The Way To Well

Happy last day of June; I cannot be the only one

 who feels like like this month just zoomed by?

0

PPBF: When A Dragon Moves In Again

It's Friday, Friday, a PPBF-Friday and guess who's back?

I predict you'll be on fire for today's pick.

Title: When a Dragon Moves In Again

Author: Jodi Moore

Illustrator: Howard McWilliam

Publisher: Flashlight Press

Date: September 1, 2015

Suitable for: Kindergarten through 2nd

Fiction

Themes: imagination, new baby, sibling jealousy

Brief synopsis: This sequel to When A Dragon Moves In finds our little tyke and his family nesting as they await the arrival of their baby. Will there be room enough for Dragon in this family of five?

Opening page: If you help your dad build a castle, a dragon might move in.

Resources: 

*Visit the author's inspiring page {here}.

*Compare and contrast the author's two Dragon books.

*Make an origami dragon head using these You Tube instructions.

*Click {here} for some dragon coloring sheets and printables.

*Activity idea: Infuse movement into your read aloud by encouraging kids to do a jumping jack, mountain climber, squat thrust, burpee, or the dance move of their choice every time they hear the word dragon. 

Why I like this book: This hilarious text takes an honest and authentic look at the sibling jealousy that can ensue when a new baby joins the family. From bowling with baby bottles to flying for the newborn like a superhero, the dragon-boy dynamic duo does its best to get the attention {connection} that a middle child craves when an infant sibling arrives.

Expect the boy blaming his antics on his dragon to spark a discussion about real versus pretend, about honesty and dishonesty and beg the age-old question:

Is it ever okay to lie? 

And then prepare to be wrapped in a blanket of warmth by the very real snuggle scene; the author's powerful words paired with the illustrator's brilliant visuals will reach down into the depths of your emotional reserves to endear you to this heartwarming treasure. 

Check out this book; it'll be the perfect addition to your collection

 and a really fun gift for that mommy-to-be in your circle.

For today's other PPBF titles, visit Susanna Hill's blog {here}.

14

Fit For Kids

Before we take Joshua off for a week at camp,

{and hug on Kaitlyn, who's a counselor there!!}

some reflections about a world fit for kids,

sparked by this PSA I stumbled upon recently ...

and my notes from the Character Matters Conference

in San Diego at the end of June.

I'm not sure that in this case a picture's worth

a thousand words.

So here's my top ten takeaway list:

1. We must pursue our joys and inclinations.

2. We mustn't prevent learning by overly directing it.

3. Every child deserves a secret garden.

4. We must use energy to get energy.

5. Give children questions with answers that aren't fixed!

6. Communication is not an invitation, but an expectation.

7. Model, support, incentivize and reward desired behaviors. 

8. We are farmers; what we plant will grow.

9. If it's respectful, kind and excellent, you will find success.

10. Pacesetters look for the shrimp in the water.

How will you help make our world fit for kids?

0

A Reason To Dance

Love Kid President . . .

. . . and his priceless advice 
to newcomers to our world.

I see so many teachable-moment possibilities with this.
Couple it with a lesson Mrs. Trayers shared yesterday {here}.
Whom will you positively influence today?

What advice do you have for them?
And how will you make today great?

Now, about that dance . . .

3