Book Making & Story Creating

Title: Book Making and Story Creating 

Grade level(s): Second Grade-Third Grade 

Time Required: 3 One Hour Sessions 

Standards: 

AASL V.C.1 - Expressing curiosity about a topic of personal interest or curricular relevance. 

AASL V.C.3 - Collaboratively identifying innovative solutions to a challenge or problem. 

TEKS References: 

ELAR 2.11 & 3.11 Composition. The student is expected to publish and share writing. 

Materials and/or tools needed: 

• White Heavy Card Stock 
• Pencils 
• Bone folders or popsicle sticks (for creasing) 
• Crayons 
• Map Colors 
• Small Hole Punch 
• Yarn 
• Glue 
• Scissors 

Procedure: 

Day 1: Have colored pencils and crayons on center of tables along with other tools needed for the day. Start project by discussing basic bookmaking and an artist who makes books as art. Show an example of a handmade pamphlet book. Have children fold paper in half to make the signatures and cover for books (may need assistance from teacher/aid.) Make sure to have children put names on the back of “cover.” Take folded signatures and place in a safe place while children decorate their covers. Before starting decorating with crayons or map colors, show students the books “A Day in the Park” and “Fall is Here.” Discuss how book covers express the inside of the book and reflect what we wish to show the ones looking at it. Encourage children to get creative with their illustrations for their book covers. 

Day 2: Have books pre-punched with hole punch and placed at the tables area to put together with yarn (already at table as well) to make sure that “stitching” goes well and that all children have the same number of pages in the signature. Model first and then have children thread the yarn through the pre-punched holes and tie them at the back of the book. Yarn will be seen on outside of cover as it will be stitched with the signature to make it easier for children to put together and use. Show books again that were shown last class and give the children examples of what they could see outside. Have children take pencils and the newly made books and begin writing their stories. Encourage them to walk around the library to help gather ideas and not to forget to add illustrations throughout their stories. 

Day 3: Go over lesson with children and discuss their works with the class and why they chose what to illustrate and what to write about. Allow for students to share their newly created short stories and the understanding of how to combine papers to make a book to illustrate or write in. 

Physical Set Up: 

Day 1: Have a pre-made book ready for show. Give children three sheets of cardstock. Discuss paper folding. They should fold each piece one time. Take away two of the sheets of paper leaving the children with a single page to use as a cover for the book that they are creating. 

Day 2: Have papers punched prior to class and have yarn ready for them to “thread” the books. Have books ready and pencils to go wander around the library. 

Day 3: Children bring books back to the library to begin sharing, complete stories, and be able to explain how books can be created. 

Extensions: 

Language Arts: This lesson can be used to reinforce creative writing as it creates a journal that can be used for illustration or writing. 

Science: This lesson can also be used in conjunction with a study of animals and plants found in nature in a corresponding Science class. 

**Could offer a display area to highlight some of the created books and stories in the library to share with other students, teachers, and grade levels.**