Chicka Chicka Boom Boom

Chicka Chicka Boom Boom written by Bill Martin and illustrated by Lois Elhlert, published in 1989. It is a rhyming alphabet book with large print and bright colors. The book is intended for young readers, who are starting to read and learning the alphabet.

The book starts with the letter A and goes in order of the alphabet. Each letter begins to climb up the tree to the top, but then the tree begins to fall and all the letters fall to the ground. Then the letters go "Chicka Chicka Boom Boom" and begin to untangle themselves and get back in order. After that letter A, begins to dare the letters to climb back up the tree again.




Discussion Questions:

• Why do you think the author chose a coconut tree?
• Do you think that A knew they would all fall off the coconut tree?
• How long do you think it took the letters to untangle themselves?
• Why do you think letter A, dared the letters to do it again?

Motivational Activity:

• Have the studens draw a coconut tree and and place the letters in order on the tree, then draw another picture with all the letter mixed up on the ground.

Martin, Bill/ Archambault, John/ Ehlert, Lois (ILT)/ Charles, Ray (CON). (2006). Chicka Chicka Boom Boom. S.I.: Simon & Schuster Merchandise &.

The Ugly Duckling

The Ugly Duckling originated in Denmark and was published in 1843. The story was written by Hans Christian Andersen and illustrated by Jerry Pinkney. 

The story is about a plain little bird, born on a farm, whose brother and sisters tease him because he's ugly.  So he runs away to live with wild ducks, until hunters come and he runs away again. He finds a new home with an old women, but her cat and hen tease him, so he runs away again. Then he finds a flock of swans and wishes to join them, but hes too young and can't fly well enough. Then winter comes and a farmer takes in the duckling, but the farmer's children and animals tease the duckling too. For the rest of the winter, the duckling stays hidden, but then in the spring the swans return to a place near by. This time the swans accept him as one of their own. Then the swan sees his reflection and realizes hes turned into a beautiful swan and has finally found his family. The story is a good read for children because it teaches them that it's ok to be different, everyone has a family that accepts them.

Discussion Questions:

• How do you think the baby swam ended up with the ducks?
• How did the swam survive the winter on it's own?
•  It is the moderen term used for teasing?
• If you were the duckling what would you do?
• Where do you think the ducklings mother is?

Motivational Activities: 

• Have the students research the difference between ducks and swans, and list the differences on a KWL chart. Then draw a picture/make a craft to determine the difference between the two.

 
 

Andersen, H. C. (1843). (J. Pinkney, Ed.). Harper Collins.

The Kissing Hand

The Kissing Hand was written and illustrated by Audrey Penn and published in 1993. It is a fiction children's animal fantasy book, intended for grades Pre-K-2nd grade. 

The book is about a little racoon named Chester and his mother, Chester is getting ready to go to school and doesn't want to leave his mother or all his favorite activities. However, Chester's mother lets him in on a little secret, something called the kissing hand. Chester's mother took his hand, kissed his palm and then suddenly her love spread all over his body. She told Chester that anytime he was missing her, all he had to do was open his hand and he would feel his mother's love. Chester soon realized he could go to school knowing he had his mother's love with him and he even gave her a kiss on her palm to keep with her as well. The children will have an easy time relating to the story because all children have anxiety about going to school for the first time and leaving their parents, but this story will help make it easier for them.

Discussion Questions:

• Why do you think Chester is scared to go to school?
• How do you think Chester's mother knew about the kissing hand?
• Do you think the kissing hand really works?
• Why do you think Chester gave his mom a kiss too?

Motivational Activity: 

• Have the students paint their hand on put it on a piece of paper, color a little racoon, and put the story of the kissing hand next to it. The students should feel some relief from this and will be happy to give something to their parents.

 

 

Galda, Lee, Lauren A. Liang, and Bernice E. Cullinan. Literature and the child. 7th ed. Boston, MA: Cengage Learning, 2010. Print.