Children Created Kamishibai

1. Kamishibai stories can be made individually, in pairs (one illustrator, one writer), in small groups or as a class project.

2. The sources for student-created kamishibai are unlimited: original ideas, topics related to the curriculum, the retelling of an existing story or some item of current events.

3. Kamishibai stories do not have to be a specific length.

4. Some children prefer to start by drawing illustrations; others by creating the text, either way works.

5. When composing the text for a kamishibai story, remember the characters use dialogue. The children can either write or dictate the story and dialogue.
6. Have the children divide the text into sections and make sketches for each one. Some children prefer working on and completing the illustrations before the text; either way works.

7. Check to see that the sketches correlate with the text. Reread and edit the text. Work on the final illustrations.

8. Arrange the illustrated cards in order and write the number for each card in sequence in the front, lower left-hand corner.

9. Tape the text for illustrated card #1 to the back of the last illustrated card. Tape the text for illustrated card #2 to the back of card #1 and so forth.

10. Now your children have their own kamishibai story. Children gain proficiency and fluency when they perform the stories they have created.

Reader's Theater

Reader's Theater was developed many years ago, as a convenient and effective way to present literary works in dramatic form. Since the story text on the back of Kamishibai cards is already in dialogue form, it can be used as a script. Photocopy the text and highlight different parts, such as the narratorand specific characters, for the students assigned to read them. Another student can hold the cards, moving the card in the order of the story and displaying illustrations to the audience.

Poetry & Music

The powerful messages and themes in Kamishibai stories can be expressed and experienced through student-created poetry and music. As with the original stories, work can be done individually, in pairs or with the entire class.

Teachers have shared with us the poems students have written, inspired by Kamishibai stories. Some of these poems have also been set to music.

Kamishibai stories have also been dramatized by students composing theme songs for each of the main characters in the story. Whenever the character appears, the theme song is sung.