Weekly Challenge #5 - Story Boxes

This week we are combining building, mechanical engineering, and storytelling to create a story box with a moving setting. The videos give detailed instructions but I will give written instructions too for those who prefer them.

You will need:

• Copies of the pdf below. Print the first page on cardstock if you have it. The second page needs to be on regular paper.
• Scissors
• Tape (masking and scotch tape if possible)
• 2 straws or 2 pencils
• markers or colored pencils
• 2 corks or plastic bottle caps

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I was originally going to do this project last week but I needed to move some things around. In the first video I say this is challenge 4, it is actually challenge 5. Flexibility is essential in these times. If you happen to have 2 paper towel rolls and a shoebox, there is a large version of the project here that might be easier for smaller hands.

Please watch the first video. You may want to print out the handout below before you begin. If you happen to have any cardstock in the house, it's nice to print the first page on thicker paper. If not, no worries. The second page needs to be on regular paper. We want it easy to roll.

story_box.pdf
File Size:	7 kb
File Type:	pdf

Download File

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Take the time you need to cut out the box template. You really want to stay on the lines. It should be one solid piece when cut out. You are cutting the whole outline of the box.

​When you are done, watch the next video. 

Now you need to cut out the screen area, the white area in the center of the thick black frame.

Then you need to use a hole punch, or the tip of a sharp pencil, to make the holes in the two small circle areas. Make sure the straws or pencils you will be using to move the image can fit in the holes and in the slit areas at the top of the of the template. 

Finally, fold along all the dotted lines, some are a little hard to see. Everything around the black frame is folded back. You also fold along the dotted line nearer the bottom. As you fold you should start to see the box take shape.

Securely tape the box together, except for the top "lid" portion with the slits. You won't tape the top until after you've put in the image inside the box.

​When done, move on to the next video.

Cut out the rectangular strips from the second page. 

Line them up and neatly tape them together with some scotch tape to form one long strip.

Draw a colorful scene that shows some sort of journey. Use your imagination!

​When done drawing, watch the next video.

Turn your story strip over so the image can't be seen. Take the pencils or straws you are using and securely tape them so that you have 1/4 inch of pencil/straw hanging below the paper strip and the rest of the pencil/straw sticking out above the paper strip. 

Roll the strip around both pencils/straws so that the pencils/straws roll toward each other and the image faces out. Like rolling a Torah scroll in reverse. Roll them toward each other until they are as far apart as the holes in the bottom of your box.

Settle the scroll into the box so the bottom of the pencils/straws stick through the bottom of each hole and the image fills your screen. When arranged, close the box lid so that the top of the pencils/straws stick through the slats on the top. Tape behind your pencils/straws so that the pencil can turn but cannot wiggle back and forth. Now go ahead and securely tape the top of the box closed.

Now you should be able to turn your pencils and move the scene from start to finish, and finish to start. If using, attach the corks to the bottom of your box to help the box stand up.

You are done!

I would LOVE to see how these turned out. Please share with me a short video that shows your story. Send video to [email protected] or share on Twitter using #sfbrandeismakes

OPTIONAL Lesson Extensions

• What would happen if you added light to your story box? How might you do that?
• Can you make this story box into a larger movie? 
• Now that you have made a story box, how could you improve it? What might you add or change to this design to make it even better?
• Are there different materials you could use to make this project? How might different materials alter or improve this idea?
• Could you make a smaller story box?
• Could you make a larger story box?