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.

The Butler Gets Fired by Jeremy, Jacob and Jeffry

Niecko by Amira

The Butler Gets Fired

The Butler Gets Fired

The Butler Gets Fired

Rex and the Rainbow Mountain by Oliva, Sadie & Jenna

Rex and the Rainbow Mountain

Rex and the Rainbow Mountain

David Wiesner

I made a trip back to the Eric Carle Museum today to listen to David Wiesner share about his new book "Mr. Wuffles".   It's a charming story about a cat who is indifferent to cat toys but intrigued by a space ship that he believes is a very interesting toy.  Wiesner's illustrations are very detailed and his books exemplify the idea of a picture book.  Many of his books do not have words and most only have limited words so much of the story is left for the reader to decipher and create.  He is probably one of my favorite authors primarily when I am trying to instill in my students the concept of a picture telling a story.  I have been using his book "Art and Max" to assist 5th grade students as they create their own picture books.  I was please to be able to have it signed today.   I wish all my students could have joined me to meet Wiesner today.  He shared his illustration process which mirrors what I have been having the students do with their own work.   I think it would have been fabulous for them to be able to relate to him.  The next I want book for my wish list will definitely be "Mr. Wuffles"!

International Dot Day and I'm with Peter H. Reynolds!

Setting up just before it started

Peter H. Reynolds

Introducing Animation-ish

Yes, it is true.  I had the pleasure of listening to a presentation by Peter H. Reynolds and his team today at the Eric Carle Museum.  It was fun, exciting, and enlightening.   Here is my "did you know?" from the day.   In the original printing of "The Dot",  Vasti painted a yellow dot, a green dot, a blue dot and a red dot.  She discovered she could mix red and blue and make a purple dot.  In the next printing of the book, the purple was changed to a green dot to correspond with the illustration where Vashti appears to be painting a green dot.   The original video of the book also mentions the mixing of red and blue to make the purple dot.   Since I have both original releases; I just didn't know that!!!  I also had never connected that Ramon from "ish" was the young boy who drew the squiggly line in "The Dot", his sister, Marisol is the leading character for
"Sky Blue".  All this new and fun knowledge from a great day at the Carle!  Yes, I did take lots of pictures which I will share with  you now.

My official membership token for the Dot club, an admission sticker along with the dot I wore

I added a dot 

The wall of dots

Picking a book

10th Anniversary issue of "the Dot"

Oh, and I bought "The Museum" and had it signed!  That was

my wish list book!