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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.
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Judy & Samantha Cohen
click on the miniature for a
full-size view |