6th, 7th, 8th Grades
Project
4 weeks
Story Spark: Kids' Tales for Change!
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Purpose
Students will create a children's book that uses storytelling to explore and address a social issue relevant to their community or the world. Through this project, students will develop their understanding of narrative techniques, empathy, and social awareness, while honing their creative writing and artistic skills. The purpose is to empower students to communicate complex ideas in an accessible and engaging manner, fostering a sense of responsibility and connection with younger audiences.
Learning goals
Students will explore the art of storytelling by creating a children's book that addresses a social issue, fostering an understanding of narrative structure, character development, and thematic expression. They will engage in research to identify relevant social issues and collaborate to develop age-appropriate, impactful messages. Throughout the project, students will refine their writing and illustration skills, culminating in a published book that is shared with a younger audience. This project will enhance critical thinking, creativity, and empathy, as students consider how to effectively communicate complex ideas to young readers.
Standards
- Common Core - CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.6.3: Write narratives to develop real or imagined experiences or events using effective technique, relevant descriptive details, and well-structured event sequences.
- Common Core - CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.7.1: Engage effectively in a range of collaborative discussions with diverse partners on grade 7 topics, texts, and issues, building on others' ideas and expressing their own clearly.
- Common Core - CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.9-10.4: Produce clear and coherent writing in which the development, organization, and style are appropriate to task, purpose, and audience.
Products
Students will collaboratively create a children's book that tackles a chosen social issue, incorporating illustrations and engaging narratives suitable for young readers. Throughout the project, students will develop storyboards, character profiles, and draft versions of their stories to refine their ideas. The final product will be a polished, illustrated book ready to be shared with a broader audience, such as peers, younger students, or community members.
Launch
Begin the project with a storytelling workshop where students explore various children's books that effectively address social issues. Invite a local children's author to share insights on crafting engaging narratives and characters. Students will then brainstorm social issues they are passionate about and discuss how these can be woven into compelling stories for young readers. This launch sets the stage for students to start drafting their own children's book ideas, fostering creativity and critical thinking from the outset.
Exhibition
At the conclusion of the project, students will host a "Storytelling Showcase" where they present their children's books to an audience of peers, teachers, and family members. Each student will have the opportunity to read excerpts from their book and discuss the social issue they chose to address, highlighting the creative choices they made to engage young readers. The event will also include interactive stations where attendees can explore themes through related activities or discussions, fostering a deeper understanding of the issues presented. This showcase will celebrate students' accomplishments and provide a platform for meaningful dialogue around the social topics explored in their stories.
Plan
Week 1 | Day 1 | Day 2 | Day 3 | Day 4 | Day 5 |
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Activities |
Activity 1: Storytelling Workshop - Students explore a variety of children's books addressing social issues, analyzing narrative techniques, character development, and thematic elements. A local children's author shares insights on crafting engaging narratives.
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Activity 2: Brainstorming Session - Students brainstorm social issues they are passionate about. They discuss potential themes and ideas for their children's book.
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Activity 3: Research and Exploration - Students conduct research on their chosen social issue, identifying key facts and perspectives. They explore how these issues have been addressed in existing literature.
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Activity 4: Concept Development - Students begin developing concepts for their children's book. This includes outlining main characters, plot ideas, and the message they want to convey.
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Activity 5: Drafting Ideas - Students draft initial ideas for their book's storyline and characters. They create a rough outline and gather feedback from peers to refine their concepts.
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Deliverables |
1. Deliverable 1: Completed brainstorming worksheet outlining chosen social issue, key themes, and initial book concept.
2. Deliverable 2: Research notes compiling information about the social issue and how it has been addressed in literature. |
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Preparation |
1. Prep Task 1: Arrange storytelling workshop with a local children's author, including booking the speaker and preparing the space.
2. Prep Task 2: Gather and prepare a selection of children's books that address social issues for student analysis. 3. Prep Task 3: Create brainstorming worksheets to guide students in outlining their book concepts. 4. Prep Task 4: Provide research resources, including access to libraries or online databases for student exploration. 5. Prep Task 5: Develop a rubric or guide for peer feedback on initial draft ideas to support constructive critique. |
Week 2 | Day 1 | Day 2 | Day 3 | Day 4 | Day 5 |
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Activities |
Activity 1: Storyboard Development - Students create a storyboard outlining the key events and sequence of their children's book. They focus on visual storytelling and the progression of the narrative.
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Activity 2: Character Design Workshop - Students design and develop their main characters, considering personality traits, visual characteristics, and how these elements support the story's theme.
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Activity 3: Writing Workshop - Students begin writing the first draft of their children's book. They focus on crafting engaging and clear narratives suitable for young readers.
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Activity 4: Peer Review Session - Students exchange drafts with peers for feedback. They use guiding questions to provide constructive feedback on narrative clarity, character development, and thematic expression.
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Activity 5: Revision Session - Using peer feedback, students revise their drafts, enhancing narrative flow and ensuring their book addresses the chosen social issue effectively.
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Deliverables |
1. Deliverable 1: Completed storyboard illustrating the main events and sequence of the children's book.
2. Deliverable 2: Character sketches and profiles detailing the attributes and roles of the main characters. 3. Deliverable 3: First draft of the children's book narrative, incorporating initial peer feedback. |
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Preparation |
1. Prep Task 1: Provide storyboard templates and examples to guide students in visualizing their narratives.
2. Prep Task 2: Gather art supplies for character design, such as sketch paper, pencils, colored pencils, and markers. 3. Prep Task 3: Develop writing prompts and a structured outline to assist students in drafting their narratives. 4. Prep Task 4: Create a peer review guide with questions and criteria to facilitate effective feedback sessions. 5. Prep Task 5: Arrange a quiet space for individual and group revision, ensuring access to necessary materials and resources. |
Week 3 | Day 1 | Day 2 | Day 3 | Day 4 | Day 5 |
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Activities |
Activity 1: Illustration Workshop - Students explore various illustration techniques suitable for their children's book, focusing on styles that enhance the narrative and convey the book's theme effectively.
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Activity 2: Book Layout and Design Principles - Students learn key principles of book design, including page composition, typography, and the integration of text with illustrations to create a visually appealing and coherent layout.
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Activity 3: Narrative Refinement - Students focus on revising their narrative draft from Week 2, incorporating feedback to improve clarity, engagement, and thematic expression to ensure the story resonates with young readers.
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Activity 4: Text and Illustration Integration - Students work on the integration of their illustrations with the text, ensuring that both elements complement each other and contribute to the overall narrative flow and thematic expression.
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Activity 5: Peer Critique and Feedback Session - Students share their integrated drafts with peers, focusing on the synergy between text and illustrations, narrative coherence, and overall thematic impact, using structured feedback forms to guide discussions.
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Deliverables |
1. Deliverable 1: Set of completed illustrations that visually represent key scenes and characters in the children's book, ready for integration with the narrative.
2. Deliverable 2: Revised narrative draft, incorporating feedback from Week 2, prepared for final integration with illustrations and alignment with book design principles. |
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Preparation |
1. Prep Task 1: Gather and provide art supplies needed for illustration, such as watercolors, pastels, digital tablets, or software for digital illustrations.
2. Prep Task 2: Prepare examples and guidelines on book layout and design principles, including access to design tools or software, to assist students in organizing their books. 3. Prep Task 3: Develop a structured checklist for narrative refinement, focusing on language clarity, engagement, and thematic expression, to guide students in their revisions. 4. Prep Task 4: Set up workstations or provide digital tools for students to integrate text and illustrations, ensuring access to necessary resources and materials. 5. Prep Task 5: Create a feedback form with criteria for evaluating the integration of text and illustrations, emphasizing narrative coherence, visual appeal, and thematic impact. |
Week 4 | Day 1 | Day 2 | Day 3 | Day 4 | Day 5 |
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Activities |
Activity 1: Final Revisions - Students refine both text and illustrations of their children's book, ensuring narrative coherence and visual appeal.
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Activity 2: Book Binding and Assembly - Students learn and apply bookbinding techniques to assemble completed pages into a finished book format.
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Activity 3: Presentation Preparation - Students rehearse their presentation for the Storytelling Showcase, practicing reading excerpts and discussing the addressed social issue.
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Activity 4: Storytelling Showcase - Students present their children's books to Maclay Middle School students, parents, and community members, reading excerpts and sharing their creative journey.
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Activity 5: Reflection and Feedback - Students engage in reflection by adding to the visual reflection board, sharing insights gained from the project, and providing structured feedback on peers' presentations.
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Deliverables |
1. Deliverable 1: Completed and bound children's book, ready for presentation at the Storytelling Showcase.
2. Deliverable 2: Reflection journal entry detailing the project experience and insights gained from addressing a social issue through storytelling. |
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Preparation |
1. Prep Task 1: Gather materials for bookbinding, such as binding combs, covers, and binding machines or alternatives for manual binding.
2. Prep Task 2: Arrange the venue and schedule for the Storytelling Showcase, ensuring space and technology for presentations. 3. Prep Task 3: Develop a presentation guide to assist students in structuring their showcase presentation, including tips for public speaking. 4. Prep Task 4: Set up an area for reflection and feedback, providing journals or digital platforms for student reflections. 5. Prep Task 5: Coordinate with parents and community members for attendance at the Storytelling Showcase, offering invitations and event details. |