Celebrate the Children

This week we are going to discuss names and talk about each child individually. We are also going to talk about some animals that are endangered and what that means. We will read “Manatee Winter” by Kathleen Weidner Zoehfeld. Another critter makes up a snack for this week.

Get a copy of a baby name book. Have the children write, or trace, their names. Look the name up in the name book and read to them what their name means. Make up a short letter to send home with a form for parents to fill out. First line can say, “My name is ____”. Write “This is my name because ____” on the next line. And “I do/don’t like my name because _____”. Talk about these as they bring them back.

Have a “child of the day” week. Pick one day to celebrate each child. One at a time have them bring pictures and things from home. Have them explain what these things mean to them and/or their families. Let them talk about the pictures and explain where they were and what they were doing.

Read the book “Manatee Winter” by Kathleen Weidner Zoehfeld. Read the story first and then go back and read the prologue. Tell them that Manatees are mammals and explain what that means. Explain to them that they are an endangered species, that there are not very many of them left. Ask them if they can think of ways people can help save them, i.e. the boaters should be more careful and follow all the boating laws. Go on to explain that there are many other animals that are endangered.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service have a kid’s page on endangered species. They also have a link for teaching resources on what we can do and why we should do it. Included in the resources are biological information, activities, a slide show, and a coloring book.

For our snack this week you will need a banana for each child, some pretzel sticks, some raisins and some peanut butter. Slice the bananas lengthwise. Spread some peanut butter on each banana half. Give the children some pretzels for legs and raisins for eyes or spots. This snack is a little messy so be prepared with lots of paper towels or washcloths!

The link to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is: http://endangered.fws.gov/kids/index.html