Multiple Uses for Blank Books

Right now, Target has these cool  books in the One Spot area!  For $3.00, you get three, 32-page hard-cover books which are approximately 5x7.  They also have larger books available without a hard cover, but these were too cute for me too pass up.

Last year, many of our language groups spent a considerable amount of time identifying story elements, finding evidence in the text to support their answers, and identifying themes and lessons.  (Sound a little like The Common Core, eh?)  These books would work great to take working on story elements a step further by having students write their own stories and illustrate them.  My mind is spinning with all of the possibilities!

• Vocabulary - Students write the word, its definition, draw a picture, and write the word in a sentence.
• Describing - Students draw a picture of the target object and then write multiple descriptive words on the corresponding page.
• Idioms - Students write the idiom and draw the literal interpretation on one page and write the idiom's meaning and draw the figurative picture on the opposite page.
• Hidden Curriculum - Students write hidden rules and draw pictures of them.
• Articulation - Students write/draw target words.
• Syntax - Students write the target word(s) on one page and write sentences using the target on the second page (i.e. "HE"…"He is my best friend.")
• Creative Writing - Students write prompt on one page and write a paragraph about the prompt on the opposite page.

What ideas do you have?  We'd love to hear them!