Prepare supplies before class. Divide scissors and pencils/crayons so that each table or group will have plenty available. Cut long pieces of yarn (about 2 to 3 inches long each). Prepare enough so that each child has three pieces for her book.
Pick a theme or starting idea for students' books. You might want students to pick their own themes, or you might have a specific theme in mind. If you read a book on the moon, you can have your students create books telling a story of their own moon adventures. Simple concepts such as "zoo animals" or an "alphabet book" work well for this age group.
Introduce the project and theme in class. Let students know your expectations regarding sharing supplies and clean-up (which you might have previously established). Get a verbal affirmation from the class that the students understand your expectations. This minimizes the chance of a quarrel or a messy aftermath.
Give students a page range to work with (4 to 6 pages, for example), but allow them some leeway. Stress that they should only take the amount of paper they need to tell their story, and instruct them to think about what they'd like to put on each page.
Show students an example for a book cover. Let them know that when you see the cover, it should explain what the book is about.
Instruct students to get only the amount of construction paper they need, then let them write their book. Let students work independently. Walk around and ask questions about their work. Encourage students to explain their story to you, and remember to give praise.
Ask students to bring you their books. Go through the pages with each student to make sure it's in the order she desires. Make sure the drawings are right-side up. Punch three holes down the left side of the book. You might choose to let the students do it themselves, but three-hole punches can jam easily, so a teacher's help is preferred.
Give the student her three pieces of yarn, and instruct her to tie one piece of yarn through each of the three holes so she can bind her book. Review how to tie a knot, and help kids who have trouble-which may be most of them at the preschool age.
Help students clean up.
Set aside time over the next few days to read everyone's homemade books. Let your little authors know you're proud of them and expect more wonderful writing from them.