Catch the Reading Bug

I'm inviting you all to join me in my Summer Reading Program for the next six weeks. On Wednesdays or Thursdays, I'll post information about the books we read, the art project we made and the snack we ate.  I invite all of you to participate.  If you do, please leave me a link in the comments, so I can see what you have created!  This year's theme is "Catch the Reading Bug," so all of the projects and stories will be bug themed.  If you have older children and still want to participate, consider reading them a bit of a novel every evening.  On Mondays, I'm reading for a half an hour from A Cricket in Times Square, but you could read from anything!  Just choose a book that is appropriate for your family and get reading!  If your local library has a Summer Reading Program, I encourage you to take your children and get involved!  And now, without further ado, I present to you the kick off for Summer Reading 2008!

We Read:

Bugs! by David T. Greenberg.

"Beetles,
Bedbugs,
Bottleflies,
Tarantulas the size of pies
With lots and lots and lots of eyes --
Staring at you, BUGS!"

We Made:

You will need:

2 sturdy paper plates with a good lip on them

Acrylic paint in your chosen color(s)

Paint Brush

Construction Paper

Scissors

Glue

Stapler

Body Parts Template

Google Eyes

 

Instructions:

1. Cut one of the paper plates in half and paint the back side of it.  Set it aside to dry.

2. Using the Body Parts Template, trace the body parts on the desired color(s) of construction paper and cut out. Cut out the tongue free-handed.

3. Apply another coat of paint if necessary. Let dry.

4. Decorate body parts if desired and curl tongue around a pencil.

5. Staple half plate to full plate around rim to create a pocket.

6. Glue body parts to plates and use tape to help hold the parts until the glue dries.

7. Enjoy! 

We Ate:

Dirt in a cup!

Get a cup and put in chocolate pudding and then layer crushed oreo cookies and green coconut on top.  Provide some additional atmosphere with a few gummy worms and bugs and eat!  It's delicious!

Comments

[michal]

such a clever idea! i'm sure the kids loved eating "dirt" : )

[suzie sews]

Oh Oh going through the cupboards as we speak, super cool, I want to make one never mind the kids

[odd dotty]

Oh how fun! A Cricket in Times Square was the last book we read for our homeschool curriculum. It was a fun one to read. Just for clarity, if we participate, are we to do the crafts that you post or create our own? Is that a stupid question?

[Ginny]

That is so weird because I was just telling my six year old that she should read "A Cricket In Times Square" I remember reading it as a child and it began my fascination with NYC. We are going to the library tomorrow to get it.

[Nicole]

THE PENDERWICKS: A Summer Tale of Four Sisters, Two Rabbits, and a Very Interesting Boy by Jeanne Birdsall is supposed to be so great. I am going to get the audio for our upcoming trip. We also love to read Roald Dahl's The Twits and The Enormous Crocodile, but who doesn't LOVE the Cricket in Times Square...isn't there a sequel?

[michelle]

Hey, you dont' live in the Bay area do you? That is our library's summer reading theme! Count us in, we love summer reading!

[kate]

I was just at the coffee shop behind my own store and saw two posters up for local libraries who are also participating in bug themed activities this summer. Very cool idea!

[kristin]

another great activity to earmark! thanks once again:)