Picture Book Story Time
I Yam a Donkey! By Cece Bell
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Video List I Yam A Donkey! by Cece Bell
A crazy story about an even crazier donkey who happens to meet a yam (potato).
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Yam and Donkey Fun
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Virtual Mr. Sweet Potato Head ***CLICK HERE
Paper Plate Donkey (Yes, Eeyore is a Donkey)
Materials Needed:
- 2 white paper plates
- Blue, pink, and tan paint
- Black and white paper
- Black sharpie
- Glue/Tape
- Brown crayon
We started by cutting the paper plate into the shape of Eeyore’s face but after painting it, we realized it curls up. So I would recommend drawing the lines with pencil first and having the kids paint then cut.
Take the second plate and cut out some ears for Eeyore. Cut out two ovals from white paper and draw black pupils with sharpie. Cut out some crazy black hair with paper and tape it on the top of his head.
After the paint dries, take a brown crayon and add his facial features on his nose. Put two black lines under his eyes to show he’s tired…all done!
What Is The Difference Between A Sweetpotato And A Yam?
What’s in a name? When it comes to the yam, a bit of confusion. The truth is what you’ve been calling a yam is most likely a sweetpotato. Even more, it’s possible that you’ve never even tasted a yam!That sweet, orange-colored root vegetable that you love so dearly is actually a sweetpotato. Yes, all so-called “yams” are in fact sweetpotatoes. Most people think that long, red-skinned sweetpotatoes are yams, but they really are just one of many varieties of sweetpotatoes. So where did all of the confusion come from? Let’s break down the main differences between yams and sweetpotatoes!
Yam vs. Sweetpotato:
A true yam is a starchy edible root of the Dioscorea genus, and is generally imported to America from the Caribbean. It is rough and scaly and very low in beta carotene.
Depending on the variety, sweetpotato flesh can vary from white to orange and even purple. The orange-fleshed variety was introduced to the United States several decades ago. In order to distinguish it from the white variety everyone was accustomed to, producers and shippers chose the English form of the African word “nyami” and labeled them “yams.”
Today the U.S. Department of Agriculture requires labels with the term ‘yam’ to be accompanied by the term ‘sweetpotato.’ Despite the label regulations, most people still think of sweetpotatoes as yams regardless of their true identity.
Me First by Helen Lester
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Video List Me First by Helen Lester
A story about a plump pink piggy who always wanted to be first, until...
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"Me First" Questions and Activities
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Discussion Questions:
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Do you think that being first really makes Pinkerton happy? Why or why not?
- How does the Sandwitch help him understand that first isn't best?
- Do you think the Sandwitch really wanted someone to care for her, or do you think she was just trying to teach Pinkerton a lesson? Why?
- Do you know anyone like Pinkerton who always wants to be first?
- Can you think of some ways you might try to help that person, like the Sandwitch helped Pinkerton, instead of reacting with anger?
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How does Pinkerton change over the course of the book?
Begin by making your bookmark corner- step by step instructions:
Start by making "corner" paper bookmark following step by step photo instructions!
- Take your A5 sheet of paper and fold over one corner to create a triangle.
- Cut off the excess and rotate your triangle so the long edge is at the bottom and the right angle faces up.
- Fold the lower right corner up to meet the top right angled corner.
- Repeat for the left side.
- Fold these two back open.
- Flip down ONE of the top sheets and crease.
Now fold the flaps you created back up and tuck INTO your bookmark.
Repeat for the other side
Congratulations, you have just created your basic Corner Bookmark.
NOW...to turn it into a Cool Pig Mark.
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Ugly Fish by Kara LaReau
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Video List Ugly Fish by Kara LaReau
Ugly fish learns a valuable lesson about doing unto others as you would have them do unto you.
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Ugly Fish Fun
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Ugly Fish Questions:
- I wonder how Ugly Fish will act towards the new fish?
- Why do you think Ugly Fish ate Teensy Fish?
- Do you think Ugly Fish could have acted differently?
- I wonder why Ugly Fish was feeling glum?
- I am noticing something different about the new fish, do you?
- Why is Ugly Fish acting nice to Shiny Fish?
- What do you think Ugly Fish is thinking right before Shiny Fish Eats him?
- Why do you think Shiny Fish ate Ugly Fish?
Ugly Fish Printable Fish Tank:
CLICK HERE FOR YOUR VERY OWN UGLY FISH TANK
Draw your very own "Ugly Fish"
Monkey and Cake "This is MY Fort" by Drew Daywalt
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Video List Monkey and Cake "This is MY Fort" by Drew Daywalt
Cake has built a special fort, but Monkey can't come it.
How does Monkey solve this problem?
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Author's Questions about "This is MY Fort"
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How to Build a "Pillow Fort"
Lion's Lunch? by Fiona Tierney
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Video List Lion's Lunch? by Fiona Tierney
The King of the Jungle meets a very sweet and clever little girl, and she teaches him a lesson on life.
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Sarah likes to use crayons to draw pictures of the animals in the book.
- “When Sarah draws a picture of the lion being happy, she holds it up so all the animals can see it. What shapes do you see in her drawing?”
- “How many circles do you see in her drawing?”
- “How many triangles do you see?”
If you have crayons draw you favorite animal (try using shapes) and share with your parent why you chose that animal.
Naked Mole Rat Gets Dressed by Mo Willems
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Video List Naked Mole Rat Gets Dressed by Mo Willems
Wilbur is different from the other naked mole rats in his colony: he wears clothes (and he likes it!).
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Sight Words
Some words are easier to learn as sight words.
Read each word aloud. Ask your student to use the word in a sentence that has to do with Wilbur’s story.
- said
- when
- saw
- clothes
- they
- look
- thought
- wear
After-Reading Themes and Discussion Questions
Expressing Yourself: A major theme in the book is doing what you love and being proud of it.
- What is Wilbur’s favorite outfit—is it fancy or plain?
- Do you have a favorite outfit?—if so, what is it and when do you wear it?
- Have you ever liked something, but a family member or friend didn’t like it? Was that okay? and how the difference in opinion made them feel.
- Talk about whether expressing yourself can have a good effect on others too.
Being Different: Discuss how Wilbur is different from the other naked mole rats.
- Why do the others make fun of him?
- Have you ever felt like they’re not part of the crowd? If so, how did you handle it?
- Think of school —is everybody the same, different, or a little of both?
- How are Wilbur and the other naked mole rats the same and how are they different in the story?
Naked Mole-Rat Cam Smithsonian's National Zoo
The Wall in the Middle of the Book by Jon Agee
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Video List The Wall in the Middle of the Book by Jon Agee
A foolish knight is certain that his side of the wall is the safe side...
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The Wall in the Middle of the Book Book by Jon Agee
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Talking Points:
--Without trying to, humans make uninformed decisions about things and places and people every day. Our preconceived notions are often not based in fact but rather assumptions based on hearsay, limited observation, or misunderstandings. This book is a great conversation starter. It helps us think about and talk about preconceived notions and how things and people are often not quite what we assume at first.
-- Imagine what happens after the last page.
What does the knight do?
Does he have fun?
Does he go back over the wall?
Today I Will Fly by Mo Willems
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Video List Today I Will Fly
A Read Aloud of Mo Willem's Today I Will Fly
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Today I Will Fly: Memory Match Game
After reading Today I Will Fly, use this Memory Matching puzzle to help students build familiarity with the book's vocabulary words. Find matching pairs of words to complete the game. Each new game presents a new set of randomly selected words.
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Word List for Today I Will Fly
This printable PDF includes the complete word list that supports "Today I Will Fly."
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Elephant and Piggie Make Your Own Story Sheet
Fill in the blanks and make your own Elephant and Piggie Adventure.
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Marion County Public Schools may record online classroom sessions utilizing third-party platforms (Zoom, Google Classroom, etc.). These recordings will only be used for educational purposes and may be shared on other learning platforms. If you do not want your child’s image or identifying information recorded, utilize your device/platform controls to stop the camera feed from your device.