Issue #23 - September 2, 2025

Hi there, .

This week’s strategy turns a roll of paper into a powerful tool for storytelling, reflection, and connection...one unroll at a time.

And the best part? All you need is paper, tape, and a drawing utensil.

This Week's Strategy: Unroll the Story

• STEP 1: Create the Paper Roll
  Tape several sheets of paper together, end-to-end, and roll them into a scroll. Give one to each student or pair.

• STEP 2: Set the Prompt

  Choose a theme or idea for students to explore. You could ask:

  
  * Tell the story of your summer, one moment at a time.

  * Create a character's journey through a challenge.

  * Show how a butterfly changes during its life cycle.

  * Explain a math problem as a story in pictures.

• STEP 3: Draw the Story in Segments
  Students unroll a little at a time, drawing one piece of their story or process per section. This encourages them to think step-by-step and stay focused on each moment.

• STEP 4: Reflect and Share

  After completing their scrolls, students can:

  
  * Unroll and share their story with a partner or group

  * Do a scroll trade with other pairs

  * Add written labels, speech bubbles, or reflections to each section

Why This Works:

🌀 Encourages sequential thinking and narrative structure
🎨 Makes space for visual storytelling and artistic choice
🧠 Builds attention, creativity, and confidence

Ways to Make Connections:

You can use this strategy to:

• ELA - Map out a personal narrative or plotline for a story.

• Math - Break down the steps of solving a complex word problem visually.

• Social Studies - Show a timeline or journey through history.

• Science - Use it in a group challenge: Design a tool using the paper roll that could solve a real-world environmental problem (like cleaning up oil spills or collecting rainwater).

•  

  Music - Create a scroll that shows how a piece of music changes over time or emotion.

• Visual Art - Use mixed media in each section to explore different styles or moods.

Happy creating and connecting,

Susan