Musical Flipbooks - Cross-Curricular

Before viewing a musical on video, we talk about characteristics of a musical as well as the essential parts of a story (i.e., the setting, plot, characters, problem, solution, and climax). Then, I hand the students a sheet with each of the above characteristics listed in its own box on the paper. As students are watching the musical, they can fill in the boxes with information. We also list the songs as we hear them sung. At the beginning of each class time, we review what we've watched so far by discussing what we've been able to fill out on our sheet. Not only does this help organize students' thoughts about the musical, but it also uses the same skills they need in reading!

This activity involves language arts, communication skills, and even art skills.

After viewing a musical (or other video), discuss the elements of the video that you wish to emphasize. The students can show what they've learned by making flipbooks. To make a flipbook, fold a paper in half lengthwise, fold it again the other way, and divide it into four sections. Unfold the last set of folds but keep the lengthwise fold. Use a pair of scissors to cut along the other fold lines on the top layer and the lengthwise fold ONLY. (This creates flaps that open up.) On the outside of the flap, students can create questions about the video and write (or draw) the answers on the inside of the flap. You can guide them if you like with Who, What, When, and Why questions. Students can then share these flipbooks with each other in the class.

The flipbooks can be used in all sorts of ways; your imagination is the limit!