Materials
Story paper, top half blank, bottom lined, hole-punched 3-prong folders, one for each child markers
Instructions
1. Introduce the story paper and folders to the children. Explain that they will make up their own books of stories.
2. Demonstrate how to make a story by doing the first one yourself. Draw a simple picture, then give your story a title, and write it (in print, not cursive) on the lines below. Date and sign your story at the end.
3. Read your story aloud and add it to a folder labeled "A Book of Stories" by (your name).
4. Explain to the children that after they have drawn their story picture, they can dictate their story to you or another adult in the room. Emphasize that their stories can be about anything they choose, true or make-believe, happy or sad, scary, silly, or whatever they want to write about.
5. Choose a day of the week to be story day at group time.
6. After the children finish their stories each week, give each child the option of choosing one of his stories to be read aloud to the class.
7. After the stories are chosen, go through the stack and read each one. Do not read stories that might be hurtful to other children in the class.
8. After each child's story is read, let him show the picture to the class by carrying it around the circle.
9. The child may then call on three children who have raised their hands to speak. Those called on may make comments or ask questions about the story.
10. Each week, after the children finish their stories, they can add them to their folders.
