Lesson Plans

Build a Better Book activities can range from a single afternoon public event to year-long school electives. Browse these sample lesson plansÌýto see what program format might work best for your site. There are no required tools, materials, or technologies needed to run a BBB program and the essential program componentsÌýcan be scaled up or down regarding materials and time, depending on each organization's situation and available resources.Ìý

Successful Build a Better Book programs address these core components:

  • Building empathy and understanding Universal design, visual impairments, and design thinking
  • Understanding tactile and multi-modal learning
  • Creating tactile or multi-modal materials
  • Sharing prototypes or final projects with the end-user audience and obtaining feedback on designs

Download this to different program formats.

What kind of program are you planning?

Letters A,B, and C of tactile alphabet panels

Half-Day (2-4 hours)

  • - Visitors to the Stories for Your Senses exhibit at the Boulder Public Library helped create a tactile alphabet which was then displayed as part of the exhibit.
  • Ìý-ÌýWorkshop overview of Build a Better Book that works for students or for professional development sessions - Trussville City Schools

Ìý

One-day (4-8 hours)

  • - A makethon format with a short introduction to tactile learning and time for making - Mountain Lakes Public Library

Ìý

Ìý

Multi-Session (weekly meetings)

Sequin chameleons sitting on mushrooms
  • Ìý- Multi-session project with a concluding event, best for teen clubs or groups that meet regularly - Springfield-Greene Public Library
  • Ìý- Designed for 7th grade Maker Ed class, 5-6 sessions with learning outcomes - St. Thomas the Apostle School
  • - After-school enrichment applying BBB concepts to board game design withÌýmiddle school students - Trussville City SchoolsÌý
  • Ìý- Eight session lesson plan covering BBB concepts and creation of tactile books - Westchester Middle School Steam Team
  • - Six week exploration of BBB conceptsÌýconcluding with public sharing of projects; partnership between school and public library - GlenÌýEllyn Public Library & Glen Ellyn School District 41

Semester Long

  • - Webinar on designing course elective for middle school students, activities, student engagement - Hewlitt-Trussville Middle School

Ìý

Additional Resources:

Ìý- Explore options for tailoring BBB projects to your organization. Powerpoint from Hewlitt-Trussville Middle School