CREATIVE REUSE PROJECT

Accordion Book

Accordion books can be constructed without stitching. They are composed of a continuous folded sheet of paper that you can also stand up to view all the pages at once. This bookmaking style has a rich, global history. As a book form, they had origins throughout Asia and were created to accommodate scroll-style books. Accordion books become longer and longer by adding more “accordions”.  Like the envelope book, this project can enhance your ELA, Social Studies, Science, and Math curriculum.

Suggested Reused Materials: Paper, card stock or cereal boxes, fabric, glue, scissors

Applications Across Subjects:

Math
  • Measuring units (using rulers and other measuring tools to prepare materials, measure where to fold)
  • Geometry units (looking at different shape and size papers to create different shape and size books)
  • Sorting
ELA
  • How-To books (about making the book or about making anything)
  • Non-fiction writing- All About books, specific content-focused books, artifact books (using pockets), interactive books (using pockets)
  • Fiction writing- Creating a journey through the book, connecting the pages to make a map for the reader
  • Poetry in your Pocket
  • Book reports
  • Field trip journal
Social Studies
  • Any content is possible!
  • Using pockets to sort information (picture and/or word cards)
  • Timeline of events
Science
  • Any content is possible!
  • Using pockets to sort information (picture and/or word cards)
Social & Emotional
  • All About Me books
  • Journals
  • Feelings books
  • Problem-solving books
  • Social Stories

How to Make an Accordion Book:

  1. Cut paper into long narrow strips of even height and cut cereal box or card stock into two even sized squares or rectangles.
  2. Fold paper in half.
  3. Next, take the top layer of the folded paper and flip the edge back to meet the fold. Crease.
  4. Turn the paper over. Take the paper back and flip the edge of the paper back to meet the fold. Crease.
  5. Lift the first page and insert a piece of scrap paper. Cover this entire surface with glue .
  6. Place the folded pages, glue side down, on one corner of the cereal box/card stock. Leave a very narrow border around the edge.
  7. Remove the scrap paper and fold it in half with the glue on the inside.
  8. Continue adding pages as necessary.
  9. To complete the cover, trim the cereal box/card stock so that that there is a narrow border all around.
  10. Repeat for the second cover (using scrap paper, put glue on the other side of the pages and place the second cover on top. Smooth down to secure.
  11. Decorate cover with other reusable materials found around the home (buttons, ribbons, trim, etc).

 

Great downloadable resources:

Making Books: Accordion Books
Booklyn’s Accordion Books (How to + Lesson Plans)

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