Homemade Movies

What you need:

• shoebox 
• scissors 
• markers 
• crayons 
• long strips of paper 
• paper-towel rolls 
• tempera paint and paintbrush

What to do:

1. Talk about how people capture family fun on film as a way to document and share experiences. Explain that together you will create your own "movie strip" using paper and a shoebox. 
2. In advance, assemble the movie theater: Cut two slits at each end of the shoebox opening to slide the paper through. Paint two paper-towel rolls with tempera paint, and let dry. Then divide a long strip of paper (cut to the size of a shoe box) into 4 or 5 sections, so that it looks similar to comic book sections.
3. Invite your child to draw family members, recent outings, or a family celebration on the paper. She can write a simple sentence or label the people in her work.
4. Get ready to display the film. Glue one edge of the paper strip to the paper-towel roll, and slide the other end through the slits in the shoebox. Glue the other edge of paper to the other paper-towel roll, and gently but firmly roll up the film to display.

Learning benefits:

• Builds early literacy skills 
• Encourages creativity 
• Preserves family memories and stories