Making an Address Book for Students

Students like making small booklets and sometimes may need to contact another student in the class for additional information about an assignment or simply to talk. They may write a classmates name and phone number on a small sheet of paper and loose it (just like adults) or they may write it on their notebook.

This particular project is one that can be modified for many needs. Small booklets can be produced for subject matter in the curriculum. A booklet could be made in which a student might write a short story that could even include pictures, a small booklet of math problems, jokes, a biography of a great person in history, a coloring book, a group of spelling words to practice and much more.

There is a method of producing an eight segment booklet from one sheet of paper if the pages of the booklet are kept to a height of 3.62 and a width of 2.4 inches. The graphic used in this article shows some sample segments that could be used to make an address book, but does not include eight segments. The segments are produced in Microsoft Word (TM) through the use of a "text box". Once one text box is produced of the appropriate size, then you would use the "Borders and Shading" function to make the segment border. This border was set to a weight of 3. Six segments could be placed on one typical 8 1/2 x 11 sheet of paper, so you will need to print out a second sheet.

If you are going to simply use a staple binding on the left edge of the segments, then the number of segments you can use is only limited by the thickness that you can properly staple. If you are going to use a plastic binder of some type you may want to experiment with how much you may need to add to the left edge to leave room for the binding so that it does not interfere with the page visibility as you turn pages in your booklet. If you are not going to use a special method of paper folding then you are not limited to the size of the segments. The special folding process will not be covered in this particular article, but would limit the total segments to eight. (Note: this will be covered in a future article.) Typically any booklet pattern will include one segment as a "Title Segment" and it might include a blank at the conclusion.

Teachers often make worksheets, but it is much less common to make workbooks. The main reason for not making workbooks is the amount of paper required and the fact that many schools greatly limit the use of paper and of the photocopier. Often teachers are assigned a personal code to use the photocopier and the number of copies they make is checked. Excessive use could even be the subject of a conference with administrators. The use of a small booklet could greatly reduce the amount of paper needed and special folding techniques could reduce the amount of photocopying required.

Many teachers take things to office supply stores to photocopy at their own expense. Unfortunately this can become a significant expense for any teacher that may have well over one hundred students in a given day. It is common to ask students to bring supplies to the classroom that will be used for the entire class throughout the year. Teachers might consider having each student bring one ream of white paper to be used for class throughout the year. Check with your administrators to get permission to add such supplies to your requirements, but also consider that every student will not be able to comply with this as a requirement. In some cases photocopiers can use regular notebook paper. Students then might be able to supply regular notebook paper upon which photocopies can be produced. You will want to check with the person that is in charge of or repairs your copy machines to see if this will not cause problems.

Some types of paper will shed small fibers that can accumulate and cause copiers to jam. Some types of paper are too slick and can also jam copiers. Some types of paper may have blue lines that are so dark that it will make printing harder to read after photocopying. Even with all these potential problems, regular notebook paper may work properly on some photocopiers.

Check with any office supply store for special discounts for teachers, this may help just a little, but also check to see if they might supply a volume discount for a group of teachers. If you are part of a department, you may be able to get a discount for copies for the whole department. Remember that you are not likely to get any money back for copies made outside the school. You might also check with the Parent Teachers Association about providing some funds for use of the photocopier or even the purchase of a photocopier for your department.

Students like a bit a variety in their lessons. Some lessons that use small notebooks could be just the thing to make an assignment just that tiny bit more interesting.