Book Banners

Practice sequential story retellings with colorful, collaged Book Banners.

• 1.

  Listen carefully to a story that contains a clear sequence of events, such as The Emperor's New Clothes.

• 2.

  Individually or in small groups, choose a scene from the story to depict in a collage. Plan how to visually communicate the elements of the action including setting, characters, action, and dialogue. Sketch the scene on paper with Crayola® Erasable Colored Pencils. Be sure all scenes are sketched by the class. Measure the amount of fabric (or roll paper) needed for the banner background. Cut with Crayola Scissors.

• 3.

  Cut or tear fabric, paper, and collage supplies such as chenille sticks, buttons, and ribbons to create the scene. Attach pieces to the background with Crayola Washable Glue Sticks or School Glue. Draw details and dialogue with Crayola Washable Markers.

• 4.

  Arrange the banners in sequence. Number each, and add titles to explain the scene using markers. Retell the story to a teacher or classmates, using the Book Banners.

Benefits

• Children identify the setting, plot, and characters, and list the sequence of events, after listening to a story.
• Children draw and label scenes on collaged banners, then put them in sequence and label them with ordinal numbers.
• Children practice public speaking skills as they retell the story with their Book Banners.

Adaptations

• Read a story without illustrations. Celebrate the diversity of interpretations when groups present their visual representations. Talk about the differences between reading the book first and then seeing the movie, or the other way around.
• Make Book Banners based on original stories written by groups or individual students.
• Scan or take digital photos of Book Banners. Add text to digital images on the computer. Print and assemble books for students to keep or give to younger students.