1. Setting Up the Reading/Writing Notebook
Other considerations for the teacher to think about:
Do you want your students to use a composition notebook? Binder? Determine the system for organizing your students. Do you want a separate reading & writing notebook or do you want ONE notebook?
Have all supplies ready for students that they may need: colored paper, tape, glue sticks, highlighters, pens, stapler/staples, etc.
When presenting:
The teacher will model how to set up each page and then have the student do their own referring back to the teacher’s example as needed. Go through the process step-by-step, one page at a time.

2. Covering the Notebook
OPTIONAL to use a brown bag to cover the Composition Notebook.

3. Cut the bottom off the paper bag:

4. Open bag & lay notebook on top.

5. Lay notebook on top. Fold top & bottom flaps in.

6. Fold & wrap the paper around the notebook.

7. Fold left & right sides over the edge of the notebook and close.

8. Slide each flap/pocket over each side of the notebook.

9. Write your name on the cover.
Dawn Pearce

10. About the Author Right inside flap:
Write the title “About the Author”
Tell us about yourself
Name
Place of birth
About your family
City you live in
Genre enjoyed reading
Favorite book/s
What you like about reading or writing
Etcetera

11. Dedication Page Open to the first blank page:
Write a thank you note to someone who inspired you in reading and writing.
OPTIONAL IDEA
The location can me moved to another location, such as the inside left flap.

12. Notebook Rules: Left page
Always write each assignment in the Table of Contents.
Write the title & date at the top of each assignment.
Never tear out a page.
Be neat & colorful… helps the brain to remember!
If you take it home, bring it back THE NEXT DAY!
If absent, see the Teacher’s Notebook to see what you missed to complete.
OPTIONAL IDEA
The teacher should decide what kinds of rules he/she may want the students to follow. For example, always write the title at the top of the page, add the title to the Table of Contents, date all work, never tear out a page, etc.
Delete, add, change these rules as desired.

13. Table of Contents: Right page
Notebook Rules:
Reserved 4-5 pages for this section.
Then number all pages after the Table of Contents, both sides of the page.
Always write each assignment in the Table of Contents.
Write the title & date at the top of each assignment.
Never tear out a page.
Be neat & colorful… helps the brain to remember!
If you take it home, bring it back THE NEXT DAY!
If absent, see the Teacher’s Notebook to see what you missed to complete.
Other kinds of pages a teacher may have the students add at any time are resource pockets, data books/pages, envelopes for storage of paper manipulatives, bookmark, resource section, etc.

14. Home Learning for over the weekend:
Dawn Pearce
Decorate & personalize the cover.

15. Lay your notebook open face down on your desk.
Museum Walk
Walk quietly around the room
Look table-to-table and notebook-to-notebook
Observe how each classmate started to personalize their own notebook
Get ideas to add to your notebook
Leave a nice note with your pencil & post it note if wanted. Sign your name!
By allowing the students to personalize their notebooks they begin to take pride in their work. This will help to foster not only their best work inside by keeping up with it when taking it home and bringing it back.
Lay your notebook open face down on your desk.