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MINI BOOK TEMPLATE – FREE CENTER!

March 30, 2012 by teacherideafactory

Word peeps . . . my Earth Day unit still in the works, but here’s a little something to tide you over.  Last year when I taught Kinder I ran mini-books as one of my constant reading center rotations (from about mid-March on).  This was a spin off of an idea from one of my very dear friends, Carol.  She was the bomb-diggity at good old Evergreen.  

On Mondays my kids were given an overall mini book topic and a basic cloze sentence to copy and finish.  They usually completed about 1.5 pages per day and finished up their books by the end of Friday rotations.

When I first started this activity I ran with topics such as My Brag Book that offered up the cloze, “I can __________.”  By the time we rounded the final bend into late May and early June, the kids were given tougher topics like My Verb Book with the cloze “I know __________ is a verb.”  The kids always looked forward to this station . . . they took such pride in being an author :). 

I have offered up a downloadable cover and book pages for you.  One is easier (perfect for Kinder) and the other is a bit lengthier (a fun writing activity for 1st graders . . . gonna let my kids run without a cloze this year).  You can find detailed directions and the templates below.   

  1. Copy a class set of the cover pages and cut to size.  
  2. Copy a class set of the book page template (back to back) and fold down the center.  Be sure you show them which page to start on . . . remind them how you open a book.  I made the mistake of overlooking this frontloading opportunity!!!
  3. Write your cloze sentence on the board and host a discussion related to your chosen topic.  You may choose to just discuss a topic if you are teaching first.  
  4. Writing can be done as a whole class activity or in a small group setting.  As student complete each sentence cloze (or page), they illustrate it.  
  5. When all four pages are complete, attach a construction paper cover to the front of each student’s book.  I was lucky enough to have a book stapler (thanks again Carol), so my construction paper wrapped around their pages like a book jacket.
  6. Have your students glue a cover illustration page (see photo above) to the front of the book.  This is where the kids write the title and sign their name on the author line.  Finally, they illustrate their cover.
  7. DO NOT miss out on the opportunity to host an author’s chair with these.  The kids would beg me to do it . . . they never let me miss.  To save time, I had them buddy read.  They would partner up and read their stories aloud.  I usually had them trade partners two more times. (See photos/templates below!)

First Grade Template

Kinder Template

Cover 
(to glue on the front of the book)
CLICK HERE TO SNAG THE FREE TEMPLATES!

Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: freebie, mini book template, writing

IT’S CARROT TIME – MATH CENTER FREEBIE
EARTH DAY ACTIVIES FOR PRIMARY

Comments

  1. Mrs. Sheehan says

    July 5, 2012 at 6:55 pm

    I have been looking for something just like this! Thanks for the freebie!
    Maribel

  2. Jenn Bates says

    July 6, 2012 at 3:46 am

    Kelley,
    I use booklets like this in my writing center but I just had blank paper for the cover. I think having a title and author line will help those that forget their name! Thanks!
    Jenn
    Finally in First
    jenn@finallyinfirst.com

  3. Jessica Heeren says

    July 6, 2012 at 11:54 am

    These are so versatile! Thanks for sharing! 🙂

    Jessica
    Mrs. Heeren's Happenings

  4. TCarney says

    July 20, 2012 at 2:26 am

    I do these same books. Each one is an All About Me but on different topics ( ie. My Family, My Pet, My Favorite Birthday Party) I make folders for each student to store all the books for Open House we set them out. You can make little pocket style folders to house the books. Thanks for the blacklines.

    • teacherideafactory says

      July 20, 2012 at 5:34 am

      I love that you saved them for Open House. I always sent them home at the end of the week . . . a collection of those would have been fantastic. Thanks for poppin' in 🙂

  5. Laura Spalding says

    July 21, 2012 at 2:52 am

    This is going to be perfect! With thanks!

  6. Sarah says

    December 26, 2012 at 5:23 am

    Like!

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Thank you for taking the time to visit my home away from home. My Name is Kelley Dolling and I just finished up a decade teaching in the primary classroom...

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