BOOK OF THE DAY: How the Moon Regainded Her Shape

How the Moon Regained Her Shape by Janet Ruth Heller

Influenced by Native American folktales, this fascinating story deals with overcoming adversity, self-confidence, and understanding the phases of the moon. After the sun insults her, the moon gets very upset and disappears - much to the chagrin of rabbits who miss their moonlight romps. With the help of her many friends and admirers, the moon gains self-confidence each day until she is back to her full size. The For Creative Minds section explains the phases of the moon and answers those pesky questions like why is the moon up during the day? , and why does the shape of the moon change?  ~Amazon Product Review

How the Moon Regained Her Shape is a well-written and beautifully illustrated tale that young readers (pre-kindergarten to first or second grade) will enjoy. Teachers will appreciate the fact that there is a "For Creative Minds Section" located in the back of the book and online. Sylvan Dell Publishing also includes a 38 page Teacher's Activity Guide that includes activities such as writing prompts, vocabulary words, science activities, and much more.

Related Activities:

• Visit some of the related websites listed on the Sylvan Dell page.
• Keep a class journal of the phases of the moon.
• Talk about bullying. In the back of the book is a section on "How to Deal with Bullies."
• Read other books about the moon such as  The Moon, Papa, Please Get the Moon for Me, and Long Night Moon. Compare books that are "fiction" and books that are "factual."

In order to win this book, please comment below with your favorite moon book and/or activity by December 18, 2010. One winner will be randomly chosen using Random.org.

BOOK OF THE DAY: Bad Kitty by Nick Bruel

Bad Kitty by Nick Bruel

Bad Kitty (who used to be a Good Kitty) was not happy when there was only Asparagus, Beets,  Cauliflower and other healthy foods (all the way to zucchini) to eat. And thus begins this little kitty's adventure through the alphabet. This book might be a bit long for some children to absorb in one sitting, but chances are they will want to read this one again and again!

Related Activities:

• Visit these blog links for other alphabet books and activities.
• Use the Bad Kitty Doll. Let children take Kitty home and write a story about what good or bad things Kitty did during the visit.
• These Lesson Guides have other great activities: Jen Duncan and Chalk Talk
• Make a Venn Diagram or chart comparing real cats and pretend cats.
• Tie the story into a unit on cats:  CFA, Discovery Channel, Cool Cat Brain Teasers from National Geographic for Kids, and Cat Photographs from National Geographic for Kids,
• Make a class book that is inspired by the story such as, "Bad Doggy" or "Bad Bunny."
• Compare house cats to jungle cats.

More Books by Nick Bruel:

Teacher Tip: Avoiding Holiday Burnout in the Classroom - Less is More

Holiday time can be overstimulating even for those of us who have had years of experience navigating the hustle and bustle that comes in December. But imagine you are just 2 years old. Your quiet predicable world is snatched out from under you only to be replaced with loud music, twinkling lights, bright colors, crinkling of paper, giant snowmen on every lawn, lighted reindeer everywhere you look, longer days at day care (while parents work, shop, or both), regular teachers and caregivers are on vacation...it's massive sensory overload at home AND at school. It's often too much for preschoolers. So, sometimes, less is more!



Here are a few tips for helping your little ones survive the holidays:

1. Keep classroom routines the same.
2. Avoid spending the entire month focusing on celebrations and holidays. Limit your holiday-themed activities to the 3-5 days before the holiday.
3. Limit holiday decor in the classroom. The younger the child, the fewer decorations you need. Infants, toddlers, and twos have a limited or no concept of holidays. Preschoolers certainly have a better understanding of holidays but they too can become overwhelmed.
4. Incorporate more calming activities like Yoga Kids: For Ages 3-6 because children may need more relaxation.

What are your tips for maintaining sanity during in your preschool classroom?

Teacher Tip: Turkey Apples for Thanksgiving



I can't take credit for this wonderful little art project, but it was just too cute not to share! A Spanish Teacher who comes to our child care center each week made these awesome little turkeys with the children last week. She also taught them to say turkey in Spanish: el Pavo!

Turkey Time!

It seems like just last week we were lounging by the pool and slathering on sunscreen...and now it's time for Thanksgiving! Here are some favorite Thanksgiving books that your preschool and kindergartners might enjoy. Special thanks to all of my Tweeps for sending in their favorites!

• Child_Care_Info created a great list of favorite Thanksgiving books.
• ReachoutandRead loves Pumpkin Soup and all things pumpkin!
• StressFreeKids has some Thanksgiving Day Tips here: Don't Get Gobbled Up By Stress.
• 2ndstorywindow likes a A Turkey for Thanksgiving by Eve Bunting. There are more favorites here.
• Lisaunbury loves Thanks for Thanksgiving by Julie Markers.
• MelissaZD enjoys This Is the Turkey by Abby Levine.
• Bluskyz mentioned  Thank You, Sarah: The Woman Who Saved Thanksgiving.
• Connect2Jamie's kids just loveThanksgiving in the Barn.
• ChildCareofKY likes Twas The Night Before Thanksgiving.

BOOK OF THE DAY: Feast for 10 by Cathryn Falwell

Feast for 10 by Cathryn Falwell

With Thanksgiving just around the corner, this seems like a great book to share with your little ones! During this time of the year, you have to be sensitive to various cultural practices and family beliefs. This is also the time of year when it's easy to fall into the "Pilgrim and Indian" trap. Some of us get caught up stereotyping these groups by making cute little Pilgrim hats and
"Inidan" (i.e. Native American) headbands. Some of us forget that for some people, the history of the first Thanksgiving is not a happy and celebratory time. So, instead, it's a good time of year to focus instead on the things that most of us have in common: family, sharing, family celebrations, family feasts, and things for which we are thankful.

Related Activities:

• Have a feast in your classroom. Invite parents and family members to join.
• Here is a GREAT 25 page activity guide/lesson plan for this story.
• Here is another activity guide that includes a fact page, parent page and recipe cards.
• Here are activity cards that include recipes, a rhyming activity, and other experiences.
• If your school is close to a grocery store, arrange a field trip to the store to purchase items for your feast or for a recipe.
• Collect pictures of foods for children to cut (the coupon section of the newspaper and food magazines are great sources). Give each child a paper plate and allow them to make a collage of their own feast.
• Go online and print pictures of families having feasts; share these photos with the children and let them share their own experiences with the class.
• Encourage children to create a "feast" in the housekeeping or dramatic play areas. Provide table cloths, centerpieces, and all of the other necessary trimmings for a feast!

Girls Booked on Beauty Shops

Children who gain achievement in reading and language skills are more likely to be successful in all other subject areas. Reading is a key that unlocks a magical door filled with potential. Unfortunately, research shows that many minority children are not read to as much as their White counterparts. Research also shows that too often, by fourth grade African American students still have not mastered the skills necessary to become successful readers. Two community based programs aimed at increasing literary interest are Boys Booked on Barbershops and Girls Booked on Beauty Shops. These programs aim to provide children (from ages 1-18) opportunities to read in barbershops and beauty shops.

One Maryland group is bringing Girls Booked on Beautyshops to the area this weekend. The Harford County chapter of Mocha Moms is hosting Girls Booked on Beautyshops Saturday, November 20 from 11 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. at Imaginations Salon and Spa. Mocha Moms is a support group for mothers of color who have chosen not to work full-time outside of the home in order to devote more time to their families and communities. This event is supported, in part, by Scholastic and the National Institute for Literacy. For more information, email harfordmochamoms@gmail.com.