Book of the Week
Book of the Week #22
Theme: Strong Women
Title: She Persisted
Author: Chelsea Clinton
Illustrator: Alexandra Boiger
Age Appropriate: 5+
Review
Activities
At Home: (Parent/ Child)
Classroom:
Book of the Week #21
Theme: Moving Your Body
Title: Bend and Stretch
Author: Pamela Hill Nettleton
Illustrator: Becky Shipe
Age Appropriate: 4+
Review
As kids explore their gross motor skills they are learning through trial and error, this book lays out clear motions for them to follow through with as they practice. For instance, the story asks kiddos to bend their knees, wave their hands and utilize their muscles, joints and bones. Another great aspect is that this story is chalked full of fun facts about the human body that students will find fun and engaging as they learn.
We chose this book because more and more young kids are seeking physical therapy and understanding from a very early age just how important the food they put in their body and daily activities help them grow! This allows for a positive relationship with one's self.
Activities
At Home: (Parent/ Child)
Make exercise in any capacity a daily activity - as long as you are moving your body you are creating a positive daily habit!
Classroom:
Play Simon (or Simone) Says in your classroom as a way to explore gross motor and body movements and navigation as well as recognition.
As you teach body and movement use this story as a tool during circle time or large group and act out the motions on every page.
Book of the Week #20
Theme: Gardening & Outdoors
Title: We are the Gardeners
Author: Joanna Gaines & Kids
Illustrator: Julianna Swaney
Age Appropriate: 4+
Review
When creating our very first ECHO center, securing this book was a absolute must. Not only do all ECHO board members love Joanna & Chip Gaines but we will scream at the top of rooftops just how influential and educational this story is for young learners.
In a technology ruled world, now do not get us wrong, check out our screen time podcast and book of the week review for Polly and the Screen Time Overload we know screen time has it's positives as well as it's negatives, however, nothing compares to digging in the dirt, planting seeds and understanding the elements that grow within our world.
Through the course of this story, kid's themselves break down terminology on an easy - to - understand and in an easy - to - relate level for other young children. On the surface this children's book appears like another fiction story and catches kid's eyes in a fun way, however, it can easily be brought into a science and nature lesson, which we highly recommend.
Activities
At Home: (Parent/ Child)
Plant a garden in your yard or windowsill where your child can contribute and make it their own. Let them choose what goes into the soil, let them elevate their sensory interest and exploitation.
In the winter you can create your own sensory bin activity!
Write your own book as a family on something you all enjoy doing together, use photos and words and phrases your children can understand and utilize day to day. Put this book on their bookshelf to read from time to time!
Classroom:
Plant a classroom garden
Put soil in their sensory bin and bring elements into the classroom especially in winter months.
Create a word wall for terms (descriptive words) covered within this story.
This story can fit into a variety of units and subject lessons: Math, Science, Sensory, Literacy, Fine motor, Gross Motor, Art, even Cooking and Nutrition! Take advantage of all the ideas on the internet that can coincide with this storyline!
Book of the Week #19
Theme: Cooking & Nutrition
Title: Pretend Soup & Other Real Recipes
Author: Mollie Katzen & Ann Henderson
Illustrator: Mollie Katzen
Age Appropriate: 3+
Review
As kids explore the world around them the food that goes into their bodies strikes much intrigue, whether it's the color, taste, texture, shape, and consistency not to mention the preparation & where the specific food or ingredient came from. Depending on age some may not be able to verbalize these questions, however, it doesn't mean they are not there. The fascination with the food they consume starts at a very young age and as parents and caregivers we want to make sure we are doing the absolute best in providing them with the nutrients they need for their growing bodies. That being said, having them involved in the grocery store runs and meal preparation is an incredible learning lesson and bonding experience.
In this book, you will find a variety of kid-friendly and nutrient-rich recipes broken down in an easy-to-digest manner with a recipe through pictures and bite-sized descriptions for kiddos and a more thorough description for adults.
A handful of recipes within these pages are perfect for inside the classroom if you are planning for a cooking or nutrition unit and all are family-friendly!
Activities
At Home: (Parent/ Child) & In the Classroom:
Follow recipes and enjoy!
Check out kid reviews on youtube and watch fun youth cooking YT channels!
Make your own cookbook with your class or family!
Book of the Week #18
Theme: Play & Friendship
Title: Cookie & Milk: A Scientifically Stunt - Tastic Sisterhood
Author: Michele MCavoy
Illustrator: Jessica Gibson
Age Appropriate: 3+
Review
This incredible story takes you on a fun and unique adventure of two best friends that couldn't be more different. Meet Cookie, a young girl who loves science, and Milk, her best friend who loves adventure and sports. Throughout these pages, Milk and Cookie showcase their friendship in an exciting way and in a way that appears a bit unexpected. Cookie carefully plans, observes, and creates or builds the equipment, measures the ocean waves for optimal surfing environments and so much more all the while Milk puts her faith in her friend and takes the leap enjoying each careful calculation!
This story highlights friendship and being "uniquely you" but it's also chalked full of fun facts on each page, important women in history in the STEM and sports fields, and the 5 "S" words of friendship!
We can honestly say this book is a favorite both inside and outside of the classroom; join this dynamic duo and see where the adventure takes you next!
Activities
At Home: (Parent/ Child)
Look up each woman highlighted in the back of the book - and get to know their accomplishments and add a face to the name!
See publisher's website for additional information and free resources as well as other titles your child will love as well!
Classroom:
Create a pairs project by hiding clipart images of "milk" and "cookies" around the classroom. After reading the story as a group pick two students at a time to work together - one friend is to find the "milk" and the other is to find the "cookie", from there, they need to work together to complete their objective and join the group when both are found. Continue until each child has a turn in a pair.
Read other children's stories about each of the women highlighted in the book.
See the beginning of the book for important questions and a free lesson plan for the story! You can also find more information and resources on the publisher's website:
https://cardinalrulepress.com/collections/shop-all/products/cookie-and-milk?variant=41198083866808
Book of the Week #17
Theme: Screen Time
Title: Polly and the Screen Time Overload
Author: Betsy Childs Howard
Illustrator: Samara Hardy
Age Appropriate: 2.5+
Review
This book is both kid and parent-approved, we promise! When reviewing this story for our Book of the Week and podcast content, we were blown away by this title suggestion! In this day and age, we all struggle with screen time whether we are a teacher, parents, individuals and even our children, themselves, are all earning to juggle this new "way of the world" future.
Now, don't get us wrong, we know there are some great positives to technology and screens in today's world - face-timing/ video chatting with family members and friends who live far away, learning resources and tools for educational purposes, a break from reality, and a fun way to relieve stress and unwind and the biggest one of all: being able to work from home - offering an environment of being home more and spending more time with your own kids and family unit, yet this modeled behavior and over stimulation can lead to uncertainty wondering if you are doing everything right in this gray area and new and uncharted territory.
This story takes you on the journey of Polly, a young girl visiting her grandparents who live in a quiet town and run their very own family farm. This new environment for a child is full of possibilities and connections but when your face is buried into a tablet, like Polly's, it is hard for one to take notice. However, once her tablet dies and she must take the time to charge it she starts to see the world around her and the screen is forgotten as she explores all the fun.
Please note: The very first page of this story has a passage highlighted from the bible, specifically, Corinthians, however, do not feel discouraged, this is not a religious story - that portion can be easily skipped over if you feel more comfortable. That is the only reference to a bible verse.
Activities
At Home: (Parent/ Child)
Dedicate a day when you as a family can unplug from technology as a whole and connect with one another. Spend time at a museum, or library, cook meals as a family and show your children and even family as a whole that fun can be all around once you look up from a screen. Even make a game and have everyone put their screens in a basket where you can get them back the next day.
Use this opportunity to talk to your child or children about internet safety and the importance of what to share and who not to talk to.
Explain how technology has changed over the years and what the types of games, the internet, screens, and so on were like when you were little.
Weather permitting, spend the day outside and try and work on activities that your child tends to enjoy on their device. If they are something you can create a real-life scenario, have fun with it!
Classroom:
If the weather is cooperating and you are able to take your class outside for the day read this book and create lessons and an environment around this storyline emphasizing the importance of unplugging in today's world. This may even become a favorite routine to continue with for both you as a teacher and all your students!
During a large group lesson, asks your students about certain scenarios that are fun, and exciting, somewhere lessons are learned or taught and information is stated then revisit those scenarios as if the individual is avoiding that message or environment when working on their tablet or spending time disengaged on a screen. Hear what your students have to say regarding these scenarios (even have printed visuals to help solidify this lesson) and expand on their responses.
Book of the Week #16
Theme: Food Allergies
Title: Zoey has an Allergy
Author: Anisha Angella
Illustrator: Rachel Batislaong
Age Appropriate: 3+
Review
If your child has an allergy, has a friend, family member, or classmate with an allergy please read this book! This is wonderful inside and out of the classroom as it follows the account of a young girl, Zoey, as she discovers she is allergic to peanuts. This story walks through discovering an allergy, understanding what that allergy means, and steps to prevent it or recognize it.
This story is written in a way kiddos can understand breaking down big words like anaphylaxis and visualizing an EpiPen and allergy bracelet. These are things that are understood by adults but new for children, therefore, reading this story helps prepare your child for a situation at school, understanding the importance and significance of this intense situation, or even breaking down their own allergy in a bite-sized way.
Activities
At Home: (Parent/ Child)
If you, your child, or someone in your immediate family has an allergy, utilize this story as a way to introduce this heavy topic to your child.
Understanding their own action plan - if your child has an allergy walk through with them how to best handle a situation if it arises so they are prepared.
Classroom:
Read this story in the classroom if you have a student who has an allergy. This helps highlight the safety of keeping your school and friends safe as well as allows students to ask questions for a better understanding and how they can do their part.
After reading the story show real images of items covered, such as an EpiPen and allergy bracelet. This way they can connect the illustrations to real-life images.
Book of the Week #15
Theme: Holidays Around the World
Title: Li'l Rabbit's Kwanzaa
Author: Donna L. Washington
Illustrator: Shane W. Evans
Age Appropriate: 2.5+
Review
Come along with Li'l Rabbit and explore more about the winter holiday, Kwanzaa. This whimsical and beautiful story helps introduce the aspects of Kwanzaa with littles and is a story that you can share with the whole family.
We love this story in our classroom because as we spend a week on each winter holiday to honor, respect and introduce different celebrations to our students. We take time and break down traditions, details and ideas in a way our 2.5 - 3 year olds can process and connect with. This story, however, does that work for us. With the use of a fun and adorable main character, the students learn new words and phrases, important objects as well as elements that make up this amazing holiday.
Activities
At Home: (Parent/ Child)
Connect with the author - she reads her own story on youtube or you can explore her page here: https://dlwstoryteller.com/
Expand upon the idea and explore and learn more about this holiday on your own. Try incorporating it and understand it a bit better.
Try new food - if some meals are new to you try opening up your palette to new traditions, cultures and cuisines.
Classroom:
Create a matching game with either new words learned in the story or images of significant symbols and objects.
Each new day "light" another candle and explain the significance.
Bring music into the classroom.
Book of the Week #14
Theme: Holidays Around the World
Title: The Night Before Hanukkah
Author: Natasha Wing
Illustrator: Amy Wummer
Age Appropriate: 2.5+
Review
Natasha Wing is best known for her "Night Before" series where she creates a wonderful family first storyline that ties into the holiday or event.
Within this story you will come to know certain terminology in an easy bite sized, kid appropriate understanding of Hanukkah. This is a great way to introduce the December holiday to your young child or student as they explore unique aspects to this particular religious holiday.
As teachers we know the importance of celebrating and honoring a variety of holidays so stay tuned, next week we will review a book about Kwanzaa, following that, Christmas and even Chinese new years.
Activities
At Home: (Parent/ Child)
Work with the dreidel and better understand the game to play with the family.
Light the candles and talk about meanings with every night.
Have each family member participate showcasing the importance of the holiday as well as the importance of the family.
Classroom:
Create a counting game for your littles 1-8 as they place candles, or images of candles on a menorah as you learn and explore in lessons.
Utilize the dreidel as an art tool to help apply paint. This helps strengthen fine motor but also helps create a positive environment for a child to learn how to maneuver their hands to work the dreidel as intended. (ie. getting the spinning technique)
Teach your students how to play and understand inscriptions on the dreidel. Bring in gelt and break your students into groups (if they are older) or make it apart of your large group activity.
Book of the Week #13
Theme: Hibernation/ Winter & Friendship
Title: Bear Snores On
Author: Karma Wilson
Illustrator: Jane Chapman
Age Appropriate: 2+
Review
This story is a wonderful way to introduce the concept of hibernation and the start of the winter season. I (Cate) have worked with this and others similar stories on a "sleepy bear" unit every year with my 2.5 year olds. This storyline is a great way to introduce this complex situation to young learners in a fun and easy to digest way!
If you are reading from home rather than in a classroom and lesson standpoint setting, this book offers the same learning message but also showcases a whimsical take as well as a friendship theme.
Regardless, if you have activities accompanied or reading this lovely story before bedtime there is so much one can take from it.
Highly recommended here at ECHO! :)
Activities
At Home: (Parent/ Child)
Talk about the friendship component within the story and how they share their resources between friends.
Discuss the greater meaning of hibernation with your child.
Add different voices for each characters to enhance the story as much as you can.
Classroom:
Allow a lesson plan and small large/ group activities, centers or different curriculums teachings to shape around this story as you introduce hibernation to your students.
Create a Yes or No large group activity during circle time with your students. Show a variety of animals and ask to categorize them if they were located in the story or not. You can also add another level by dispersing non-fiction, real life photos as well as illustrations.
Discuss the differences of Hibernation in the story and real life.
Another option, practice sounding out certain action and descriptive words within the story., scuttles, pop, spark and so on.
Book of the Week #12
Theme: Uniquely You
Title: We're All Wonders
Author: R.J. Palacio
Age Appropriate: 2.5+
Review
Have you ever seen the movie or read the middle school novel, Wonder? That incredibly powerful storyline follows, August, the protagonist, as he navigates the challenges of life as a middle schooler. Auggie starts attending school (rather than home schooling) and is faced with a multitude of challenges including: new friends, standing up to bullies and knowing life may be a little extra tough on him since he was born "different". Although, just because he may "look" different from other kids his own age he soon realizes with the help of his family and new found friends, trusted teachers and principal that he isn't really different after all.
In this children's book adaptation "We're All Wonders" by the original author, R.J. Palacio, we follow the same wonderful main character and discuss what makes us different, the same and how we can embrace our own unique selves just like August has been doing this whole time in every extension or adaptation of the original story.
Embrace your own unique and authentic you!
Activities
At Home: (Parent/ Child)
Discuss what makes Auggie extraordinary and once the concept in understood discuss what makes your child extraordinary!
Print out photos of events, activities and moments of your child that are unique and important to them. From there allow them to create their own scrapbook to keep in their room to look at anytime. Make sure to entitle it: I'm a Wonder!
Classroom:
Display a mirror in front of your student's work station and have them draw a self portrait of themselves. How they perceive themselves and fill the blank space on the page with things that they like, hobbies, books, activities and so on. Go through each photo at circle time or as a large group activity and talk about features, attributes and so on depicted in each self portrait and see if everyone can guess correctly who they are looking at. After, hang the illustrations up on your art wall and showcase them as an exhibit for all to see!
Talk about the words: Ordinary and Extraordinary
Create a unique matching game with images within this story that stand out. Also, for the unique ones you can create a scavenger hunt around your classroom!
Book of the Week #11
Theme: Thanksgiving
Title: Giving Thanks: A Native American Good Morning Message
Author: Chief Jake Swamp
Illustrator: Erwin Printup, Jr.
Age Appropriate: 2+
Review
We love turkey stories and books about Thanksgiving day parades, Thanksgiving dinner and holiday traditions within the family, however, we wanted to highlight this beautiful and powerful story in this week's theme as well as celebrate and honor Native American Heritage Day on November 25th!
Within these pages the reader can experience the Thanksgiving address still understood and appreciated today in Native American Culture and across North America. As we give thanks this year and every year to come we should also acknowledge the world around us and the little things or big things that we tend to take for granted (especially in this day and age). This message, however, showcases a thought about being thankful for these incredible things everyday of the year!
With the aid of beautiful illustrations and accurate accounts and retelling of the message by Chief Swamp the story has a powerful pull at one's heartstrings and offers a wonderful teaching/ learning aspect within the story itself.
Activities
At Home: (Parent/ Child)
Start simple - if your child is only 2 -3 explain what thankful could mean to you, your family and to them. Let them say something even materialistic that they are "thankful" for. Every year/ month expand on this lesson. As they grow express deeper meanings to the word thankful as it pertains to the world around them not just "themselves".
Discuss the thankful points in this story or message and discuss what it may look like in your life, is it different? How so? Or could it be the same?
Classroom:
Expand further on this message as a whole class - talk about the messages and tie it with being "thankful'. If you have younger students start slow and revisit this story throughout the year and see how their answers evolve and make notes of this.
Ask your students about what stuck out to them when reading this Morning Message and open the dialogue further.
Make note of what aspects intrigued your students, plants? The weather? The Food? Whatever the topic revisit this story throughout the year each time these aspects are brought up in lessons and activities. Re - introduce "thankful" over the course of the whole year and not just during the Thanksgiving Holiday.
Book of the Week #10
Theme: Self Control
Title: We Don't Eat Our Classmates
Author: Ryan T. Higgins
Age Appropriate: 2.5+
Review
Join Penelope Rex as she goes to school for the first time and being dinosaur in a classroom full of kids can be pretty interesting. As she navigates the adjustment to the schedule, teachers, activities and new and blossoming friendships, Penelope has the overwhelming urge to eat her classmates, as dinosaurs typically might. Throughout the story she finds that when she's excited and having fun she tends to participate in this very bad habit. This helps parallel the idea of being overly excited or feeling some type of strong emotion and learning to overcome and practice self control to be able to enjoy the activity, lesson or scenario, express excitement or emotion without disrupting the idea and allowing the feeling, activity or lesson to continue as planned for an extension of that fun feeling!
This is a great story to aid in lessons in terms of self control as many students engage and express enthusiastic interest in the subject at hand but sometimes that excitement goes a bit too far! There is nothing wrong with loving a story, friend, family member, lesson, activity, project and so on yet this helps allow the child to understand and process that we can express emotions and enjoy the moment to allow it to go as far as it can inside and outside of the classroom. In other words, teaching self control and own body regulation in a positive, silly and fun way!
Activities
At Home: (Parent/ Child)
Ask your child what are some ways we can show excitement. ( No wrong answers! :)
Practice acting out emotions throughout the story and other stories and activities and opportunities that present themselves! Social Emotional Lessons can tie into this story and theme very well too!
Talk about what our friend Penelope can do in the classroom instead of eating her classmates for each activity, lesson, situation and emotion and talk about responses!
Classroom:
Create a Penelope Rex or dinosaur "feed the---" activity and have images or items you feed the character. Some ideas can be letters, speech activities, kindness vs. unkind ways and so on. Be creative and let the story aid in whatever category you are working with at the moment with your young students.
Talk about the stories structure, who are the main characters, plot, message and so on.
Have a class pet they can take home (Dino you can name Penelope Rex or class decides name) then the take home activities and extensions can aid in kindness and routine sticking to her story as well as teaching Penelope things she can do instead to express emotions instead of eating her friends!
Book of the Week #9
Theme: Compassion
Title: I Am Love (A Book of Compassion)
Author: Susan Verde
Illustrator: Peter H. Reynolds
Age Appropriate: 2.5+
Review
I Am Love is a book dedicated to what compassion may look like and feels like ; this friend goes through several scenarios to remind or teach the reader what love is and in turn one becomes compassionate throughout the journey. The story is beautiful in both its illustrations and the deeper meaning itself. It has a lovely message for young readers and listeners, however, the older one get's the more context meaning they can get out of it. For instance, offering an umbrella when someone is in a storm or helping water plants as they get trampled on depicts kindness and compassion on a basic material and literal level yet based on the context and illustration clues one can see that the storm can be personal rather than literal as well as the flowers and growth symbolization!
This book can grow with your child whatever age and stage they are at now and in the future; making it a favorite on your bookshelf for years to come!
Activities
At Home: (Parent/ Child)
Talk about ways in which the character in the book shows compassion to his friends and discuss further other ways your child can offer compassion in real life scenarios and situations.
Write compassion cards to people in their lives and pass them on.
Classroom:
Small group - Use cookie cutters or "paper rolls" bent into a heart shape and apply paint. Create heart imprints on the paper and for every heart express what makes you compassionate. Work with your teachers to come up with a variety of actions, scenarios and moments in which you showed compassion towards family, friends, teachers and so on.
Large Group - Have an item to pass around that coincide with the storyline, ie. a heart, umbrella, flower and so on. Start by passing the item and saying something kind about a friend, pass the object to that friend and so on. Do not finish that activity until everyone has received a compliment and given one.
Book of the Week #8
Theme: Halloween
Title: Hardly Haunted
Author: Jessie Sima
Illustrator: Jessie Sima
Age Appropriate: 2.5+
Review
As we enter the technical "halloween week" when it comes to teaching and lesson plans, we will be discussing the book "Hardly Haunted" written and illustrated by Jessie Sima. This beautiful book from the pictures to the words and everything in between is a great story to not only play upon the October holiday but also fitting in the "Uniquely You" theme as well.
The Story follows a "hardly haunted" house that no one wants to inhabit because of its reputation. Some examples of characteristics the house wants or tries their best to change is the creaky floors, the dusty cobwebs, the wind passing through the old roof and so on leaving people skeptical of what it might hold. This takes on the notion "don't judge a book by it's cover," or trying ones best to "fit in" and change who you are to fit with others. However, through the course of the story the house realizes that no matter what, they are the sum of their parts and they may not be for everyone. Yet, with that being said the house is perfect for just the right family!
This story is a wonderful family read and you will not be disappointed in the ending or message!
Enjoy your spooky week!
Activities
At Home: (Parent/ Child)
Just like gingerbread houses during the winter season, decorate a "haunted house" out of graham crackers, color dyed icing and plenty of spooky candy for decor.
For auditory exploration have your child repeat the sounds throughout the book and talk about what they sound like. (Sound like their words? Or youtube the sounds to add effects to the story)
Classroom:
Count the houses and ghosts activities for number recognition, counting and small motor activities.
For older students (pre-k) compile a list of characteristics of what the house has and things friends have. Talk about what "characteristics" and learn further about descriptive words.
Ghost, cat and house cookie cutter play-doh sensory activities
Book of the Week #7
Theme: Family
Title: McDuff Moves In
Author: Rosemary Wells
Illustrator: Susan Jeffers
Age Appropriate: 3+
Review
This book was my (Cate) favorite growing up! The story of how McDuff was lost and left to fend for himself broke my heart in the begining but after he meets two helpful individuals who take him in and show him love and kindness before eventually adopting him into the family. This was my first realization that "Love" is what makes a family and something that stuck with me throughout my early years.
This book became a favorite in the classroom as well as the children expressed emotions throughout the story as they were comprehending the material and content before the happy ending leaving everyone smiling!
This book has a variety of layers and can be taught in a preschool setting and even well into elementary with ideas and activities for each age and stage.
The book is also a wonderful introduction to understanding how adoption happens.
(Multiple themes associated with this book: Pets, Family, Adoption, Love, Kindness, Class Pet)
Activities
At Home: (Parent/ Child)
Discuss how family members come into your lives for a variety of reasons and that pets are just as much family as people.
Read other McDuff Stories and discuss each scenario with your child.
Talk about how your pet became a part of your family.
Discuss ways in which Fred and Lucy showed McDuff kindness: giving him a bath and drying him off, feeding him, giving him a name, holding his paw and so on.
Classroom:
At circle time have images handy as you read this story to your class. The pictures depict feelings and emotions and the facial expressions that go with them. Ask your students throughout the course of the story what feelings could McDuff be feeing at each stage. (SEL)
Create a classroom pet, McDuff, to go along with the story. Use the story to lead into the yearly ongoing activity - taking McDuff home and being a part of your family for the weekend. Follow a quick check list and have parents email/ send in photos to review in class upon return.
Ask your students to draw their pet, or a pet they may want to have an ask them what they are like (or would be like) and give them a name. After completed put the pages together into a book. Add the book to your classroom library for the students to go through throughout the year and recognize their own and their friends' art work.
Book of the Week #6
Theme: Accepting Differences
Title: Mixed: A Colorful Story
Author: Arree Chung
Illustrator: Arree Chung
Age Appropriate: 2+
Review
All three colors are perfectly content with living separately until one day, a Red says, “ Reds are the best” and arguments break out. When one brave color couple decides to come together, it takes everyone by shock. Until a new color is created. Everyone can’t help but to love this new color and soon other colors are formed until the whole city is full of all different colors.
Mixed: A Colorful Story is a beautifully illustrated book that teaches children about colors and accepting differences. Arree Chung does a wonderful job of creating a story about embracing differences while keeping it at a child level. The colorful illustrations keep readers engaged as the words on the page explain the importance of embracing each other and not separating based on the color of their skin.
Activities
At Home: (Parent/ Child)
Start out by showing your child(ren) pictures of people with various skin color and ethnicity. Then place M&M’s on the table and point out how all of the candy are different colors too. Then ask:
The M&M’s are different colors on the outside so what do you think they look like on the inside?
Are they different again or are they the same?
Once your child(ren) gives you their predictions, cut the brown and other colored M&M’s in half so they can see the insides. Talk about how people and M&M’s may look different on the outside, but inside, they are the same.
Squirt shaving cream onto a tray. Dip a paintbrush into either blue, red or yellow paint that has been divided into paint cups. Splatter paint on top of the shaving cream. Repeat with each of the paint colors. Dig in and enjoy the messy, squishy experience as you watch all of the colors mixing.
Classroom:
Set up a “school” interest center in a portion of your classroom. Add photos, books, videos and other activities that feature students at school in another culture. Encourage discussions about school in other countries by asking questions such as, “How do the children get to school?” and “What do they eat for lunch?” Rotate cultures throughout the year so students are exposed to many different school experiences from around the globe.
Greeting one another each morning is already an established part of your preschool routine. Make it a fun learning opportunity by introducing words and phrases in other languages at circle time, and encouraging children to practice by greeting their friends with their new vocabulary words.
Book of the Week #5
Theme: Friendship & Perseverance
Title: It Is (Not) Perfect
Author: Anna Kang
Illustrator: Christopher Weyant
Age Appropriate: 3+
Review
Have you ever wanted your creation to be perfect? Well, this group of friends all work extremely hard on a sand castle by adding their own flair to the structure. As the castle grows bigger and more intricate with character each time the sand palace is never quite perfect in their eyes. When it is finally worthy of a photo you'll never guess what happens!
This book is great inside and outside of the classroom as it focuses on themes such as friendship, perseverance and the idea that no matter how hard you work on something you can always rebuild if things do not go as planned.
Activities
At Home: (Parent/ Child)
Work as a team with your child on an activity sharing in the idea process and adding to a creation. This can be with sand, and art project, cooking or baking in the kitchen or something specific that interests your child!
Build your own castle or fort out of sheets and pillow and blankets in your home. Get creative and utilize chairs and tables and couches to keep the tent up. Work on activities, read books and have a blast for the day. Before bed, or leaving the house, take it apart together and talk about how you can always recreate it even better tomorrow or sometime later.
Classroom:
As the teacher place building manipulatives out as a small group activity. As the students work on their own creation individually suggest adding them together to another friends and continue the ideas.
Create a size activity where you ask your students to help sort images of sand castles (or any picture) from largest to smallest or smallest to largest. Depending on their ages, you may find drawing boxes in varying sizes help with the sorting process.
Book of the Week #4
Theme: Imagination
Title: Stella Keeps the Sun Up
Author: Clothilde Ewing
Illustrator: Lynn Gaines
Age Appropriate: 5 Years +
Review
Join Stella and her hippo, Roger, as they try everything they can think of to keep the sun up and enjoy as much of the day as they can! She even creates rules for perfect Sun filled days!
Stella Keeps the Sun Up is a perfect story for imagination and nurturing that creative mind! You will not be disappointed!
Activities
At Home: (Parent/ Student)
Try to recreate Stella's multiple tries to keep the sun up with your whole family. Follow her rules, make loud noise, carry around a flashlight and even brush your teeth twice!
After reading the story ask your child to reflect on what he or she remembers, the ways Stella tries and ask them what they would try in order to keep the sun up.
Classroom:
Take this time to cover science and explain further about the moon and sun's routine.
Do an art activity Spelling out the child's name as the sun rays.
Conduct a large group activity where friends have to orbit the "sun" (object) in the center of the classroom.
Book of the Week #3
Theme: Hard Work
Title: Rosalee The Seeker
Author: Nicole Filippone
Review
Meet Rosalee, her hard work may look different to most, she's not studying for a test or practicing for the big game, although, both are very good examples, her hard work is more personal. Rosalee is a sensory seeker, she's navigating through life with the help of her parents, Teacher and Occupational therapist as she better understands her body and her sensory diet.
Besides the incredible and informative story of Rosalee's day in the life and personal advancements when it comes her sensory processing this book is also chalked full of helpful and easy to take -in notes and information to aid yourself, your little one or anyone you may know who either is a sensory seeker, avoider or would like to better understand more!
Activities
At Home: (Parent/ Student)
Enrich your child's sensory diet at home - bring out play doh, slime and anything gooey that kiddos can find fun, messy and exploratory. However, please note, if your child is a sensory avoider cater their activity to their needs and change the objective.
Go on a nature hunt (bring binoculars)
Help cook dinner!
Create a themed sensory bin.
Another way to add sensory into play is if your child is working on a "construction zone" with building blocks and trucks, have youtube play construction noises in the background to help the imagination!
Classroom:
Sensory bin exploration, or sensory avoiding activities.
Utilize the information in the book and take it further if a student has a sensory diet and accomodate lessons and activities accordingly.
Have the author read the story - let her share the words with your students and give you a break for circle time Youtube:
Book of the Week #2
Theme: Bravery
Title: Jabari Jumps
Author: Gaia Cornwall
Illustrator: Gaia Cornwall
Review
Gain the courage to jump from the high dive with our friend, Jabari! It may take him a couple of tries but he never gives up and realizes being patient is okay too, there is always tomorrow.
This is a favorite, in and out of the classroom! When children are worrying about what others think, want to jump right in but are feeling apprehensive or, just want to know that they can do anything pull out this book and you will not be disappointed!
Activities
At Home: (Parent/ Student)
After reading this book you can open a dialogue about what your child is nervous about but exited for at the same time. Talk about how Jabari was able to conquer his fear because he knew he could do it, and he would have fun doing it. Remind them that they can climb that ladder many times before making the leap just like their friend in the book because being ready is important too.
Talk about what "bravery" and "courage" is and ask your child when Jabari is demonstrating these terms within the book.
Have them reflect on how they showed bravery in their life just like Jabari did.
Classroom:
You can even utilize this book to express unkindness and if you're seeing bullying in your class. There is a point where Jabari goes up, then comes down a couple times and lets his friends go past him. Ask your students what his friends in the line may say to him? Are they words of cruelty or kindness? Have them use their own voice during circle time.
Talk about ways students can be brave in everyday life, or times they were just like Jabari and conquered a fear, and the way he approached it.
Depending on the age you teach - you can create a sequencing activity for comprehension with clip art or stock images to represent the plot of the story.
Couple this book with another journey with Jabari: Jabari Tries. Both are wonderful and interactive books to aid in weekly or daily lessons.
Have Jabari treated as a friend, and refer to him as such so when you witness a theme or scenario of the book (and what you teach with it) within your classroom bring up Jabari so you can revisit the message through out the year. "Remember our friend Jabari? Did his friends laugh when he was scared?" Or fitting to your specific situation.
Book of the Week #1
Theme: School
Title: Our Class Is A Family
Author: Shanon Olsen
Illustrator: Sandie Sonke
Activities
At Home: (Parent/ Student)
Say for instance you want to pick up class in-need items such as disinfecting wipes, tissue boxes, crayons, paper toweling and so forth bring your eager student to the store for them to help as they pick out and participate in this process and contribute to their own class.
Send your child to school with "welcome notes" you helped to create for each of their classmates.
Create a parent email list and phone tree for future play dates, resources, and open communication with other parents.
Or even ask your child how they can help their classroom. Sometimes asking how school was or who they played with can be a loaded question for these young individuals so creating and dialogue that is less intimidating and personally framed can help aid future discussions.
Classroom:
During circle time discuss themes, actions and feelings that come with the word and idea of family, next point out these moments in additional settings such as your classroom and relationships inside school.
From there you can even take it one step further and post the words your students used during group discussion to a bulletin board along with associating pictures describing those terms.
Next, take photos of students in action representing and displaying these moments throughout the week for everyone to look back on.
Show your class the photos and ask what is happening in them and where each would be placed on the board.