These Reading Journal PDF printables help you track your reading and easily crush your book goals, even if you lack time or inspiration.
Discover what is an altered book journal now. You'll also learn how to make an altered book including how to choose and prepare your book.
I recently started an altered book project that will serve as a journal of my recollected childhood memories. I’m going to show you how I prep my pages and I invite you to play along with me …
How to Make a Leather Journal: This was my first time to make such kind of leather journal, it took me some time to figure out the sewing, and I am happy with the result, hope you guys too.
Blank books provide a great way to encourage kids to write. Here are 3 easy ways to assemble blank books for your writing center, literacy center, and beyond.
Find out everything you need to know about junk journals. How to make a junk journal and what you can do with it once it's done
I LOVE experimenting with making my altered books and one of the things that fascinated me was how to make flip out pages for extra interest and storage. These tips and ideas will work for junk journals too! This walk through tutorial will show the materials and how to make the flips fast and easy.
easy altered vintage book
I have a new hobby! As if crafting, repurposing, being a grandmother of 7 and blogging isn't enough, I found something to take over the ...
The days of dioramas and book reports may be long gone. (Is it wrong that I’m a little sad about that?) Yet the expectation that students read and express their understanding of what they’ve read remains as strong as ever. So what’s a teacher to do? More specifically, what’s a creative teacher to do, when she doesn’t want to rely on worksheets? Get creative, of course! I’ve compiled 9 Fun Book Projects for you. They’re quick and easy to prepare, and best of all, they’re engaging – for both your students and you. No more slogging through piles of “Why I Liked This Book!” Take a look: Write a different ending -- What if the main character didn’t make it in the end? Or the dogs had lived? Or the culprit was the best friend? Your students’ imaginations can really wander with this assignment. Maybe their alternate ending will be even better than the original! Offer to let students draw their new ending as a bonus. Give a book talk --- Book talks are a wonderful way for students to demonstrate their understanding of books that they have read while practicing their writing and speaking skills. They're a great book project because they combine so many skills...and students love listening to one another. Oh, and the added bonus is that students can learn about books that they're interested in reading as they listen to the book talks. If you'd like to give them a try, then check out this FREE BOOK TALK GUIDE. It includes an overview of book talks, pre-write, final copy, and tips and tricks for presenting a book talk. Find it HERE. Write a sequel -- If you have the time, your students may want to extend their alternative endings into a whole second book (or at least a few pages or a chapter). After all, who hasn’t reached the end of a great read and wished for more? This will be a challenge, as students will have to build on the original plot lines and character outlines. Refer them to some famous book series for inspiration. Write a letter to the author -- Take a page from Beverly Cleary’s classic Dear Mr. Henshaw and have students write a thoughtful letter, with questions for the author of their current reading selection (or a favorite book). Most authors love to write (of course!) and appreciate opportunities to interact directly with their readers. Address letters (or e-mails) to the publisher, or see if the author has contact information on his or her website. It never hurts for students to practice their letter-writing and envelope-addressing skills, either – at least as long as snail mail is still around. Your students will be thrilled to get a response, too. Great news! I've put together three stationary templates that students can use when drafting their letters. They're a special FREEBIE just for you! Click here to check them out...and download them for free! Choose a response --- Here's an idea that students love...give them choices! It's amazing how giving students the ability to select the response or project that they would like to complete instantly increases their engagement. With that in mind, I created a series of "This or That" reading responses. Each This or That Reading Prompt includes instruction at the top of the worksheet and then 2 reading response choices for students to showcase their learning. After reviewing the choices, students can choose to do the "This" prompt or the "That" prompt. You can easily turn this into a book project by having students complete 5 (or so) different prompts while reading the book and submit them all as a final project when they finish reading the book. Learn more HERE. Set it to music -- Have your students capture a pivotal scene from the book in a song set to familiar music. It can be a ballad, a pop song, a rap – whatever speaks to them or best works with the scene. Encourage students who select this option to put on a concert. For students who are shy to perform, give them the option of recording their song privately, so you can play it without them having to get up in front of the class. Doodle it --- This is my FAVORITE type of book project! That's because it combines reflection, thinking and DOODLING! You can instantly take book reports and book projects to a whole new level with a Doodle Book Review! First, students complete a planning guide. Then, they design a Doodle Book Review! Check it out HERE! There's even this cinema-themed version that your students are sure to love. Find it HERE. Create a File Folder --- I first developed this book project idea many years ago as a summer reading project. Then, I altered it slightly so that it could be completed during anytime of the school year with any book. With this project, students compile critical information from the book they read including the plot, characters, setting, and a reflection in a manila file folder. The file folder book report includes detailed instructions so that students can complete it all independently. The end result is a compact project that students love! Oh, and you can store the file folders by your classroom library for students to reference when picking out a book! Find more details HERE. Blog about it -- If you have a classroom webpage, it can be fairly simple to create a live (and private) blog that students can use to discuss and debate the merits of their favorite books. This option might work best for students who have read the same book. Make sure you establish expectations for a civil online conversation. You can get in on the convo, too! Focusing on nonfiction in your classroom? Try one of these book report alternatives: Ø Create a scrapbook with images and facts about the book topic. Ø Write interview questions for the main character (if reading a biography, for example). Extend this assignment by allowing students to dress up as the character and record their responses to the interview questions. Ø Write a diary that one of the story’s main characters might have kept before, during, or after the book’s events. Make sure students emphasize what the character is thinking and feeling to give it an authentic feel. Ø Write a news story about the main event in the book (for example, the sinking of the Titanic). This is a good opportunity to practice this very specific form of writing. You’ll want to review inverted pyramid style and how to use quotes if you go this route. BONUS: Wait! I have one more idea. Here's a new spin on the classic book report mobile! Why not have students report out on the plot, setting, characters, and theme on fun pieces of paper clothing? Then students can hang their work from a hanger that says, "Try this book on for size!" This project includes a set of first draft materials and final copy elements so that students can create a high quality project! Here's some links for some of the project ideas above: ➧ File Folder Book Project (any book!) ➧ Doodle and Do Book Review (doodle book project) ➧ This or That Reading Response Prompts ➧ Book Talk (freebie) ➧ Letter to the Author Stationary Templates (FREE!) ➧ Clothes Hanger Book Report I hope that you've found some fun book project ideas to try in your classroom! Happy reading! Mary Beth
These small, square books “explode” into a series of square and triangular pages when you open them. But… this lesson began as a mystery project! Before they even knew we were making books,…
photography by Trisha Zemp I’m attending 2 conferences this week and I needed some last minute notebooks for my note taking so my stellar intern, Trisha Zemp, came up with this genius notebook idea from a brown paper bag that will take you 5 minutes. You probably already have everything you need to do […]
You guys, I made all these journals in, like, an hour! I've made journals before, but this is the simplest way I've found to create a little collection in no time at all. These little guys make great gifts, and I love that it's easy to build up a stash. Here's how:Supplies:-regular 8.5 "x 11" printer…
In this post I’m going to give you ideas and inspiration for some spreads and trackers that you can keep in your own reading journal. Don’t worry, they’re are simple and easy to create with no artistic ability and minimal supplies - all you really need is a pen and a notebook.
DIY Journals, Ideas For Making A Handmade Journal with Cover Art Tutorial, Binding Tips, Easy Craft Ideas With Step By Step Instructions for Making From Scratch
I’ve had a lot of interest in my bookmaking hobby so I figured I’d share an easy guide on how to get started! Like most hobbies there’s a small upfront investment to gather all of your supplies and materials. Fortunately, bookmaking is a relatively affordable hobby so there’s not too much that you have to […]
Make your own book for kids with this free printable template!
Inside you'll find an easy tutorial and instructions for how to make an art journal. Stop by and learn how for free.
How to make a completely unique notebook or mini art journal using completely recycled card and paper. A fun summer holiday project.
The change in the colors of the trees is my favorite part of fall. It’s such a beautiful season and one enjoyable and kid-friendly way to embrace it is by creating a nature journal to serve as memorabilia of hikes with the family. Nature journals can be a great motivator to get outside any time […]
Bookbinding Bootcamp to tackle common bookbinding questions. My hope is that this will offer solutions to bookbinding pain points.
Learning journals are one of the best and easiest ways to make learning fun at home. This post breaks down what a learning journal is and how you can start one. It covers developmentally appropriate concepts to include in learning journals for different age groups, how to manage prepping and impleme
What is more timeless than a leather bound journal? Learn how to make your own in this easy to follow tutorial. Perfect for DIY gift ideas!
How to Transfer Images onto Paper by Rebecca Parsons. Such a great Mixed Media technique, perfect to use in Art Journals or Junk Journals!
A beginner's guide to making a junk journal, including step-by-step instructions and video tutorials on the process from start to finish!
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If you have arrived here from the UKScrappers Art Journey - welcome! This is the tutorial for the “making your own journal” option...
How to make sample stitch book Here’s the method I’ve devised to make the Take it Further Fiber Book and the two volumes of Take a Stitch Tuesday stitch sampler. The Take it Further Fiber Book is my…
The right technique to make a 3D tunnel book with panels that tell the story - each panel is a layer in the final book
An amazing compilation of brown paper bag tutorials from all over the web.
10 CREATIVE DIY JOURNALS FOR KIDS
About a month ago I posted some pictures of tunnel books that two Grade 6 classes made. I promised the tutorial and here it is. The tunnel book starts off as a regular accordion book and then halfway it flips up exposing a tunnel to the back page. It's a great project to incorporate writing and the visual arts. The tunnel section can represent a transition in the story, literal or figurative. With the Grade 6'rs it was part of their novel study. The had to choose a portion of the book they had read and then incorporate this into a tunnel book. MATERIALS REQUIRED: - 1 piece of 11x17 white paper for practice and planning - rectangular piece of wc or good weight paper, by good weight you want it thicker than printer paper but not 300lb wc, a 90lb would work well here, I use roughly a 12.5 x 19.5 which is a 1/4 sheet of the 90-110lb wc we have on hand - ruler - pencil and eraser - scissors - watercolors, tempera disk, acrylics, colored pencil, etc. any medium to add color - fine sharpie - cardboard - tacky glue PROCEDURE: Now bear with me here. It really is easy once you get the hang of it. I just need to break it down into step by step. Hand out the 11x17 printer paper. This will be our practice book. We will also use this as a plan for our good copy. Fold in half both vertically and horizontally. I added black lines to show the folds. You do not need to add these. Lay out flat. Now fold each side into the middle. Unfold and you will have 8 sections. Now this style of accordion book is called a pants book. I use this term with the kids as it's an easy way for them to remember. Starting on one side cut along the horizontal fold line up to the last 2 sections. When you hold it up it looks like a pair of pants. With young kids you might want to make a mark at the stopping point to remind them. Place your pair or pants in front of you so that the seat is on the right (feet would come out on the left if this was a real pair of pants). Now in book making there are 2 main folds, a mountain and a valley. Mountains poke up and valleys go down. Click and the photo for a larger image. I have them marked. You want both pant legs starting on the left to have a valley fold, then a mountain, and then another valley. Fold up the top leg accordion style keeping the folds as outlined previously. You can now take these top pages and flip them down. In the tunnel book these pages will form the tunnel which sits up. Incidentally if you wanted to just make an accordion book with no tunnel. Just flip these pages the other way to the back. This would give you a nice accordion with single pages and one double in the middle. For both books you now can fold up the remaining leg of the book keeping those same folds. Your book should open nicely with 3 pages and then you can flip up the remaining pages and they can sit upright. Now the tunnel. Unfold the book. To create the tunnel you need to cut out 3 windows in the first 3 pages of the top pant leg. Ovals are the easiest but once you get the hang of it you can experiment. The windows do not need to all be the same shape but you want to get smaller as you go making sure you can see thru them all to the final page. Easiest way to cut the windows is to poke a hole in the center and then cut away. Now when you stand up that tunnel you should be able to see thru to that back page. Now that you've done your practice book you might as well use it to plan out what you want to do for your good copy. When you have your plan make your pants book with your good paper. Just like before. The older the student the more elaborate your windows can be. I also find it best to cut the large window out first.....I can then figure out where I want my second window and then again for the third. Now add color using whatever medium you wish. For grade 6 they painted all the backgrounds and then added all the details. They drew the details onto plain white paper, colored them in with pencil crayon and then cut and pasted onto their painted backgrounds. You need to paint the backs of the tunnel pages for a finished look. You can now add text if you wish. I printed out my story on the computer and then pasted it on. I also used a fine sharpie to add some outlines to my paintings. For the front and back cover you might want to add some weight to your book. Cardboard covers are a nice touch. Cut 2 rectangles, the same size as your pages, out of cardboard. (chipboard or corrugated). Paint the cardboard and then add a title. Fold up your tunnel book and glue the cardboard cover to the first page. Now the back cover is glued on. It should be the back of the 4th page on the bottom leg of the pants. That's it. My tunnel book is called 'Finding Paradise'. I know I still have Maui on the brain.....why not give a tunnel book a try! See you next time.
Half title: Ornamental design for woven fabrics
Wondering how to start a nature journal with your children? This ultimate guide to nature journals for children is full of ideas you can use to make your own nature journal, start a nature study, and explore the natural world. The ultimate guide to nature journals for children Use these links to dive into […]
Class books are a great learning tool. Learn how to make meaningful class books that your students will want to read and...
