The road to competence in writing is best paved with joyful experiences, especially early experiences with writing in the elementary school. One such experience is writing a story and making a beautiful cloth-bound book. Materials needed, which are easily obtained, are:(1) a commercially produced material called Heat-N-Bond (Ultra);(2) mat board or heavy weight poster board;(3)heavy weight paper in a variety of colors;(4) cloth in bright patterns or any other choice;(5) plain white photocopy paper;(6)long arm stapler; and (7) clothes irons. After assembling the book in 10 easy steps, photos or pictures from magazines or other sources maybe put on the cover or drawings can also be used. The cost of each book is approximately 65 cents. An easily transportable file tote box can be useful for keeping materials on hand.. Children can make several books and display them during a young authors' conference in the classroom.

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Nicole Wilton is the program manager of the Community Music Education Program at the University of Saskatchewan. Huili Hong and Renee Rice Moran are assistant professors who teach literacy classes in the Department of Curriculum and Instruction (CUAI) at East Tennessee State University. LaShay Jennings is a clinical instructor in CUAI who works with field-based student teachers. Ed Dwyer is a professor who teaches literacy classes in the same department. Nicole, Huili, Renee, LaShay and Ed have a great deal of interest in integrating artistic, social, and experiential strategies within instructional programs designed to enhance literacy achievement. According to these experts, students need to become physically, experientially, and emotionally as well as academically involved when learning sight words and in learning in general. Emphasis is placed on encouraging teachers and other instructional personnel to foster self-efficacy among their students through activities that generate success through products produced and learning experienced. Preparing a sturdy and attractive book focused on sight vocabulary in context is presented herein as a key strategy for both promoting self-efficacy and enhancing reading competence among students in the primary grades. Although the activity presented focuses on promoting sight word acquisition among primary grade readers, the strategies are adaptable to a wide variety of learning endeavours.

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