Book Creator

• Many free customizable formats for book design

• Shared libraries to catalog books created for increased organization

  • There is also an opportunity to create small group differentiated instruction for students or PLC's for teachers

• Very intuitive if students or teachers have experience with Google Slides or sites like Canva

• Read to me and Microphone feature offer options to have students interact with the content and demonstrate learning (EL opportunities?)

• When you sign up, sign in with Google using your HIDOE Account (you will sign in as a teacher)

  • When students login with accounts, have them setup as students in order to be mindful of privacy laws

• When you start, you will have a library called "My Books"

  • For now, simply create books in this library.

  • I can envision scenarios where these libraries can be made for small group instruction or developing with within PLC's, but let's save that for another coaching day

• There are a variety of books and templates to choose from. My sample below is a "blank book."

  • My best suggestion is to let students explore and find a template that suits their needs. If students have worked with Google Slides, this should feel familiar.

• Book Shape? I've found that most students don't feel like they have enough space unless they use 4:3

• Creating a Background

  • Click on the i and navigate through different colors, borders, textures, etc.

  • Experimenting is the best way to go. Again...let students explore!

  • They can always change new backgrounds as they work on their book during the creation process.

• Adding Other Content (images, shapes, etc)

  • Click on the + to find a menu of different features (text boxes, drawing tools, shapes, images, etc.)

• To share or turn in books

  • Click on the Play symbol (the triangle on the top right) and click on the share button (the three dot constellation)

  • For a completely digital output, click on "Publish online"

    • Click "Public" and then click on the "Copy Link" button

  • You assign this link to your Google Classroom classes

    • Alternatively, students can use the link and post it to their Google Classroom assignments to submit for grading.

Functions of Different Buttons in BookCreator

Printing the Books

• For a fee, books can be printed and hardbound.

Read to Me

• Lessons can be designed in book creator and read to students. I can see utility here as an easy way for EL teachers to create their own content and have it read to students.

Microphone

• In EL classes, there is an opportunity for teachers to have students read and record the books so that teachers can listen to their reading. This is similar to how many elementary teachers use SeeSaw, but with the customizability of the books, it would be a great idea to see EL teachers create their own subject-specific books and have students read. In many meetings with our ESOL department, I have heard that it is hard to find subject-specific books that are on grade level standards-wise, but at an attainable reading level for their students. This would be a great coaching session opportunity.

Schedule a meeting at the bottom of this page if any of these are of interest to you!