Bookmarks

I don’t know if you have priced bookmarks lately, but they can be quite expensive. I like to put bookmarks out for the students to take and even purchasing them from Demco or another library source can still run in to some money.
One of our classroom teachers had her students make bookmarks for a project a couple of years ago using Powerpoint. I watched, took notes, and have made a number of bookmarks for the library since then. The cost to you will be mostly your time, plus a little paper and printer ink.

Here’s how to do it.

Step 1 - Open up Powerpoint and choose a blank slide. If you don’t know how to do this, click “Layout” and choose “Blank”.

Step 2 – Draw vertical lines at the zero mark, and also at the 2 ½” mark on either side of the zero mark. Now you have four evenly spaced bookmarks.

Step 3 – Design the bookmark. Insert text boxes, clip art, or other images. Don’t forget to cite your sources if you get any images from the internet. Either print the sources on the back of the bookmark, or have students hand in their sources along with the bookmark.

Step 4 – Print on cardstock or your choice of paper. I find that cardstock works well, goes through the printer well, and holds up for quite a while.

If you don’t have Powerpoint, you can do this in Microsoft Word also. It takes a little more math, but it can be done. Just choose a “Landscape” layout and draw the vertical lines at the 2 ¾ mark, the 5 ½ mark, and the 8 ¼ mark. Then design the bookmark and print.

Wouldn’t this be a nice book report idea? Students can make either one bookmark and copy it on the other spaces or make four different bookmarks. Kids like getting bookmarks that other kids have made. This also makes the bookmark look more professional. I’m sure you will find other uses for this great bookmark idea.

Have a great week.
Audrey