1. Many bookbinding-related topics are already part of a typical Waldorf-inspired curriculum
   Bookbinding is typically taught in tenth grade, but specific skills that are related to bookbinding are taught in earlier grades, such as paper making, glue making, ribbon making, and caligraphy. Elements of bookbinding are also appropriate in various science blocks.
2. Relating topics together in meaningful ways increases student interest
   Bookbinding links existing topics for increased relevance and student interest. Unique materials that students create in earlier grades can be collected and saved to reappear for the eighth grade bookbinding project. Younger students can better appreciate the value of what they are learning when they see the finished books created by eighth graders. Eighth graders will have a greater appreciation for their book when it is the result of their own creative effort, and not that of volunteer parents.
3. Many schools already do some form of bookbinding
   Although bookbinding is usually a tenth grade subject, eighth grade classes often bind collections of main lesson work as a record of their eight-year journey. When bookbinding skills are not consciously incorporated into the curriculum, such projects are often completed by volunteer parents, very few of whom know classic bookbinding techniques. They often rely on inexpensive, non-archival materials and techniques. The resulting books can be beautiful, but sometimes contain flaws that lead to broken spines, rapid aging of materials due to pH imbalances, or more subtle problems such as incorrect paper grain orientation.

Why bookbinding matters

As the Internet grows in importance and previous versions of dynamic information are revised or erased, large sections of our cultural heritage are lost. Custom bookbinding is recognized as a vital method for preserving valuable parts of our disappearing literary and visual heritage. A well-designed book can last many centuries, while CD-ROMs may have a shelf life of less than seven years. For these reasons—and despite or because of the digital age—>the craft of high-quality bookbinding is seeing a gradual renewal.

Why classic bookbinding

Classic “case binding” is the most advanced form of bookbinding, and is the international standard for binding excellence. It is superior to other methods because,

• it maximize the archival quality of all materials,
• it maximizes the usable area of each page resulting in a minimum of wasted materials, and
• it achieves an optimal balance between flexibility and durability.

The technique requires more steps than most other methods, but none of them are difficult. One reason the craft has been disappearing is that it's hard to see exactly how such books are constructed without tearing them apart. Another reason is that, due to the elegance and efficiency of the design, there is only a small margin for error. For these reason, the craft is best passed on from teacher to student, but once a student has learned the process, they can easily bind many more books on their own.