This lesson plan will introduce students to the basics of making books. Students can use their finished books as journals, sketchbooks, scrapbooks, or for writing a story or poem.

Grade Levels

Grades 3 through 8.

Time Required

One class period (45–60 minutes a period)

Objectives

Students will . . .

1. Produce a simple side-stitched book.
2. Describe and demonstrate the process of simple book making.

Procedure

1. Cut the cover paper so that it's slightly larger than the pages. Place the pages on top of the cover paper and fold the materials together to locate the center. Punch three evenly spaced holes down the fold.
2. Thread the needle and stitch the book. Go through the center hole from the outside first. Next, go through one of the other holes followed by the last hole and back through the first one from the inside.
3. Tie the line together and add beads or tie it into a decorative knot.

Assessment

1. Each book will have at least eight pages (two sheets of paper folded as described in the lesson), a cover, and be stitched as described.
2. Examine the quality of folding, cutting, stitching, and knotting.
3. Determine whether each finished book demonstrates an understanding of the process and the tools used.
4. Judge whether the student attempted to do more than the minimum requirements.