Creating Japanese Scrolls is one of my favorite ways to use art in the classroom and it works regardless of the size of the class. In feudal Japan, when a message had to be taken from one Samurai lord to another, e.g., it was done by an elaborate scroll that was tied with a ribbon and hand delivered.

As for age appropriateness, this activity works well from about mid-primary and up. The older the students, the more intricate the drawings and language are apt to be.

What you need per student:

1. a set of 6 sheets of blank paper * (letter size or A4 depending on where your school is);
2. some scotch tape,
3. a piece of red ribbon about 12″ (25 cm) long. Buy a roll and cut it as needed.
4. Pencil (student should have already)
5. Eraser (student should have already)
6. Pencil sharpener (should be one in the classroom)
7. Colored pencils are optional. Colored markers are okay, too, but keep it simple. You set the rules.

*For older students, you may wish to splurge and buy thicker but not too thick, cardstock or parchment-type paper for greater authenticity. The object of the activity is to have each student write and illustrate a 6-panel story that, from start to finish, is no longer than the 6 sheets they have. They will have to do some planning with a beginning panel, an ending panel, and 4 in-between ‘body of the story’ panels.

Students should first try to think of a topic. You, as their teacher, can perhaps put a list of story ideas on the board to give them a place to start. You might even choose to create and illustrate a story on the board to show them what they have to do. This would need to be done ahead of time. You can demonstrate how a story must flow smoothly from beginning to end. Many students will get right into it while others will tell you they cannot think of anything to write. This is where your ideas on the board will help.

On the board (or in class large computer screen), you might have different columns

1. Hero/Heroine, Villain or good guy/bad guy, father, mother, friend, brother, sister
2. Fight/war/save the planet/jungle, desert, city, airport, game
3. Airplane, ship, spaceship, submarine, bicycle, motorcycle, car, house, building, school
4. Alien, army, navy, air force, police, robber, football, hockey, baseball, cricket
5. Dog, cat, monkey, lion, tiger, elephant, snake, spider, horse
6. Flood, tornado, tsunami, snowstorm, hailstorm, dust storm, sunshine
7. Witch, elves, pixies, dwarves, giants, trolls, dragon
8. Christmas, Easter, holiday, vacation, weekend, visitor

(Add to or subtract from any of these lists as you see fit)

Students may choose from what you have written on the board or anything else from their own imagination. This may be given as a homework assignment as long as you can be assured that it will be their own work when it comes back. If they are into video games, a straight copy is not allowed. It must be their personal idea and written /graphic interpretation. This might also be a good time to introduce the idea of plagiarism.

Depending on the age of your students, perhaps an approximate limit of 5-6 sentences per page/panel for the younger ones and a paragraph or two for older students. You don’t need epistles here. It is just a fun exercise to teach students how to think about developing a story outline, a beginning and an ending, as well as simple hand drawings to help give readers/viewers a visual interpretation of the story. This process will help every student in later grades.

The idea is that each student writes and illustrates their 6-panel story, (like 6 pages from a children’s storybook) then tapes the panels together, rolls it up and ties it with the red ribbon. (You can change the colours as you wish). They should put their name in the rolled up story so they can find theirs if all of them get put in a basket, for instance.

The ‘reveal’ follows where each student gets to come up to the front of the class and tell his or her story. I like to bring students up to the front in small groups of up to 6 students depending on the size of your class (Dale Carnegie idea). This reduces student stress level and gives them support instead of leaving them all alone at the front. The group each takes their turn to read their story and stays up until everyone in the group has read their story. Then they sit down and the next group comes up. Encourage (you can lead) the rest of the class to applaud. Applause is great before and after each story and each group as they go up to the front and again as they return to their seats. This is another stress-reducer and at the same time shows students that their effort is appreciated… a good life lesson. Watch the applause level though; be respectful of other classes around you.

There is something magical about untying the ribbon and holding out the story, then reading it panel by panel. A good idea is then to post the stories around the room for everyone to see – especially if you have apparent-teacher day coming up! Be sure to take pictures of each student with their rolled up scrolls and then reading their story to the class. These make excellent send home pictures for the parents! It also shows the school director/principal how creative you are!