The Missouri Reader Vol. 39, Issue 1 | Page 42

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Below you will find pictures of examples of completed books, compiled by both students and teachers. These are definitely works of art worth saving and displaying as treasured keepsakes.

Conclusion

The production of cloth-bound books, as described herein, presents learners with opportunities for affective and academic experiences leading to positive literacy competencies. Activities such as producing cloth-bound books are more important than ever, given the emphasis on high-stakes testing found in nearly all schools today (International Reading Association, 1999). As explained above, we have completed these activities with hundreds of students, observing what Csikszentmihalyi (1998) described as flow, wherein intrinsic motivation is fostered through a state of harmony within the learning environment. And, tangible products and active engagement are especially important in this, the digital age. Jackson (2008) determined that there is less and less permanence in the lives of individuals in this, the digital era. The school library may serve as a base for such activities, fostering activity-oriented frameworks which contribute enormously to academic learning, social development, and the development of a community of learners.

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