We’re Making Breakfast for Mother: Picture Book Extensions

We're Making Breakfast for Mother. Neitzel, Shirley. Illustrated by Nancy Winslow Parker. Greenwillow Books, 1997.

Annotation:

A father and two children are making breakfast in bed for their mother. The cumulative text names all the items that they place on the breakfast tray (flowers, cereal, sugar, toast, tea, banana and milk). The repetitive phrases also include some rebus pictures to help tell the story. The children deliver the breakfast they have created with some mishaps. For example, the toast is burnt, the tea is cool, and several things have spilled. Mother is grateful for the breakfast and then suggests taking a walk so she can avoid seeing the mess in the kitchen. The last page shows the family eating breakfast at a diner.

The simple, colorful illustrations are made with watercolors and colored markers. They match the storyline well and help the reader understand what is happening on each page. The rebus pictures help the reader remember the order of the items on the breakfast tray. I think that preschool through young school age children would enjoy this story.

Extensions:

• Drama
  
  • I would provide a collection of play food, dishes and trays. The children could use these items or the storytelling props to retell the story from the book. They could also use the play items to create their own tray of food that they would like to be served or to serve to someone else. They could also act out serving the food to each other. Older children could make a menu of what they will be serving.
    
• Art
  
  • I would provide paper, crayons, markers, and colored pencils. The children could draw a picture of their favorite breakfast foods. They could then share these with the group by showing their picture and naming the foods that they drew. You could also provide plastic vases and artificial flowers for the children to create their own bouquets. The children could also draw pictures of these bouquets.
    
• Math
  
  • You could provide each child with two or three different shaped cereals (circle, square, and flake). After a short discussion about patterns and doing some examples together, the children could make patterns with their pile of cereal. You could also make a graph showing each child's favorite kind of cereal or breakfast food.

Making a Castle Kit for Families

Thematic Kit: Castles and Knights

Age Level: Preschool-Young School Age

Materials List

Books

• DePaola, T. (1980). The knight and the dragon. New York: Putnam.
  

• Geis, A. I. (2004). Neil's castle. New York: Viking.
  

• Gravett, C. (1994). Castle. DK eyewitness books. New York: Knopf.
  

• Gravett, C., & Dann, G. (2004). Knight. DK eyewitness books. New York: DK Pub.
  

• Mayer, M. (2007). The bravest knight. New York: Dial Books for Young Readers.
  

• Mayhew, J. (2005). The knight who took all day. New York: Chicken House.
  

• Wheeler, L., & Siegel, M. (2008). Boogie knights. New York: Atheneum Books for Young Readers.
  

• Wright, R. (1992). Castles: Facts, things to make, activities. Craft topics. New York: F. Watts.
  

Music CD

• Ronno, Munshaw, K., Repar, S. L., McCartney, C., Millar, J., & DeVolder, B. (2001). Castles, knights & unicorns Action songs for fantasy & fun. Long Branch, NJ: Kimbo Educational.
  

Realia Object

• Fischer-Price Little People Castle Play Set
  
  • Castle with draw bridge
    
  • Catapult with ball
    
  • Knight
    
  • Dragon
    
  • Flag
    

Activity Ideas for Using this Kit

• As you read the book, The Knight and the Dragon, you can tell the story on the pages where there are no words. After you read the story, you can draw a picture of other activities the dragon and the knight might do together. Have an adult help you write a sentence about what is happening in your picture.
  
• After reading, Neil's Castle, you can find items in your home to build a castle from. You can also draw a picture of the castle you want to live in.
  
• As you explore the eyewitness book, Castle, be sure to look at all the details in the photographs and drawings of the castles. After looking through the book, you can find items at your home to create a castle of your own. You may use paper, empty paper towel tubes, and whatever else you can find that would make a nice castle. Ask a parent for help in finding materials.
  
• As you explore the Eyewitness book, Knight, be sure to notice all the pictures of the items that knights use and the clothing that they wear. You can draw a picture of yourself dressed as a knight. You could also design your own knight's shield out of paper and art supplies.
  
• After reading, The Bravest Knight, you can use a blanket to dress up like the boy in the story. You can pretend to be a knight, see what things you can rescue from the dragon.
  
• After reading, The Knight who took all day, you can retell the story using the pictures in the book. You can also draw a picture of what the Princess, the Squire and the Dragon are doing after the story ends.
  
• After reading, Boogie Nights, you can retell the story in your own words. You can also practice the dances that the knights were doing in the story.
  
• After exploring the book, Castles: Facts, things to make, activities, you can ask your parents which craft in the book you are able to make. Try making as many of the crafts as you can. After the crafts are made, you can play with them.
  

• Listen to the music CD, Castles, Knights & Unicorns. Perform the motions to the songs. When listening to the "Castle Flags" song, use a scarf or ribbon and do the motions as directed by the song.
  

Play with the castle play set. See if the knight and the dragon are going to fight or if they will become friends.

Every Child Ready to Read Storytime/Preschool: Spring theme

Welcome

Welcome everyone to storytime and do introductions as appropriate.

To the adults: "Today we will be doing activities and reading stories about Spring. Many of today's stories will allow the children to practice the early literacy skill called, Narrative Skills. These skills are the ability to describe things and to talk about events and tell stories. These skills eventually help children to be able to understand what they read."

Opening Rhyme

Hands on…

Hands on head, hands on knees,

Hands behind you if you please.

Hands on tummy, hands on toes,

Hands on cheeks, hands on nose.

Hands wave high in the air,

Hands on shoulders, hands on hair

Clap your hands, one, two, three,

Now rest your hands on your knees.

Author unknown.

Repeat as appropriate.

Song

Spring Is Here (Sung To: Are You Sleeping)
I see robins,
I see bird's nests,
Butterflies too,
flowers too.
Everything is growing,
The wind is gently blowing.
Spring is here, spring is here.

Author unknown

Have this song on a large poster at the front of the room. You could have pictures for robins, bird's nests, butterflies, flowers, and the wind blowing. Repeat several times and have children take turns retelling the song using the pictures to assist them.

To the adults: "Having your child retell a story or rhyme using the picture aids is a great way for them to develop their narrative skills."

Picture Book Sharing

Thompson, L., & Erdogan, B. (2005). Mouse's first spring. New York: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers.

Have the children tell you something they remember that happened in the book.

To the adults: "Children enjoy talking about what they have read. It is a good way to engage them in a conversation and it helps them remember what happened in the story-Narrative skills."

Song

Planting Flowers (Sung to: Ferez Jacques)
Planting flowers, Planting flowers,
In the ground, In the ground,
Water them and they grow,
Water them and they grow,
All around, All around.

Author unknown.

Repeat as appropriate.

Movement Activity

April Rain
Dance little raindrop (wiggle fingers)
Tap with tiny feet (tap feet)
The seeds will awaken (pretend to sleep and awake)
When they hear our beat (cup hand over ear)
Grow little seeds (make growing motion)
And see the cloudy sky (point to sky)

Author unknown.

Repeat as appropriate. You can also have the words printed on a poster at the front of the room.

Picture Book Sharing

Carle, E. (1987). The tiny seed. Natick, MA: Picture Book Studio.

Use flannel board pieces to help tell and retell the story.

Music Sharing

Roberts, R., & Katz, B. (1998). Spring songs that tickle your funny bone. Port Chester, N.Y.: Michael Brent Publications.

Play the titles: "Spring is" and Every Spring I'm a little bigger" Encourage the children to sing and dance along to the music.

Picture Book Sharing

Cole, H. (1995). Jack's garden. New York: Greenwillow Books.

This story should be told as a clothesline story. Use the clothesline pieces to help read the cumulative portions of the book. After reading through the story once and placing the clothesline pieces, have the children help retell the story using these props.

To the adults: "Cumulative stories like this one lend themselves to retelling with props. These props help the children to remember the order of the story-Narrative skills."

Picture Book Sharing

Ehlert, L. (1988). Planting a rainbow. San Diego: Harcourt Brace Jovanovich.

Have the children guess the letter that will be on the next page.

If time allows, you can share the video of this picture book.

Mironiuk, E., Tercek, K., Verhoest, P. J., & Ehlert, L. (2005). Planting a rainbow. Norwalk, CT: Weston Woods Studios/Scholastic.

Closing Song

Where is Thumpkin? (Sung to Frere Jacques)

--- Start with holding your hands behind your back; with thumbs out,

Where is thumbkin?
Where is thumbkin?
Here I am (bring out one thumb)
Here I am (bring out the other thumb)

How are you this morning? (make thumb talk to the other thumb when singing that line)
Very well; I thank you (and vice versus with this thumb)

Run A-way (put one thumb back behind your back)
Run A-way (put the other thumb back behind your back)

Repeat with the other fingers-pointer, tall man, ring man, pinky and end with all the men.

Optional Extension Ideas

http://www.dltk-holidays.com/spring/crafts-flowers.htm

This site has several different flower craft ideas with detailed directions. I like the coffee filter flowers or the handprint tulips.

Children could also decorate a pre printed picture of a birdhouse.

Children could color pictures of various types of flowers.

Children could even plant their own seeds to take home with them.

Preschool Storytime: Penguin Theme

Welcome

Welcome everyone to storytime and thank them for attending.

Opening Song

Welcome Train
Children sit on the floor. All sing the beginning of the song while seated. Then when the welcome to (child's name) verse is sung, each child in turn gets up and joins a line (making the train.)

The welcome train is coming

Get on board! Choo- Choo
The welcome train is coming
Get on board! Choo-Choo

Welcome to (child's name)
Get on board! Choo-choo

Continue naming each child in your group with the same 2 lines over and over again until you have included each child's name.... When every child is standing in line, sing the 1st verse again at least 3 times while moving around the floor in a circle. Stop when everyone is back at their starting seat, and say Stop! Sit Down!

Motions: bend arms at elbows and slide arms backwards and forwards to make the train motion. When you say Choo-choo, Raise one hand in the air to pull the cord on the invisible whistle!
Note: a train whistle could be a fun way to call the
group together and get started.

From: http://www.atozkidsstuff.com/welcome.html

Introduce Puppet Penguin

Introduce the group to Mr. Penguin (puppet). He can help you read today's stories, sing the songs, etc.

Picture Book Reading

Pfister, M. (1987). Penguin Pete. Faellanden, Switzerland: North-South Books.

Action Rhyme

I'm a Little Penguin
Tune: "I'm A Little Teapot"

I'm a little penquin short and stout.
I flap my wings and waddle about.
I wear a coat that's black as night.
But my tummy is soft and white.

I'm a little penquin black and white.
I like to waddle across the ice.
When I reach the water, I dive right in.
I hunt for fish, as I swim, swim, swim.
by Jean Warren

Children make the motions of the penguin. Repeat as children are interested.

Song with Participation

Penguin Colors
Tune: "Mary Had A Little Lamb"

The penguin has a coat of black,
Coat of black, coat of black.
The penguin has a coat of black,
Watch her waddle up and back.

The penguin has a body of white,
Body of white, body of white.
The penguin has a body of white.,
Watch her waddle out of sight.
Jean Warren
Have one child put on a white shirt and a black coat, then act out the song as the others sing. Repeat as appropriate, allowing other children to have a turn being the penguin.

Non-fiction Book Sharing

Gibbons, G. (1998). Penguins! New York: Holiday House.

Use the puppet penguin to point out the descriptions in the book.

Rhyme with Puppet

The Penguin
by Roxanne Williams
I am a bird you know quite well,
All dressed in black and white.
And even though I do have wings
They're not designed for flight.
I waddle, waddle, waddle,
On my funny little feet.
Across the icy snow I go
To find a fishy treat!

Movement Activity

Penguin Shuffle

Penguins shuffle shuffle to the
Left left left
Penguins shuffle shuffle shuffle to the
Right right right
Give a little wiggle
Give a little hop
Waddle round the iceberg
Never want to stop!

From: http://web.archive.org/web/20070809043826/http://www.mrspohlmeyerskinderpage.com/

Children perform the action described.

Picture Book Sharing

Wood, A. (1989). Little Penguin's tale. San Diego: Harcourt Brace Jovanovich.

Picture Book Sharing

Lester, H., & Munsinger, L. (1988). Tacky the penguin. Boston: Houghton Mifflin.

Rhyme

Penguin
I know a bird That cannot fly: Penguin is its name.
It cannot fly, But it can swim
With speed that wins it fame!
I know a bird That lives on ice
And waddles by the sea.
It looks so cute
In its black and white suit,
As handsome as can be!

by Meish Goldish

Closing Song

Skidamarink

Skinnamarink y dinky dink
Skinnamarink y doo
I love you!
Skinnamarink y dinky dink
Skinnamarink y doo
I love you!
I love you in the morning
And in the afternoon
I love you in the evenin'
And underneath the moon!
Skinnamarink y dinky dink
Skinnamarink y doo
I love you! I love your singin'!
I love you.,. Are terrific…
I love you! We'll see you next time!
I—love-- you!
Two, Boop-boop, bee-doo!
Mwaaa!

Optional Art Activities

Paper Penguin

Provide pre-cut pieces of a penguin (black body, white body, black arms, orange beak, etc.) and have children assemble a penguin and glue it to a piece of paper.

Painting a penguin

Provide black, white and orange paint along with paper. Children can paint a picture of a penguin.

Other options:

There are many penguin craft ideas on the following websites:

http://www.first-school.ws/THEME/animals/birds/penguin.htm

http://www.freekidscrafts.com/penguin_crafts-t86.html

http://www.preschooleducation.com/apenguin.shtml

Picture Book Program

Theme: Ducks

Age Level: Preschool

Appropriateness: The following books and activities are geared towards preschool aged children. The stories are simple enough for them to understand and enjoy. The activities planned are aimed at the skill levels of preschool aged children. The activities planned are also ones that preschool aged children would enjoy participating in.

Books:

• Gibbons, Gail. Ducks! Illustrated by the author. New York: Holiday House, 2001.
  
• Hoff, Syd. Duncan the Dancing Duck. Illustrated by the author. New York, N.Y: Clarion, 1994.
  
• McCloskey, Robert. Make Way for Ducklings. Illustrated by the author. New York: Viking Press, 1941.
  
• Root, Phyllis. One Duck Stuck. Illustrations by Jane Chapman. Cambridge, Mass: Candlewick Press, 1998.
  
• Rosenthal, Amy K. and Lichtenheld, Tom. Duck! Rabbit! Illustrated by the authors. San Francisco: Chronicle Books, 2009.
  

Extension Ideas:

• Art
  
  • Paper Plate Duck Craft
    
    • Detailed instructions and picture at: http://www.enchantedlearning.com/crafts/animals/duck/
      
    • Paint a paper plate yellow
      
    • Have children trace their hands on yellow paper and cut out.
      
    • Give children a variety of art materials to assemble their duck (crayons, markers, glue, tape, a variety of colors of paper)
      
    • They can fold the plate in half and attach the handprints to the plate to be the tail feathers
      
    • They can use the art materials supplied to finish their duck (head, facial features and feet.
      
• Music
  
  • Singing and Dancing
    
    • "Six Little Ducks" from Raffi CD The Singable Songs Collection
      
    • Listen to the song on CD and sing along.
      
    • Act out the motions of the duck.
      
    • Have the children join in on the quack, quack, quack part.
      
• Drama
  
  • Have children make duck beaks to wear.
    
  • Pretend to be ducks.
    
  • Waddle like ducks and quack like ducks.
    
• Science
  
  • Provide the children with real duck feathers for exploration.
    
  • Demonstrate how water rolls of the feathers by squirting the feathers with water.
    
  • You could also provide a tub of water with rubber ducks and try to dunk the ducks with the squirt bottles.
    
• Math
  
  • Play a number or shape matching game with paper cut duck shapes.
    

Introduction to Spring (Early Childhood)

This theme would be great after a study of baby and mommy animals, or this theme could be done as a followup.
This would also be a great introduction to a study of eggs and egg laying animals. Other topics to go in more depth on may be flowers-Butterflies-ducks-etc.
Topics:
Bunnies, Flowers, Egg intro, butterflies, chicks, baskets, pastels, chocolate, dressing up, seeds, lambs, ducks
-Food center: Chocolate focus, dyeing eggs, bunny foods
-Art:Ukrainian Easter eggs, basket weaving, pastel supplies, art projects about the theme
-Easel: Pastels
-Water: watering cans, ducks
-Sand: easter grass and plastic eggs and chicks
-Sensory: seed planting, flowers
-Science: growing flowers, nests, seeds with magnifying glasses, caterpillar to butterfly, introduce the incubator-preview egg theme, spring weather games (sorting, rain gauge, windsock, flowers felt board, flower part stamps
-Literacy: The Very Hungry Caterpillar, flower games with letters, spring books, Mary had a little lamb, spring songs-fingerplays-rhymes, Peter Rabbit, Here comes Peter Cottontail, Five Little Ducks, ducks alphabet game, one duck stuck
-Dramatic Play: Hat store
-Blocks: bunny cages, egg mazes, building with baskets
-Parent Table: daffodil and Easter Lilly, decorate the sign in/out book
-Cubby Tags: bunnies, chicks, and decorated eggs
-Housekeeping:add spring touches such as flowers in vases, new windowscape, add eggs to the play food
-Music: egg shakers, spring CDs
Puppets: Rabbits and Chicks
Math:Stamp spring patterns, flowers counting box
Puzzles: Spring, Rabbits, Ducks, etc.
Montessori: Egg beaters, egg scale, baskets
Activity ideas:
Egg hunt, manners party in dressy clothes, field trip and guest speakers