ART ON MY HANDS: Children writing children's books

Thursday, July 3, 2014

Children writing children's books - Connecting Art and Writing

The Boy Who Met Aliens by Sabrina, Caitlyn and Michael

Planet Wheeee by Paige, Rachel, Jordyn, and Elisalyn

Ultimate Cheer by Chloe, Kacie and Taylee

The Butler Gets Fired

Party at Pig's House by Alyssa, Kassidy and Tatumn

Planet Wheeee

Jenny's Flute Lesson by Julia, Kileigh and Tori

All of my fifth grade students worked to create an illustrated children's book this past school year. Out of the approximately 25 books being written, only about four were successfully completed. I had taken a course on writing children's books last summer and thought it would be a wonderful project idea for my oldest students when school began last fall. In many ways, it was a wonderful project idea. Students studied the work of published authors and illustrators, learned about writing manuscripts and how to create a storyboard. They worked in collaborative groups of their own choosing to write the manuscripts and to create the illustrations. The downfall, it took all but about eight weeks of the school year and as I previously mentioned, only a small percentage of the books were completed. If I were forced to measure growth for this project; I would have several measurements to qualify the learning that was taking place. I was most impressed by the engagement in the project. The last month had many groups "checking out" their work so they could add illustrations at home and during rainy recess times. I think this was a success and good project but I am disappointed that I wasn't able to cover some of the other projects that I normally complete with 5th graders. So, my take away, I will do this project in a much more concise way next fall. I'm thinking I will make the books smaller, they had concentrated on a standard 32 page book. I'm also thinking books will be an individual project instead of collaborative group work. I loved the enthusiasm my students showed for this project so I am sharing some of the successful illustration with you here.