MaiStoryBook Library

MaiStoryBook Library: What If + Creative Workbook and Self Expression Exploration Guide

by MaiStoryBook

Introducing a universe of creativity and imagination, featured in this week’s MaiStoryBook Library Collection:

“What If” by Samantha Berger and Mike Curato

Book Synopsis and Review

*~We are all dreamers, artists, and creators~* We all have imaginations to reach beyond what’s right in front of us~ to see the world through our own unique lens. We can all grab a pencil and paper and create a realm of possibilities~ but… *what if* one day there were no pencils and papers? Does the creating stop? Is imagination halted in its tracks? Never fear~ this little girl in our story is determined that no matter what *as long as she lives she will always create.* So that means, no paper and pencil? No worries, use the wood from your table and chair instead. No table or chair? Use the paint off the wall paper. No walls…? Use the Earth around you~ your body~ your voice ~ your mind~* Everything around us has the potential for innovation. It is up to you to believe in yourself~ and your power to create.

Perfect for inspiring a passion for creativity in any little one, follow the rainbow of artwork and the rhythmic prose as the author and illustrator take you onto a journey of endless possibilities through a universe of limitless potential for creation. Little ones will be encouraged to expand their art-ing to beyond pencil and paper, to explore the natural materials around them, and to see their own bodies as vessels as art and storytelling. Use this book to bring the joy and bounty of imagination within the walls of your home and beyond!

Vocabulary List

  • Chisel (p. 6) cut or shape something with a tool
  • Chip (p. 8) cut or break a small piece of something
  • Sculpt (p. 12) create something by carving or shaping it with your hands or a tool
  • Ignite (p. 16) to light up brightly
  • Rejoice (p. 17) to show you are super happy

Themes/Main ideas

  • *As long as you live, you can always create*~ look at the world around you~ anything and everything can be used to create art
  • Self-expression ~ use art, whether it be visual or performing arts, to express your feelings and ideas

YouTube Video: Guided Shared-Reading Read Aloud Example

Example of a shared-reading, interactive Read Aloud of “What If…” – how to subtly introduce the vocabulary list words within the text, ask guided questions, and spark conversation!

*~Check it Out~*

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Creative Workbook and Self-Expression Exploration Guide

As a soon-to-be-teacher, one of my beliefs is the value of arts integration in curriculum. Children are *born* creative. Creativity isn’t something you learn~ everyone has an imagination, and it’s little ones who have the wildest, grandest imaginations of them all. It is our job as teachers to foster that creativity and encourage little ones to believe in their own ideas and be proud of their own imaginings and creations. First step: teach them that there are no limitations to creating. You can *create* from anything. In my kinder class, we are starting an IB unit on Expressing Yourself through art. While most of our creating ha focused on visual art, each day the students do a different art project. Currently, we are exploring colors~warm and cool colors, the feelings associated with them~ and starting next week we will start and artist exploration where we study famous artists and create an art project inspired by their style. I love the exposure to art and art history that students are receiving at such a young age~ and how they are encouraged to express their ideas and feelings through colors and visuals. My goal as an elementary teacher is to foster the creativity in my students~ *What If…* will be the perfect book to introduce the students to limitless possibilities. These book-inspired activities encourage rather is a *self-expression exploration*, offering an abundance of ideas to experiment with different methods of creating and using your imagination, and opportunities to record what you create. See if you find a favorite~ and explore the bounty of ways to *create.*

Creative Workbook

Materials

Directions

  • Print out the “What If” Workbook Downloadable Template
  • *Print out double sided to save paper* Print the pages in order for the recommended order that matches with the book. Staple/ fasten the spine of the book (left edge). Encourage children to fill in the pages to share and explore their own creativity. The pages and creative prompts match the topics in the book.
  • Notes on how to fill in the pages:
  • COVER: Write your name on the blank line and color/decorate.
  • P.1 Pencil and Paper: With pencils, color or not, write a mini short story and draw an illustration on the lines and space provided.
  • P.2 Folding Paper: Draw what origami or paper shapes you could fold. You could even spend time folding paper shapes and then draw/trace them, or glue them in the squares. On the lines, write a story about your shapes.
  • P. 3 Carving Wood: Draw what you could carve from wood and write about what you would create.
  • P. 4 Peel and Paint the Wall: Shade in the square with a pencil. It doesn’t have to be super dark, but dark enough so that you can use your eraser to erase/”peel” a picture from the “wall” that is shaded in.
  • P. 5 Build and sketch: Draw what you would build from rectangular boards, using only long rectangle shapes. // On the bottom, use brown or dirt colors to sketch a picture your could draw in the sand . (You can go outside and sketch a picture in actual dirt or sand, and then copy it onto your paper.)
  • P. 6 Leaves and Snow: Using leaf shapes, draw a picture. // Draw something you could sculpt from snow.
  • P.7 FlowersDraw a kingdom/castle made of flowers.
  • P. 8 Shadows Use the comic strip panels to create a story with shadow figures.
  • P. 9 Singing: Write down the lyrics to your own song. Sing them aloud and share!
  • P. 10 Dance:Draw your favorite dance moves to express yourself.
  • P. 11 Your Mind: Inside the head,Write/Draw what creative stories you have in your imagination. Add hair or decorate the head to look like you.

Self Exploration Guide

Materials

Enjoy Your *Self-Expression Exploration Guide*

  • Try out each *creating* activity ~ share your creations with a family and friend
  • Complete the Guide with a family member or close friends and compare your different creations and interpretations
  • Display your creations with your own *self-exploration* gallery
  • Display your creations around your home to remind you of limitless possibilities

*~Overall, have fun completing your own *Self-Expression Exploration Guide* Activity,  and I hope you and your little ones enjoy imagining and creating!  – tag me on Instagram @MaiStoryBookLibrary  – or post on FaceBook to share your photos of your own *Self-Expresson Exploration Guide* Activities and Creations, and your own reading adventures! I’d love to hear from you!~*

*Check Back on Next Friday for our New Reading Adventure*

*~Until next time, Happy Reading~*