Lesson Plan
My First Book
| Subject: | Literacy |
| Grade span: | K to 2 |
| Duration: | 60 minutes (or multiple sessions) |
Description:
This lesson is one example of how you can implement a writing activity. After reading a story and reviewing the elements of a book, students develop ideas for a book and then create their own books with a cover, storyline, and illustrations.Learning Goals:
- Understand the process of writing and illustrating a book
- Develop an idea for a book
- Create, write, and illustrate a book based on students' own ideas
Materials:
- Chart paper
- White paper for making books and colored construction paper for covers
- Colored pencils, markers, crayons
- Stapler
Preparation:
- Select a book based on students' interests
- Review the story and note the author, illustrator, plot, and any new vocabulary
- Use chart paper to list the elements of the book (cover, story, pictures) and who does each job (publisher, author, illustrator). You may want to sketch icons for each element, such as an outline of the book, text, and a picture.
What to Do:
- Begin by reviewing the title and cover, inviting students' predictions
- Read the book aloud, pausing to ask questions
- After the read-aloud, review the elements of the book (cover, story, illustrations) and who does each job (publisher, author, illustrator)
- Using the list on chart paper, draw lines or arrows to match the element with the person who does each job. You may want to use icons (an outline of a book, text, a picture) to match a visual illustration with the person who does the job.
- Ask questions such as: What do writers do? How do you think they get ideas for stories? Which do you think comes first--the story or the pictures? Do you like to write? Have you ever written a book before? Would you like to? The key point to make: Writing is a process and good writers write what they know and care about.
- Explain to students that they are going to make books of their own
- Ask students to choose a color for the cover and help them make "books" by taking one sheet of colored paper and several sheets of white paper, folding them in half, and stapling down the seam
- Ask students to choose an idea for their book. It can be related to the read-aloud book, or simply something that's important or interesting to them.
- Next, students should write (as appropriate) and illustrate their books, with their name on the cover as the author
- When students feel their books are complete, display them, or create an opportunity for them to share with parents, teachers, and/or other students
Evaluate (Outcomes to look for):
- Student engagement and participation
- Comments and answers that reflect an understanding of each element of a book and who does each job
- Ability to generate an idea, story, and illustrations
- Final presentations that reflect an understanding of how books come together
