Today's technology makes it possible for schools to publish student books at little or no cost, and the benefits resulting from this strategy are many:
- Students are motivated to write when they know their work will be published in a real book.
- Students are more likely to meet state writing standards when they have been through the process of writing and publishing their work.
- Parents and grandparents love to see their children's work in hard-bound books.
- Publishing student books costs little or nothing
- Some companies provide kits to guide teachers and students through the process of writing and publishing.
Publishing Choices for Student Work
- The books can be fiction or nonfiction.
- Books can be written on any subject.
- The whole class can participate in writing one book
- Each child in the class may write his or her own book.
Some teachers use one of several publishing companies that specialize in publishing student works, and their methods and requirements vary. Another option for teachers who want their students to experience the joy and satisfaction of seeing their work published in a real book can download this PDF guide developed by Michael Ernest Sweet, the founder of The Learning for a Cause Center.
Students Involved in Book Writing Process
One Florida teacher and her students brainstormed to select the subject they would write about for a book of fiction. The children then brainstormed and voted on a title for the book. After the class had developed a plot and an outline for the book, each child was responsible for writing one or more sections. Class members drew illustrations, and the book was ready to send to the publisher.
The same teacher chose to have each of her students write an individual book. The students could choose their topic. Some wrote about sports, travel, families, adventures, or friends. One child wrote and illustrated a book with the title Emotions, that included feeling love, being bored, terrified, curious, angry, sorrowful, anxious, and happy.
Requirements for Publishing Student Books
- A minimum of 80 students had to participate.
- The school had to specify a press date
- Every child in the class had to participate.
- Parents must be given an opportunity to purchase prints of the book.
Since every class in this particular school participated in the program, it was easy to meet the requirement that at least 80 students had to participate.
Teachers work hard every day to motivate students to do their best. The excitement among teachers, students, and parents is contagious when a book is in progress in the classroom. What better way to motivate students than to show them that their writing is appreciated than to have them write and publish a book?
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