February 2, 2007
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Groundhog Day!:
Shadow or No Shadow
by Gail Gibbons
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Each year on February 2nd, Americans celebrate the long-standing tradition known as Groundhog Day. The celebration of Groundhog Day began with Pennsylvania's earliest settlers. They brought with them the legend of Candlemas Day – which said, “If the sun shines on Candlemas Day, the snow will swirl in May.” And, that's how Groundhog Day came to be. Punxsutawney held its first Groundhog Day celebration in the 1880's and the first official trek to Gobbler's Knob was on February 2, 1887.
Did you know? Punxsutawney Phil was named after King Phillip!
Groundhog Day Activity:
Make a Pop-Up Groundhog Puppet using a paper cup, a craft stick (popsicle stick), and paper. You can act out Phil the groundhog popping out of his hole in Gobbler's Knob!
Supplies:
- Paper clip (or Styrofoam cup)
- Craft or popsicle stick
- Brown construction paper
- Crayons, markers or tempura paint
- Scissors
- Glue
- Googly eyes (optional)
Directions:
- Cut a circle or oval from brown construction paper to make the groundhog's body.
- Cut a smaller circle out of the brown paper to make its head.
- Draw a mouth and eyes on the head or glue on googly eyes.
- Glue the two pieces of the groundhog onto the craft/popsicle stick.
- Cut a small slit in the bottom of the paper/Styrofoam cup
- Decorate the paper cup with markers or paint
- Insert the bottom of the popsicle stick into the hole and you now have an adorable pop-up groundhog puppet.
February 9, 2007
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Roses Are Pink,
Your Feet Really Stink
by Diane deGroat
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On Wednesday of next week, we'll celebrate Valentine's Day. Here's some great information and a unique activity to bring the celebration into your home, while helping your child learn something new along the way.
The history of Valentine's Day -- and its patron saint -- is shrouded in mystery. But we do know that February has long been a month of romance. One legend contends that Valentine was a priest who served during the third century in Rome. Other stories suggest that Valentine may have been killed for attempting to help Christians escape harsh Roman prisons where they were often beaten and tortured.
According to one legend, Valentine actually sent the first 'valentine' greeting himself. While in prison, it is believed that Valentine fell in love with a young girl -- who may have been his jailor's daughter -- who visited him during his confinement. Before his death, it is alleged that he wrote her a letter, which he signed 'From your Valentine,' an expression that is still in use today.
American Sign Language Activity for Valentine's Day:
The American Sign Language sign for the phrase “I love you” is an open hand, facing out towards the other person, with the third and fourth finger tucked down to the palm.
Help you child learn the sign for “I love you” by tracing their hand on a piece of paper. Then cut out the shape of the hand. Make a heart out of colored paper and then glue the paper heart into the palm of the hand cut-out. Write “I love you” on the heart and then tuck the third and fourth finger down over the heart shape. Glue the fingers down onto the heart. And, you have a nice cut out of the American Sign Language symbol for “I love you!”
February 16, 2007
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Oliver Twist
by Gail Gibbons
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After being away for seven long years, Wishbone is back on WQLN starting Monday at 5:30 PM. Wishbone is a Jack Russell Terrier who imagines himself as the hero in a classic novel and he invites viewers to go along with him.
This week, Wishbone explores Oliver Twist by Charles Dickens. If you haven't read Oliver Twist in awhile, the story is about trials and tribulations of the poor young orphan boy, Oliver. Readers follow his journey from the appalling conditions of a nineteenth-century workhouse to London. The story provides a great basis for a discussion with your children about those less fortunate, about the homeless, and the poor.
Perhaps you can encourage your children to volunteer at the Erie City Mission, or maybe make posters bringing attention to the poor and homeless. Plus you'll be teaching them all about giving back to the community through philanthropy and volunteerism.
Oliver Twist is also about the importance of friendship. Consider reading the story with your child, or renting a movie version of the book. Or, better yet, watch Wishbone on Monday at 5:30 on WQLN.
Introducing Family Literacy Fridays and a New Member of the Ready, Set, Learn Team!
On the last Friday of each month, viewers of Ready, Set, Learn are going to have special treat – segments dedicated to different Family Literacy activities and lessons with Traci Teudhope!
February 23, 2007
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Clifford's Abc
by Norman Bridwell
Cars and Trucks and Things That Go
by Richard Scarry
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When you were a child, did you spend time reading with members of your family? This week we're going to learn how building a word box can help families spark an interest in reading.
Word Box Supplies:
- Box (Shoe boxes work well)
- Construction paper
- Crayons, markers or tempura paint
- Scissors
- Glue
Family literacy is about more than just words and pictures; it's about spending time together. You and your child can explore literacy together as you build a word box. This activity is great for children of all ages. The first step is to locate a box to store your child's words in. Next, spend time decorating the box together and discussing the exciting words you're going to learn together. Your child may want to decorate their box with pictures of some of his favorite things, letters of the alphabet, or maybe his name.
When you're done decorating your word box, ask your child what words he'd like to see… Write each word on a strip of paper and place it in his word box.
Words are everywhere – so start exploring… around your home, in the grocery store, and in your favorite books. A great book to use with this activity is Clifford's ABC. It's filled with dozens of words beginning with every letter of the alphabet. So grab a book, find a comfy place to sit together, and start building a box of words with your child.
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