IN-17 (Grades K-5 and 6-12)
Innovative Bookmaking: Engaging the Student Mind Through Handmade Art Books
Amoreena Rathke and Carrisa Brudos, LaCrosse School District
arathke@sdlax.k12.wi.us                          cbrudos@sdlax.k12.wi.us
  

Bookmaking encourages literacy and creativity and is a terrific way to integrate art into your classroom. Children of all ages love to make their own books; it’s engaging and promotes creative thinking, problem-solving skills, and helps students form real world connections between disciplines. In this workshop, you will create several examples of handmade books and one completed book relevant to your particular content area. We will learn bookmaking techniques such as folding methods, pop-ups, simple binding, ways to make beautiful and interesting covers, and how to reuse unconventional materials with a focus on inexpensive and readily available supplies.

Teachers can tailor this workshop to meet their individual instructional needs by grade level or subject (art, science, math, language, and social studies). Although this is a hands-on art workshop, it’s truly for everyone; all levels of artistic experience and inexperience are welcome!

Participants will be able to:

• Utilize a variety of art skills and techniques in making books.

• Create a variety of handmade books to use as examples in their content area or classroom.

• Gain an understanding of ways to incorporate art books/art into their curriculum.

• Complete one art book designed for their particular content area.

• Gain an understanding of how to use and reuse a variety of materials and media.

• Gain an understanding of a variety of assessments/rubrics related to making art books.