C.J. has a wealth of experience teaching students of all ages to make books. She has taught thousands of kids how to make books and hundreds of teachers how to construct and utilize books with their students. Parents, grandparents, art therapists and other educators sign up for her workshops so that they can make books with kids they know.
C.J. arranges workshops by the hour, day or as a weekly class. She can teach kids or adults. Classes for teachers can be taught in tandem with teaching students directly in the classroom.
Learn to Make Books With Kids (A Class for Adults)
This class can be taught in two hours, two days, or as a weekly class.
Learn to make a multitude of innovative book structures from the point of view of teaching them to young people. Reasons to teach bookmaking to children: develop their interest in books, strengthen their language skills, encourage them to tell their own stories and help them produce artwork that raises their self-esteem. We will talk about motivating young people to make books and how they can develop story ideas and discuss the relationship of content to the book?s format and cover. Each participant will take home a wealth of books and ideas.
Teaching Classrooms of Students
Whether a one-time hourlong bookmaking time slot or an ongoing artist residency for weekly bookmaking, C.J. can teach any child to make a book. In fact, no child has ever failed! Using a step-by-step method, each child makes the book structure with content added afterward. The results are magnificent and children are usually very proud.
Book Workshops for Teens
Teenagers prefer to make books that are different and unusual. These may include blank books for journals, sketchbooks or poetry as well as those that can be stuffed with content. Workshops may include tunnel books, pop-up structures, altered books or books made with found objects or unusual materials. C.J. has taught teens in classes, libraries and afterschool programs.
Workshops for Families
What's an enjoyable way to spend time with your family? Make books together! Workshops at libraries are great ways for families to get together and share the fun of making books. C.J. gives classes in making altered books, pop-ups, books with found objects, pamphlets, single sheet books, flexagons, small albums and constructing a story book.
