Theme 9: Growing and Changing

I've wanted to do this all year, but have yet to find the actual time and ambition to make it happen... However, because I'm so utterly excited about our 9th theme in UPK this year, I'm determined to get it done!

Our Head Start program uses the High/Scope curriculum and incorporates the Houghton Mifflin Pre-K literacy curriculum as well. We use the Houghton Mifflin mainly to provide children with exposure the "alphafriends" that will be a big part of their Kindergarten year. I have been trying very hard to successfully incorporate all of the Houghton Mifflin themes into our High/Scope curriculum to make the most of both curriculums!

So... the current Houghton Mifflin theme? Growing and changing... focusing on letters Gg, Ee and Dd. Letter Gg was last week... spring break this week and then we move on to letter Ee... and I have some incredible ideas planned and I'm thinking my UPKers are going to love what I have to offer! I'm hoping you all will enjoy the ideas too!

For now though, I'm going to just share some of the resources I've already used as well as those I'm planning to use. Updates/thoughts/comments on them will come as they are put to use in the coming weeks!

Books to use in collaboration with the Growing and Changing theme:

• The Emperor's Egg by Martin Jenkins
• An Egg is Quiet by Dianna Hutts Aston
• Chickens Aren't the Only Ones by Ruth Heller
• Who's Hatching Here? by Alma Flor Ada
• What Hatches? (an emergent reader from www.hubbardscupboard.org)
• What Is Growing Inside This Egg? by Mia Posada
• Praying Mantises by Margaret Hall
• A Ladybug's Life by John Himmelman
• A Ladybug Larva Grows Up by Katie Marsico
  
• The Very Lazy Ladybug by Isobel Finn
• Once There Was a Tadpole by Judith Anderson
• Manuelo the Playing Mantis by Don Freeman
• Growing Frogs by Vivian French
• Ladybug on the Move by Richard Fowler
• Growing Like Me by Anne F. Rockwell
• Plant Packages: A Book About Seeds by Susan Blackaby
• The Growing Up Tree by Vera Rosenberry
• Growing Vegetable Soup by Lois Ehlert
• In the Garden by Peggy Collins
  
• My Garden by Kevin Henkes
• One Bean by Anne Rockwell
• How a Seed Grows by Helene Jordan
  

Activity Kits to Watch "Growing and Changing" Take Place:

• Insect Lore's Lady Bug Land - the larvae is ordered and will soon be arriving!
• Fascinations GreenEarth Praying Mantis Kit - ordered the live egg case today!
• Insect Lore's Live Butterfly Garden - again, the larvae was ordered today!
• Uncle Milton's Planet Frog - the tadpoles have been ordered!
• Hatchin Grow Turtle in Egg
• Hatching Duck Egg
• Hatching Chicken Egg
• Hatching Snake Egg
  

This is not a complete list of resources that I may use, nor will I necessary use everything on this list. It will depend how things play out with the children and how the weeks go. I will post more information about the activities, photos and thoughts as I go along!



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If you're interested in finding out more information about any of the books reviewed or if you'd like to purchase the books, click the cover image for a link to Amazon.com. I am an Amazon Affiliate, so any purchases you make after clicking these images will result in my receiving a small percentage of the sale price!

"Froggy Boots" Easter Basket Finds

Trying to get back in the swing of blogging and what better way than to break out some snazzy book-themed Easter baskets. There's still time to order these great items and throw them into a basket for your little ones! Today's idea is frog-themed!

Martin, Jill Zabkar.
Froggy Boots Go With Everything.
2010.
JZM Media.
Review copy provided courtesy of publisher.

Parents (and teachers) tend to easily recognize a child's love of one specific item - whether it be a special blanket, stuffed animal or something else entirely.

One child's love for his "froggy boots" are evident in this cute, simple board book, as everything (and every part of the day) involve his froggy boots - visiting a friend, making lemonade, building with blocks, planting plants and more.

Not only is the story one that will easily appeal to children, it also provides and encourages the child to interact and take notice of the illustrations AFTER reading - as a "Can you find" picture/word activity is provided to enhance reading and the use of picture clues throughout.

If you have a frog-loving toddler, why not put together a themed Easter basket this year, making this book the center of attention???

What to put in the Easter basket?

Frog Apparel and Accessories to Consider

Kidorable Frog Raincoat (with matching hanger)
Kidorable Frog Umbrella
Kidorable Frog Rainboots
Kidorable Frog Backpack

If the kids are needing a little candy in that basket...

• Frog Lollipop Suckers
• Haribo Gummy Frogs
  

Frog Activities

• Flippity Frogs: An Active Counting Game
• Melissa & Doug Sunny Patch Kids Froggy Toss and Grip
• Smart Safari Alphabet Fun Frog
  

And... if you're absolutely needing the perfect basket to pull it all together...

• Felt Frog Basket

Kids are sure to love this themed basket... and will have so much fun with any or all of the different activities that they'll likely not realize how much learning is going on with the fun - a win-win for children and their parents!

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If you're interested in finding out more information about any of the books reviewed or if you'd like to purchase the books, click the cover image for a link to Amazon.com. I am an Amazon Affiliate, so any purchases you make after clicking these images will result in my receiving a small percentage of the sale price!

National Character Counts Week

One of the greatest building blocks of character is citizen service. The future belongs to those who have the strength of character to live a life of service to others. Character Counts week is celebrated this week, October 18-24, 2009.
-The Teacher's Calendar, 2008-2009

Character education is a huge part of today's school curriculum. Alongside literature, simple daily activities can allow children to see "character" in the works. These discreet stories really allow children to see how to be a good "character" or citizen, while also enjoying participating in a reading or listening to a story.

Sommer, Carl.
King of the Pond.
2000.
Advance Publishing, Inc.
Guided Reading Level: L
Source: Copy borrowed from local library

Summary from Barnes & Noble:

Tombo the tadpole declares himself King of the Pond. He brags that he's the biggest, the fastest, and the strongest tadpole, and he teases and chases all the other tadpoles. But one day while showing off doing a triple flip, Tombo's life takes a major turn. He's captured by a boy and taken from his lush pond to a fish tank. There Tombo is fed dry fish flakes, a food he despises. When Tombo turns into a frog, the boy releases him back into his pond. Tombo discovers that he's no longer the biggest and fastest. It's then he discovers something much more important than being King of the Pond. Explore the themes of bullying, friendship, and forgiveness in this beautifully illustrated story.

Respect for others, forgiveness and sportsmanship are the character traits that are featured in this edition of "Another Sommer-Time Story" series. Here, a bully learns that being a bully and bragging about all that he can do doesn't pay off in the end. However, perhaps the most important lesson to be learned is that it's important to forgive in the end - and that's just what Tombo's friend's do, despite the way in which they were earlier treated. This book would fit perfectly into a science curriculum, as it also explains the lifecycle of the frog. Definitely a great book to have on hand for teachers (and parents, as well).

Sommer, Carl.
The Ugly Caterpillar.
2000.
Advance Publishing, Inc.
Guided Reading Level: K
Source: Copy borrowed from local library

Summary from Barnes & Noble:

When a tiny, yellow egg appears on the scene, three friends, Speckles the spider, Crumbs the cricket, and Annie the ant, aren't sure what to think. But when Katy the caterpillar appears, Speckles and Crumbs think the caterpillar is much too ugly to be their friend. Only Annie the ant looks past the caterpillar's funny shape and makes friends with Katy. As Katy the caterpillar begins her strange transformation into a beautiful butterfly, Annie is shocked and amazed. This educational and beautifully illustrated story shows the true meaning of beauty and friendship and the pitfalls of judging others by their appearances.

I had the opportunity to use this book with a third-grader over the course of the summer - she loved the story... and even better, she learned a LOT while reading the book! Respect for others, as well as kindness and friendship are expressed throughout this story, when Annie befriends an "ugly caterpillar" who develops into a beautiful butterfly. The lesson to be learned is "not to judge a book by its cover" - that true beauty lies within. Perhaps what I enjoyed most about the book is the fact that it also would work perfectly in a science unit when studying the life cycle of a butterfly, as we watch while Katy the Caterpillar transforms from an ugly caterpillar into a butterfly. This definitely holds a place on my shelf!

Sommer, Carl.
No One Will Ever Know.
1997.
Advance Publishing, Inc.
Guided Reading Level: L
Source: Copy borrowed from local library

Summary from Barnes & Noble:

Teased by their friends that no one will ever know, Johnny and Janie ignore their parents' warnings about the big, bad wolf. Wanting big, delicious acorns at Mr. Smith's farm, they and their friends hatch a plan to sneak out of their homes during the night. They can't wait to feast on the delicious acorns from Mr. Smith's farm. The young squirrels' moon-lit adventure and delightful meal suddenly ends when a very hungry wolf chases them. Barely escaping with their lives, the young squirrels learn to disobey is wrong even when you think no one will ever know.

After reading this story, children will begin to understand the importance of listening to their parents and elders, even if something might not make sense to them. I don't think the lesson to be learned here is quite as clear as in the previous two books reviewed, but I do think it begins to show children the importance of listening and follow the rules - as rules exist for a reason!

Carl Sommer's Other Books about Character Education:

1. Proud Rooster and Little Red Hen
2. It's Not Fair
3. If Only I Were...
4. Can You Help Me Find My Smile?
5. Three Little Pigs
6. The Sly Fox and the Chicks
7. The Richest Poor Kid
8. The Little Red Train
9. I am a Lion!
10. You Move, You Lose
11. Time Remote
12. Dare to Dream
13. Spike the Rebel
14. Tied Up in Knots
15. Noise! Noise! Noise!
16. No Longer a Dilly Dally
17. Light Your Candle
    
18. The Great Royal Race
19. Your Job is Easy
20. Miserable Millie
21. Mayor for the Day
22. Character Education Curriculum Guide
    

If you're interested in finding out more information about any of the books reviewed or if you'd like to purchase the books, click the cover image for a link to Amazon.com.

Frank Asch's Birthday

Frank Asch has been one of my favorite children's authors since I was a kid! Because his birthday is today, I just had to share with you some of his wonderful books! I hope you and your children enjoy them as much as I did and still do! Because there are so many different books by Frank Asch and because they're all wonderful and worthy of being shared (I don't think it's necessary to rave about them all individually... they're all amazing), I've decided not to write reviews of each individual one, but rather to provide you with a summary and some kind of learning activity that could be used with each.

Asch, Frank.
Moonbear's Shadow.
1985.
Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing
Guided Reading Level: J

Summary from Barnes & Noble:

When Little Bear's shadow gets in the way of his catching a fish, he decides to get rid of it. No matter what he does though, it won't go away!

Scholastic has provided some wonderful writing prompts to go along with this story!
Bear's (Moonbear's) Shadow - Writing Prompt

Asch, Frank.
Moonbear's Bargain.
2001 (1991).
Aladdin.
Guided Reading Level: J

Summary from Barnes & Noble:

Bear wants to fly. Little Bird wants to be big. How will their wishes come true? Find out in this interesting book, 'Bear's Bargain', by Frank Asch.

Pose a challenge activity to kids. What is something you wish you could do/be but realistically never could really do/be. Give them several days to brainstorm... possibly even provide them with a graphic organizer to jot down their thoughts. Then, give them one week to come up with a final plan and to make it so that they can accomplish that one thing that realistically can't be done, just as Bear helped Little Bird to grow by carving his picture on a small pumpkin that grows over time and just as Little Bird helps Bear to fly by painting his picture on a kite.

Asch, Frank.
Moondance.
1993.
Scholastic, Inc.
Guided Reading Level: J

Summary from Barnes & Noble:

Bear has a wish. He wants to dance with moon. But the moon is so special. Will she want to dance with Bear? This is a child's book.

Using a flood light at night, or yellow construction paper during the day, create the reflection of the moon, as it is seen in Moondance. Allow the kids to make up their own moondance some day/night. Encourage them to be creative... this activity also encourages physical activity, which many of today's children don't get enough of!

Asch, Frank.
Moonbear's Pet.
1997.
Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing.
Guided Reading Level: K

Summary from Barnes & Noble:

In their eighth endearing adventure, Bear and Little Bird squabble over a tiny creature they find at a pond and take back home. At first, they both believe Splash is a fish. Then she starts to change. "Moonbear returns in another entertaining story with a gentle lesson."

Children watch as Splash changes over time... Head out to the local aquarium store and pick up a few tadpoles. After reading the story together, allow children the opportunity to watch their tadpole grow into a frog! This book makes the perfect opener to a theme on the life cycle of a frog!

Asch, Frank.
Mooncake.
1983.
Prentice Hall Professional Technical Reference.
Guided Reading Level: J

Summary from Barnes & Noble:

Bear builds a rocket to take him to the moon so he can taste it.

A cooking activity for you and the kids! White Moon Cake

Asch, Frank.
Sand Cake.
1987.
Crown Books for Young Readers.

Summary from Barnes & Noble:

Papa Bear uses his culinary skills and a little imagination to concoct a sand cake.

I would suggest reading this book at some point through the afternoon. Then, involve the kids in making dessert for dinner, Sand Cake of course. The recipe for sand cake can be found here.

If you're interested in finding out more information about any of the books reviewed or if you'd like to purchase the books, click the cover image for a link to Amazon.com.