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Dressed Animal Assignments

Usually, each lesson will be assigned one per day. Sometimes, two lessons will be assigned at different times during one day, or one assignment will take more than one day to complete.

Guided imagry exercise to music: see your character!
Share your experiences: Did your main character change? Were there any surprises?
Assignment: complete pages 4-5 (main character questionaire)

Discuss elements of "The Box" and how all good writers use them
Find elements in sample story and fill out record sheet
Assignment: write a practice paragraph (at least full page, skipping lines) using as many "box" elements as you can to describe what you saw during the Lesson 3 guided imagry

Watch "An American Tail" clip; look for animal and human-type problems
Class discuss (5-10 min.) typical animal problems & typical human problems
Individual brainstorming on page 6 (5 minutes) you will use only one or two in your final story
Watch "Wind in the Willows" video clip; look for character introductions and a hint of the main problem in the story
Assignment: complete page 6; choose the main problem of your story. Write only two (2) pages (skipping lines), that introduce your character, its home, and a hint at the problem of the story. This will be the actual beginning of your real story, so be sure to show, not just tell about things. DO NOT start by saying "I'm so-and-so, and I'm a tiger." Think about "The Box".

Discuss "story pleasures" and listen for "box" elements
One or two volunteers share story beginnings, class gives feedback
Read "Typical Problems" sheet and discuss
Small-group share story beginnings and feedback
Insert at least one good sentence into the middle of the story beginning that you wrote for lesson 5.
View map examples
Assignment: make a detailed map of your main character's "neighborhood". Click here for directions.

Write more of your story
Use your map to include details as your character moves about
Assignment: finish your entire story's rough draft by the assigned date. A typical finished length is 10 one-sided pages, handwritten, skipping lines.

Use your revision and editing checklist to review your story with a peer
Assignment: Use your revision and editing checklist to review your story with an adult and get that person to sign the top of the first page.

Type your final copy. Use Arial, 10 or 12 pt. Set your computer to double space. Only use the "return" key when you finish a paragraph, not at the end of each line of type.
Heading: In the header, place your regular "paper heading"
Footer: page number, centered
Save your final copy to your "H" drive.
Spell check. Re-read yourself to check for errors.
Assignment: Finish and save. Print one copy.

Look carefully at the changes your teacher has marked on your final copy.
Add, change, or delete sentences as needed by hand-writing them in.
Assignment: Open your saved story on the computer, and make all of the changes that you have marked on your paper copy. Save.

Use the Source Record Sheet from your animal research.
Assignment: Follow the bibliography guidelines to create a bibliography page that will be placed in your storybook.

Copy the "page break rules" your teacher gives you.
Draw a slash to mark each place in your story that should be a break.
Count the total number of pages sections. You should have at least 10, and no more than 15.

"Save As" Name's Dr Animal Story Book Pages in your "H" drive.
Double-check spelling; re-read a final time to be sure all corrections are complete.
Delete the title.
Change the header to just your first and last name.
Change your spacing from double-spaced to single-spaced.
Choose a font that you think is easy for a young child to read. Make certain that it shows both upper and lowercase letters. Change all of the words in your story to that font.
Choose a size of lettering that you think is large enough for a child's picture book, but not huge. (Generally, size 24 is as large as you should go.) Change all of the words in your story to your chosen size. SAVE.
Find each of the places that you marked in your print-out as "page breaks". Insert your cursor at the beginning of each break, then choose "Insert, Break, Page Break" from the tool bar. SAVE. Check that you have 10 to 15 pages.
Go to the beginning of your story. Place your cursor at the beginning of each page's text. Use the "return/enter" key to move the block of text to the bottom of the page. You want it as close to the bottom as possible, without causing the "page break" to go onto the next page. Save.
Look at the result in "Print Preview". If it looks correct, ask for teacher approval. Print one copy once your teacher has approved it.

Draw pictures to illustrate your story book.
Fill the space above your words.
Remember the elements of background, middle ground, and foreground.
Be detailed! Be neat. Color well and completely. "White" places (like clouds) should be colored white with a crayon or colored pencil.

End papers are found on the inside of the front and back covers. They get the reader interested in the story, and give information about the author/illustrator.
Follow the directions on the "End Papers" page to correctly prepare your paragraphs.

Type a one-sentence dedication to a person or people who have helped you and deserve to be honored. A dedication tells who your book is honoring and why. Center this sentence, and place it just above the mid-point of your paper.
Example: This book is dedicated to my older brother, Bill, who helped me conquer my fear of heights.

Place the following elements on your book cover: Title, Written and Illustrated by first & last name, copyright date, fully colored illustration.
Glue the paper to the center of a piece of construction paper to become the front of your book cover.
Cut apart the two columns of your end papers. (one side for summary, other side for author & illustrator information)
On the back of the front cover, glue your summary end paper along the left side.
On the inside of your back cover, glue your author & illustrator information end paper along the right side.