Lesson

STORY EXPLORERS! Create Picture Books that Map Out your IMAGINATION

Lesson Overview

After listening to authors discuss their writing process,  students will:

- understand how they can get inspired and find ideas for stories

-use specific steps to create a story from an idea

-learn to write a "rough draft" of the story idea

-edit, edit, edit... to transform the "rough draft" into a finished story 

-illustrate the finished story, or ask someone else to be the artist 

-create an interesting book cover...one that entices others to read it

 

Following this process to create a picture book, and using the decision-making skills involved, is a valuable training ground for more complicated, comprehensive tasks in adult careers.

(This lesson incorporates many of the basics of accepted writing practices in SC ELA standards, culminating with a fun project that motivates and engages students. )

Duration
Multiple days
Lesson Type
Project Based Lesson

Essential Question

By visiting with these picture book authors and illustrators, students will learn how authors get inspired to create an idea for a picture book,  and how they follow specific steps to turn these ideas into finished, published, beloved books that we enjoy. 

 

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Other Instructional Materials or Notes:

3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8

CHROMEBOOK - to view the video resources provided

 

 PRINTER ACCESS ( only if students want to use a computer to type the text, instead of handwriting it on paper )

Materials needed for the book text:

* a pencil and LOTS of scrap paper, to write a rough draft of the text     (text = the words of a book)   

* In your rough draft, be sure to include:  the main idea of the story/     a list of all the characters / describe the sequence of the action,   which is called the "plot" of the book.

* You may have to rewrite the plot several times. This is not unusual   for good  authors...be patient and rework it... until it's JUST RIGHT for YOU!

*Extra scrap paper to make a "dummy" (a dummy is a "rough draft" of the book, with penciled text  & quick sketches on each page- it helps the author see how the story flows, and if any changes need to be made.)

[ Remember: You may have to rewrite the plot several times. This is not unusual for good  authors.  Be patient and rework it...until it's JUST RIGHT for YOU!] 

*colored construction paper, for book cover ( front & back)

*printer paper/drawing paper

 

For the  Illustrations: 

*Printer paper OR drawing paper

*any combination of:  markers /colored pencils / crayons / metallic markers /paint / stamps

*a ruler (It will help keep your text in straight lines in handwritten   books)

*glue stick / stapler

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Standards