Big Universe

Sylvan Dell’s Standardized Science Books Rock!

If Sylvan Dell were a person, I’d be offering a bear hug right now! That’s how happy I am to see that this publisher’s science-related books have been added to Big Universe’s online bookshelves. I read one, then another, then another. All wonderful!

Sylvan Dell Publishing is a South Carolina-based company on a serious mission to create science-related picture books that excite children’s imaginations, are artistically spectacular and have educational value. Each of their books offers fun and warm stories featuring science, math and nature themes and must pass inspection by a scientist or educator from NASA, NOAA, SeaWorld, Houston Zoo or other nature centers before they are published.

The company website lists each book’s alignment with national science and math standards in its searchable database, making lesson planning simpler. The ratings are based on the story text and each book’s “For Creative Minds” section. Each state has its own listing. Alignment ratings are based on:

• National Council of Teachers of Mathematic Standards
• National Science Education Standards
• National Geography Standards
• North American Association of Environmental Educators Standards (Pre-K to 4^th grade)

In addition, Sylvan Dell’s books are published in both English and Spanish versions. The company’s website features loads of teaching activities, quizzes and  information geared to teachers and librarians, as well as parents and homeschoolers. It even has a section for children, including animal webcams, word searches, crossword puzzles and scavenger hunts.

Big Universe has partnered with many other publishers contributing excellent science and technology picture books for children, too. Click here to go directly to the Big Universe science book shelf or browse by specific category.

Listed below are a few of the Sylvan Dell Publishing books that I have read on Big Universe so far. I couldn’t give them 5 out of 5 stars fast enough! They are good for reading at home or sharing during science time in a classroom setting via white board display.

• “Pandas’ Earthquake Escape“
• “Animals are Sleeping“
• “Mother Osprey: Nursery Rhymes for Buoys & Gulls“
• “Turtles In My Sandbox“
• “Julie the Rockhound“
• “Kersplatypus“
• “Saturn for My Birthday“
• “ABC Safari“

March of the Silly Celebrations

It’s a little late to celebrate National Peanut Butter Lovers’ Day which was March 1. I suppose it’s just as well – what with peanut butter allergies and such.

Yesterday, March 9, was Barbie Day, Panic Day and Get Over It Day all rolled into one 24-hour period. The juxtaposition of those three observances makes me laugh. Although today’s younger generation may be more enlightened, it parallels the phases that many women of my vintage go through. …“I love Barbie. I want to be Barbie.” (Barbie Day) “Oh, no! I’m NOT Barbie.” (Panic Day) And finally, “Looks are fleeting. There’s so much more to life than Barbie.” (Get Over It Day)

Though we may have missed a few special days, March has plenty more to offer with enough holidays and observances to enliven any classroom. Some days are silly and some designated dates laud the mundane, but every day is unique, offering a doorway to broaden a child’s horizons. I say, “Carpe diem!”

 “Seize the Day!” List for March

March 10 is Middle Name Pride Day.  What’s your middle name? Mine is Elizabeth – pretty straightforward, but one I value. It’s a family name worn by my mother and grandmother, and it’s the middle name given to my second daughter. It is a tiny bit of family heritage passed down from generation to generation. Parents can share how they selected names for each child in their family. Children in the classroom can go by their middle names for a day. (Be prepared for some silliness.)

March 11 is Johnny Appleseed Day. It’s a perfect day to read a story about Johnny Appleseed, the American folk hero, and his tree-planting adventures. Tie in a discussion about fruits, vegetables and nutrition. Get a bag of apples of various colors and practice charting the numbers of each on a graph.

March 12 is Plant a Flower Day. Why not chase away the wintertime blues by offering a horticulture lesson. Read some poetry celebrating spring and the beauty of flowers, and break out the Dixie cups and potting soil. Marigolds are hardy specimens and should come up easily in a well-lit window. It’s also Girl Scout Day.

March 13 is Jewel Day. Read a book about gems and how they are formed. Help little ones string Cheerio necklaces or show older children how to repurpose pages from a magazine by turning them into paper beads that they can string into friendship bracelets or anklets. It’s also International Fanny Pack Day.

March 14 is Learn About Butterflies Day. One middle school in our town incorporated the study of butterflies into their science class. They planted a butterfly garden behind the school to attract the insects, adding beauty to the property and learning about life cycles and the importance of each creature to the ecosystem. Read “Where Butterflies Grow,” a Picture Puffins book by Joanne Ryder and Lynne Cherry, or visit the Foremost Butterflies website. It has lots of information and activities, including an easy word search about butterflies. …Oh. It’s also Potato Chip Day.

March 15 is the Ides of March. The Ides of March is most known for its mention in William Shakespeare’s play Julius Caesar. (“Beware the ides of March.”) While Caesar’s assassination in 44 B.C. may not be a topic for a first-grader, older students can learn about the great city of Rome, the Roman Empire and mythology. Read “Rome”by Christine Dugan, a children’s picture book featured in Big Universe’s online library, or try Saddleback’s illustrated adaptation of William Shakespeare’s “Julius Caesar.” Note: The “ides” were the fifteenth days of March, May, July and October on the Roman calendar, and a festival for Mars, the god of war, was celebrated on March 15 in that culture.

March 16 is Lips Appreciation Day. Whistle a tune. Hold your breath. Discuss facial expressions and emotions. It’s also Freedom of Information Day in the United States.

March 17 is St. Patrick’s Day.This day can be celebrated formally in recognition of the patron saint of Ireland or in a more whimsical way in all its shamrocked green-hued glory.

March 18 is Awkward Moments Day. “A-a-awk-ward!” is one of this generation’s favorite expressions. It means so much more than being clumsy. It signifies things like “I’m embarrassed,” “There’s too much silence,” or “That boy just made eye contact with me.”

March 19 is San Juan Capistrano Day, the day thousands of swallows return to the old stone mission in California’s town of San Juan Capistrano.

March 20 is Corn Dog Day. It’s also the First Day of Spring.  Read “Spring” by Ann Herriges and published by Bellwether.

March 21 is World Poetry Day.  The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) declared this observance in 1999 to promote the teaching, reading and writing of poetry on a global scale. National Poetry Month is celebrated in April in the United States.

March 22 is National Goof Off Day. It’s your call. Keep this one a secret until the end of the day if there’s work to be done. Or name it, claim it!

March 23 is World Meteorological Day. Read “Weather” by Teacher Created Materials Publishing. It’s also Near Miss Day. Hmmm.

March 24 is National Chocolate Covered Raisin Day. OK, I am officially in!

March 25 is Pecan Day.There will be a lot of pies cooked in the South. If I haven’t overindulged in Raisinettes, I think I’ll dig out my killer Chocolate Pecan Pie recipe.

March 26 is Hawaii’s Prince Jonah Kuhio Kalanianaole Day. It’s a state holiday in Hawaii. Check out “A is for Aloha,”  a book by Uilani Goldsberry and illustrated by Tammy Yee. This book was the 2006 Hawaii Center for the Book selection representing the state at the National Book Festival in Washington, D.C. (Sleeping Bear Press)

March 27 is Skyscraper Day. Do you know which is the tallest building in the world? Is it the Empire State Building? Guess again. The tallest skyscraper is the 2717-foot Burj Khalifa building in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, with 160 floors. The Willis Tower in Chicago, formerly the Sears Tower, is the tallest building in the United States with 108 floors and ranks No. 8 in the world. The Empire State Building has 102 floors and ranks No. 15 globally.

March 28 is the day Olympian Jesse Owens was awarded the Congressional Gold Medal posthumously in 1990 by President George H.W. Bush. The medal is awarded to a civilian who “performs an outstanding deed or act of service to the security, prosperity, and national interest of the United States,” according to Wikipedia. Owens won four gold medals in the 1936 Summer Games in Berlin, Germany. Read “A Picture Book of Jesse Owens” by David A. Adler and Robert Casilla. Grade 5. (Scholastic)

March 29 is the Birthday of Yours Truly. Yup, it’s my birthday! Lots of candles on this one. John Tyler, the 10^th president of the United States, shares the same birthday. For more birthday fun, read “Penelope and the Preposterous Birthday Party.” 

March 30 is Take a Walk in the Park Day. Isn’t it time for a field trip? Read “On One Flower: Butterflies, Ticks and a Few More Icks” and then visit your community park or a nearby state or national park to see what your children can discover. Government-funded parks offer a wealth of information and plenty of room to stretch energetic little legs. March 30 is also the anniversary of the signing of the Alaska Purchase treaty in 1867, and it’s National Pencil Day.

March 31 is Bunsen Burner Day. Embrace science. Read a book. Do a simple experiment. Make it fun.

A is for Appleseed

March 11 is Johnny Appleseed Day. I haven’t thought about this American folk hero in years, but I warmly remember singing about him in second grade and listening intently to the story my teacher read. (See book list below.)

Johnny Appleseed, Paul Bunyan and Rip Van Winkle were three of my favorite folklore characters. Their stories were larger than life, and that appealed to a child of 8.

Mr. Van Winkle’s story was a variation on the time travel theme – an easy remedy for life’s problems. Simply go to sleep and they vanish! Mr. Bunyan lived with gusto. He made flapjacks on such a big griddle that skaters had to strap hunks of bacon to their feet to grease the pan! And, Mr. Appleseed was a tree-hugger prototype, someone who appealed to an outdoorsy girl like me, who had grown up camping and playing for hours outside every day.

“Rip Van Winkle” was a short story written by Washington Irving and published in 1819. The legendary antics of super-human lumberjack Paul Bunyan and Babe the Blue Ox are still told today, and many towns in the United States lay claim to him. The origin of these tales is hotly disputed.

John Chapman, the son of a Massachusetts farmer, was born in 1774. His favorite spot on his father’s farm is said to have been the apple orchard. He enjoyed talking to people who passed their farm as they headed west on wagon trains. The more he learned, the more he dreamed of joining them. He eventually set out, heading west with a pot on his head, a walking stick, a book and a bag of apple seeds. As he traveled, he planted seeds and told stories. The resulting trees became the source of delicious apples and legend, and John Chapman became known as “Johnny Appleseed.”

Why not read this enduring story to your children? Tie in additional lessons if you wish. His tale is a great launching pad for discussions about fruits, vegetables and nutrition. A bag of apples of various colors can be used to practice counting and graphing numbers on a chart. Talk about the difference between facts and legend. Discuss his character. Examine his attitude toward nature.

Here are some books to get you started:

• “Johnny Appleseed: The Story of a Legend” – This book was written and illustrated by Will Moses, the great-grandson of folk painter Grandma Moses. It’s intended for ages 5-9. “The virtues his picture biography teaches include sharing, simplicity and kindness to animals,” said Massachusetts elementary school teacher Simon Rodberg in a New York Times review. “This ‘Johnny Appleseed’ is biography as parable, embracing history and tall tales equally, its bright pages packed with country cheer.” (Philomel Books)
• “Johnny Appleseed” by illustrator Steven Kellogg. (Morrow Junior Books) Ages 8-12.
• “Johnny Appleseed” written by award-winning author Carol Ottolenghi and illustrated by C.D. Hullinger. (School Specialty Publishing) Ages 6-10.
•  “The Story of Johnny Appleseed” written and illustrated by Aliki. Ages 5-7.
• “Johnny Appleseed” written in poem form by Reeve Lindbergh and illustrated by Kathy Jakobsen Hallquist. A Redbook Children’s Picture Book Award Winner.
• “Johnny Appleseed” written by Patricia Brennan DeMuth and illustrated by Michael Montgomery. (Grossett & Dunlap) Level 1 Beginners.
• “What’s so Great About…Johnny Appleseed” written Daryl Davis Zarzycki, a second grade teacher in Delaware. (Mitchell Lane Publishers)

I Don’t Like Dr. Seuss

It’s true. I don’t like Dr. Seuss.

There, I said it…on his birthday, no less. I imagine this is a form of blasphemy, a veritable act of treason, but I just had to get it off my chest!

 While I mean no disrespect to Theodor Seuss Geisel himself – who was born on March 2^nd 106 years ago in Springfield, Mass. – I have to be honest. His books creeped me out as a child. (They sit on the same memory shelf as “The Wizard of Oz” and all those flying monkey things.)

The stories involved naughty characters and scenarios of impending doom. It was a little much for a sensitive kid with a highly developed imagination, a quick trigger finger over the “Guilt” button, and a hyperactive sympathy response. (If my brother got in trouble, I would be the one crying when it was all over.)

 In my world, “How the Grinch Stole Christmas” and “Horton Hears a Who” were horrible stories. A thief was going to steal Christmas, my very favorite day of the year, and a little miniature civilization was going to be crushed despite the efforts of a well-meaning elephant. Don’t even get me started on “The Cat in the Hat” stories or “Green Eggs and Ham!”

 Those siblings in the Cat story were going to be in BIG trouble when their mom got home and found the house a disaster. The Cat and Thing One and Thing Two were uninvited guests and did not jibe with my inner “voice of reason” or my healthy fear of strangers.

And, for goodness sake, green eggs and ham? That entrée sounded particularly disgusting to a girl from a “clean-your-plate-or-you-do-not-leave-the-table” household.

 The illustrations were particularly creepy to me, too. I did not find them funny or cute. I loved animals, but these characters didn’t look like the soft furry ones I knew and adored. A one-humped Wump? A virtually hairless Zed? Zaxes, zooks and sneetches? No siree, bob. Not for me.

 Yup, childhood memories are powerful things. Although I grew up to be a reasonably well-adjusted adult, I simply could not overcome my feelings about Dr. Seuss’ books. So, I refused to read them to my children. (Did I just hear a gasp on a global scale?)

 Lest you think my children were deprived, think again. The books would end up in our take-home baskets at the library, although I never personally placed them in there. Unlike me, my husband reveled in reading “The Cat in the Hat” and “Green Eggs and Ham” to our girls – over and over and over again. He can still quote passages by heart as can my girls!

 I kept my prejudice to myself. An anti-Seuss sentiment just seemed so, well, un-American. I confided in my husband, but no one else knew. But, years have gone by and I have felt the urge to unload this heavy burden. My daughters are big girls now, young women of 16 and 19 years. I think it’s safe to purge. I think we are past the risk of leaving permanent psychological scars on them or impeding their education.

 My name is Suzan, and I am a Dr. Seuss book hater.

I guess that means  The Cat is out of the bag.

EDITOR’S NOTE: “Dr. Seuss” wrote and illustrated 44 children’s books during his lifetime. His works were turned into numerous TV specials, a Broadway musical and feature-length motion pictures. His honors have included a Pulitzer Prize, a Peabody award, two Academy Awards, two Emmys, and a whimsical sculpture garden was built as a memorial to him in his hometown. Despite my lack of appreciation for his well-loved rhyming schemes and quirky illustrations, his biography is fascinating and his contribution to children’s literature is unquestioned.

• To read more about this children’s literature giant, go to www.catinthehat.org.
• For a Level One Seuss word search puzzle, click here.
• Visit Seussville, a fun, interactive educational site for children.
• For additional  reading fun, visit Big Universe, a source of children’s books online.

Science Project: Fear and Loathing? Try These Tips!

If the tri-fold boards visible in the back window of all the minivans in town weren’t evidence enough, the glazed eyes of parents in the school drop-off line would be a dead giveaway! Science Fair Week had arrived.

If I were politically correct, I’d be moaning and groaning with the rest of the parents, some of the teachers and certainly the custodial staff.

“I hate these projects,” said one parent to no one in particular.

“You poor thing,” said a passerby to a judge sitting in front of a display of bedraggled bean sprouts.

“What a weekend,” moaned another mom who sported noticeable undereye circles. The child in tow did not look happy either.

It’s the seventh year in a row that I have volunteered as a science fair judge and the ritual is the same. The negative attitude toward science and this educational rite of passage was the norm, rather than the exception. Unfortunately, it’s not a localized attitude. Science teachers and organizations have been fighting this pervasive cancer on a nation-wide basis for years.

I, however, love science! I always have. Although I became a writer by profession, my first love was nature, science and the great outdoors.

As a child, I reveled in rocks and bugs and birds in the trees. I was awed by the birth of kittens and checked on the ever-changing tadpoles in our farm pond. I filled a shelf in my bedroom with my finds: an empty turtle shell, a blue jay feather, a rock with a tiny fossil embedded in it.

This interest in the natural world is not that unusual in young children. Just watch a curious toddler at a park. One is carrying a dandelion in a chubby fist, while another is collecting acorns and pebbles or observing the ants. It’s the scientific method in its infancy. It’s precious to watch.

So what happens to that natural curiosity and joy? Why the negative attitude? Is the disconnect inevitable?

I say it doesn’t have to end this way! I speak as a parent of four back-to-back years of science fair competition and as an experienced science fair judge. Here are a few suggestions that I think will help.

Science Projects: 9 Tips for a Positive Experience 

1. A student’s personal interest in the project topic is vital. The higher the interest level, the better the attitude, involvement and outcome.
2. Take a step-by-step approach. Methodical. Calm. Fun-focused. Note: A project cannot be completed successfully in a weekend.
3. Expose your children to good material from a young age. There are great science-themed books, videos, TV shows and community programs available. Visit the library, a book store, the local university, a national park, a zoo or the community science or agriculture center. Online resources are extensive. Big Universe has a particularly good collection of science-themed children’s picture books online and the Bill Nye the Science Guy website has a good sampling of easy experiments for parents or teachers to do with their children.
4. A positive parental attitude toward homework, science and education is key. Very often a parent’s bad attitude toward science projects is linked to an over-taxed schedule, a skewed understanding of the assignment’s goals, a poor view of education’s importance, or a negative personal science fair experience. “Every thought is a seed.  If you plant crab apples, don’t count on harvesting Golden Delicious!” – Bill Meyer
5. Teacher attitude. (Yes, teachers too!) Whether you are part of a school system or are a homeschooler, personal views are powerful. A child can detect overt and subtle biases against science. Do you see the science unit as a necessary evil or do you see science and learning as a blessing and great opportunity?
6. Exposure to good role models. Expose kids to science professionals – an engineer with cool gadgets, a zoo keeper or veterinarian, or a science “performer” with a sense of humor and lots of loud, visually interesting experiments designed to intrigue kids.
7. Parental support. Good parent-teacher communication can go a long way in avoiding misunderstandings and encourage parental support. (The child can’t drive, pay for materials, or scour the Internet safely without parental involvement. Getting everyone on the same team is imperative.)
8. Time management! Colliding with deadlines is stressful to the child, the parents and even siblings. Anticipating checkpoints and due dates allows you to sidestep the stress. Look at the teacher’s guidelines and schedule each step in the experiment process on your family calendar: researching, planning, collecting supplies, testing, journaling, analysis and creation of the display board. Allow a time cushion! Family emergencies happen, plants die and glue sticks dry up.
9. Recruit science mentors. Many science professionals or hobbyists are happy to share their knowledge and love of the sciences. “Bring Your Child to Work Day” is another great opportunity to expose children to different careers and working scientists.

UPDATE: (3/12/2010) Big Universe recently partnered with Sylvan Dell Publishing, a company on a serious mission to create picture books that excite children’s imaginations, are artistically spectacular, and have educational value — particularly in the areas of math, science and nature. Each book is carefully vetted by experts in the field including scientists and educators from NASA, NOAA, SeaWorld, Houston Zoo and various nature centers and aviaries.

Books Introduce Black History Month Heroes

Stunted though it may be, February is an overachiever. Its 28 days are jam-packed with holidays, birthdays and observances – surely enough fodder to fill those bulletin boards with meaningful material all month long.

 While Groundhog’s Day may be a bit frivolous and Valentine’s Day a tad frilly, the Black History Month observance is fertile ground for broadening our children’s understanding of American history. It moves beyond waddling rodents and rotund cherubs with a fondness for archery. Rather, it provides the framework to introduce heroes, men and women with athletic, artistic and academic gifts and a vision for a better tomorrow.

 “In the centuries since African Americans first arrived on our shores, they have known the bitterness of slavery and oppression, the hope of progress, and the triumph of the American Dream. African American history is an essential thread of the American narrative that traces our nation’s enduring struggle to perfect itself. Each February, we recognize African American History Month as a moment to reflect upon how far we have come as a nation, and what challenges remain.”  – President Barack Obama

 What better tool to introduce this facet of American history than books? Who better to introduce the books than acclaimed poet and autobiographer Maya Angelou, who understands their power so well?

 “Any book that helps a child to form a habit of reading – to make reading one of his deep and continuing needs – is good for him.”  –  Maya Angelou, African American poet

 A Starter List of Biographies for Kids

 –        “A Picture Book of Harriet Tubman,” by David A. Adler and Samuel Byrd, traces the life of Harriet Tubman, who escaped from slavery to become a conductor in the Underground Railroad. Grade 4. (Scholastic)

 –        “Jackie Robinson Graphic Biography” details the life of the first African-American Baseball Hall of Fame inductee. Grades 4-6. (Saddleback Educational Publishing)

 –        “George Washington Carver,” by Eva Moore and Alexander Anderson, tells the story of a man who overcame tough beginnings to become an accomplished botanist. Grades 3-5 (Scholastic)

–        “Rap a Tap Tap,” by Leo and Diane Dillon, is a Coretta Scott King Illustrator Honor Book about Bill “Bojangles” Robinson, a popular tap dancer from the 1920s-30s, who “talked with his feet.” (Blue Sky Press)

–        “Martin Luther King Jr. Graphic Biography” is a biography about an influential man who fought against prejudice and injustice. Grades 4-6. (Saddleback)

–        A Picture Book of Sojourner Truth,” by David A. Adler and Gershom Griffith, traces the life of a well-known abolitionist and crusader for the rights of African Americans in the United States. (Grade 4) (Scholastic)

–        “A Picture Book of Jesse Owens,” by David A. Adler and Robert Casilla, is a simple biography about track star Jesse Owens, who competed in the 1936 Berlin Olympics.  (Grade 5) (Scholastic)

–        “I Am Rosa Parks,” by Rosa Parks with Jim Haskins, tells the story of a brave woman who acted upon her convictions. Grades 1-3. (Puffin)

–        “A Picture Book of Frederick Douglass,” by David A. Adler and Samuel Byrd, explains the role of this escaped slave, who went on to become a writer, speaker and leader of the abolitionist movement. Grade 5. (Scholastic)

–        “A Picture Book of Thurgood Marshall,” by David A. Adler and Robert Casilla, lets children learn more about the life of the first African-American Supreme Court justice. Grade 5. (Scholastic)

–        Reading Rockets offers its own list of Black History Month reads. Check them out.

Other African Americans making significant contributions to our society include neurosurgeon Ben Carson, sports legend Bill Russell, Pulitzer Prize poet Gwendolyn Brooks, Tuskegee Institute director Booker T. Washington, Medal of Honor soldier Vernon Baker, baseball legend Buck O’Neil, surgical technique pioneer Vivien Thomas, track great Wilma Rudolph, Oscar-winning actress Hattie McDaniel, choreographer Alvin Ailey, and too many others to count.

Big Universe, an online children’s picture books website, posts an additional supplement for this month’s discussions. Let your students explore the Bill of Rights by reading “What Are Citizens’ Basic Rights?” Grades 4-6 (Weekly Reader). Or read  “Civil Rights: An Acrostic Poem”  by Big Universe member BlockB.

Kid-Friendly Poems for Valentine’s Day

February and poetry go together like butter and bread. Valentine’s Day poems are especially appealing to elementary children if they are funny and read out loud. Other interactive poetry grabs attention and helps channel pent-up wiggles on these wintry days.

Poetry provides a valid link to literacy. According to Ontario’s Literacy and Numeracy Secretariat website:

1.  Poetry awakens our senses, helps us make connections to others, and leads us to think in synthesizing ways, as required by the use of metaphor.
2. Paying attention to the language and rhythms of poetry helps build oral language skills.
3. Children with well-developed oral language skills are more likely to have higher achievement in reading and writing.

 Some Valentine’s Day poems to get you started.

 I Love You More Than Applesauce

By Jack Prelutsky

I love you more than applesauce,
Than peaches and a plum,
Than chocolate hearts,
And cherry tarts,
And berry bubble-gum.

I love you more than lemonade,
And seven-layer cake,
Than lollipops,
And candy drops,
And thick vanilla shake.

I love you more than marzipan,
Than marmalade on toast;
For I love pies
Of any size,
But I love you the most.

Veggie Valentine

- Author Unknown

You may not “carrot” all for me

The way I care for you

You may “turnip” your nose

When I plead with you

But if your heart should “beet” with mine

Forever “lettuce” hope

There is no reason in the world

Why we two “cantaloupe.”

Making Valentines
- Author Unknown
In February, what shall I do?
I’ll make some valentines for you.
The first will have a cupid’s face;
The second will be trimmed with lace.
The third will have some roses pink;
The fourth will have a verse in ink.
The fifth will have a ribbon bow;
The sixth will glisten like the snow.
The seventh will have some lines I drew;
The eighth, some flowers – just a few.
The ninth will have three little birds;
The tenth will have three little words:
I LOVE YOU!

My Valentine Heart
- Author Unknown

 When I say I love you                       (Point to lips)
It comes from my heart                    (Hand on heart)
You hear it in your ear                      (Point to ear)
And it sounds very smart                 (Point to head)
I love it when you’re proud of me (Stand real tall)
You say it all day long                        (Stretch arms wide)
And when I hear you say it              (Point to ear)
My heart sings a merry song           (Hand on heart)

I Made My Dog a Valentine

By Jack Prelutsky

I made my dog a valentine,

she sniffed it very hard,

then chewed on it a little while

and left it in the yard.

I made one for my parakeets,

a pretty paper heart,

they pulled it with their claws and beaks

until it ripped apart.

I made one for my turtle,

all he did was get it wet,

I wonder if a valentine

is wasted on a pet.

If you are looking for additional Valentine’s Day literature ideas, check out this extensive bibliography aimed at the elementary-age child – courtesy of the LRC/Sivia Center in Gainesville, Fla. Other illustrated poems for kids can be found in the poetry section on the children’s picture books website Big Universe.

February: Lanterns ‘n Tigers and Mandarin…Oh My!

Valentine’s Day is Feb. 14, but did you know it’s the first day of the Chinese New Year, too?  Yup – the  Year of the Tiger is upon us! Maybe your child or class would have fun with some global fusion  –  half hearts, half dragons.

 Kids like quirky, well, most of them anyway. Hang Chinese lanterns from the ceiling and cut and paste valentines. Mix in talk of tigers, dragons and firecrackers and you are sure to engage the boys, as well.

I figure most of you have the Valentine’s Day theme down pat, so I’ll give you a few hints on how to use the Chinese New Year celebration as a spring board for learning.

Get to Know and Appreciate China

• Make Chinese paper lanterns to string in a doorway or from the ceiling. Very festive.
• Read “China” by Gisela Lee, who writes about this influential country’s rich history and vibrant modern-day culture. The book posted online by Big Universe has a map, colorful pictures and a good vocabulary list aimed at sixth-graders. (Teacher Created Materials Publishing)
• Fly a kite, bring collapsible umbrellas to school or play dominoes. They were all invented by the Chinese.
• Use “Kingka,” an award-winning board game, as a class supplement. Created by New Jersey educator, mom and children’s book author Sholeen Lou-Hsaio, the Mandarin-language matching game resembles bingo and introduces the 54 basic Chinese characters. It uses “the spirited nature of a memory game to encourage effective learning. It takes away the fear students have of learning Chinese,” said Lou-Hsiao.
• Learn more about giant pandas by clicking on this link, or read “Pandas’ Earthquake Escape” at Big Universe. (Sylvan Dell)
• “Confucius, Chinese Philosopher”  is another Big Universe book by Gisela Lee, who collaborated with Wendy Conklin to write this biography. (Teacher Created Materials Publishing)
• Look at “Holidays”  by author Dona Herweck Rice. It’s aimed at younger children with simple text and great pictures. Keep an eye out for the Chinese New Year street parade picture. (Teacher Created Materials Publishing)
• Go to Page 33 in the book “Animal World,” published by Saddleback Educational Publishing.  It offers a little zoology on the tiger – with colorful photographs and a fun “factoscope” box. Or read “What Tigers Do,” a beginner book written by Kris Bonnell and published by Reading Reading Books, LLC.
• Print out this coloring page of a tiger, a boy in traditional holiday clothing, or one of men dressed to do the Chinese New Year lion dance.

Brain Science Offers New Look at Teaching Math

“The mathematical sciences particularly exhibit order, symmetry, and limitation; and these are the greatest forms of the beautiful.”   – Aristotle

 Aristotle appreciated math. So do my husband, father-in-law and sister-in-law. They made it their livelihoods. As for me…well, if push came to shove, I’d plead The Fifth.

However, I did read a well-written essay by Benedict Carey, titled “Studying Young Minds, and How to Teach Them.” It appeared as part of a series in The New York Times last month. Unfortunately it was published on Dec. 20 – just a few days before Christmas. I doubt it got the notice it deserved, but I found it fascinating and think teachers and parents will find it and the rest of the series interesting too.

 Carey talks about how cognitive neuroscience research is challenging the way educators have traditionally taught math and other concepts to young children. While some of these findings may have trickled their way into the classroom, I think the information bears repeating. Numerous brain science studies and researchers are cited, as well as a few teachers who have incorporated these new ideas into their classrooms through fun math games, activities and reading. 

“Teaching is an ancient craft, and yet we really have had no idea how it affected the developing brain,” said Kurt Fischer, in The New York Times article. Fischer is the director of the Mind, Brain and Education program at Harvard. “Well, that is beginning to change, and for the first time we are seeing the fields of brain science and education work together.” 

For those of you on the front lines in the classroom, please weigh in! Give the article and its readers’ comments a look and then offer your feedback here. Does this article resonate with you? Are you applying any of these principles in your math curriculum? Or are your hackles up? I’d like to hear what you have to say.

 If you are looking for some basic math concept picture books, Big Universe offers about two dozen online options from its publishing partners. Members also have created many volumes about math and counting, and you and your students can do the same. 

Dealing with Death Through Books

Haiti has hit me hard. I can’t stand suffering, sadness and the plight of the marginalized. It’s hard for me to make sense of the tragedy on that island nation – and I’m an adult. How much harder it must be for a child to process images on TV and stories they hear at school.

 Of course we can turn the channel when little ones are in the room and tuck newspapers and magazines out of sight, but sometimes death and dying become very personal. A friend’s mother dies. A teacher gets cancer. A grandparent has a heart attack.

 Tragedy stands at the doorstep, and we must deal with it the best we can. Hugs, prayers and a listening ear are the first line of defense. Diversion has its place and so does role playing with dolls and toys.

 I can remember my oldest daughter doing just that with her Playmobil zoo set after watching “The Lion King.” We had strictly monitored her TV watching, but had scooped up a copy of this movie, because she loved lions. Unfortunately we failed to recognize that to her, those animated characters were REAL. That’s when she first learned that loved ones can die – even big strong daddies like Mufasa the lion. (Cue the mommy guilt.)

 We talked to her  and reassured her, but she coped in her own way – by incorporating the topic of dying in her pretend games with her stuffed animals and zoo set. Her younger sister was able to stay naïve a little longer – that is until Sept. 11, 2001. She learned about the tragedy in New York City at school from other kids. When she got home and walked in while I was watching the news coverage, she thought MORE planes were flying into MORE buildings. (Mommy guilt, Part II.)

 I think it’s only natural to try to shield our children from the harsh realities of the world – if only for a short while. However, when troubles come, I believe in naming them and beginning the process of dealing with them. I’m not a fan of sweeping things under the rug.

 Talking and praying were givens for us. Books also proved valuable in helping our kids cope with the fragility of the human condition. They provided a forum for discussion, and the physical contact of sitting on our laps gave comfort. The warmth of our voices soothed away fears and reinstated a sense of safety.

 Michael Catchpool’s picture book  “Grandpa’s Boat”  (Andersen Press) is a warm story that encourages readers to remember loved ones who have passed away and to celebrate their lives rather than forget. The illustrations by Sophy Williams capture the love and happy memories that death can not touch.

Bestselling author Audrey Penn also has written a sensitive book in which the main character comes to understand the loss of a school friend through an “accident.”  Check out “Chester Raccoon and the Acorn Full of Memories,” (Tanglewood Press) illustrated by Barbara Gibson.

 “A Mango for Grandpa”  by Caroline Hudicourt (International Step by Step Association) is another online story offered in Big Universe’s library of children’s picture books. It also deals with loss by celebrating fond memories and carrying on traditions. Its illustrations by Ismer Saincilus lend themselves to whiteboard display in a classroom setting.

 “Saying Goodbye”  is “a sad and true story about the death of a pet dog,” written by Carrado G60, a Big Universe member. It is a perfect illustration of how Big Universe’s author tool can help kids deal with grief. The child author was able to memorialize Muffy, a beloved pet, by uploading digital photos and expressing feelings through personalized text. The book includes a parent’s page at the end with hints to help children deal with loss.

 “Love is stronger than death even though it can’t stop death from happening. But no matter how hard death tries, it can’t separate people from love. It can’t take away our memories either. In the end, life is stronger than death.”  – Anonymous

 Note: There are many resources available to parents and teachers, who find themselves dealing with the topic of death and tragedy. Don’t be hesitant to get help from a certified grief counselor or clergyman if you feel overwhelmed. The Barr-Harris Children’s Grief Center in Chicago recommends numerous books about death and grief for children and adolescents, as well as answers to some frequently asked questions. Educator Keith Schoch also offers a great list of additional picture books on this topic in his blog.