Students will compile all of their writing into a pop-up book that is a take off on one of the original fractured stories, The Jolly Postman: Or Other People's Letters.

Students will:

1. Follow step-by-step directions.
2. Create rhyming text modeled after that in The Jolly Postman: Or Other People’s Letters.
3. Illustrate a pop up book.
4. Present their completed book to the class.
5. Complete a self-assessment rubric.

Directions

Step 1: Read the story The Jolly Postman: Or Other People’s Letters to the class. Discuss each vignette and the form of correspondence that was written. Ask students where they have seen those different styles of writing before.

Step 2: Tell students they will be making their very own pop up book that will hold all of the letters, invitations, essays, and narratives they have been creating the previous weeks.

Step 3: Tell students that the book will be set up into several sections. Distribute copies of the step-by-step pop up book directions. Go over all ten steps with students, modeling as you go. Remind the students that these directions were written for a book report and we are only using them for the assembly directions, not for content. Distribute paper and art materials.

Writing should go on the bottom of each page. On the top half of each section, glue an envelope that the correct piece of writing can go into. Smaller envelopes work best for this.

Below I have provided sample text you can have your students use. They may also create their own rhyming verse if they like.

Cover
Students give the book a title and include their name. In my class, all students give it the same title, calling it The Third Grade Postman – An Adaptation of the The Jolly Postman.

Page One
Once upon a time,

So they say,

A third grade postman came one day

From the courthouse

Not far away

With testimony from the wolf’s lawyer.

Page Two
So off went the postman

“See you later judge”

To the house of the Little Old Man and Woman

Hope they don’t hold a grudge.

And he delivered a letter of complaint from an angry neighbor.

Page Three
The man read the letter

And he tossed it astray.

It seems his little boy

Had already melted away.

Page Four
Once more on his bicycle

The postman did ride

Through the dark creepy forest

His eyes open wide.

He had to deliver some junk mail to the Frog Prince.

Page Five
The prince read his flier

And wished to be green.

It was a witch he needed

To help with his scheme.

Just then the postman handed him a wicked witch’s resume.

Page Six
The postman had enough

Of that little froggy

So he got on his bike

and said “Get along little doggie!”

He had to deliver a Texas Hoe Down wedding invitation.

Page Seven
The postman rode off.

His work was all done.

This book is now finished.

Hope reading it was fun!

Step 4: Plan on several days of class time to finish this project. Work with the class consistently to make sure they are following the directions.

Step 5: When all the glue has dried, have students decorate and address the envelopes they have glued to the top. “Stuff” the appropriate writing piece into each envelope. Glue the ribbon to the inside of the front and back cover. When the book is finished, just tie the ribbon together to hold all of your writing inside.

Step 6: Students can complete an online self-assessment rubric found in Scholastic’s online activity Myths, Folktales and Fairy Tales when they are finished.

Supporting All Learners

Students who are challenged in the area of fine motor skills may find this lesson somewhat frustrating. Always make sure there are a few student volunteers who can act as coaches to help classmates get through the difficult parts.

Lesson Extensions

1. Have students add additional pages to their book. Invite them to read more fractured fairy tales and respond in written form.
2. Invite parents in to hear the stories and take part in a fairy tale celebration.

Home Connection

Inform your parents in a note or through your class newsletter whenever you begin a new genre in language arts. Encourage parents to share visit the library with the students to find fractured fairy tales, classic tales or myths. Also provide parents with updates on how their students are using the computer and what their writing goals are. You might also invite parents to help students while they are creating the books.

Assignments

1. Write rhyming verses to go with their writing samples
2. Create a pop-up book

Evaluation

Did you have a wide enough variety of fairy tales and arts and crafts supplies? Are there any titles you would like to add to your collection for next year? Did you provide adequate time for each step? Did you brainstorm enough ideas together? Did you model enough for students to complete the assignment independently? Were all learners able to complete this lesson successfully? What would you do differently next time to improve this lesson?