About once every 4-6 weeks, we complete a class book on a topic we are studying. The students have to choose a letter and then choose a topic that begins with the letter. We started with zoo animals because we adopt an animal from our local zoo each year and students were familiar with the topic.
Students research their choice using books and/or the Internet and then they write their rough draft. Once they have edited their rough draft with a peer, they type it. Students can choose the font and size they use as long as it can fit onto one sheet of paper. The students also have to illustrate the topic. We glue both pages onto a sheet of 12 x 18 construction paper and then I laminate them.
We display them like this at first, then I bind them into a class book. I am always amazed at how many times my kids read these class books! They love them!
I have a pre-made packet you can use, or you can just have the kids write the rough draft onto notebook paper! Click here for the link to the packet!
Why not try this idea during your next science or social studies topic?
Smart Chick Teacher's Blog 
Hi, Smart Chick!
Thank you for the pre-made packet—I absolutely love the way those books look on that wall, so this is definitely getting added to the “To Do” list!
I actually run the blog at Team Building Activities for Kids Central. com, and was wondering if you would like me to write a guest post for you—maybe about how teamwork affects class participation, or something about team artwork projects, or something else (any requests?).
If that sounds like a good idea, please let me know (you can reach me at matt@teambuildingactivitiesforkidscentral.com). And, thank you for the packet! 🙂
Matt