The 8th grade class just completed the second project of the Literature and Art Unit . The Altered Book Project started off a couple years ago as an individual project. This year I decided to make it a partner project for a couple of reasons. The first reason is storage. Since the 7th grade students are creating Block Letter Sculptures at the same time, storage space is at critical mass. So instead of scrambling to store 87 open faced books, storing 44 books is still chaotic, but a bit more manageable. The second reason is timing. The Altered Book project leads right into winter break when students tend to be squirrely. I figured they would have more fun with a partner, help each other stay focused which would result in having more overall student success. The last reason is craftsmanship. In the past, there were many duplicated book projects with same book scenes that varied in craftsmanship and one couldn't help but compare one project to the next. To avoid cross-comparison I also made a rule that not one book could be duplicated.
Whether or not you try this lesson plan as an individual project or partner project, the basic materials you need include:
- hard cover books ("8 X 10" or larger for partners or smaller for individual projects).
- X-Acto knives
- tapestry needles
- neutral embroidery floss
- wallpaper paste
- cardstock
- wire
- watercolors
- all types of glue
- double stick tape
- glitter
- any other design material out and available for students to experiment
The one bi-product that I LOVE about this project is the constant "Book Talks" that occur between partners as they are creating design elements to capture the scene of their book. When both partners have read the book it creates a common vision that is cemented through their common experience. When a partner has not read the book that they are working on the book talks are more of a retelling of a story. The constant retelling of the story or scene from one partner to another communicates the love one has for literature while striking an interest in the book within the other partner. In other words, this project often times promotes literature!
These altered books will be displayed in the Literature and Art Exhibit in January when we come back from winter break. We hope you come out and see all the hard would the students have put into them!
