The following are a sample of bookbinding-related topics and where they may fit across the grades.

Grade 4

1. Paper making: Using recycled materials and water. Pressing,drying, coloring. Projects with paper, such as greeting cards, Origami, etc.

Planning

1. Collect and sort all internal page content
2. Create front matter, back matter, etc.
3. Complete book design (dimensions, unique details and constraints)
4. Complete materials list

Signature Construction

1. Sew pages into signatures
2. Sew signatures together and glue spine
3. Attach endpapers
4. Trim edges, especially top and bottom
5. Gold foil page tops (optional)

Spine Construction

Wood and linoleum block printing.

Linoleum block printing is easier than wood block printing.

Blicks offers a class linoleum printing kit that included most materials for 24 students: About $160

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
   

Method 1

Materials

1. Raw hide scraps
2. Water
3. Heating source for boiling
4. Strainer
5. Metal sheet
6. Storage container

Directions

Blue Ink

1. Purchase laundry bluing, which can be found at stores that sells laundry detergent.
2. Put some laundry bluing in a jar.
3. Add enough water to achieve the color intensity you want. Your blue ink is now ready for use.
4. Keep the jar tightly closed when not in use.

Black Ink

1. Mix 8 ounces of honey with an egg yolk.
2. Add 1/4 ounce of gum Arabic.
3. Hold a plate above a lighted candle to make a black slick on the bottom of the plate.

Introduction

This document describes a bookbinding program for Wadorf-inspired classes in grades four through eight. It links main lesson blocks with related specialty subjects across grades and curriculum.