Follow the Firefly

What happens when you try to catch a firefly? Crayola® Twistables make lightening bugs (or any character) glow. Follow one from page to page in an original book.

• 1.

  Create a character. Read a favorite story that has one main character. With Crayola Twistables, draw and color the main character. We used a firefly for our sample. Press hard to make bright colors. Cut out the character with Crayola Scissors. Color the other side, too.

• 2.

  Bind a book. Fold several sheets of paper in half and staple at the fold. For scenes set at night or in places like caves, glue black paper to pages with a Crayola Glue Stick.

• 3.

  Punch a hole at the top left corner of your book. Thread string or yarn through the hole and tie a knot. Tape your main character to the other end of the string.

• 4.

  Write and illustrate your title on the cover. On the inside pages, retell the plot in your own words and pictures. Plan the action so the main character pops into every page as you read your book to the class.

Benefits

• Students identify the parts of a story: character, setting, and plot.
• Students improve recall, sequence, and comprehension skills by retelling and illustrating a story.
• Students orally present their stories to the class as a book report.

Adaptations

• Write an autobiography or biography.
• Add a twist! Rewrite the end of a story or add new scenes.
• Conduct a character analysis of the main character.
• Write original action stories featuring a main character.
• Children with special needs may need help to tie the string. They may also benefit from creating one page at a time while referring to the original book or using notes about the plot and settings.