Today I'm participating in the second annual Booking Across the USA blog tour, which has been organized so well by our fearless leader Jodie at Growing Book by Book. Each blogger on the tour is creating an activity for young children that is related to one of the 50 U.S. states and is inspired by a new series of books -- Travels with Charlie -- by Miles Backer with illustrations by Chuck Nitzberg. I signed up for Maryland!
Some of you might remember that my family and I moved from Maryland to California late last summer, so we've been in our new home for almost an entire school year now. Wow! I must say that I am truly enjoying the beauty, sunshine, and way of life out here on the West Coast, but I do miss many things about Maryland, so this blog tour gave me a chance to reminisce.
Movement Activity
Given my blog's theme, I wanted to come up with a book-related activity that involved movement. So why not create a simple dance to the book's poem about Maryland? But first, here are a few definitions that are important to know in order to execute the movements in the dance...
Skipjack: Maryland's official state boat, which looks like a sailboat and is used to fish for oysters in the Chesapeake Bay
Fort McHenry: A star-shaped fort in Baltimore, Maryland, where part of the War of 1812 was fought
And here is the book's poem about Maryland, along with movements to go with each line or group of lines. As you'll see, the first few movements are wavy and circular and the last few are sharp and straight, to give children the opportunity to explore both types…
The star spangled banner was actually a flag that inspired Francis Scott Key to write the national anthem. (The flag was raised at Fort McHenry after a crucial battle in 1814.) What makes this banner so special is that it is the only version of the American flag that has 15 stars and 15 stripes. You can read more about the banner at this website of the National Museum of American History in Washington, DC, where the original flag is on display.
Star spangled banner on display at the National Museum of American History |
For an art activity, each child can color his or her own star spangled banner, either freehand our using a coloring page. Here is a sample coloring page from the TPS-Barat Educational Foundation. TPS-Barat also has a whole star spangled banner lesson plan for students in kindergarten through second grade, which could probably be adapted for younger students as well. It's aligned with some of the common core language arts standards and includes illustrations, recordings, lyrics, and more related to the national anthem. (When you color the flag, don't forget that the first stripe is a red one.)
Star spangled banner coloring page from TPS-Barat Educational Foundation |
You might consider playing the national anthem in the background as the children color their flags, or turning their coloring pages into "real" flags using some glue and popsicle sticks or straws. If time allows, it might also be nice to do a little marching dance to the national anthem when the flags are finished. First have the kids stand still and wave their flags to the beat. Then have them march, holding their flags still over their heads. Finally, see if they can march and wave their flags at the same time while still keeping the beat!
Don't forget to stop by Growing Book by Book to find the rest of posts in this year's Booking Across the USA tour…plus a giveaway. You can also explore picture books by authors and illustrator from the 50 states through last year's tour here.
I love your theory about good ideas. That is just excellent. Copying and pasting. With your permission. I just thing it will keep me in the game. *waving* I’m up to twenty three ideas. Some will definitely be ideas to investigate. Hopefully all of them will be.
Thank you, Melissa. “A good solid idea should be roomy enough to house many other ideas.” That’s the gem I’ll be carrying with me from this post, and using as I test my PiBoIdMo ideas over time.
I love your theory (and the very visual way you explain it) because it rings so true. Thanks!
Wow….great food for thought and loved this:
“If my brain becomes crowded with potential then that new idea just might work.”
That’s where I find myself at as I work through the 30/30-there are some ideas that need a page because of the doodles and connections and thoughts that start flowing from pencil to paper. Are they pb potential? Not sure yet but there’s lots on the page simmering away so it’s off to a good start!
Thanks for your post, really enjoyed it!
“A good solid idea should be roomy enough to house many more ideas.”
I love this! It’s so true. Wonderful post
Oh yeah, I love that quote “A good solid idea should be roomy enough to house many more ideas.” I just did a school presentation and in it, I talked about my initial idea for “The Monstore” and how many other ideas tacked themselves onto it. You have succinctly and perfectly said what I was trying to get across to the kids! Thanks! I will quote you from now on!!!
Great post! I can really relate to your observation that good ideas can take a long time to form. I often revist the same “snippet” in my journal time and time again, before it develops into something I can dig into and write about.
It sure is exciting to come up with something every day. I like your idea of a latte everyday too though. (Might just have to visit Tim Horton’s now). When one idea sparks a few offshoots that is a very special moment. Thank you.
You wrote: “I’ve found that ideas can be easy to come by, but not always easy to turn into a working story.” I’m learning this lesson now during my PiBoIdMo. So true. But it’s re-assuring that you say it’s okay to let the idea sit until inspiration strikes again. Thank you!
I agree with your theory about good ideas. I kept one in mind for about fifteen years before it turned into a written story. Much of what I write seems to have to percolate for awhile (although usually not years) before being ready to form into words.
I also agree that ideas no matter how good aren’t always easy to turn into stories. PiBoIdMo has taught me that.
Thanks for sharing your experience with us.