Cinderella Stories
Before Christmas break the honors students created Cinderella stories. We read piles of Cinderella versions before creating our own. I wanted to see if they understood plot, characterization, setting, conflict, and point of view. First, I tried it myself. It was harder than I thought! I set my story in the days of wagon trains (I was rereading Little House on the Prairie at the time).
There were no stepsisters in my story, just real sisters. Selfish sisters.
The real mom did die and the father wasn't nice to my protagonist.
The "fairy godmother" character was a ghost (I know . . . weird).
This story was written and made into a book by one of my fascinating students. She speaks fluent Russian, is a talented actress, and is kind to everyone. She's brilliant. I love her silver shoe, don't you?
I took an old book and glued paper on the existing pages, leaving room for illustrations, so that's what my students did, too.
This book was created by a Korean student. She is a beautiful writer and artist! She's also brilliant and multi-talented.
Her Cinderella was a bird. The author is a bird lover like me. Isn't that sweet? I think her bird drawings are very original.
A bird wedding! How nice!
I liked Cindertooth. The protagonist is an old lady.
They were all interesting and the kids DID go beyond the expectations. I'd show you more, but I'm too lazy to dig them out of my carefully packed crate. I have to carry them back to school tomorrow.
Today we began Grammar Boot Camp. The sixth graders are speedy learners.
Why don't you write a story and make a book? It was fun. I like "altering" books. Everyone is a story teller. Everyone has at least one little story to tell.
I am reading too many books at the moment. I need a few more wakeful hours in my day!
It's time for my milk and cookies. Thank you for popping in, paying attention to my little world, and giving my students' books a think or two! You're the nicest!
21 comments:
Pom, what an inspiring teacher you are! Your students will remember this project, and be thankful for you, for years to come. I love the idea of using an old book. And the illustrations and creativity are amazing! Great job :)
Oh what a wonderful idea. I love the pictures and the stories. I did that too, and when I clean off my bookcases I run across the little story books they wrote and illustrated. They are precious to me, I bet the Mom's and Dad's will be so thrilled to have them. You are such an inspiring teacher.
Sharon Lovejoy had long been my hero. When I first became a Mom I found Sunflower Houses and we did those when the kids were small. I have all of her books and last spring she stopped by and left me a comment I felt like the richest woman in the world, she liked my garden. :)
I check in with her and her blog and like you do too, you are both lovely, talented ladies who inspire me to live my dreams.
Have a wonderful rest of the week. I hope you get to share what you are reading. How about a feature, once a week, Books Pom Pom is now reading. :)
Bye for now,
I love all their books! What a great idea! They are going to love looking back at their stories and illustrations when they are older.
These are all so great! Those bird drawings are fabulous!!! Kids are so creative and smart. I would like to send my two to your Grammar Boot Camp. You are such an inspiring teacher. I am especially impressed that you tried out your own assignment. I've done that before and been surprised by how difficult it is. I go back to teaching my writing class next week. I need to give it some thought. sigh...
How lovely the stories are, you are such fun - I bet your students come out of your classes brimming with enthusiasm and inspiration. I am blogging less this year and reading more. I watched Great Expectations this week on tv - the adaptation of the book was wonderful and I remembered how much I enjoyed the book. Sometimes films inspire me to read books again. Your book, by the way, is delightful and your illustrations are very good. Bettyx
You are a brilliant teacher to inspire such impressive results. Well done.
L.x.
They took that idea and ran with it, didn't they?? wonderful!
As I've said before, lucky kids to have you as a teacher, Pom.
The books are fabulous! Your students should be very proud of their work! Cx
Your students are amazing, I love the wonderful variety of their ideas.
You must be a great teacher to bring out that creativity and imagination in them, to enthuse them to put in the obvious effort they have.
Well done to you and them.
What a fun teacher you are and what talented students! My children took a "Written and Illustrated" class at our local library when we were homeschooling. I made my own book for my youngest child while the two oldest were working on theirs. I love looking over the books now. They bring back such sweet memories.
What great examples of work from your students. I loved it when one of my ideas really took off when I was teaching...it showed how the children had been inspired.
Excellent!
This is such a fun idea and your students did a wonderful job. You also did a wonderful job, Pom Pom. You are a very talented illustrator and, no doubt, a real inspiration to your students.
oh wonderful -such a young one with so much talent.. I am sure they all think you are the best teacher ever(:) So fun ..hugs,Patty
I love those birds! And I love this assignment. How fun to make books! I've always wanted to make an altered book. I even have some old books I bought for that purpose, but so far I haven't done it yet. Well, one of my secret dreams is to have an art and writing school for kids, where we sit around and make altered books and collages and stories all day. Doesn't that sound fun?
xofrances
Do you have cookies and milk every day? What a great idea :-)
I would have loved you for a teacher! The books of your students are impressive, and well done. I'm sure it was a very fun assignment for them. Thanks for sharing!! :)
Wonderful! I love that you tried it yourself first. :)
Thank I love the old pictures too and nothing cuter then a little child at play ~
Brings out the hidden kid memories we all have .. Oh yes THE RIVER WALK WAS GREAT --THANKS ~
hugs..P
this is probably a whole lot more challenging than one would think~!
i love the creative versions including yours.
you are a sensational teacher Pom Pom~!!!~
:-)
ibbyQ
p.s. ~!!~CUTE banner~!!~
These are just wonderful...what an awesome idea. My little one would enjoy doing this in on a smaller scale.
Now grammar boot camp...can I come?
Great post...what inspiration, what a tell, tell sign of a great teacher...I give you a pat on the back.
Pom Pom, these are fantastic!! You students must thrive under your tutelage. I know I would!!
Blessings!
Deborah
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