Picture Books and Writing (It Fell From the Sky)

Today we read It Fell From the Sky by The Fan Brothers.  The gorgeous illustrations will not disappoint.  The idea of a unique object falling from the sky and each animal's reaction was so fun to read and explore.  We loved the story line and the moral of the story!

Writing:

Choose a toy that you might drop one day.  Create a story about what happens when you drop your object. 

Picture Books and Writing (Just Ask)

Today we read Just Ask by Sonia Sotomayor.  This story is a great introduction about the unique differences people can have growing up.  We were able to make connections to some of the differences in our friend group and family including food allergies, autism, stuttering, and ADHD.  There were so many others included that we were able to discuss.  I think this helps children have understanding when they do encounter someone who is different. 

Writing:

Write about what makes you unique and different.  It may not be anything listed in the book.  It may be about your interests.

Picture Books and Writing (Other Goose)

Other Goose is a topsy turvy, wacky wonky spin on our favorite nursery rhymes.  We had a great time remembering the original and laughing at the twists they made.  

Writing:

For the writing activity we made our own re-nurseried rhymes.  This ended up being a little more difficult than anticipated.  We worked together to complete this activity.  

Picture Books and Writing (POP! Goes the Nursery Rhyme)

We read another book on the theme of nursery rhyme just to get a little more practice rhyming. In this story, POP Goes the Nursery Rhyme, the weasel from Pop Goes the Weasel keeps interrupting nursery rhymes.  They found it funny and again we revisited many nursery rhymes.

Writing:

We practiced rhymes in the car driving to an activity.  When we arrived home they both were able to write their own rhyme!

We practiced a basic 4 line rhyme which is what my 7 year old wrote.

My 10 year old wrote more of a little rhyming story paragraph.

Our writing this summer has been very open and fun.  I believe there is learning in all types of writing.  So we are enjoying our stories and working in a little creative writing!

Picture Books and Writing (Wait 'Til You're Older)

Here is a great story filled with imagination.  A little sister didn't want to wait one second longer to grow up.  She always heard the words, "wait til you're older", all of the time!  She was tired of waiting so she devised plan after plan to travel to the future, travel to the past, even developing worm holes.  Eventually her brother wanted in on all the fun she seemed to be having and they began constructing together.

 Writing:

The activity we decided on today was to write from the prompt:

If I traveled to the past...what would you do and why

You could also try if I traveled to the future...

Picture Books and Writing (Wonderfully Wild)

Wonderfully Wild is a story based loosely on real-life events where a school's willow tree was damaged in a storm.  The old tree had to be cut down but the classes used parts of the tree to grow new trees as a project among the whole school.

Yet again, the incredible illustrations filled our minds with so much detail.  Each nature picture was filled with details for tiny bees, birds in nests, ants, ladybugs, and all the wonderful things you see if you take time to stop and look.

So, we did just that.  We took a walk.  We pointed out tiny details and used descriptive language to talk about them.  When we arrived home, they were filled with so much they could use to write a beautiful descriptive paragraph.

 

Picture Books and Writing (Violet and Victor write the Most Fabulous Fairy Tale)

Another fun book was Violet and Victor write the Most Fabulous Fairy Tale.  This story encapsulates the wonderful imagination of our children.  I have a little girl who reminds me of Violet filled with wonder and awe at the world around her.  She uses her imagination to play and create amazing stories and always tries to include her brother.  

 

Writing

For beginners: 

They can write their own fairy tale.  You can use a Once Upon a Time.... prompt to begin their writing.  My youngest chose to write her own fairy tale and use the Interrupting brother idea from the story.

For intermediate:

Create a fairy tale together.  You can do this between siblings or with an adult.  My son and I wrote one together.  It's simple you take turns writing one sentence at a time to create a fairy tale story together.  It's so fun to see what the other person is thinking and how your story makes unexpected twists and turns.  We laughed and had so much fun creating our story!