Low-Tech, At-Home Learning: Cities, Towns and Venn Diagrams!

Whenever I read my book All Through My Town to young listeners, I tell them that many of the details were inspired by the Chicago suburb where I grew up – Highland Park, IL.

I call it a town. But it’s actually the City of Highland Park. So what’s the difference?

The  simple social studies activity below asks that same question … and may reveal many thoughtful and creative answers.

While this activity was written for classroom instruction, it’s easily adapted for low-tech, at-home learning. Rather than making copies, simply find photos of towns and cities in books or magazines and construct a Venn Diagram of your own. And while you don’t need my book All Through My Town in front of you to do this activity, it’s always a bonus if you do. You can buy it right here.

A little math + a little social studies = what’s not to love about this activity?

For more activities, explore all of my FREE  and fun Curriculum and Storytime Guides linked to learning standards right here: https://jeanreidy.com/schoolslibraries/

And for a complete list of all of my low-tech, at-home learning activities so far, click on the #kidlitquarantine category. I’ll be posting projects regularly.

Have fun. Stay safe. And stay well.

Jean

Posted & filed under #kidlitquarantine, Tools for the Taking, Tuesdays for Teachers.

Low-Tech, At-Home Learning: Yukky and Yummy Plates!

Yummy plateWhen we think of at-home learning, we can’t forget the younger set.

Here’s a simple activity I did with kindergartners who were cracking up over my book TOO PICKLEY! You don’t need to have the book in front of you to do the activity, but it’s obviously more fun if you do. And you can buy it right here.

Too-Pickley-coverSo, the number one question I get from kids who read TOO PICKLEY! is

At the end of the story, what had been on the little boy’s plate?

My illustrator, Genevieve Leloup, and I deliberately left that a mystery. We wanted to involve the reader in the story and get a discussion going. So we encourage the question:

What do YOU think was on his plate?

Really observant kids might look at the few crumbs remaining and guess a cookie, an orange and some peas.

Kids who have read my dedication page might guess hot dogs.

But then you’ll have those kids who fully immerse in the story and say, “Peanut buttSo Yummyer and jelly. Because I love peanut butter and jelly.”

That’s when it’s time to invite kids to tell you what would be on their “So Yummy” plates. How about their “So Yucky” plates?

This would be a great time to talk about tastes, healthy eating and where foods come from, as well.

Finally, using grocery store ads, glue sticks and paper plates, have kids create their own “So Yummy” and “So Yucky” plates and present them to the family. This is a great sorting activity. Extend it to K-1 by involving the whole family and graphing their responses to common foods.

And speaking of sorting and graphing, this easy and fun activity meets Academic Standards  for PreK, 1st Grade and Kindergarten in:

  • Math
  • Literacy
  • Art
  • Physical Education/Health and Wellness
  • CCSS.Math.Content.K.MD.B.3 Classify objects into given categories; count the numbers of objects in each category and sort the categories by count.1
  • CCSS.Math.Content.1.MD.C.4 Organize, represent, and interpret data with up to three categories; ask and answer questions about the total number of data points, how many in each category, and how many more or less are in one category than in another
  • CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.K.1 With prompting and support, ask and answer questions about key details in a text.

Yucky plateYup! That’s my yummy plate above. And here’s my yukky plate!

How do yours compare?

Send me your Yucky and Yummy photos. I’ll be happy to post them on my blog.

For more ideas for Low-Tech, At-Home Learning check out my Curriculum and Activity Guides filled with fun projects and linked to learning standards.

And for a complete list of all of my low-tech, at-home learning activities so far, click on the #kidlitquarantine category. More coming soon!

Have fun. Stay safe. And stay well.

Jean

 

Posted & filed under #kidlitquarantine, News, School Visits, Tools for the Taking, Tuesdays for Teachers.

Low-Tech, At-Home Learning: Color a Bedtime Quilt

Hi friends,

I’m so thrilled that teachers and librarians are re-discovering my book LIGHT UP THE NIGHT. Because while it’s certainly a cumulative verse bedtime book, it’s also an early social studies, science and geography lesson about earth, space and a kid’s sense of place.

And, interestingly, the activity below is a math activity and art activity – so we’ve got some great STEAM action going here.

Back in 2012, I did a lengthy virtual visit with 5th graders at St. Joseph School in Seattle, WA who studied LIGHT UP THE NIGHT (and others of my books) and mastered this quilt project.

Check out all we did in the virtual visit right here: https://jeanreidy.com/2015/02/skyping-with-older-students-and-the-what-i-love-most-critique/.

And take a look at their amazing quilts here: https://jeanreidy.com/2012/10/light-up-the-night-quilt-square-designs-from-st-josephs-5th-grade/.

So lovely, right?

Now it’s your turn. Try this activity at home. Send me photos of your quilts and I’ll post them to my blog. And while you don’t need my book LIGHT UP THE NIGHT in front of you to do this activity, it’s always a bonus if you do. You can buy it right here.

For more activities, explore all of my FREE  and fun Curriculum and Storytime Guides linked to learning standards right here: https://jeanreidy.com/schoolslibraries/

And for a complete list of all of my low-tech, at-home learning activities so far, click on the #kidlitquarantine category. More coming soon!

Have fun. Stay safe. And stay well.

Jean

Posted & filed under #kidlitquarantine, News, School Visits, Tools for the Taking, Tuesdays for Teachers.

Low-Tech At-Home Learning: Create a Playground Blueprint

When we’re stuck inside, there may be no better time to dream about the great outdoors – walks in the park, riding bikes, a game of tag … and what about that perfect playground?

All through my book Busy Builders, Busy Week! young readers find clues as to what our animal characters are constructing. They start with a plan. And, of course, the ending is a pure delight.

Today is the perfect day to design your own dream playground … and satisfy some STEAM learning standards along the way. Check out my next low-tech, at-home learning project below. And as always, if you’d like to e-mail me pictures of your creations, I’ll post them on my blog. And while you don’t need my book Busy Builders, Busy Week! in front of you to do this activity, it’s always a bonus if you do. You can buy it right here.

For more activities explore all of my FREE  and fun Curriculum and Storytime Guides linked to learning standards at: https://jeanreidy.com/schoolslibraries/

And for a complete list of all of my low-tech, at-home learning activities so far, click on the #kidlitquarantine category. There will be more posted regularly.

Have fun. Stay safe. And stay well.

Jean

Posted & filed under #kidlitquarantine, News, Pay it Forward Fridays, School Visits, Tools for the Taking, Tuesdays for Teachers.

Low-Tech At-Home Learning: Truman’s Obstacle Course

Students at Emerson Elementary in Elmhurst, IL – under the direction of awesome librarian Lauren Blanford – were the first to try this fun activity. And it’s a perfect STEAM project to try at home.

While it’s based on my book Truman, illustrated by the amazing Lucy Ruth Cummins, you don’t need the book in front of you to give it a try. But it’s always a bonus if you do. And you can buy it right here.

Maybe begin by making a Play-Do or paper Truman to track through the course. Then what obstacles will you use? Blocks? Tubes? Shoes? Couch cushions? The options are endless. Will Truman make it? Or will you trick him into a wrong turn? Send me photos and I’ll post them on my blog.

For more activities, explore all of my FREE  and fun Curriculum and Storytime Guides linked to learning standards at https://jeanreidy.com/schoolslibraries/

And for a complete list of all of my at-home learning activities so far, click on the #kidlitquarantine category. I’ll be posting projects regularly.

Have fun. Stay safe. And stay well.

Jean

Posted & filed under #kidlitquarantine, News, Pay it Forward Fridays, School Visits, Tools for the Taking, Tuesdays for Teachers.

Low-Tech At-Home Learning: Onomatopoeia Poems

Hi all,

In the middle of this global crisis, parents, teachers, caregivers, librarians, publishers, authors and illustrators are all rising to the challenge of at-home learning. I’ve been trying to do my part by supplying links to my FREE Curriculum, Activity and Storytime Guides linked to learning standards for all my books.

But I also know that many of you are overwhelmed with resources. So I thought it might be helpful to post some of my favorite activities individually right here. I’ll try to do so daily. And for added benefit, I’ll try to pick from the low-tech learning options first.

So, to kick it off, we have Onomatopoeia Poems inspired by my book When the Snow is Deeper Than My Boots Are Tall … which today, in Colorado, it most certainly is. You don’t need the book to do this activity, but it certainly more fun if you do. And you can buy it right here.

So, here you go (below)! Feel free to post your kids’ poems in the comments or e-mail them to me and maybe I’ll include them in a guest poet post.

For more activities, explore all of my FREE  and fun Curriculum and Storytime Guides linked to learning standards at https://jeanreidy.com/schoolslibraries/

And for a complete list of all of my at-home learning activities so far, click on the #kidlitquarantine category. I’ll be posting projects regularly.

Have fun. Stay safe. And stay well.

Jean

Posted & filed under #kidlitquarantine, News, School Visits, Tools for the Taking, Tuesdays for Teachers.

TRUMAN is a Charlotte Zolotow Honor Book!

With the grand ALA award celebrations swiftly approaching (and yes, I’ll be rising early to tune into the live stream of excitement) other awards sometimes get overlooked. One of those is the Charlotte Zolotow Award – it is one of the only major awards given for picture book text. Here’s the description from the award website:

The Charlotte Zolotow Award is given annually to the author of the best picture book text published in the United States in the preceding year. Established in 1998, the award is named to honor the work of Charlotte Zolotow, a distinguished children’s book editor for 38 years with Harper Junior Books, and author of more than 70 picture books, including such classic works as Mr. Rabbit and the Lovely Present (Harper, 1962) and William’s Doll (Harper, 1972). Ms. Zolotow attended the University of Wisconsin in Madison on a writing scholarship from 1933-36 where she studied with Professor Helen C. White.

The award is administered by the Cooperative Children’s Book Center, a children’s literature library of the School of Education, University of Wisconsin-Madison. Each year a committee of children’s literature experts selects the winner from the books published in the preceding year. The winner is announced in January each year. A bronze medallion is formally presented to the winning author in the spring during an annual public event that honors the career of Charlotte Zolotow.

With all of that said, I’m overwhelmed with emotion and very, VERY honored, to have TRUMAN recognized as a Charlotte Zolotow Honor Book.

This makes my heart soar!

Thank you to the committee and to the fabulous team of Lucy Ruth Cummins, Emma Ledbetter, Alexa Pastor, Erin Murphy and all my friends at Atheneum/Simon & Schuster!

Congratulations to the gold medal winner!

And my fellow honorees!

And thank you to young readers everywhere!

Posted & filed under Great Reads, News, News to Use, Pay it Forward Fridays.

Appearances 2020

New appearances are added daily!

2/6/20           CCIRA Denver 10:30-11:30 Noticings Wondering and Listerner-Led Read Alouds

2/7/20           CCIRA Denver RMC-SCBWI Panel 4:00

2/10/20          Willowbrook School Visit, Glenview, IL

2/11/20            Westcott School Visit,  Northbrook, IL

2/23/20           Emerson Elementary, Elmhurst, IL

3/21/20            RMC-SCBWI Denver South Connect “How to Study a Picture Book: Reading with Purpose to Elevate Your Picture Book Writing.” Noon. Gracepoint Community Church, Littleton. CO

3/23/20            Kearsage Regional Elementary School, New London, NH, Virtual Visit

4/4/20               Charlotte Zolotow Award Ceremony, Madison, WI

4/25/20            Denver Children’s Festival of Stories, Denver, CO

5/2/20               Hudson Children’s Book Festival

To find out more about Jean’s School and Virtual Visits.

To inquire about other appearances or to schedule Jean for an appearance.

Posted & filed under Appearances, News, School Visits.

WHEN THE SNOW IS DEEPER THAN MY BOOTS ARE TALL is out today!

There’s something magical about snow – whether you’re rolling it, stomping it, or watching it from your window. I happen to LOVE snow. That’s why I’m so excited to reveal my latest book – out today.

And I’m loving this Kirkus review!

“… this snow ballad (with repeated and expanding chorus and onomatopoeic exclamations) sings: “And my nose drip, drips, / and my wet cheeks freeze, / and the drifts, oh they drift / to the tops of my knees, / and my feet get soaked, / toes one and all, / because the snow is deeper— / it’s really so much deeper— / the snow is deeper than my boots are tall.” It’s just waiting for a performer and a young audience eager to participate. This celebration of the first day of snowy play hits the right notes.”

Here’s where you can buy your copy: Amazon, IndieBound, Barnes & Noble.

And here’s my complete schedule of appearances – updated daily.

Would you like Autographed Book Stickers? E-mail me.

Teachers and Librarians see my FREE resources including Skype Visits and the WHEN THE SNOW IS DEEPER THAN MY BOOTS ARE TALL Curriculum Guide and Storytime Kit. Or how about a school visit? Just e-mail me.

If you’re as excited about WHEN THE SNOW IS DEEPER as I am, please help me spread the word. Here are some sample tweets to get you started:

  • BRRRR! Just in time for chilly winter days. WHEN THE SNOW IS DEEPER THAN MY BOOTS ARE TALL a new picture book by @jeanreidy and illustrated by @joeychouart. https://tinyurl.com/yyn9ptvv
  • Chilly days are the perfect time to cozy up with a good book. How about WHEN THE SNOW IS DEEPER THAN MY BOOTS ARE TALL – a new picture book by @jeanreidy and illustrated by @joeychouart? https://tinyurl.com/yyn9ptvv 
  • Here’s a perfect picture book for the snow-loving young readers in your life. WHEN THE SNOW IS DEEPER THAN MY BOOTS ARE TALL – a new book by @jeanreidy and illustrated by @joeychouart. https://tinyurl.com/yyn9ptvv  

And if you simply can’t wait until you get your copy, here’s a sneak peek at a few of my favorite pages!

Stay warm and cozy up with a great book!

XO

Jean

Posted & filed under Great Reads, News, News to Use, Reviews, Thoughts from my Books, Tuesdays for Teachers.

Another new book on the horizon – SYLVIE!!

A couple of years ago, a new character popped into my imagination – a small spider who hung outside an apartment building. I immediately knew that sweet spider would be altruistic and humble with a unique perspective on the people who lived inside. But as the spider’s story developed, I also discovered the stories of four people – and one brave tortoise making a cameo appearance – who would be the heart of this spider’s world.

I can’t wait for you all to meet SYLVIE! I’m thrilled to be paired up with Lucy Ruth Cummins again. 2022 can’t come fast enough! Here’s the announcement:

Alexa Pastor at Atheneum has bought world rights to a new picture book by Truman author and illustrator Jean Reidy (l.) and Lucy Ruth Cummins: Sylvie, about a surreptitious spider who gathers the courage to help the neighbors she has watched over from afar. Publication is slated for spring 2022; Erin Murphy at Erin Murphy Literary Agency represented the author, and Emily van Beek at Folio Jr./Folio Literary Management represented the illustrator.

Posted & filed under News, The Writing Process, Thoughts from my Books.