Prepared for WinkWorld 9-02 by Joan Wink, 8-25-02.

The following is adapted from:

Wink, J. & Putney, L. (2000). Turning transformative principles into practice: Strategies for English-dominant teachers in a multilingual context. In J. V. Tinajero & R. A. DeVillar (Eds.), The power of two Languages 2000: Effective dual-language use across the curriculum. Pp. 175-185. NY: McGraw-Hill.

Fernando Peņa of CSU Stanislaus MiniCorps was central to the initial project in 1995 and continues to adapt this project in various ways in the Central Valley of CA. It is Fernando, who not only taught me this way of binding, but who also has taught many others.

One Way to Bind BIG BOOKS

After pages are written and illustrated, it is time to bind the book. It is preferable that each author be sitting at a table because the binding process for BIG BOOKS requires a little room. If you are making smaller books, an individual desk will suffice.

Tape is needed for the binding. For very small books, cellophane tape will function. For larger books (8X11), cellophane tape is less efficient; masking tape will work better for this size. For large books which can be used with a small or whole group, you will need at least masking tape strength, if not something stronger. Strapping tape is often used if the participants want to laminate each page prior to the binding process. Remember, laminate first.

Before beginning with tape, it is helpful to practice the following 10 steps with post-its.

Begin with a 5-page book only.

1. Place the last page, face up, on the desk in front of you.

2. Tape the left (vertical) side of the page; 1/2 of the long strip of tape will be on the edge of the page and the other 1/2 of the long strip of tape will be taped to the desk. Remember, half on/half off.

3. Place the second-to-last page on top of last page, which is now taped to the desk. Place the tape exactly as directed in #2.

4. Repeat Step Two with all pages, including title page and cover. All pages of your book are taped to each other and to the desk. You will be looking at the cover of your book.

5. Detach all pages of the book from desk and turn over face down on desk with the sticky side of tape facing up.

6. Place 1/2 of another long piece of tape on top of sticky part of the tape (which is facing you) and the other 1/2 of the tape on the desk. The front of the book is now facing down and is still taped to the desk.

7. Detach the book from the desk. Fold the only remaining sticky part over to back of spine of book.

8. Take another long piece of tape and tape 1/2 vertically to the front of the book and the other 1/2 vertically to the back of the book.

9. Cut excess tape from top and bottom.

10. Share your book.