Book Writing and Illustrations for Book Buddies  6R

Brief Description

Students are to write a small book of approximately 10 pages, may vary in size. The book is aimed at an audience aged 5 to 6 years old. The final layout and presentation of the book is to be completed using computers and a wide range of illustration skills that could be hand drawn or enhanced Paint, Drawing, Scanning programs and with digital photography.. At the completion of the book students will share their stories and books with our class and the children in a Primary Class (Book Buddies).

Student Reflection and Self-Assessment

Throughout the project, students will write a continuing Ideas Sheet to document their ideas, plans for what they are going to do, and responses to how successful they are being. This helps ensure good quality work, consolidates their learning and contributes to their self-assessment.

Learning Experiences

Firstly, we will look at the role of a children's author and types of picture books being written for children. We will read stories in class and discuss the style and format of writing:

• What characteristics were evident in children's stories?
• What types of stories are written for small children?
• Which are more successful?
• What are the stories you remember from childhood?

Students are to select a favourite child's book and illustrator. They are to present the book to the class, and discuss its design and illustration techniques.

Responding, Reflecting On & Evaluating

Students are to look in more detail at the illustrations associated with stories:

• What were the techniques used?
  Look at and respond to layout, lettering styles, covers on books, binding and production techniques. Discuss and list the successful characteristics of a good book.
• What made characters in a story more appealing to small children?
  Discuss the techniques used to appeal to this particular audience.
• How has technology influenced the making and production of a child's book?
  Look at ways of manipulating images on the computer, at lettering, layout and design.

Creating, Exploring & Developing Ideas

1. Discuss and brainstorm themes, characters and plots for stories aimed at primary children. Interview your book buddy to see what they are interested in and/or like to read.

2. Begin to write. Tell a story simply, to suit a young audience, primary children. Write about what they like, use sound effects, lots of graphics and colour, use a limited vocabulary with lots of repetition, use the audience's name in it and the author's name (a lot or as a cameo), use a dedication page, and include surprises.

3. The next step in the process editing. Discussed your writing with the teacher and/or each other in order to edit it effectively.

4. Once the stories are completed select the main sentences, actions and characters that can be illustrated.

5. Type your story into a Word Document for later use and editing. Create a rough storyboard , showing the layout, images required, position of font and development and sequencing of pages.

6. Print out your story with the correct spacing to be able to draw your illustrations on or create pictures and illustrations using software, scanning or digital photography to add to your story and then print out.

7. Bind your pages into the format of a book.

Presentation and Evaluation

The class will present their books to their class and to their Book Buddies in the Primary class by reading their stories and discussing the illustrations with the children.

Record the feedback from the child (Book Buddy) to present to your teacher.

Before giving the book to your book buddy it is important to give it to your teacher for evaluation.

References:

Copyright Page The Basics and Copyright Page Samples

Evaluation Rubric

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