
1. Make a
Bookmark:
Your book mark should include a title, author, a picture of the main
character and any other items you think help describe your book. You
may also use a variety of materials.
2. Create the
Character:
Tell about your book dressed in a costume as a main character.
3. A Story
Tower:
Use strips of tagboard, 6x36 inches. They are divided into three
equal parts plus a little tab so they can be folded and glued
together giving you a triangle with three writing surfaces. Each
folded strip of paper can be part of the book. You can begin with the
title, author, and main characters. You can also draw and write about
the beginning, middle, and end of the book. Your finished sections
can be stacked in multiple variations.
4. A Skinny
Strip:
A skinny strip is a piece of adding machine paper about three feet
long. Divide it into as many sections as there are chapters in your
book, plus one. The first section is for the title, author, and your
own name as the reteller. The remaining sections are designated, one
per chapter. You should have a small picture in each section, and add
a few sentences about the chapter. If you want to take it one step
further you can make a slit in shoebox and decorate it to look like a
T.V. You can run the skinny strip through one frame at a time.
5. A Chubby
Strip:
A chubby strip is just like a skinny strip except wider. You can use
any type of paper for this and you pictures can be more detailed.
6.
Foldouts:
A foldout is a strip cut out of construction paper. The strip is
folded into an even number of sections. Each section is designed to
tell a part oft the story, similar to a skinny strip. The finished
product is folded like an accordion. Front and back covers can be
made out of stronger paper and glued on.
7. Book In a
Box:
You need a small flat box with a lid. The story you read is retold on
foldout paper, just like a foldout. The back of the last page is
glued to the bottom of the box and the first page (which is left
blank) is glued to the lid. when the box is closed, you have a book
in a box. When it is opened, you can tell your story. The top of the
box can be designed as a cover.
8. Create an
Ad:
Design a print advertisement or create a radio of T.V. ad designed to
sell your book. You can display your print ad, play your cassette
tape, or show a video tape.
9. Story
Grammar:
Take a large piece of tagboard (11x18) folded into thirds. Draw a
line all the way across, about three inches down from the top.
Writing goes in the top section and art in the bottom. The first
section is dedicated to the characters: names, descriptions, etc. The
second is for the title, main events which take place, the "problem",
etc. The third section is filled up with the author, number of pages,
and the solution.
10.
Quatros:
Take a piece of white construction paper, 11x18. Fold it in half
twice so that it is like a book. The cover is for the title, author,
and your name. Use the two open pages in the center to tell parts of
the story. The back can be like the back of the book. When you unfold
the paper to full size you can use the hidden part to tell the
conclusion.




11. Make a Mask or a
Puppet:
Create a mask or puppet of your book's main character or
characters.
12. A Story
Web:
A story web can contain all different types of information. You could
create a picture that has the main character in the center and then
run adjectives off of him/her. Another example would be to place the
main character in the center and run supporting characters off of
him/her and then adjectives off of each.
13. A Book In a
Can:
You begin with a clean frozen juice can. Next, make a wrap around
cover of paper, the cover of your book, and tape it around the can.
After this, create a "skinny strip" telling the story. Cut a slit in
the can big enough to stick the "skinny strip" through., Attach a
popsicle stick to both ends of the "skinny strip" so it won't go
either all the way in or out of the can. Roll the strip inside of the
can around the popsicle stick. It can be pulled out a little at a
time to retell the story.
14. Create a
Vest:
Take a large paper grocery sack and slit it down the font. Arm holes
and a v-neck can be added. This basic vest can be designed and
colored to retell or represent your story.
15. Postage
Stamps:
Design a large scale postage stamp which honors your book and
author.
16. Book
Bracelets:
A piece of tagboard about 1 1/2 inches wide can be cut to fit around
your wrist. Decorate it to retell your story.
17. Book
Medallions:
A circle of tagboard is decorated to advertise your book. This can be
hung around your neck with a colorful piece of ribbon.
18.
Windsocks:
Use a 12x18 piece of construction paper for the body. The title and
picture of your favorite part of the story goes on it. The streamers
are cut from construction paper. Additional information such as the
author, names and descriptions of main characters, settings,
copyright date, illustrator, and more can be written on these
strips.
19.
Kites:
These are similar to windsocks. The title and a picture go on the
body of the kite. The details, author, and additional information go
on construction paper diamonds attached to a string which makes the
tail.
20. Sandwich
Boards:
Make a sandwich board that hangs over your shoulders to advertise
your book.





21. Cereal
Boxes:
Take a large cereal box and slit it down the middle in the front and
then across the top and bottom from the middle so it opens like a
closet or cupboard. You can decorate the front as the book cover and
fill the inside with pictures or objects which relate to the
story.
22. Brown Bag
It:
Take a plain brown bag lunch sack and decorate to show the cover of
the book or scenes from your favorite chapter. Objects which remind
of or relate to the story can be placed inside.
23. Story
Cubes:
Make cubes out of construction paper. Use all six sides as spaces to
tell about different parts of your story.
24. Body
Parts:
Use a large piece of construction paper or tagboard. On this draw a
big picture of the main character. On the side of the picture write
something the character thought and draw a line from the comment to
the character's head. Next, write something the character heard and
draw a line to the ears. After that, write something the character
said and draw a line to the mouth. For something the character saw
draw a line to the eyes and for something the character felt draw a
line to the heart. Find as many possibilities as you can.
25. Book
Parade:
Use a shoebox to create a float that advertises your book. The body
can be built on the shoebox with wheels attached underneath out of
sight.





Ideas from Making Your FOURTH GRADE The Best It Can Be by Rick Kilcup, Bureau of education and Research, Bellevue, WA.
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