Making a Book the Easy Way

(This step can be by-passed by selecting and downloading your file from http://queenbjan.com/BPES_Media_Center/Technology_Nook.htm)

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  Open Microsoft Publisher program on your computer
  
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  Select “Blank Publications” and “Blank Book Fold.” Answer “yes” to insert pages.
  
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  Click “hide wizard” (Explore this another time.)
  
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  Select File, Page Setup
  
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  Select landscape at bottom. Click OK.
  
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  Select “Insert”, “page” and type in the number of additional pages to add (you already have 4 pages).
  
  
  

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  The MS Publisher program requires that you designate the section of the page where you want the text to appear before you can type the text.
  
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  Select the “text” icon (It contains a black type letter “A” on it.)
  
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  Then position your mouse in the upper left corner of the area where you wish your text to appear and drag the mouse to the lower left corner.
  
  
  

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  The text frame has small squares (called “handles”) at each corner and in the center of each of the four sides.
  
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  Dragging one of these handles will adjust the size of the text frame.
  
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  To move the entire frame position the mouse along the frame between the handles until you see the “move” icon appear. Then move the frame by clicking the left mouse button and dragging it.
  
  
  

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  First highlight the text you wish to format.
  
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  To change the font, click on the font name in the bar and select another font. Use the arrows at the right side to move further up or down the long list of choices.
  
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  To change the font size, click on the number to the right of the font name and select the size you want.
  
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  Clicking on the “B” to the right of the font name and number will change the highlighted text to bold.
  
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  Clicking on the “I” will change the highlighted text to italics.
  
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  Clicking on the “U” will underline the highlighted text.
  
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  These formatting changes along with other choices may also be made by clicking on “Format” in the top bar, then select “font.”
  
  
  

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  To add clip art, click on the word “insert” at the bar across the top of the screen. Then select “Clip Art.”
  
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  Browse from the many choices available.
  
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  When you find the clip art you want to use, click the right mouse button, then select copy. (You may discover you need the Microsoft Office disk to retrieve the desired file. If so follow directions on the screen.)
  
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  If you don’t find a suitable file on the disk you may look for clip art online using MS Word’s insert. Look for the button at the top of the clip art screen to go online to look for clip art. Use the search feature (top right of the screen), then click the small boxes beside the choices you like. Once you have made your selections(s) find the download information at the left of the screen.
  
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  Then right click on the page in your book where you would like the picture to appear.
  
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  Drag the corner squares to make the image larger or smaller. Move the picture by dragging it when the “move” icon is seen.
  
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  Clip art and pictures can be copied and pasted from almost any web page or open file by clicking the right mouse button and selecting copy, then clicking on the appropriate page with a right mouse click and selecting paste.
  

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  To add picture files you have already saved such as scanned files or digital photos, click on the word “insert” at the bar across the top of the screen.
  
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  Select “picture from file” and find the picture file in the location where you have saved it.
  
  
  

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  Pictures and clip art can be resized by dragging the small square “handles” in the sides and corners of the frames around them. These handles will appear when you click on the picture.
  
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  Dragging on a corner handle will allow the picture to change proportionally. (Note: In earlier versions you may need to hold the shift key while dragging a corner handle to maintain proportions.)
  
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  Dragging on a handle in the middle of the side or top of a frame will stretch the picture only one direction.
  
  
  

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  To crop a picture (cut away from one or more sides of the picture) click on the picture so the frame and handles show.
  
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  Then locate and click on the crop icon at the far left of the menu bar. It looks like two plus + signs with the second to the upper right of the first, and two of their ends touching. (If you are unsure, hold your mouse over the icon and see if the word “crop” appears to identify it.)
  
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  The picture may now be cropped by dragging the handles. Once the picture is cropped, click outside the image frame to stop this cropping feature.
  
  
  

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  When more than one image is positioned on a page with one overlapping the other, you may determine select which picture you want in front by highlighting one frame and another and selecting from the icons for the following features:
  
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    Bring to front
    
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    Send to back
    
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  You may also click on the word “Arrange” and select from the following in the drop down window.
  
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    Bring to front
    
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    Send to back
    
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    Bring forward
    
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    Send backward
    
    
    

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  MS Publisher arranges pages in the correct order so the book may be folded and stapled. To print out one copy, be prepared to catch the first sheet of paper out of the printer and re-feed it immediately so the back of that same sheet will be printed next. If extra large and/or bold type was used, it may be necessary to hold up the printing briefly to prevent smearing the ink. After both sides of the first sheet of paper are printed, the second sheet is ready to print.
  
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  To print several copies of a book print one page number at a time and run enough copies for each book. The corresponding page will also print at the same time.
  
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  Assuming you started with page one, continue by feeding all the copies of page one back into the printer as you print page two on the reverse side.
  
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  Check the first copy before sending all to the printer for printing on the back to be sure you have your paper in correctly.
  
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  When printing one page at a time you will be asked if you are printing a separate booklet with that one page. Answer “no”.
  

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  Letter size paper makes a nice size folded book for most purposes. Legal size paper makes a more nicely proportioned folded book, especially for children’s books.
  
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  Use heavy enough paper to print on both front and back of your paper. Remember that inkjet photos tend to show somewhat on the back of lesser weight paper. I recommend using paper at least 24 lb., and preferably 32 lb. paper. Covers are nice printed on card stock paper.
  

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  When all pages are printed check to see that they are in the correct order.
  
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  Fold all pages (up to 6 or 7 sheets of paper) at the same time.
  
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  Staple with saddle stitch stapler if possible. Otherwise, place open book pages against bulletin board with the cover facing you. Line up your open stapler with the fold in the spine and staple. Remove from bulletin board and press down ends of staples.
  

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  Open a “New File” and select “Blank Publications,” “Side Fold Card,” and “Create.” Respond “yes” to insert pages.
  
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  Click “hide wizard” and use your own pictures, or use the wizard and consider the interesting fronts for your card. (You may need the MS Professional Office or MS Publisher disk to use these).
  
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  This format creates a four-page book that is to be folded like a card. This can be a great way to show off a poem or very simple story.
  

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  All About Me—beginning school year with primary students
  
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  Alphabet book or pictionary on unit of study class is working on
  
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  In, on, under—positional words
  
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  Follow-up for Class Field Trip—use pictures taken on the trip
  
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  Write the book as a class—put the pictures into the book ahead of time and let students verbalize the text for the book as you type it
  
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  Colors, counting, shapes—concept books
  
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  Can’t find a picture book to introduce a unit of study? Let students make the book as a class project. Groups of students can work together to develop each part.
  
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  Seasons—take pictures on a nature walk
  
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  Enter book-writing contests such as “Kids Are Authors” by Scholastic.
  
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  The school and important places the students go—office, library, gym, cafeteria, music class, school nurse, etc.
  
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  A day in the life of …
  

Getting the Idea Across to Teachers/Collaborating

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  Make specific suggestions as you see where they can fit into units they are developing.
  
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  Create a writing contest for students—make books out of winning entries.
  
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  Go on a field trip with them, take pictures, and make a book with class as follow-up activity.
  
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  Display student made books where many students and teachers will see them.
  
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  Teach key students how to use the software and let them coach the more reluctant teachers.
  
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  Send out occasional idea starter memos on books they might make.