Flowers are Calling



Last updated Tuesday, January 19, 2021

Author: Rita Gray
Illustrator: Kenard Pak
Date of Publication: 2015
ISBN: 0544340124
Grade Level: 1st    (GLCs: Click here for grade level guidelines.)
Date(s) Used: Nov. 2020

Synopsis: Flowers are calling to all the animals of the forest, "Drink me!" - but it’s the pollinators who feast on their nectar. In rhyming poetic form and with luminous artwork, this book shows us the marvel of natural cooperation between plants, animals, and insects as they each play their part in the forest's cycle of life.

Discussion topics for before reading:
•  What do you know about flowers?
•  Who do you think the Flowers are Calling?
•  What are your favorite flowers?

Vocabulary

•  Bog – an area of soft, wet earth
•  Log -a large, thick piece of a tree that
•  Nectar – the sweet liquid a plant makes that attracts insects and birds
•  Pollen – the fine, yellowy powder made by a plant. When it’s carried by the wind, it fertilizes the that plants seeds.
•  Wren -a small brown songbird

Discussion topics for during/after reading:
•  How do you think the flowers are calling the animals to them?
•  What animals do you usually see by flowers?
•  How can you tell flowers apart?

Craft ideas:
•  Draw different flowers
•  Make a flower using a paper plate
•  As a class, we can make our own flower using the white board on Zoom.
•  Normally at the November reading clubs we give an item with a college logo to each kid, so this time we could have the kids create their own college logos based on the college logo the volunteer(s) share on something they are wearing or otherwise display.
•  Thanksgiving month! - have the kids try to make a thank you card or write a thank you letter to someone Check our craft ideas on Pinterest! https://www.pinterest.com/readingtokids/november-2020-seasons-and-the-natural-world/

Special activities:
•  The kids can act out being a flower.
•  The children can point out different flowers in their homes.

*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!