Cheap Scrapbooks or Homemade books

[Mom-to-2-Princesses]

Ok experts, I have a question for you-

I am working in a preschool this year and am putting a scrapbook together for each student (we have 14 total). There will be one page per month with a First day and Last day pages. My daughter had a 3rd grade teacher who did this and it was the BEST gift I ever received.

Before I started this I always saw 12x12 albums at the Dollar Tree with ribbons instead of posts. Of course now I have not seen them since August! Our Big Lots has tons for $8 but that is more than I would like to spend.

Has anyone seen where you can get books for $2 or less? Online or in a store? I know they won't be the best quality but I need to stay in a budget.

My other thought was to "Make" an album. The Dollar Tree does have the plastic sleeves and I have access to the schools laminating machine, but I was hoping for something a little more sturdy.

Any help would be appreciated! Thanks!

 

[DisneyBarlans]

Our preschool did this for my boys every year-I loved getting them!! What they did was ask the parents to bring in a 1/4 in. 3 ring binder (with the clear insert in the front) for all the kids and 1 pack of page protectors, then they did an 8 1/2 x 11 album and put all of the pages into page protectors. It worked great, and we had the inside pockets at the front and back of the binder to put schoolwork, handprint papers, certificates, etc.

 

[LindaBabe]

Our preschool did this for my boys every year-I loved getting them!! What they did was ask the parents to bring in a 1/4 in. 3 ring binder (with the clear insert in the front) for all the kids and 1 pack of page protectors, then they did an 8 1/2 x 11 album and put all of the pages into page protectors. It worked great, and we had the inside pockets at the front and back of the binder to put schoolwork, handprint papers, certificates, etc.

I like that idea better than mine, although I might go with a 1 inch binder - 1/4 seems kinda thin.

My idea was paper lunch bag books, but they'll be way too small. I'd Go with DB's idea! It's

 

[wdwmickey]

Our preschool did this for my boys every year-I loved getting them!! What they did was ask the parents to bring in a 1/4 in. 3 ring binder (with the clear insert in the front) for all the kids and 1 pack of page protectors, then they did an 8 1/2 x 11 album and put all of the pages into page protectors. It worked great, and we had the inside pockets at the front and back of the binder to put schoolwork, handprint papers, certificates, etc.

I did this for my classes when I taught pre-school. We used 1/2 inch binders (I think) but, 1 inch would give some extra space.

 

[kwitcherkicken99]

Our preschool just used super heavy 8 1/2 x 11 paper for the covers and stapled it closed.

 

[labdogs42]

I like the binder and page protector idea. Then parents can add pages if they want without much effort

 

[pezheadmeg]

Also Kinkos can coil bind. It used to be my go to method for course packets in school. With laminated covers, you can even do 12x12.

But I do like the 3 ring binder idea too.

 

[Mom-to-2-Princesses]

Thanks for all the advice!

The binders are a good idea, especially if we have them donated at the beginning of the year -- maybe next year.

I already have the pages started (beg of year and Sept) as a 12x12 so I need to stick to that size.

Looks like I will be laminating covers or maybe even the whole book -- then I could coil bind it like pezheadmeg suggested. We do have a coil bind machine at school as well -- I'll have to see if it does 12x12, but I think it goes to 14 inches. If I didn't have to buy the protector sleeves or the book this turns into a much more cost efficient project. Although the last day picture turns into a last week picture.... I could live with that!