Learning How to Create Story Books
Kindergarten lesson with a focus on literacy and understanding how characters and settings effect the story through creating accordion books.
Story Time
We start this lesson by reading aloud Make Way For Ducklings.
Before, during, and after reading we discuss how when the characters move to a new setting in the book, the story will change. Next we make a list of the certain characteristics all books have: covers, pages, pictures, a story, characters, a title, an author, etc.
Creating Characters
Our first step in creating our books is drawing our characters. Students create small drawings of their book characters, outline them with sharpie and color with marker. Next we laminate using packaging tape, cut them out and attach them to popsicle sticks
Making Accordions and Adding Settings
Next I demonstrate how to fold a four-scene accordion for the pages of our books. I offer either pictures of places to be cut, glued and colored for their story's setting or they can draw and create their own.
Assembling Books
Once we have our characters and settings, we are ready to assemble our books. Students are given precut construction paper and cardboard for the book covers. I demonstrate how to assemble the covers and glue in the accordion pages. Next we attach a pocket to the front cover so their book characters have a place to live.
Students write their names as the author and decorate the book covers.
Telling Our Stories
The last day of our lesson, after books are all assembled, the students partner up and share their stories with each other. As they move their characters through the different settings of their books, the story needs to change.
