English Language Arts: Applying Knowledge and Language Skills

K-12: Standard 6

• Students apply knowledge of language structure, language conventions (e.g., spelling and punctuation), media techniques, figurative language, and genre to create, critique, and discuss print and non-print texts.

K-12: Standard 12

• Students use spoken, written and visual language to accomplish their own purposes (e.g., for learning, enjoyment, persuasion and the exchange of information).

Standards for the English Language Arts, by the International Reading Association and the National Council of Teachers of English, Copyright 1996 by the International Reading Association and the National Council of Teachers of English. Reprinted with permission.

Source: NCTE/IRA Standards for the English Language Arts

Fine Arts: Visual Arts

K-4 Standard 3: Choosing and Evaluating a Range of Subject Matter, Symbols and Ideas

• Students select and use subject matter, symbols and ideas to communicate meaning.

Source: National Standards for Arts Education

Encourage students as they follow the writing process to explore anything from simple sentences to five-paragraph essays. These versatile books can support writing exercises in all major subject areas and current events. The students may be prompted to explore any genre to express ideas. Older students can explore library resources to develop research-based writing. Second language learners can relate to given themes to develop writing skills. Through these books, the teacher can develop a unique classroom library featuring students as authors.

Figure A

Figure B

Figure C

Figure D

Figure E

Figure F

Figure G

Figure H

Figure I

Figure J

Supplies Used: Construction Paper, Colored Pencils, Colored Pens, Crayons, Glue, Scissors, Stapler, Tape

The teacher will die-cut the materials for student use prior to the lesson.

1. Fold two sheets of 12" x 18" white construction paper inside a folded 12" x 18" sheet of blue cardstock or construction paper. The folded papers should be 9" x 12".
2. Using the XL Circle, keep the folded papers together, place the folded edge just inside the cutting edge of the Circle and die-cut (Figure A). This will create a hinge. Open the Circle booklet to the middle and staple twice along the fold line (Figure B).
3. Die-cut two LG Globe #2 using green and dark blue paper. Adhere the dark blue Globe to the front cover of the Circle booklet, discarding the continents and islands. Adhere the green Globe continents and islands inside the dark blue Globe, discarding the green water area.
4. Cut a curved 5" strip of green paper and computer generate or hand print the title "My World." Adhere the title above the Globe (Figure C).

My Country

1. Cut a 5 3/4" x 4 1/4" rectangle of dark blue paper and adhere to the first white page.
2. Die-cut a tan LG U.S.A. and attach to the rectangle.
3. Die-cut the letters "USA" from red, white and blue paper, using any 1 1/4" Alphabet Set. Adhere to the tan U.S.A. Alternately, computer or hand print the letters "USA."
4. Computer or hand print the words "My Country" on a small green piece of paper and adhere to the bottom left corner of the blue rectangle (Figure D).

My State

1. Using dark green, die-cut the LG state in which the student lives and adhere to the front of the second page.
2. Computer or hand print the words "My State" on a lighter green piece of paper and adhere to the upper right corner of the state (Figure E).

My House

1. Die-cut the LG House #1 from tan and red paper for the third page.
2. Leave the tan House whole. Place the tan window back in the opening and tape to the back of the tan House.
3. Cut the red door along the perforation and adhere to the tan door. Cut the red chimney and part of the eaves and adhere to the tan House (Figure F).
4. Die-cut the top of the House from light and dark brown paper. Cut the light brown top along the roofline and chimney and adhere to the tan House. Cut the dark brown top along the eaves and chimney and adhere to the light brown roof.
5. Die-cut the window of the House using dark red paper. Cut a triangle from the bottom of the window and adhere to the window area for curtains (Figure G).
6. Die-cut the LG Tree using brown and green paper. Leave the brown Tree whole. Cut the trunk from the green Tree and adhere to the brown Tree. Attach the Tree to the front of the third page on the right side and adhere the embellished House over part of the Tree. Computer or hand print the words "My House" on a light green piece of paper and adhere to the right front of the House (Figure H).

Me

1. Die-cut the LG Boy #3 or LG Girl #4 using tan and various colors of paper for the fourth page.
2. Leave the tan Boy or Girl whole. The students may cut clothes and hair from the various colored die-cuts for their figure, or they may use crayons or colored pens or pencils to add the clothes and hair (Figure I).
3. Die-cut any shape that personifies the student. Adhere the desired shape to the front of the page.
4. Attach the completed Boy or Girl over one side of the shape.
5. Computer or hand print the word "Me" on a small piece of light green paper and adhere to the shape (Figure J).
6. Students may write their knowledge and interpretation of each part of their world on the back of the pages.
7. Additional pages may be added if necessary.