• Home
  • Blog
  • Categories
    • Subjects
    • Organize & Manage
    • Thematic & Seasonal
  • Freebies
  • Store
  • FAQ/Contact
Traci Clausen - Engaging TeachingTraci Clausen - Engaging Teaching
  • Home
  • Blog
  • Categories
    • Subjects
    • Organize & Manage
    • Thematic & Seasonal
  • Freebies
  • Store
  • FAQ/Contact

EASY, Reusable Class Books – Bright Idea

Home » EASY, Reusable Class Books – Bright Idea
EASY, Reusable Class Books – Bright Idea

EASY, Reusable Class Books – Bright Idea

My Bright Idea this month is actually a re-run from a couple of years ago.It’s a quick and easy way I make class books from writing we’ve done so that I can put them out for Open House AND send the pages home later without destroying their work nor having to recreate the book cover and combing each year. Since our Open House is right around the corner – it’s on my mind. 🙂

 
{{RePost from May 2012}}
Do you make class books?

These are a bunch of WONDERFUL papers the kids wrote about their good friend… an activity we do based on Rainbow Fish. It includes a little water color fish art with a glittery, shimmery scale.

With all the other ocean stuff we have going on, I simply have no room to put these up. So they are going in a class book that will be set out during Open House. I actually set a few class books out.

Here is how I make the books.

I use the same book every year (cover and comb) and just change the student work without having to hunt down that book binder, nor ruin the student work.

 

This is the cover

 

It’s bound with a comb binder. I place 30 pieces of construction paper (1 for each student) cut to size between the front and back cover then I comb bound all of those sheets along with the covers.

This is now my permanent book. It is reused each year.

Each year I pull this out of the cabinet.  To assemble the book I simply run a glue stick across the length of each piece of construction (Use the crappy glue sticks for this part because you don’t want the pages glued down permanently. You don’t need a lot of glue.)

Then set the students’ written work on it. Repeat 30 times or whatever amount you need for your class size.

The papers peel off easily, so you can give the kids their work AND save your book for next year. 


You always cover up the construction in the book, so it’s ok if there is a little glue left on the construction after removing the pages. No one but you will know it’s there.

 I love that Alexis wrote that she has “nice conversations” with Emily. How sweet is that?
*******************
Easy, right?
Seriously peeps, I am all about saving time and energy. Since this is a topic I have the kids write about each year, it only makes sense to re-use the cover and binding. This is so easy, I have even had students put it together for me!
Please be sure to follow me on Facebook, my TpT store, Instagram and this blog so you don’t miss any ideas, freebies and teacher resources!

For more *Bright Ideas* please check out the links below from over 150 different teacher blogs! 

 

An InLinkz Link-up

You might also be interested in . . .

Share

13 Comments

Leave your reply.
  • Jessica Tanguy
    · Reply

    May 17, 2014 at 2:12 PM

    I love this idea! Did you laminate the strips of construction paper in the middle? If not, have you tried it? I was just wondering if it would make it easier to pull off or if it would cause it to fall apart too easily.
    ~Jess

    • [email protected]
      · Reply

      May 17, 2014 at 3:28 PM

      I did try it and it falls apart too easily.

  • Christine Quiroga
    · Reply

    May 17, 2014 at 6:35 PM

    Someone makes temporary glue sticks. It makes the paper like a Post-IT. That might work, too.

    • [email protected]
      · Reply

      May 17, 2014 at 9:47 PM

      That would be perfect!

  • Fluttering Through First Grade
    · Reply

    May 17, 2014 at 7:51 PM

    Pure genius lady! This is a fabulous idea. We end up with extra sharing books every year and end up wasting the covers. This is perfect! xoxo

  • Kristin
    · Reply

    May 17, 2014 at 8:48 PM

    Brilliant!! You are so so so smart!!!

  • Shelley- TheWriteStuffTeaching
    · Reply

    May 18, 2014 at 3:59 AM

    Wow! Amazing idea and I love that it is good for the environment too as you are not using more and more paper each time. I wonder if you could use those plastic reuseable inserts with the construction paper inside and then bound and then you could just slip the paper in and out? But if glue stick works, that's great. Thanks for sharing this bright – no brilliant idea!

    🙂 Shelley
    The Write Stuff Teaching

  • Pixie Anne
    · Reply

    May 18, 2014 at 9:00 AM

    Great idea. I always end up hanging on to class books which then go ignored in the book corner for the rest of their lives… It's perfect that the children each get to take their work home this way and time is saved for you next year!
    Growing Little Learners

  • Lori
    · Reply

    May 18, 2014 at 7:57 PM

    This is a great time saving tip! What a great idea!
    Lori
    Conversations in Literacy

  • Katie Knight
    · Reply

    May 22, 2014 at 2:54 AM

    This is a great idea!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Thank you!

  • Barbara
    · Reply

    May 24, 2014 at 6:50 AM

    That's a fabulous idea, Traci! I'm pinning.
    Grade ONEderful

  • teachtrue2
    · Reply

    June 5, 2014 at 11:34 PM

    Super idea!!! I can always count on you for clever ideas!!

  • Carolyn Childs
    · Reply

    June 28, 2014 at 2:29 AM

    Finally, a use for the crappy glue sticks!

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

I’m passionate about helping teachers find their joy, develop efficiency and ignite their own teaching strengths. I’m so happy you’re here!

 

Recent Posts

  • Grammar Boost
  • Word Work Activities Extravaganza!
  • Kindergarten Literacy Activities
  • Phonics & Sight Word Practice with Chunky Monkey
  • The Most Important Reading & Writing Strategies

TRENDING ON TPT

AFFILIATES

Educational & Teacher Supplies

SitSpots Logo

Daily Boutique Deals


Cricut Logo

Stay in Touch!

Exclusive Planner Help Videos
 
Contact & FAQ

 

Hi! I’m Traci and I’m super glad you’re here. I’m passionate about sharing all the *wisdom* gained over my many years of teaching. I love helping teachers find their joy, develop efficiency and ignite their own teaching strengths. I believe simplicity and fun coupled with effective strategies and engaging and focused lessons are the key to it all. Also… laughter can carry you through just about all things.

Check out my classroom FAV’s on AMAZON!

 

Traci Clausen, Inc. (Traci Clausen – Engaging Teaching) is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.

© 2021 · Traci Clausen - Engaging Teaching

Prev Next