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How To Eat Your ABC's



Last updated Sunday, January 8, 2017

Author: Theresa A. McKeown
Date of Publication: 2016
ISBN: 0692744088
Grade Level: 1st    (GLCs: Click here for grade level guidelines.)
Date(s) Used: Jan. 2017

Synopsis: "L" is for Lemon, a fruit oh so tart, it makes your lips pucker and quickens your heart" begins the L page of this clever and witty book for young readers. Kids join BuzzBee the honey bee on an A to Z garden adventure. Thought there was no fruit or vegetable that started with the letter "X"? Well, Buzzbee has one (and here's a hint: "It lives in deserts low and high, where cacti love it hot and dry"). Written entirely in rhyme, the book is one fun way for kids to learn their alphabet!

Note to readers:
•  This book is about 20 pages longer than the average picture book, but you can skip around and it will still be fun to read.
•  You may want to choose sections that start with the initials of each of the kids' names.

Discussion topics for before reading:
•  What is your favorite food?
•  What is your favorite fruit? Favorite vegetable?
•  How do you think your favorite food grows in nature?

Vocabulary

•  galore - in abundance
•  alphabet - a set of letters or symbols in a fixed order, used to represent the basic sounds of a language; in particular, the set of letters from A to Z.
•  nutrient - a substance that provides nourishment essential for growth and the maintenance of life.
•  vitamin - any of a group of organic compounds that are essential for normal growth and nutrition and are required in small quantities in the diet because they cannot be synthesized by the body.

Discussion topics for during/after reading:
•  What are some foods we just read about? Have you ever tried these foods? Would you like to try some of these new foods?
•  What are some different ways that foods are grown?
•  Name two foods that start with the first letter of your name.

Craft ideas:
•  Cut out the first letter of your name, then draw foods that begin with that letter.
•  On a paper plate, write your name and draw foods that begin with each letter in your name.
•  Write the alphabet & decorate it with foods.
•  Check out our January craft ideas on Pinterest! https://www.pinterest.com/readingtokids/january-2017-mystery-adventure/

Special activities:
•  Play musical chairs using the alphabet song. When the song stops, kids name a word starting with the letter they stopped on.
•  Play the memory game where each kid says their name & a food starting with the first letter of their name, then the next kid does the same plus the first kids name & food, etc.

*Note: These craft ideas are just suggestions. You can use them, but you don't have to use them. You can expand upon them, or add your own twist. Remember, though, that the focus of your time should not be on the development and execution of a craft; the focus should be on the read-aloud and the enjoyment of the book!