To make these journals you
will need "cardstock" paper (index card thickness) for the
covers (check Staples Superstore) and just regular printing paper for the
insides. A long-handled stapler (we purchased ours at Wal-Mart) comes in
handy, but you can always improvise.
1. We can not
stress enough how much time and energy you will save if before printing you
make a sample book (this
is especially important when making a book such as the dictionary to insure
proper printing on each side of the page). Cut up scratch paper and jot a
note on each page what is going to be on that page. For example, when
making a sample dictionary we will cut 14 sample pages and fold them in half
making a book; a quick staple insures pages stay in place. The outside is
the cover and beginning on the first page, we write "a", then
"b" on second page, and so on through the alphabet. When your
sample book is complete, you can remove each page and use as a reference
while printing. Some of the journals have text on the inside of the
cover as well as on the outside. The Bird Field Guide, as well as Little
Critters, has reference charts to be printed on the inside cover.
Literary Adventure has a rating chart for the inside front cover and the moon
book has a moon and verse. Do not forget to note where each title page
and inside title page are located in the file. We have tried to put the
inside cover second-to-last and the cover last in each file.
2. Most of the journals will have the same
"print' on both sides of the inside pages. You only have to make
sure you load your paper in properly to insure both sides are right side
up. Test print and note which way your
paper feeds into and comes out of your printer. That way you will know
which way to reload the paper to print the reverse sides.
3. Note before printing how many pages you want in your journal. If
you want 20 pages, you will need 10 pieces of paper (printed both front and
back) plus a piece of cardstock for the cover. For the moon book you will
need to print one piece of card stock for the cover and 8 "inside"
pages, front and back, to end up with 32 moon pages.
4. The completed books will measure 8 1/2
" by 5 1/2 " with the exception of the moon flipbook, which is
half that size. For the moon flipbook, cut the printed pages
(horizontally not vertically) in half after printing both sides. The
completed moon flipbook will work best if you trim about 1/2 inch off the open
edge opposite the stapled side (seems to make it flip much easier for little
hands).
Try one of the simpler journals first; maybe one of the 1/3 lined 2/3
blank. With this and the full-lined journal, you just have to know how
many pages long you want your journal. Then print both sides (watching to
insure both sided are printed with lines on the same end of the page), add a
piece of cardstock, fold in half, and staple. Your child can illustrate
the front of the journal, or you may make your own cover page. If using
your computer to make a cover page, go to "format" and click
columns. Select "two" columns. Then go to
"file" and click "page setup". Select the paper size
and select "landscape." Type your cover on the right hand
column to insure it will be on the proper side for your journal.
God bless and if you have any problems please e-mail!
Shalom in Jesus Name,
Keith, Cindy, and Roxanne