Students share so many unforgettable memories throughout the year. For example, they lose their first tooth, celebrate the seasons together, and learn to read. Honestly, every grade has so many milestones that students experience. So, it is crucial that teachers help celebrate these times. One of the best ways to do this involves making class books! These allow students and their families to reflect on all the fantastic moments throughout the year. Thankfully, these tips for making class books and the Class Book Bundle make the process fun, engaging, and hands-on!
One Step at a Time
When implementing the idea of making class books, start with one idea. This single idea should engage your students and show them how fun it is to make books. Then, once you’re comfortable with the process, begin a second one. Personally, I find it helpful to use different colors of 1-inch, 3-ring binders with clear sleeves to make it easier to find books quickly. Students will love making class books throughout the year.
Tips for Making Class Books
I love making class books! However, learning the best ways to put the books together has taken some trial and error. So, I am excited to share my tips with you.
- Arrange the book format to be vertical rather than horizontal. This helps the pages stay in place and avoid ripping.
- Make print on 81⁄2 x 11 pages large enough for shared reading.
- Store pages in heavyweight sheet protectors to keep books usable all year long.
- Consider writing the “About Your Teacher” book in English and Spanish or the predominant first and second languages in your community.
- Include a parent comment page with any book that goes home for family sharing.
- At the end of the year, take each child’s pages and bind or staple them together in a memory book. This becomes an end-of-year gift to families and provides excellent summer reading for students!
- Laminate the cover of each class book before slipping it into the outer sleeve of the binder so you can use it year after year.
- Include a table of contents for books with a page for each child.
- Students will use it and learn to read names. They’ll also use the numbers to find their own page. There is so much learning and practice happening at once! ,
- Include directions for families that encourage rereading with comprehension, fluency, and joy!
- Finish the book with a “t-h-e e-n-d, the end” page that children can fancy up.
Class Book Bundle
This bundle of class books has so many incredible topics! For instance, students will make a book based on Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star with American Sign Language! They will even make a Hip Hip Hooray book based on students knowing their heart words. Literacy will come alive in the classroom when celebrating with each other.
Be sure to check out the FREEBIE for the Who Lost A Tooth? Class Made Book! This is such an important moment to celebrate!
Making class books is a fantastic way to celebrate special moments in the classroom. Thankfully, these tips for making class books and the Class Book Bundle will help make the process fun for everyone!
