. Set up your bookmaking center on a regular basis. Put out a variety of materials, including interesting paper and writing instruments (for example, metallic colored pencils, glitter crayons, and cool gel pens). These give new encouragement to the uninterested writer.
3. Help children with the words and stories for their books. Let them dictate their stories or use inventive writing. Make word cards (picture and word together on a card) and put them in the bookmaking center to help facilitate their writing.
4. Encourage the children to cut out pictures or draw their own to make their stories come to life.
5. Encourage them to make a cover for their books and to come up with a title. Show them how to attach the pages together using staples, yarn or string, or beads and rings.
6. Read their stories to them or to the class if they wish.
7. Keep it fresh and new each time you put out the center by including plenty of supplies. Encourage them to be creative and try new things.Tip: Some interesting ideas to try are accordion books, miniature books, gigantic books, books that roll up, and pop-up books.
