Thursday, August 18, 2011

School Daze, School Daze

Storybook Girl, Edmund Dulac
It is almost time for school to begin here in Massachusetts and some schools around the country are already in session. Through the years I have researched and compiled curriculum connections to complement a variety of  topics and themes in my blog posts and have compiled all of them  here. I hope this makes it easier for you to find some lesson plans to use in your work.

May the coming school year bring you joy, satisfaction and the knowledge that you are appreciated!


"The teacher who is indeed wise does not bid you to enter the house of his wisdom but rather leads you to the threshold of your mind."
                                      ~ Kahlil Gibran




ARBOR DAY


From the Mango Tree and Other Folktales from Nepal - Classroom Guide http://www.sarahlamstein.com/MangoStudyGuide.pdf

How Many Leaves - A Book for Early Readershttp://www.enchantedlearning.com/subjects/plants/leaf/howmany/

Indiana Department of Natural Resources - Arbor Day

ART

An Education Resource
from the North Carolina Museum of Art - Grades 6-8 http://ncmoa.org/artnc/content/lesson/wordDoc/45.pdf 

BULLYING

  • A Guide for Educators – Bullying, It’s Not Just Child’s Play from the University of Pennsylvania. Although this information was compiled and published in 2002 there is still useful information for educators and administrators. http://pubs.cas.psu.edu/freepubs/pdfs/ui367.pdf
  • Anti-Bias Lesson Plans and Resources for K-12 Educators: Words That Heal – Using Children’s Literature to Address Bullying - A good place to start if you are planning a program or lesson on anti-bullying. The site offers discussion guides, extension plans statistics and an annotated bibliography of children’s fiction. http://tinyurl.com/66kyjp 
  • Children’s Literature to Address Bullying - A good place to start if you are planning a program or lesson on anti-bullying. The site offers discussion guides, extension plans statistics and an annotated bibliography of children’s fiction. http://tinyurl.com/66kyjp 
  • COPS – Center for Problem-Oriented Policing by Rana Sampson – Bullying in Schools
  • http://www.cops.usdoj.gov/files/ric/publications/e07063414-guide.pdf
  • Cyberbullying.org – From our friend in Canada, a useful website with related resources. http://www.cyberbullying.org/ 
  • Education Guardian – A number resources that specifically address bullying in the United Kingdom. http://tinyurl.com/3okglg9
  • Education World - Many sites, activities, lessons plans and resources to use in the classroom and community to help eradicate bullying. http://tinyurl.com/26r2l48
  • International Bullying Preventions AssociationResearch, newsletter, conference information and more. http://www.stopbullyingworld.org/
  • Seeds of Peace - "A non-profit, non-political organization dedicated to preparing teenagers from areas of conflict with the leadership skills required to promote coexistence and peace. Their outreach program also includes a Conflict Resolution CD Rom which is used in both Israeli and Palestinian schools. They also publish The Olive Branch, an online magazine to further their work in the world.” http://www.seedsofpeace.org/
  • Stop Bullying Now - This site is full of resources to help address the problem of bullying. There are specific areas for teachers, administration, communities, parents and other professionals. There are also games and webisodes for children to help them deal with the issue of bullying. Use this link to access the main page. http://www.stopbullyingnow.com/
  • Stop Bullying.govInformation for parents, teens, educators on intervention, monitoring and prevention. http://www.stopbullying.gov/ 
  • Story-Lovers.com – Jackie Baldwin offers a collection of stories, books, and more to assist you in presenting an anti-bullying program. http://tinyurl.com/34jazlr 
  • Unlocking the Classroom: The Storytelling Project’s Anti-racism Curriculum - “…developed at Barnard and in NYC schools and includes over 30 lessons for high school students that include arts-based storytelling activities to discuss racism.” http://tinyurl.com/25zwa8r

CHINA

China Word Search
http://tinyurl.com/35cspxe


Education World - Celebrate the Year of the Rabbit
Chinese Proverbs
Chinese New Year Printables and Worksheets 

CINCO DE MAYO

COLLECTING FAMILY HISTORIES



CONFLICT RESOLUTION

Easy to Read Folktale Plays to Teach Conflict Resolution – Extension Activities to complement the story of The Grateful Statues. http://tinyurl.com/2f6gaka

Peace Corp World Wide Schools – Lessons plans to fit a variety of subjects from Grades 3 – 12. http://tinyurl.com/c3ktlq

Anti-Bias Lesson Plans and Resources for K-12 Educators A good place to start if you are planning a program or lesson on anti-bullying. Discussion guides, extension plans, statistics and an annotated bibliography of children’s fiction. http://tinyurl.com/66kyjp
Race Bridges - The artists associated with this organization are accomplishing amazing work and offer free lesson plans and resources. Take a moment to cross the bridge and envision a brighter world! http://www.racebridgesforschools.com/
Teaching Tolerance - Promoting Peace - This is a collection of resources I have gathered over the years. http://www.storybug.net/links/peace.html

CRABS


The Barnegat Bay Watershed
http://www.bbwa.org/crab_curriculum.htm 
National Park Service Glacier Bay Crabs Lesson Plans 




DRAGONS
Fntastic Adventures with Dragons, Gods and Giants – Grade 3http://tinyurl.com/3d8f6mq


San Diego Zoo
- The Lifestyle of the Komodo Dragon
- For grades 4 – 6; facts, activities and more on this interesting and ancient creature 
http://www.sandiegozoo.org/teachers/curr_komodo_dragon.html

EARTH DAY


Planet Pals.com
- This is a colorful, fun and information filled website on all things Earth: Lesson plans and activities for both teachers and parents, the history behind Earth Day, coloring pages, puzzles, clip art and so much more.
http://www.planetpals.com/index.html 



EGGS

The Talking Eggs Study Guide – This guide is connected to the book by Robert San Souci, an adaptation of the Creole folktale. http://www.rsansouci.com/pages/studyguides/talkingstudy.htm

Egg Theme Unit Elementary Reading Lesson Plan - Integrated Reading and Elementary Science Activity – How Eggs Hatch http://tinyurl.com/4lsoatg

Egg Theme Unit – Elementary Science Lesson Plans http://www.suite101.com/content/egg-theme-unit-elementary-science-lesson-plans-a98126

 
ELEPHANTS

The Blind Man and the Elephant
http://www.peacecorps.gov/wws/educators/lessonplans/lesson.cfm?lpid=295

The Elephant Sanctuary – Two units focusing on the study of elephants offering teaching and learning activities for children grades K-8 consisting of 72 pages of instruction, background information, charts and graphs, activities, etc. http://www.elephants.com/curriculum.php

KidsParkZ
– Story starters, elephant shapes and more for young children. http://www.kidsparkz.com/elephants.html


Shape Book from ABC Can Teach
http://www.abcteach.com/free/members/15411.pdf


FAIRY TALES

FISH

Ontario Ministry of Natural ResourcesThis curriculum was designed to complement a 2011 art contest. Although the contest has now passed, the curriculum information is still very useful .http://tinyurl.com/6dueswb  

The Pacific Salmon and Steelhead Coloring Book – Children will have fun coloring while learning all about lives of these fish.
http://www.fws.gov/pacific/publications/salmnbk.pdf 

What’s the Catch? Fish Contamination Educator Curriculum Guide – This is a pdf file "aligned with the CA Science and Social Science standards, National Science Standards, Ocean Literacy Principles and Education in the Environment Initiative Concepts for 4th-8th grades.” http://tinyurl.com/633mgxk

FROGS

A Frog’s Life – Lots of information to share with your audiences from the American Museum of Natural History. http://tinyurl.com/ykyypoz

Suite 101.com – Information on the mythology and folklore associated with frogs. http://tinyurl.com/y93hchv

Tiddalik the Frog Folktale Reading Lesson Plan - Teach How to Compare and Contrast Setting, Character, Plot. - http://tinyurl.com/y8pxy8f

 
GROUNDHOG DAY

Groundhog Day Activities! – Poetry, songs, art and more.http://www.artisjoy.com/ghactivities.pdf
How Did the Groundhog Get a Day of His Own?   
Student Activity – Ground Hog Day Map 
Groundhog Day Crossword Puzzle http://homeschooling.about.com/od/holidays/ss/groundhogprint_3.htm

Groundhog Day Word Searchhttp://homeschooling.about.com/od/holidays/ss/groundhogprint.htm
Natures Big Sleep by Gardner Soule – An article from Popular Science magazine on the science of hibernation.
Hinterland Who’s Who – Interesting fact sheet on woodchucks. 

Urashima Taro by Edmund Dulac, 1916
JAPAN

Japanese Folktales Lesson Plans for K-8 http://tinyurl.com/btzck2  

Teacher’s Resource Guide: Japanese Art and Culture Outreach Kit - Although you may not be able to borrow the actual kit, there are many helpful curriculum ideas in this guide you may duplicate on your own. http://tinyurl.com/cby5p6









Children’s Books on Japan K-8
 
http://www.ceas.ku.edu/outreach/documents/children-lit-review-japan.pdf
Activity Village
– Make your own carp kite or
origami to celebrate Kodomo no hi (Children’s Day). There are many other crafts, activities and printables to make this Japanese national holiday shine! http://www.activityvillage.co.uk/childrens_day_japan.htm


HALLOWEEN

Halloween Games for the Classroom - “A collection of fun and educational Halloween games that build math and language skills for grades K-5. With Halloween-themed versions of games like tag, musical chairs, and “Pin the Tail on the Donkey,” you’ll teach your student’s math and language skills while still enjoying the holiday. Your students will think they’re playing but will be learning at the same time!” * Requires subscription to access full information. http://tinyurl.com/ya4hn36

Lesson plans to complement the works of Edgar Allan Poe. 

For grades 9-12
For grades 6-12
Not Just Halloween: Festivals of the Dead From Around the World 

Learn how other cultures celebrate the holiday with this interesting article and complementing links on Japan, Mayan, Aztec, Mexico and more.

LIGHTHOUSES

Education World – Grades 3-5
http://www.educationworld.com/a_tsl/archives/00-1/lesson0075.shtml
Keeping the Lights for Kids by Elinor De Wire http://permanent.access.gpo.gov/websites/crm.cr.nps.gov/archive/20-8/20-8-12.pdf
Learning From Lighthouses – A Webquest for intermediate grades. http://www.yorkville.k12.il.us/webquests/webqwilliams/webqtwilliams.html

Lighthouses of North Carolina – Math and social studies for grade 4.
http://its.guilford.k12.nc.us/act/grade4/act4.asp?ID=459
Teacher’s Lighthouse Resources for grade K-4 – Offered by the United States Coast Guard
offers a rich history of lighthouses from past to present. http://www.uscg.mil/history/articles/LighthouseCurriculum.pdf


MAPLE SUGAR


School of Forest Resources
– Lesson Plan for Kindergarten classes. http://sfr.psu.edu/youth/sftrc/lesson-plans/forestry/k-5/maplesyrup

Maple Syrup Classroom Activities – Word search, coloring pages, crossword puzzle,
vocabulary and more.  

Vocabulary Sheet – Match the definition with each word.
http://tinyurl.com/3hy44kc

Maple Syrup Lesson Plan – Grade 3 

Teach Children About Maple Sugaring 
 
http://www.suite101.com/content/teach-children-about-maple-sugaring-a103814

NATIVE AMERICANS


Wampanoag Culture and History Links – Geography, lifestyle and traditions, books and more. http://tinyurl.com/njqk6y
Wampanoag Indian Fact Sheet for Kids 


Learning to Give – Native American Lesson Plan for grades 9 – 12 in Arts, Language Arts, Library Technology, Philanthropy and Social Studies. Includes numerous folktales to share. http://learningtogive.org/lessons/unit226/lesson12.html


All ‘Bout Cranberries - A comprehensive cranberry curriculum for grades K-8 covering many aspects of cranberry growing and takes the user on a journey from the Cranberry Bog to the Kitchen Table. It is designed to give students an appreciation of Massachusetts number one food crop through problem solving and thought provoing activities. http://www.cranberries.org/cranberries/teachers.html

American Indian Leather Painting
For grades 5-6, students will create stories that resemble ol Indian leather paintings. Students will tell a story using only pictures and drawing them in sequence so others can read the story back. http://tinyurl.com/6q8jjt


PIRATES


New England Pirate Museum – Educational material from Elementary School to High School, including historical perspectives and poems and biographies for teachers. http://www.piratemuseum.com/educ.htm


SAINT PATRICK’S DAY

St. Patrick’s Day Theme – For grades Pre-K to 1 http://www.eduref.org/Virtual/Lessons/Social_Studies/Holidays/SSH0202.html
Across the Curriculum – St. Patrick’s Day Activities  http://tinyurl.com/3dos4ot

Mifflin County School District – This is like find the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow! Wonderful links, including the history of Ireland, activities, stories and more.

Read, Write, Think – For grades 1 – 12.

 
Young Lady in a Conservatory
by Jane Marie Bowkett (1837-1891)
SPRING - FLOWERS, BEES, PLANTS AND SUN


Leap into spring with ABC Teach.com Counting games, math facts, printables, word searches and more.
http://tinyurl.com/bqmmvc  
 

Cross-Curriculum Flower Activities - An Elementary Gardening Theme Unit

http://tinyurl.com/3zswm5h 









Spring Theme Activities for Young Children
http://www.preschoolrainbow.org/preschool-spring.htm

Early Childhood Sun Protection Curriculum
http://www.cdph.ca.gov/programs/SkinCancer/Documents/skin_sunproteccurriculum.pdf

Flower Facts and Trivia
– Add some interesting trivia about flowers to your storytelling or classroom lesson plans. http://www.angelfire.com/journal2/flowers/pcd11.html

THANKSGIVING



The Pilgrims Voyage: A Map and the Mayflower - This project teaches geography and history. The student makes a map of the voyage and a tiny replica of the Mayflower. http://tinyurl.com/mauanx The First Thanksgiving - Visit web sites about the Pilgrims, the Wampanoag, and the famous harvest feast and learn new facts along the way. http://tinyurl.com/2ef6xck 
General Thanksgiving - Proclamation by President George Washington.
http://www.earlyamerica.com/earlyamerica/firsts/thanksgiving/thankstext.html
The National Day of Mourning - Not everyone has the same view of the national holiday of Thanksgiving. For a Native American view go to: http://www.pilgrimhall.org/daymourn.htm

What Do You Eat? - A lesson unit on comparing how others eat in developing countries. http://www.planusa.org/docs/smsmw/quest2.pdf


TRICKSTERS

Aesop and Ananse – Animal Fables and Trickster Tales
http://edsitement.neh.gov/lesson-plan/aesop-and-ananse-animal-fables 

Fable and Trickster Tales From Around the World 

Trickster Tales Lesson Plan  
http://www.pps.k12.or.us/schools-c/pages/dart/Trickster_Tales_EC-LA_A_(WP).pdf

Fables and Trickster Tales From Around the World – From Edusitement, lesson plans, information and stories, everything you need to introduce your students to those globe-trotting tricksters, Anansi, Brer Rabbit, Fox, and Rabbit. http://tinyurl.com/23trr 

WATERMELONS


Teacher's Guide - More curriculum ideas than watermelons have seeds!
http://www.theteachersguide.com/watermelondaylessons.htm

WIND AND ENERGY

Energy Educators – Lesson plans about the wind for elementary, intermediate and secondary level classes. http://www.energyforeducators.org/lessonplanstopic/wind.shtml

Lesson Plans Directory - K-12
http://www.lessonplansdirectory.com/renewable_energy/wind_energy.html

Traditional Stories About the Wind - Please note, this is a pdf file.

 
WINTER AND SNOW

Science - "Flakes of Snow" crystals. 
http://www.LessonPlansPage.com/to/12-08-Snowflakes

Snow Flake Crystals - See how amazing snowflakes really are with close up photographs that will amaze your students!
http://www.its.caltech.edu/~atomic/snowcrystals/photos/photos.htm
Bulletin Board - Add to your classroom with cooperative snowmen for the bulletin board.http://www.LessonPlansPage.com/to/12-08-Sneaky

Snowy Weather Resources Around - Here's a lesson on where snow comes from.

http://www.teachervision.fen.com/weather/resource/3827.html

What do animals do in winter? Help your students find out! 


   
WOMEN’S HISTORY MONTH


The Library of Congress: Women’s History Month - Features biographies, audio clips, images, classroom materials, and links to relevant collections and exhibits. http://www.loc.gov/topics/womenshistory/

National Women’s History Project - An educational nonprofit organization founded in 1980. Their mission is to “recognize and celebrate the diverse and historic accomplishments of women by providing information and educational materials and programs.” Search by category, state or discipline.

 Notable Women Ancestors - From adventurers to witches the site offers a brief synopsis for each woman with a link to additional biographical information.
ABC Teach - http://tinyurl.com/y9em546 

Footsteps to Success - http://tinyurl.com/yld8r9e
Library of Congress: Women's History Month Resources and Multimedia http://womenshistorymonth.gov/

Long Ago and Maybe Far Away 
Mother and Daughter Griotshttp://tinyurl.com/ybyb2le
National Education Association: Women of the Century 

Women's Words of Wisdom


© 2011 Karen Chace

Monday, August 15, 2011

Bullies and Backpacks


The Lady of Shalott
John William Waterhouse, 1888
Five hundred years ago the word “bully” meant friend, family member, or sweetheart. Oh how the times have changed! Now, bullying has become a prevalent and sinister part of our children’s education. It no longer ends when they leave school at the end of the day but permeates their homes, slithering its way in via Facebook, Twitter, emails and texting; these attacks can leave children feeling adrift and alone.
Today I read a note from one of my friends who recently moved to another state. Both of her children were my storytelling students a few years ago, each equally amazing, smart, talented and kind in their own unique way. Of course a new home means a new school system and this should be an exciting time filled with new adventures and friends so it was upsetting to read that her youngest is experiencing problems with his new classmates.  I pray they will recognize what a great and supportive friend he will be if only they will extend a welcoming hand.

I have put together a number of resources below. I hope you will pass them on to your children’s teachers and perhaps read them as well. Hopefully you will never need them but information is power and it is important to know the signs if your child is being bullied at school.

"Too often we underestimate the power of a touch, a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, an honest compliment, or the smallest act of caring, all of which have the potential to turn a life around. " ~ Leo F. Buscaglia


Anti-Bias Lesson Plans and Resources for K-12 Educators: Words That Heal – Using Children’s Literature to Address Bullying - A good place to start if you are planning a program or lesson on anti-bullying. The site offers discussion guides, extension plans statistics and an annotated bibliography of children’s fiction. http://tinyurl.com/66kyjp

Children’s Literature to Address Bullying - A good place to start if you are planning a program or lesson on anti-bullying. The site offers discussion guides, extension plans statistics and an annotated bibliography of children’s fiction. http://tinyurl.com/66kyjp

COPS – Center for Problem-Oriented Policing by Rana Sampson – Bullying in Schools
http://www.popcenter.org/problems/PDFs/Bullying_in_Schools.pdf

Cyberbullying.org – From our friend in Canada, a useful website with related resources. http://www.cyberbullying.org/

Education Guardian – A number resources that specifically address bullying in the United Kingdom.  http://tinyurl.com/3okglg9

Education World - Many sites, activities, lessons plans and resources to use in the classroom and community to help eradicate bullying. http://tinyurl.com/26r2l48

International Bullying Prevention AssociationResearch, newsletter, conference information and more.  https://ibpaworld.org

Psychology Today: Back to School: Packing Your Own Emotional Backpack: Resources for your child (and you) - This is a very current article, from August 2017. In addition there are links to other resources, including information on laws in each state, LGBTQ resources and more.
https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/you-can-t-sit-us/201708/back-school-packing-your-emotional-backpack

Seeds of Peace
-
"A non-profit, non-political organization dedicated to preparing teenagers from areas of conflict with the leadership skills required to promote coexistence and peace. Their outreach program also includes a Conflict Resolution CD Rom which is used in both Israeli and Palestinian schools. They also publish The Olive Branch, an online magazine to further their work in the world.”  http://www.seedsofpeace.org/

Stop Bullying Now - This site is full of resources to help address the problem of bullying. There are specific areas for teachers, administration, communities, parents and other professionals. There are also games and webisodes for children to help them deal with the issue of bullying. Use this link to access the main page. http://www.stopbullyingnow.com/

Stop Bullying.govInformation for parents, teens, educators on intervention, monitoring and prevention. http://www.stopbullying.gov/

Unlocking the Classroom: The Storytelling Project’s Anti-racism Curriculum - “…developed at Barnard and in NYC schools and includes over 30 lessons for high school students that include arts-based storytelling activities to discuss racism.” http://tinyurl.com/25zwa8r


ACTIVITIES 

Activities that Connect Kids – Some wonderful ideas for the classroom to encourage cooperation and friendship.– These activities will help students learn about empathy and compassion.  Two sites:
http://tinyurl.com/43krpak


ARTICLE

New York Times – Pages and pages of articles about bullying in all of its forms. The sheer volume of articles speaks for itself! http://tinyurl.com/3n2k2o3

BOOKS

Storyteller Sue Black has compiled an amazing bibliography of “Books with themes of inclusion, friendship, self esteem, peer pressure, empathy, compassion, being brave, standing up, holding fast to dreams, being new, being different, and bully behavior: verbal, physical, social, cyber."  http://www.youandme-bullyfree.com/downloads/SuggestedReading.pdf

Empowering Children to Help Stop Bullying at School: A curriculum for grades three and up by Carol Wintle.
https://www.amazon.com/Empowering-Children-Help-Bullying-School/dp/1892056542

Once Upon A Time: Storytelling to Teach Character and Prevent Bullying: Lessons from 99 Multicultural Folktales for grades K-8 by Elisa Pearmain.
https://www.amazon.com/Storytelling-Teach-Character-Prevent-Bullying/dp/1892056445

CRAFTS

Caring Chain to Stop Bullying
http://tinyurl.com/43rl2f5

DLTK-KIDS – Friendship crafts for ages 3 and up.


READER’S THEATER

Tolerance.org – Why Frogs and Snakes Never Play Together
http://www.tolerance.org/sites/default/files/general/r&r_pourquoiplay.pdf


Karen Chace  2011 ©  Updated 2017
Please note, websites change at a rapid pace and weblinks may change or break without notice. I cannot be responsible for redirected or broken links.  At the time of this posting all links were in working order. Thank you for understanding.

This blog post was painstakingly researched and compiled by Karen Chace. Permission for private use is granted. Distribution, either electronically or on paper is prohibited without my expressed written permission. For permission please contact me at storybug@aol.com. Of course, if you wish to link to my newsletter via your website, blog, newsletter, Facebook page or Twitter please feel free to do so; I greatly appreciate your support and personal integrity.