Bookmaking in Pre-K


In my classroom, I typically have one or more ongoing class projects that last through the year. In 2008, I chose to replace journals with bookmaking. It was an exciting experience for my class because the children felt like real authors making real books. I read the book Already Ready, by Katie Wood Ray and Matt Glover when it was published, which really sparked my interest in doing bookmaking in Pre-K.

One of the reasons I chose bookmaking was that I had noticed some children dictated really, really long stories to be written in their journal that were too long for one page and for one illustration (this is also mentioned in the book, Already Ready). Some children would continue to tell a story as long as I would write. Bookmaking "magically" solved that problem. I had also noticed a few children would make a continuous "novel" out of their journal by writing about the same topic on every journal page. I recall a child whose entire journal was about ghosts, another child whose journal was all about rainy days, and another whose journal told the various adventures of her one-eyed cat. Perhaps that is because in their experience of books, each page reflects the same topic. Most children have no experience with journals.


Reasons for using bookmaking with children:




Important things to remember when doing bookmaking with children:


Pre-K Bookmaking

Children have many opportunities to make books

Pre-K Bookmaking

Children have opportunities to share their books with the class or other teachers



Genres

When children are exposed to a variety of genres, they will be more likely to incorporate different genres into their bookmaking.

Book Features

When reading books to children, point out the features you find in the book.

Artistic Media (Illustrations)

Books use a variety of artistic media to illustrate the books. Sometimes the type of media chosen is important to support the type of book the author is writing. Some books combine media. For example, the book Knuffle Bunny, by Mo Willems combines photography with drawings. Allow children to use different types of media in their bookmaking projects.

Basic Supplies for Bookmaking

It is very important that bookmaking supplies are well-stocked and easily accessible to children. Children lose interest in bookmaking when supplies are not easily accessible to them. Place them in the classroom where children can get them without asking for them.
Pre-K Bookmaking

Bookmaking supplies are easily accessible to the children

Pre-K Bookmaking

This is a file crate we use to store our unfinished work. Each child has a hanging folder with their name on it. The crate is easily accessible to the children.



Bookbinding Methods


Pre-K Bookmaking

The child who made this book came up with his own idea to bind it with yarn and masking tape



Dictation: To Write or Not to Write?

While some may disagree with me on this point, I leave that decision up to the child. I have some children who ask me to write their dictated sentences on each page of their books, and when they ask, I do write their dictation. Some children prefer to leave their pages text-free, and let the illustrations tell the story. Some children write their own text on each page by writing letter-like symbols or strings of letters. Some children will ask me to spell words for them. I've also had children who wrote their own text, yet came to me and requested that I write their words in the book.

I had one little boy tell me he did not want me to write in his book because, as he said, "I don't need you to write words in my book. I already know the words I need." When a child does not ask me to write their words in their book, I tape record them reading it. I later transcribe the recording along with page numbers, and tape the transcription in the back of the book so their parents and other adults will understand what the book says.


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