By Judith Cohen

The purpose of this project is to facilitate students to learn the core curriculum by engaging them in bookmaking.  No matter what the subject -- literature, math, science, global studies, history, art -- book arts is an exciting tool to effectively organize, and creatively preserve and share material in the classroom.  When students publish their own work, they develop creative thinking.  In addition it is a unique way to build a hand made class library. This in turn may become a resource for learning.  Students may also make a few editions of the same book and swap them with other students to promote inspiration as well as education.

Making books involves many areas of study.  It is truly an integrated experience that uses many disciplines.  For example, a book about Egyptian mummies (See photos a and b at right) may combine global studies, history, science, writing, art and spatial relationships.  A difficult curriculum becomes a challenge to the students when they are actively involved in a hands-on bookmaking project.  Research becomes exciting and the students are more apt to remember the material they are recording and illustrating.  Books may be made by individual students which encourages the student to explore unique expression or by groups of students which promotes cooperation and shared learning and communication.  Finally, the finished product gives the students confidence and personal satisfaction.

After the completion of a unit of study, students learn the mechanics of putting together a book.  A very basic method of bookmaking is an accordion book.  Many cultures have made these books.  The Maya, Incas and Aztecs of Central and South America made accordion books from leather, cotton cloth and bark paper.  Accordion books were also made in Asia from cloth or paper.  A special way of making these books attractive is to cut the paper in the shape of the book.  For example, if the class is studying transportation, the book may be cut into the shape of a car or train.  If the class is studying the neighborhood, the book may be cut in the shape of a house.  (See photo b.)  If a separate cover is glued to the accordion book, the cover should reflect the contents.   (See photo c.)   Accordion books are a great way to show time line and may also be glued together to create very long books.  (See photo d.)

Other easy-to-make books with satisfying results are eight-page, sixteen-page, and "French Door" booklets folded from one piece of paper.  The eight and sixteen page booklets may be used as an instant reinforcement of a lesson in any subject.  Also, these mini books are a handy way to take notes on class trips or walking tours, making the cumbersome clipboard obsolete.  (See illustration 1 and 2.)  The "French Door" booklet is a special method to document and illustrate sequencing of events.  The book cleverly unfolds from the center to the right and left with sets of pages on both sides.  (See illustration 3.)  Please note that photo e/1 - e/4 is an example of a "French Door" book made by a ninth grade student for an Aids awareness project.  It shows the transition from health, love and beauty to death and sadness.

Resources:

1999 Book Arts Jamboree, PO Box 895, Cairo, NY 12413-0895 (one week of bookmaking workshops).

Multicultural Books To Make And Share, Susan Kapuscinski Gaylord, NY, Scholastic Professional Books, 1994.

Judy & Samantha Cohen

click on the miniature for a full-size view