In conjunction with an ocean reef study, each student creates a book with actual ocean creatures as characters. They learn how to storyboard, write character dialog, and draw illustrations. Each book is 6 or 8 pages, including front and back cover.

Supplies needed
• Poster board 24 X 36
• Pencils and Erasers
• Color medium (crayons and/or markers)
• Reef reference books
• Use of ELMO and printer
• Laminating
• Binding

Students look at pictures of the reef environment and are introduced to the concept of symbiotic relationships. They are given the basic requirements for their story. In this case, they need aquatic beings as characters, and one character must be in need of help from another. Each student chooses the aquatic beings who will be the main characters of their story. Students are shown a storyboard and how to use it, alternating text and pictures in the boxes. They begin work on their storyboards.

The artists lead a discussion of the universal concepts that will pertain to their stories. Students continue working on their storyboards.

Students decide on a story title and learn how to integrate dialog with their illustrations.

Students begin making pages for their books, using a storyboard panel as a basic template for each page.

Students continue making text and illustration pages. They are also shown the page layout process for their books.

Students edit pages, then layout their books for binding. As they are ready, students bind books to take home.