Tell Me a Story, Virginia Hamilton
Children's author Virginia Hamilton is the inspiration for drawing and writing original stories.
1. Read a selection of stories and novels by Virginia Hamilton in book groups, independently, and as read-alouds. Discuss how Hamilton uses language to portray vivid characters and settings in her stories. Identify variations in dialogue that connect characters to their geographic and cultural backgrounds.
2. Think about the stories you read. What pictures come to your mind from Hamilton's stories? Draw a similar image on white paper with Crayola® Crayons or Colored Pencils. Let your image come to life as you tell yourself a story about your picture.
3. When the drawing is complete, use your crayons or colored pencils to quickly write some sentences about the story you were thinking. If you run out of sentences, begin a second drawing to carry the story forward. Continue the writing/drawing cycle until your story concludes.
4. Use Crayola Scissors to cut aluminum foil slightly larger than each drawing. Attach each drawing to foil with Crayola School Glue. Spread more glue on the back of the foil and center it on a larger piece of colored construction paper.
5. Edit and rewrite your stories on writing paper. Arrange your framed drawings into a book with your story pages placed between drawings.
Adult supervision is required for any arts & crafts project. Observe children closely and intervene as necessary to prevent potential safety problems and ensure appropriate use of arts and crafts materials. Some craft items, particularly beads and buttons, are potential choking hazards for young children. Avoid use of such small parts with children younger than 3 years. Craft items such as scissors, push pins and chenille sticks may have sharp points or edges. Avoid use of materials with sharp points by children younger than 4 years. Read all manufacturers' safety warnings before using arts and craft supplies.
Scissors—ATTENTION: The cutting edges of scissors are sharp and care should be taken whenever cutting or handling. Blunt-tip scissors should be used only by children 4 years and older. Pointed-tip scissors should be used only by children 6 years and older.
- Virginia Hamilton was born on March 12, 1936, in Yellow Springs, Ohio. Generations of her family have lived in the area, which was a station on the Underground Railroad. Her mother was the oldest daughter of a fugitive slave. Do further research about Hamilton's life to see how her heritage has affected her writing and achievements.
- Research awards presented to Virginia Hamilton for her contributions to children's literature, as well as winners of the Virginia Hamilton Literary Award. Examine the embossed awards found on award-winning books. Develop your own literary awards for favorite authors, creating original award stickers by coloring a layer of thick crayon on label paper, then scratching away the award design with a craft stick or dull pencil.
- Older students read Virginia Hamilton's novels, and engage in small-group discussions. Students keep image journals in which to sketch vivid scenes that come to mind from Hamilton's colorful use of language.
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