Project Title: Storyteller
Description: Students make their own books out of white paper. Using the classic tale of The Lion and The Mouse as a reference shares the concept of compassion. Promoting students to make their own meaningful stories to share with others. They can even use this project as a way to reflect on something compassionate they have done.
Project Concepts: literacy, compassion, interpersonal, intrapersonal, mental health, social health
Author: Candice
Grade level or Target Age Range: preschool to early elementary
Historical Art Examples or References: A copy of The Lion and The Mouse, an illustrated version of The Lion and The Mouse (I suggest making your own picture book as an example for the students)
Storyline – Famous individuals reading children’s books
Storybird -Making your own story
Vocabulary: characters, plot, dialogue, scenery, compassion
Materials: white paper, stapler, crayons, pencils, colored pencils
Anticipatory Set: Read The Lion and The Mouse and show students the book and illustrations you made. Discuss the theme of the story with students. Reflect on what students have done that is compassionate.
Demo/Directions:
1. Anticipatory set (5-10 minutes)
2. Pass out 3-4 sheets of white paper to each students, then have students fold paper into “hamburger” format so it looks like a little book. (5 minutes)
3. have students staple the crease (2-3 minutes)
* If students are too young to handle a stapler then you will need to go around the class and staple the books together add 5 minutes more to number 3.
4. pass out pencils, crayons, and colored pencils. So students can start. (30-40 minutes)
* If some students are unable to come up with their own story they can copy The Lion and The Mouse.
5. If students finish early, have them present their stories to the class.
Instructional Reflection: Which instructional tools or strategies interested or helped these students learn most? What additional techniques tools or materials could be used to better support student learning? What adaptions could be made to this lesson for students with different needs levels or skill sets?
Some students may have a hard time getting started. Talk to them about their favorite movies or books, it may help them think of their own story. Their favorite movies or books may have compassionate themes they can copy if they aren’t interested in copying The Lion and The Mouse.
