Story Writing with Illustrations

Creating illustrated story books is the culmination of the Montessori writing sequence—children become authors, integrating all their language skills into original works.

• Framework: Montessori
• Unit: Language
• Learning area: Writing
• Level: Ages 5-6

Objectives

• Write original stories with narrative structure
• Illustrate written work
• Develop voice and creativity in writing
• Create published works

Materials

• Blank books (folded and stapled paper)
• Pencils and colored pencils
• Story planning graphic organizer
• Published student books for inspiration

Instructions

1. Plan story: 'Who? Where? What happens? How does it end?' 2. Draw pictures for each page. 3. Write text below or beside illustrations. 4. Read to self for sense. 5. Share with a peer for feedback. 6. Create a cover and title page. 7. Add to class library.

Educator tip

Don't edit children's published works for spelling. The content and creativity matter most. Date everything to track growth over time.

Assessment

Child writes an original story with beginning, middle, and end, including illustrations.

More from Language

• Letter Writing: Notes and Messages
• Dictation: Sounds to Writing
• Copy Work: Beautiful Sentences
• List Writing: Organizing Information
• Writing Invitations and Cards
• Descriptive Writing: Five Senses
• Phonetic Object Box: Level 1 CVC
• Phonetic Object Box: Level 2 Blends