Book Project for Summer for Elementary Kids

A great practically free activity for kids for the summer is the creation of their own book of their summer experiences and activities. When their teacher asks in September what they did on their summer vacation, it is all recorded for her and for a life time of memories for the child.

Pick up a hard cover composition book at your dollar store for a dollar or a spiral notebook along with glue stick, a small cheap rubber stamp set, some markers and the project is practically launched. All you need is the child's creativity mixed with your guidance.

Encourage the child to decorate and title the cover of the book. "Michael's Summer Adventures 2009." Have him create a title page and copyright page by observing these in another book. Work with him on a table of contents including a list of books read during the summer, pages for trips he takes, special and new experiences, new friends, favorite days, new things he learns. Discuss possibities for the contents. This will help him visualize the possibilites of this project and get excited about it. The ideas are endless.

Encourage the child to document each special day or experience with a story he writes himself and an illustration he creates. Yes, this is really just a journal, but for many children it will be their first journal and it also helps them understand the process of how books are organized and designed. If your child is not yet writing sentences then their primary documentation can be illustration.

You will share time with the child while he is working on his book; you'll get some quiet time while he is absorbed in the activity (especially nice when travelling); he will get practice writing, spelling, reading, observing and using his imagination in the design of each page.
Copyright 2009 Creekside Education & Susie Williams

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