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Outside In
Last updated Tuesday, November 7, 2023
Author: Deborah Underwood
Illustrator: Cindy Derby
Date of Publication: 2020
ISBN: 1328866823
Grade Level: 1st (GLCs: Click here for grade level guidelines.)
Date(s) Used: Nov. 2023
Synopsis:
Outside is waiting, the most patient playmate of all. The most generous friend. The most miraculous inventor. This thought-provoking picture book poetically underscores our powerful and enduring connection with nature, not so easily obscured by lives spent indoors. This book shows us how our world is made and the many ways Outside comes in to help and heal us, and reminds us that we are all part of a much greater universe. Emotive illustrations evoke the beauty, simplicity, and wonder that await us all . . . outside.
| Note to readers: |
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This isn't a narrative story with characters and plot. "Outside" is personified and beckoning us. Take your time, encouraging discussion on each page. The kids can look closely at the pictures to find things they don't see at first: a small deer, a tiny snail, a row of bugs, a worm … (Many pages include that little snail.) Remind them that paying attention to everything they see when they're outside can help them discover new things.
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| Discussion topics for before reading: |
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Do you like being outside? What is best about it? Can you think of things you see, hear, smell?
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Are there ways to experience outside when you're inside? For example, What do you see through the window?
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This book will describe other ways the outside and inside are connected.
Vocabulary:
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Rustles: a soft sound, usually made by things rubbing together, like leaves
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sunbaked: made warm by the sun
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puffs of cotton: how cotton grows on a plant, like a cotton ball
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steals: sneaks in
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boxelder bug: a kind of beetle that likes to hide. Might look a bit like a cockroach. (Honestly, you can just say bug when you read this page.)
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kale: a green vegetable that looks like lettuce with dark wrinkly leaves
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| Discussion topics for during/after reading: |
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How does being in a car make you feel like you're both inside and outside?
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How does Outside feed us? How does it clothe us? Can you think of other ways Outside is part of our inside world?
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Are animals part of Outside? Even your inside pets? Bugs?
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How does Outside show us when it's time to start and end our day? (morning/night)
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What do you like most about Outside?
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Talk about ways we can help take care of Outside (nature).
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| Craft ideas: |
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For Thanksgiving, draw and decorate a turkey. They can use the outline of their hand to get started. There are many ideas for turkey crafts on Pinterest. For illustrated directions on how to draw and decorate a turkey, see http://readingtokids.org/News/how_to_draw_a_turkey.pdf
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Discuss that Thanksgiving is about being grateful. Draw pictures of things they are grateful for. Or write a thank you note to someone special.
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Monarch butterflies are migrating this time of year! Make a butterfly by cutting the wings from construction paper. Color or decorate with cut paper of other colors. You could use a popsicle stick for the body and draw a face – maybe with googly eyes
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November is also reading to Kids College Spirit month! Have the kids create their own college logos based on the college logo you volunteer(s) share on something you are wearing. They can even create their own imaginary college logo!
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| Special activities: |
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Kids can hunt for things in the classroom that bring the Outside inside: wooden chairs, woven rug, paper, shadows …
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Search the illustrations for something small and unexpected
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Teach the Itsy Bitsy Spider song with hand motions
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*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!
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