Thanks for your interest in using my books in the classroom!
Scroll down for ideas about specific titles...
❄️ If you prefer art, try crafting collage snow plows with paint, construction paper, and part of a toilet paper tube. This adorable idea is courtesy of Reading Confetti, and although it mentions boys, this activity is definitely for all genders(!).
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❄️I love this Snowstorm in a Jar STEM activity, courtesy of Little Bins for Little Hands. All you need is a jar or vase, water, white washable paint (or any color you choose), cooking oil, and Alka-Seltzer tablets. Check out what it does below! You can keep feeding it Alka-Seltzer periodically, allowing many children to actively participate while everyone enjoys the show. 👇
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❄️Making "Snow Dough" is an easy and rewarding sensory activity. It's so much fun to play with! Just mix roughly equal parts hand lotion (white is preferable—once I accidentally bought cocoa butter) and corn starch. Add glitter and/or peppermint oil if desired, and/or put the ingredients in the fridge for extra chilly wintry fun. Some recipes call for shaving cream instead of lotion, but I find the lotion makes better "snowballs." Add vehicle toys and make your own snowy race!
🏴☠️Writing can be hard work, but it can also be fun! And who doesn't love a treasure map?! Encourage students to play with language in this juicy activity, Spicing Up Your Stories With Similes. Students will learn what a simile is and why writers use them. Then they'll brainstorm similes of their own and complete a treasure map tale based on Goldenlocks and the Three Pirates. This activity supports Common Core Reading Literature Standard 4 and Language Standard 5.
🏴☠️Are your students clever with characters or setting but puzzled by plot? Have them Fabricate a Fractured Fairy Tale! This introduction and organizer takes young writers through the process I used to plan Goldenlocks and the Three Pirates, and then sets them up to write their own fractured fairy tale. This activity supports Common Core Writing Standard 3.
🏴☠️If you're celebrating International Talk Like a Pirate Day (Sept. 19!), here's a terrific, varied list of activity and lesson ideas, courtesy of the International Literacy Association.
🏴☠️And if you're looking for some Summer Reading inspiration, click here to download Goldenlocks' Swashbuckling Summer Reading BINGO!
🏴☠️Are your students clever with characters or setting but puzzled by plot? Have them Fabricate a Fractured Fairy Tale! This introduction and organizer takes young writers through the process I used to plan Goldenlocks and the Three Pirates, and then sets them up to write their own fractured fairy tale. This activity supports Common Core Writing Standard 3.
🏴☠️If you're celebrating International Talk Like a Pirate Day (Sept. 19!), here's a terrific, varied list of activity and lesson ideas, courtesy of the International Literacy Association.
🏴☠️And if you're looking for some Summer Reading inspiration, click here to download Goldenlocks' Swashbuckling Summer Reading BINGO!
🐘The leadership at PS 154 in Queens developed this fantastic Common Core guide to using Twenty-One Elephants and Still Standing in the classroom (grades preK-5) as part of their Book of the Month Club. Check out the book club here and scroll down to April 2014.
🐘Click through for a blog post from ReadWriteThink featuring classroom activities, resources, and lesson plans comparing my Twenty-One Elephants and Still Standing and Phil Bildner's Twenty-One Elephants.
🐘Here's a terrific interactive read-aloud template prepared by the Santa Rosa, Florida, school district.
🐘Many thanks to Christine Sugrue at Time Travel Kids NYC for this fun and engaging read-aloud + field trip activity. Also find it here by scrolling down to Transportation.
🐘And for younger kids, here's a fun STEM/Engineering challenge from Playground Parkbench. Can YOU build a bridge for 21 elephants? The Twitter hashtags #twentyoneelephantsandstillstanding and #twentyoneelephants show ways other educators have challenged students to build bridges as well. Have fun!
🐘Click through for a blog post from ReadWriteThink featuring classroom activities, resources, and lesson plans comparing my Twenty-One Elephants and Still Standing and Phil Bildner's Twenty-One Elephants.
🐘Here's a terrific interactive read-aloud template prepared by the Santa Rosa, Florida, school district.
🐘Many thanks to Christine Sugrue at Time Travel Kids NYC for this fun and engaging read-aloud + field trip activity. Also find it here by scrolling down to Transportation.
🐘And for younger kids, here's a fun STEM/Engineering challenge from Playground Parkbench. Can YOU build a bridge for 21 elephants? The Twitter hashtags #twentyoneelephantsandstillstanding and #twentyoneelephants show ways other educators have challenged students to build bridges as well. Have fun!
🚙Check out this Physical Science Teacher's Guide prepared by the Florida Museum of Natural History. What Do Wheels Do All Day? is featured on pages 14-17, and the whole guide has fun STEM activities for the classroom.
🚙Download this wheels-related preschool lesson plan developed
by the Santa Monica Pier Restoration Corporation and featuring
What Do Wheels Do All Day?.
🚙And here are more fun ideas for using What Do Wheels Do All Day?, courtesy of Kate Narita’s excellent blog, Classroom Book of the Week!
🚙Download this wheels-related preschool lesson plan developed
by the Santa Monica Pier Restoration Corporation and featuring
What Do Wheels Do All Day?.
🚙And here are more fun ideas for using What Do Wheels Do All Day?, courtesy of Kate Narita’s excellent blog, Classroom Book of the Week!
🚧Download these Literacy Extensions for fun ways to use and build upon Dig In!
🚧Check out this Lego DUPLO reading and activity guide for more literacy extensions, including directions for how to build a Lego pizza!
🚧Check out this Lego DUPLO reading and activity guide for more literacy extensions, including directions for how to build a Lego pizza!
📝Go to Penguin's WhoHQ web site for activity sheets, pop quizzes, a series adventure app, and more!