A Sick Day for Amos McGee by Philip & Erin Stead

 First and foremost, relax and enjoy...

Social Studies/Skills:

• Discuss what it means to be a friend.
• Compare a friend with a good citizen.

Language Arts:

• Make a list of good friend characteristics.
• Write "Glad to have a friend like you" letters.
• Listen to and sing along with Marlo Thomas's "Glad to Have a Friend Like You" and all the other wonderful friendship tales found on the world's greatest CD for children - Free to Be...You and Me compiled by Marlo Thomas and her friends Alan Alda, Diana Ross, Mel Brooks and a host of other wonderful entertainers.  You can find it in my car or right here -> Free to Be... You & Me
• Write poems or songs about friendship
• Create friendship PowerPoints or Paper Slide Videos 

Links to Paper Slide Video Info:

Paper Slide Video about How to Make a Paper Slide Video

Sample How to Make a Paper Slide Video for Students

Student Made Science Paper Slide Video 


Another Good Example of a Student Made Paper Slide Video

We Are in a Book by Mo Willems

Language Arts:

The greatest thing about this book is that it is designed to be read over and over again.  The primary grades will love to hear it again and again.  As we all know, it is imperative that little learners hear the same book many times.  My niece, a reader since forever, has her parents to thank, because they spent time reading her favorite books repeatedly until the covers were soft and worn and barely hanging on.  Repeated reading builds crucial synapses!

Read this book at least once a day until every child in your class has had a turn as the "Reader" to whom which Piggie and Gerald refer.  Every student will want an individual turn saying "Banana" at Piggie's prompting.  This enables those not so strong readers a chance to be a confident reader.  Thank you Mo Willems!

Invite Mo Willems to serve as the focus of your class for a week.  Bring in a variety of Mo Willems books. For a list of all Mo's books: Mo's Bibliography 

• Have the students compare and contrast the books.  
• Use Mo's Website to learn more about Mo and play some games he has to offer. 
• Chart and graph your students' favorite books and characters.
• Write letters to Mo Willems or a favorite character.
• Discuss how the illustrations are used to express feeling, tone, and mood.

Math:

Calculate the exact number of pages from page 45 when Piggie peeks to see how many pages until the book is over and page 57 when the book is over.  Discuss the different ways of finding the answer.

See chart and graph activity listed above.

Count how many times the word "Hee" or "Ha" is written in the book.

Review of We Are in a Book