This “Nothing Like A Good Book” (NLAGB) post is for Jane Yolen’s Off We Go!, with amazing illustrations by Laurel Molk. There is “Nothing-L-A-G-B” read aloud and how it makes you feel.
I love the frantic, but happy expressions of the characters on the cover. It’s a “back-front” cover. You know the kind, where you open the book and lay it flat and see an entire scene from the back to the front covers. You could tell a whole story before turning one page. I just love that. 🙂
Personal Book Background
If you’ve read other NLAGB posts, you know this is where I share about my experience with the book… the story behind the story.
I received this book as a “Welcome to the K team” gift from one of the most gifted educators I’ve had the priviledge to work along side: Cheryl with a “C”- a kindergartener whisperer! Her dry wit, understanding of parental quirks, and unwavering focus on doing what’s best for kiddos have smoothed my ruffled feathers on many occassions. An entire blog could be devoted to what I’ve learned from her. This gifted arrived my first year to teach Kindergarten. At that point in my career, my fourteen years of teaching experience had been in first grade through third grade. But, I soon learned that Kinder was a whole ‘nuther world. My mantra that year was based on sage advise from Cheryl, “Plan for 10 minute intervals and you’ll be fine.”
10 minutes… 10 minutes…I could keep their attention for 10 minutes, right?
The Book
The rhyming and onomatopoeia of this book will get you and your kiddos through 10 minutes. 😉 At least.
A first “reading” of the book could be a picture walk, while asking probing questions to “tell” the story.
What’s their environment like? Where do they live? Where are they going? A big mouse and a little mouse? Why are the animals different sizes? Does the illustrator draw every detail in their world? Are the characters standing still? How do they get along? How many of each animal do you see at the end?
For books with rich, rich illustrations, I like to do a picture walk using my ELMO (document reader). I’ve found it takes care of the “I can’t see!” folks.
The text will have the kiddos joining in by the time you get to the snakes. It’s also a great story to act out, make it simple. 6 characters! I just randomly choose a group of kiddos to be mice, a group to be ducks, etc… Don’t stress over which kiddo is the parent or grandma. 🙂 The kiddos will just be happy to be up, moving, and saying the fun text. Who wouldn’t be happy saying, “Slither-slee, slithery slee”? 😉
The Product
The product contains…
18 Vocabulary Cards: Use the vocabulary cards to introduce the book. Place in a pocket chart or in view of the students, read through, and discuss what the book is pertaining to. After reading, use the vocabulary cards to match the animal name, to their habitat, and movement sound to review the story.
Story Retelling: Retelling Mat is provided or give kiddos paper to draw their own setting including habitats (hole, tree, web, bog, nest, underground). In the labeled areas, draw and color characters and cut apart to retell the story.
ABC Order: Version 1 has 6 words and Version 2 has 12 words with two writing line options. You can put the vocabulary cards at the station for the kiddos to organize and then record, if alphabetizing is a new or unmastered skill.
Word Searches: Version 1 has 6 words and Version 2 has 12 words. The words do not share letters. The words can be backwards, horizontal, vertical or diagonal.
Writing- Verbs, Onomatopoeia and Rhyming Completion: Choice 1 focuses on verbs. Choosing from the main verbs in the story, the kiddos will illustrate and use in sentences to explain. Choice 2 focuses on onomatopoeia words to illustrate and use in sentences to explain. Is it a verb or an onomatopoeia word? Cut, sort, and glue to indicate category. Choice 3 kiddos use the words in the Word Bank to complete the rhyming text from the story.
“Self-Check” cards are provided to put at a station or for you, when you just can’t think another thought.
All activities offer a choice of color or grey-scale clipart.
I hope this NLAGB installment brings laughter, fun, and knowledge to you and your kiddos. Remember, plan for 10 minute intervals! You AND your kiddos will enjoy your day together.
Until next time, happy creeping and slithering!
