Parkland Teachers Enjoy Building Books with Merle Harris

(16-Nov-2004) Parkland Teachers kicked off their 2004-2005 season of PD sessions in grand style with a visit from acclaimed storyteller, writer and instructor Merle Harris.

In an afternoon/evening workshop on Tuesday, November 16, Ms. Harris showed a group of enthusiastic educators how to take writing and publishing of classroom books to a whole new level. She demonstrated how teachers and students can "build" books of original writing completely from scratch — they can even make the paper!

As Ms. Harris explained, she always had a tough time getting students interested in the important work of editing and revision — until she had the kids build their own books. Once the children began creating one-of-a-kind volumes, they wouldn't dream of using their hand-made books for anything but their very best, most polished writing.

Ms. Harris demonstrated a wide variety of books from tiny "accordian" models, which required nothing more than some clever folding and cutting, to elaborate volumes with hand-painted covers and sturdily bound pages. All of her patterns were amazingly easy to follow, and most of them can be made at little or no cost by using recycled paper and dollar store supplies. All of the teachers in attendance made five different books in a short space of time. To cap off the evening, Ms. Harris demonstated paper-making techniques using paper scraps, water, a blender, a piece of metal screen, and two coffee cans.

The workshop was held at the Parkland Teachers' office in Stony Plain and was hosted by Randy Williams of Millgrove School. A light dinner was served, and the atmosphere was one of hands-on creativity and lively collegiality. Teachers shared wonderful ideas for incorporating the various types of books into writing programs, poetry units, and all kinds of holiday activities. One teacher remarked that she felt "revitalized" by the session, even though she had a stack of report cards to finish at home.