Coming Attractions Theater

Create book-report movies and a miniature theater in which to show them! Stage original plays and present science experiments on the screen, too.

• 1.

  Read a book that appeals to you. As you read, make notes about the main characters, plot highlights, setting, and other details with Crayola® Colored Pencils. Here's how to build a theater in which to show "movie" scenes about the book you read.

• 2.

  Thomas Edison built the first movie theater in February 1893 in West Orange, New Jersey. It was called a Kinetographic Studio. Find information about this theater. How was it similar to and different from construction of theaters today? Research information to help you know how to build your theater.

• 3.

  Cover your work area with newspaper. To make your replica of an historic or current movie theater, paint a shoebox black using Crayola Washable Paints and Paint Brushes. Dry.

• 4.

  To form a movie screen space in the theater, cut two long vertical slits in the back of the box with Crayola Scissors.

• 5.

  Decide which of the book's scenes, characters, and main events you wish to include in your movie. Cut a long rectangular strip of white rolled paper a bit narrower than the slits. Divide the strips into rectangles that are as wide as your movie screen. Ma

• 6.

  Illustrate your book-report movie with colored pencils and Crayola Washable Markers. Be sure to make an opening scene with the title of the book and its author. Show credits such as the name of the book reporter and movie illustrator. Slide your paper mov

• 7.

  Make a fabric stage curtain and attach it to your theater with Crayola School Glue. Decorate the outside of the theater, perhaps with signs to advertise your movie.

Benefits

• Students read a fiction or nonfiction book and portray its primary characters and plot in a visual, movie-style report.
• Students research the history and construction of movie theaters.
• Children design and create their own movie theater in which to show their book report.

Adaptations

• Students display theaters and present their book-report show to classmates. They can also give some background information on their story and why they chose the book.
• Prepare "movies" about history, write original plays, document the steps in a science experiment, or practice new vocabulary and spelling words with presentations in this appealing format.
• Research the history of movies. The American Museum of Moving Images was established in 1988 in New York to educate the public about the history of film. Los Angeles, California, is the city whose name is synonymous with the American motion-picture industry. Research how movies, as well as their content and themes, have changed over the years.