K-3 Literacy for Families

“An animal’s eyes have the power to speak a great language.” Martin Buber, German Philosoper

Here are three techniques to helps you write a most vivid pet portrait:

1. Go through the photos you have. If you don’t have a pet at home find photos online of a pet. Note your pet’s typical, funny poses and activities.
2. Do you talk to your pet? Every wonder what they’re thinking? Keep notes on your chats and what you think they might be telling you.
3. Observe your pet in his or her favourite spot for ten minutes every day for 3 days during your home time. (view a video of a pet possibility if you don’t have one) Write down everything he/she does in that spot. At the end of that time you will have many observations and details to write about. I bet you will have many more wonders about it too!

Source: How to write about your pets ~ Chuck Sambuchino

Source: How to write about your pets ~ Chuck Sambuchino

Unite US: Animal and People collection

https://www.uniteforliteracy.com/

Vivid vocabulary: “ Fresh words and phrases will make your story memorable… not the difference between “Coco slept all afternoon” and “For twenty minutes, Coco slept with her right paw covering her wet black nose. Every now and then she snorted or whimpered in her sleep.”

~ Chuck Sambuchino

for your writing. Play with these words to bring motion and action to your chosen pet tale.

Most of our outings are not available with the recommendation for social distancing (staying 2 metres from others) but nature is there for us.  When this global pandemic is overwhelming, go or look outside at our earth and sky…hear the birds that are singing and see the sun as it shines. Although we humans are having a rough go, our ecosystem hasn’t shifted due to this and it’s a great opportunity to reconnect.  So, take advantage of your yard, your neighborhood, the park, local beaches, hikes, etc.  You could also make it a learning or creative opportunity by studying nature, making collections, creating art with what’s growing around us.                              Anela Deisle

I wonder what other creatures in nature are patient? 

I wonder how I could describe other creatures I see/hear in my backyard? 

A cricket is….. 

An earthworm is…. 

Take on the role of scientist/observer and walk about with a wonder lens. 

Explore the fascinating community of creatures that live under one rock. Viewing this book with its colourful, close-up illustrations may just prompt you to lift a rock – sketch what you observe. Share your wonders in a scientific journal: I notice…I wonder….It reminds me of…..   ! ? = 

Students log in to Sora with their computer user name and password.   

Here’s the link:  https://soraapp.com/library/comoxvalleyca 

Search: Under One Rock 

I wonder what I have around the house to help me bird watch? 

When you are out on a backyard bird watch where will you record your wonders? How might you draw your ‘notices’? 

Look up in wonder and record your observations. 

Students log in to Sora with their computer user name and password.   

Here’s the link:  https://soraapp.com/library/comoxvalleyca 

Search: About Birds Cathryn Sill 

https://johnmuirlaws.com/deep-observation/ 

With your own photos, adopt a wonder-filled approach: 

What do you notice in this photo? 

What are you wondering? 

What does this remind you of? 

       ! ? =                                                                          Photo: Anela Deisler 

Wondering: How can one tin can affect so much? 

Noticing: What are the effects of paying attention to one small thing? 

A feeling of mattering is so very important. We matter to others and are there ways we can let others know they matter to us. I wonder how we might show our care for others today... 

Saving the Bees

And from Alison Walkley, here’s a suggested PBS video about blue orchard bees.

SORA app English

Go outside and look carefully around you.  What do you see?

Maybe you see a daffodil. What can you do to help it?  Maybe there’s a bird in your lawn looking for a worm.  How can you help that bird?

Make a list of things you see and write ideas how you can help.  After all, it’s Earth week!

Thank you from the Earth!

What ideas can you think of to help the Earth Make a list.

Use ideas for the book or think of some new ones yourself.

Choose 2 or 3 of your ideas and try them out this week.  How does it feel to help the Earth?

Draw some pictures to show how you’ve helped the Earth.

https://artfulparent.com/nature-art-for-kids/

Draw pictures and add some labels to show some of the different ways s

e.g. veterinarian, teacher, nurse etc.

What other jobs can you think about and draw? Other family can also create them, and you can guess each other’s!

Clothesline Clues to Jobs People Do

Draw and write about a favourite slow-down activity.  Remember to include lots of details in your drawing and in your writing.

Sloth at the Zoom

Example:

You can read to a kangaroo but be prepared to read while you’re hopping up and down!

How Do You Read a Rabbit?

Draw a picture to go along with your writing.

The Fire Station

Create a different soup recipe for the giant’s cold-curing soup.  What items would you put in it? Provide directions how to make your soup.

As an extra challenge, try to create a rhyming set of ingredients and directions!

Boy Soup

While inside your tent think of all the things a camper might need.  On a piece of paper, write down each letter of the alphabet.  Try to think of something a camper might need to match each letter!  You can choose 4 letters to write the word, FREE beside it.  That means you don’t need to write anything down beside those letters.  Hint:  write free beside the letter X!

A Camping Spree with Mr. Magee