Tag: Reading Activities

Educational Activities: The Ant Farm Escape by Heather Macht

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The Ant Farm Escape!
Author: Heather Macht
Illustrator: David Harrington
Pelican Press
17 January 2019
32 pages

Follow along through rhyming text as an ant colony is newly relocated to an ant farm and it’s time to break ground. They’re ready to build and (here’s a fun fact about worker ants), they’re all GIRLS!

Need some reviews of The Ant Farm Escape!?

Foreword

Goodreads

 

And for bonus #1, here’s the “story behind the story” of this book from Lynne Marie’s blog.

Here’s bonus #2, The Ant Farm Escape! book trailer.

And last but not least, here’s bonus #2: an interview with author Heather Macht (by Rhys Keller).

Educational Activities inspired by The Ant Escape! by Heather Macht:

  • Before Reading–From looking at the front and back cover: 
    • What do you already know about ants?
    • Where and when does this story seem to take place?
    • What kind of equipment do the ants have? Does any of it surprise you?
    • How many of the ants appear to be female?
  • After Reading–Now that you’ve read the story: 
    • Which of the ant facts surprise you the most?
    • Would you like your own ant farm? Why/​why not?
    • How would you describe the style of the pictures?
    • Go back and revisit the pictures in this book. Which of them is your favorite? Why?
  • Writing–Try your hand at creating your own ant story. Write what happens when the colony in this story leaves the ant farm and goes the nearby hill. Or tell the story of a single ant from this story or from your imagination. Who would have the most interesting story to share–a queen, a worker, or a whole group of ants?
  • Craft–With an adult’s help, try some of the following ant-​themed crafts: 
    • Ant Puppet–Easy enough for the smallest to create, fun enough for everyone. Comes with a song, too!
    • Egg Carton Ant Figure–Perfect for preschoolers.
    • 3D Paper Ant–Very easy craft–black construction paper, scissors, and a glue stick. That’s it!
    • Plastic Spoon Ant–Love DIY projects? Dig recycling? This video shows how to make a cool ant from a Styrofoam ball and a plastic spoon.
    • Ant Printable–Super easy, though it has a bit more cutting than other projects listed here.
  • Further Reading–Want more books that showcase the small-​but-​awesome world of ants? (Click on the book cover for more information on any of these titles!)

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Educational Activities: Rosie the Dragon and Charlie Make Waves by Lauren H. Kerstein

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Rosie the Dragon and Charlie Make Waves
Author: Lauren H. Kerstein
Illustrator: Nate Wragg
Two Lions
1 May 2019
40 pages

It’s summertime, and you’re invited for a rollicking day at the pool with Charlie and his pet dragon (and best friend!), Rosie. But be careful—swimming with a dragon can be, um, challenging.

Need some reviews of Rosie the Dragon and Charlie Make Waves?

Booking Mama

Mom Read It

The Children’s Book Review

Educational Activities inspired by Lauren H. Kerstein’s Rosie the Dragon and Charlie Make Waves:

  • Before Reading–From looking at the front cover: 
    • Where do you think Rosie and Charlie are making waves?
    • What type of relationship do they seem to have?
    • Does the story look like it’s about today or a long time ago?
  • After Reading–
    • Among other things, this book is about safety at public pools. What do you now know about pool safety?
    • What do you think Rosie likes most about Charlie’s gummy snacks?
    • Which character do you think is most like you? Charlie or Rosie? Why?
  • Writing–This book ends with Rosie wanting to learn to read. Write the story of what happens the next day when Charlie tries to teach her to read. What kind of trouble does Rosie get into (we KNOW she gets into trouble)?
  • Crafts–With an adult’s help, try some of the following dragon-​themed crafts: 
  • Further Reading–Who doesn’t like dragons, right? While the dragons in the following books aren’t swimming in a pool, they are doing some fun things. Which of these looks most dragon-​tastic to you? (Click on the book cover for more information on any of these titles!)

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Educational Activities: Sophie Johnson, Unicorn Expert by Morag Hood

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Sophie Johnson, Unicorn Expert
Author: Morag Hood
Illustrator: Ella Okstad
Aladdin
20 November 2018
32 pages

It’s time to meet the master of magical creatures–Sophie Johnson! She’s a top-​notch expert on unicorns. Or is she?

Need some reviews of Sophie Johnson, Unicorn Expert?

Goodreads

Kids’ Book Review

Kirkus

Roachie’s Reviews

 

And as a super bonus, here’s a video read-​aloud version of this story.

Educational Activities inspired by Morag Hood’s Sophie Johnson, Unicorn Expert:

  • Before Reading–From looking at the front and back cover: 
    • Does the story seem like it’s about today or a long time ago?
    • What do you make of that expression on the unicorn’s face?
    • Why does it seem to be raining glitter?
  • After Reading–In the story, Sophie says that magic is more important than mess. What’s one thing in your own life that’s “more important than mess”?
  • After Reading–Sophie does her best to care for her 17 unicorns. She teaches them to hunt for food and watch out for balloons. What other things do you think unicorns need to know? Or that they should watch out for?
  • Drawing–At the end of the story, Sophie points out that “Some people don’t even know what a REAL unicorn looks like!” Using crayons or colored pencils, draw what you think a REAL unicorn looks like on a sheet of paper.
  • Craft–With an adult’s help, try some of the following unicorn-​themed crafts: 
  • Further Reading–Want more books that feature the awesomeness that is unicorns? (Click on the book cover for more information on any of these titles!)

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Educational Activities: My Forest Is Green by Darren Lebeuf

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My Forest Is Green
Author: Darren Lebeuf
Illustrator: Ashley Barron
Kids Can Press
2 April 2019
32 pages

With art supplies in tow, a young boy explores the urban forest near his home, then interprets what he sees with his art. The boy is a keen observer who uses poetic, rhythmic language to describe the diversity he finds through all four seasons.

Need some reviews of My Forest Is Green?

Goodreads

Publisher’s Weekly

Quill & Quire

Welcome to Our Campfire

Youth Services Book Review

Educational Activities inspired by Darren Lebeuf’s My Forest Is Green:

  • Before Reading–From looking at the front cover: 
    • Does the story look like it’s about today or a long time ago?
    • Where do you think the boy is? Where is he going?
    • What do you think the title means?
  • After Reading–Think about the last time you were in a forest. What do you remember about it most? Why color was YOUR forest?
  • After Reading–Each aspect of the forest inspires the boy to create a different type of art in response. Which art medium did you like most? The photography? Rock art? Charcoal rubbings? Something else?
  • Nature–With an adult–and perhaps some friends–explore a nearby forest. Be sure to carefully observe the natural world, just as the boy in the story did. Here are some options on ways to engage with the natural world: 
  • Craft–With an adult’s help, try some of the following urban forest-​themed crafts: 
  • Further Reading–The boy in this story is a huge fan of art–he uses it to express himself and to understand the world around him. Want to read more about other kids who love art? (Click on the book cover for more information on any of these titles!)

 

 

Educational Activities: The Boy Who Grew a Forest by Sophia Gholz

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The Boy Who Grew a Forest: The True Story of Jadav Payeng
Author: Sophia Gholz
Illustrator: Kayla Harren
Sleeping Bear Press
15 March 2019
32 pages

From the author: “As a boy, Jadav Payeng was distressed by the destruction deforestation and erosion was causing on his island home in India’s Brahmaputra River. So he began planting trees. What began as a small thicket of bamboo, grew over the years into 1,300-acre forest filled with native plants and animals. The Boy Who Grew a Forest tells the inspiring true story of Payeng–and reminds us all of the difference a single person with a big idea can make.”

Need some reviews of The Boy Who Grew a Forest?

Bicultural Mama

GoodReads

Kirkus

Picture Book Depot

 

And enjoy an interview with author Sophia Ghloz at the Celebrate Picture Books blog.

Educational Activities inspired by Sophia Gholz’s The Boy Who Grew a Forest:

  • Before Reading–Ask students to examine the book’s front cover and answer the following: 
    • “What kind of animals do you see?”
    • “What is Jadav carrying?”
    • “When do you think this story happens–today or a long time ago?”
    • “How do you imagine that someone can grow an entire forest?”
  • After Reading–Why does Jadav like trees so much? Why are trees so important to his island?
  • After Reading–What are some things Jadav did to protect the forest?  What type of creatures came to live in the new forest? Which of those creatures are your favorites?
  • Geography–This story takes places in India, a country in Asia that has 1⁄6 of the entire world’s population. Learn more about this amazing country here: 
  • Nature–With the help of an adult, grow some plants of your own! 
  • Craft–With an adult’s help, try out some of the following forest-​themed crafts: 
  • Further Reading–Want to read more about forests and forest creatures? (Click on the book cover for more information on any of these titles!)

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Educational Activities: Away with Words by Lori Mortensen

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Author: Lori Mortensen
Illustrator: Kristy Caldwell
Peachtree Publishing Company
1 March 2019
36 pages

From the publisher: “Isabella Bird was like a wild vine stuck in a too-​small pot. She needed more room. She had to get out. She had to explore.

That was easier said than done in Victorian England. But somehow Isabella persisted, and with each journey, she breathed in new ways to see and describe everything around her.”

This picture book biography about the first female member of the Royal Geographic Society takes readers around the world with a daring nineteenth-​century female explorer and author.

Need some reviews of Away with Words?

Kirkus

GoodReads

Youth Services Book Review

 

Want more? Here’s the official book trailer.

 

And here’s an interview with author Lori Mortensen at Storysnug.

Educational Activities inspired by Lori Mortensen’s Away with Words: The Daring Story of Isabella Bird:

  • Before Reading–Ask students:
    • “What does it mean to be daring? What type of people are daring?”
    • “Look at the lady riding a horse on the front cover. Why do you think she’s got a book in her hands?”
    • “The back cover has these words ‘Henceforth, I must live my own life.’ What do you think Isabella meant when she said that?”
  • After Reading–Isabella felt healthier and happier when she traveled. What type of activities make you feel healthier and happier?
  • After Reading–Which of Isabella’s adventures sound most exciting? Having dinner with two apes in Malaysia? Climbing for three days to reach a monastery built high atop snowcapped peaks? Riding a steamboat down the Mississippi River? Something else?
  • Writing–The next time you explore a new place, do as Isabella did–write down your thoughts and observations on a piece of paper. Use vivid language that paints a picture in the reader’s mind, like how she wrote “strutting wild turkeys,” “narrow rims of metal,” and “the yellow sun sank cloudless behind the waves of rolling prairie.” Consider sharing your work with friends or adults.
  • Travel Craft–With an adult’s help, print up photos of your last adventure/​vacation and make a scrapbook out of loose sheets of paper. Glue down your favorite pictures, then decorate the pages with crayons, markers, and glitter, as you see fit. Use a three-​hole punch to make holes down the left side of the pages after they’ve dried, then tie them together with pieces of yarn, string, or ribbon.
  • Further Reading–Check out the following five picture books about traveling and exploring. To learn more about any of these, click on the book covers!