5 Reasons to Create a Classroom Anthology offered several good reasons to create a classroom anthology but didn’t get into details about how to do so. Here are the steps teachers need to take to create a classroom anthology:

1. Establish Parameters

During the first phase of creating a classroom anthology, the teacher must establish the parameters the students will write within. Will the anthology feature fiction or non-fiction works? What topics will be covered? What restrictions will there be on content? What size should each installment in the anthology be?

All of these things should be decided before the start of the project. These decisions should be based on class size, age of students, and desired anthology length. The latter will be determined by the desired aesthetic, page size, illustrations, and font size.

Longer books will cost more to print than shorter books but are typically more aesthetically appealing. InstantPublisher has a print cost estimation tool to help teachers decide the best book length for their classroom.

The teacher should also determine whether artwork from the students should be included in the anthology. For example, will the artwork be black and white drawings or color images?

2. Have Students Create an Outline

Outlines will help students write more succinctly and allow the teacher to give input in the planning stage of each anthology installment.

Fiction, non-fiction, and poetry outlines will all look different, but they will give the student and teacher a roadmap to follow for the project. In addition, it will help students stay on track and meet their writing goals.

Fiction outlines should include where a story begins and ends and critical plot points.

Non-fiction outlines should include a thesis statement and a list of the most important points covered.

3. Edit Drafts

After the outline is completed, the first draft can be written. It is essential for the teacher to enforce deadlines and ensure that plenty of time is provided for re-writes. Once the draft is completed, the teacher can make corrections and return the project to the student. It may take several rounds of edits to perfect the student’s work.

A well-edited anthology is important. Many students will remember their contribution to the anthology with pride. Whether the anthology is intended as a keepsake or a fundraiser, it should be as close to perfect as possible.

4. Create a Cover

The cover for the anthology can be a student work of art, if appropriate. If student art isn’t suitable for the cover, the anthology cover can be created by the teacher or purchased.

Covers should give readers an idea of the topics or themes of the works within. It should have colors congruent with the tone of the work.

InstantPublisher offers an easy-to-use cover template for those using their printing services.

5. Make Printing Decisions

Many choices need to be made before a classroom anthology is printed. These include binding options and book size. InstantPublisher can help guide teachers through this process.

6. Order and Distribute the Completed Classroom Anthology

Once the printing choices have been made, there is nothing to do but wait for the finished books. In some instances, the teacher may wish to order a proof copy of the anthology to ensure the aesthetics are as desired.

Be sure to get book orders from students and their families before making the final order. The number of books ordered often affects the printing cost, which may create additional book orders cost-prohibitive.

InstantPublisher can give you step-by-step assistance with all your printing needs. Call us today at 1-800-259-2592 for personalized service.

A child’s school years set them up for success in life. Having a good education and a love of learning helps children enter adult life with the tools they need to thrive. A great educational experience is vitally important to students. Classroom anthologies can be one piece of the larger educational puzzle that enhances the classroom experience of students.

Classroom anthologies are beneficial to teachers and students alike. Here are five benefits a classroom anthology offers to teachers and students.

1. Meaningfulness

Students love having a tangible result of their work in hand. It allows them to be proud of the work they have done and it is easier to retain as a keepsake than an essay or test.

Classroom anthologies remind students of their time in class and the lessons they’ve learned. When they look at the anthology sitting on their shelves it can give them a sense of pride as well as positive feelings about their time in the classroom which may allow them to recall some of the lessons they learned.

2. Student Motivation

Students are more willing to put work into something lasting. Knowing their work will be put into a classroom anthology can motivate apathetic students because their work matters. The work they are doing isn’t going to be just another score written down in the teacher’s grade book.  Their work will be on display to other students and their families.

3. Increase Writing Skills

A classroom anthology is a perfect end goal for an educational unit on the elements of story. Teaching students how character, plot, and setting create a story is a perfect opportunity for the teacher to end the coursework with the class putting their knowledge to use and creating their own stories.

Similarly, anthologies can be made from poetry or essays on related topics. They can be tied to a wide variety of writing-related units.

Additionally, student art related to the work can be added to the anthology as well to give students a rounded educational experience.

4. School fundraising

Student-made anthologies are a great fundraising opportunity.

Using anthologies to earn money for the school increases school spirit and lets students feel like they are making a difference. It also teaches them about production, distribution, and sales. This can lead to discussions about economics, entrepreneurship, mathematics, and other business-related topics.

5. Parent Appreciation

In the modern school environment where so much classwork and testing takes place online, parents can feel left out of the educational sphere. Instead of papers and tests being sent home for parent viewing, many schools simply calculate grades in an online progress book.

Having a classroom anthology gives parents the opportunity to see their child’s work and to have tangible keepsakes of their child’s educational journey.

Classroom anthologies are great opportunities for teachers to showcase student work and for students to have a keepsake from their class.

InstantPublisher is an easy and affordable way for teachers to bring the benefits of a classroom anthology to their students. Visit our website today to learn more.