I am excited to be a new co-host of the monthly Virtual Book Club for Kids. Each month all of the co-hosts choose a specific author to spotlight. We read a book by the author with our kids, do book related crafts and activities, and then we share them on our blogs.
We would also love for you to join in with us! You can link up below (if you are a blogger), leave a comment below, or tell us about what you are doing on the Virtual Book Club for Kids Facebook page.
There are so many wonderful Dr. Seuss books that I have used for teaching in the classroom and reading with my girls. It was very tough to choose just one to write about. Tinker (23 months) recently discovered The Shape of Me and Other Stuff and has since become fascinated with shadows. If you aren’t familiar with the book, it is a simple text that encourages kids to think about the shape of things. The illustrations are in silhouette so kids can concentrate on the shape of things in a different way. The book also inspires little ones to be proud of their own unique shape, as it concludes with, “Hooray for the shapes we’re in!”
On a bright sunny morning we got our camera and went out on a shape hunt. We explored a local park to find shadows of objects. First we found a lamp post. I made sure to take a picture of both the shadow and the original object so we could put together a little game later.
Then we found a the shadow of a swing.
And we created a new shadow of Lovey swinging.
Lovey (age 4) had the most fun taking pictures of her own shadow in different poses. While Tinker enjoyed watching her shadow, she didn’t actually hold still long enough for me to catch a picture of the shadows!
Later that day I printed out the pictures. We are using them as a matching game. The girls enjoy matching the shadow to its picture. We’ve also spent time talking about the different shadows and what makes them unique.
I think this would have been fun to do in the classroom. I would encourage each child to make a favorite pose. Then it would be cute to add the pictures to a class book where kids would lift the flap to find out whose shadow is shown on each page.
What other ways would you use The Shape of Me and Other Stuff as a teaching tool?
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Danielle Todorovic
March 4, 2013 at 12:18 pmAwesome. My kids are fascinated with shadows, but it hadn’t occurred to me to get playful beyond the standard shadow puppets. Thanks!!!
(Linking up from http://www.igamemom.com)
Shaunna
March 4, 2013 at 1:04 pmThanks! Yes, shadows on their own can be quite fascinating. Glad you liked this little way to extend the fun.
The Iowa Farmer's Wife
March 1, 2013 at 11:54 pmWhat a fabulous activity and idea! featuring your post tomorrow on the Sunday Showcase!
Shaunna
March 2, 2013 at 7:23 amThanks for featuring the idea! I’ll be sure to stop by and check out the other features.
iGameMom
February 27, 2013 at 10:37 amLove how you come up new ways of learning! I am featuring this at my Mom’s Library link up (http://wp.me/p2t50R-14W). Keep the great post coming and thanks for connecting!
Shaunna
February 27, 2013 at 12:45 pmThanks for that compliment! I really appreciate you featuring the idea, too.
Erin
February 26, 2013 at 11:26 amgreat idea! My kids would love to do some shadow activities. Thanks for sharing!
Shaunna
February 26, 2013 at 12:52 pmThanks! It was simple but very fun for the kids. We’re still hunting for shadows around here.
Debs
February 25, 2013 at 5:49 amFun Post! Thanks for linking it to Tuesday Tots. I’ll be featuring it on my site this Tuesday. Have a great day 🙂
Shaunna
February 25, 2013 at 6:07 amThanks so much! I look forward to stopping by to see the other posts you’re featuring, too.
Carolyn
February 24, 2013 at 9:03 pmDr Seuss was one of my favourite authors when my kids were small. Now that I have grandchildren, I’m collecting the books again. So much fun in each book.
Shaunna
February 25, 2013 at 5:21 amThere are certainly a lot of Dr. Seuss books to choose from!
Carolyn
February 23, 2013 at 6:43 amIt was a very exciting time when my grandson first found his shadow. He then looked at other things that had shadows as well. So much learning for young children.
Shaunna
February 23, 2013 at 6:57 amI agree! My youngest is all about finding shadows lately. Each time she finds one she shrieks with joy.
Jackie Higgins
February 21, 2013 at 2:41 pmI love your ideas! A class book of shadows would be awesome. We’ve been brushing up on our shape knowledge so we will have to try this… if we ever get a sunny day… 😉
Shaunna
February 21, 2013 at 2:53 pmThanks so much! Hope you get that sunny day to try it out soon 🙂
Jackie Higgins
February 28, 2013 at 12:43 pmHi! I’m co-hosting Mom’s Library with True Aim this week. I featured this activity on my blog!
http://www.ready-set-read.com/2013/02/dr-seuss-activities-and-moms-library.html
Thanks,
Jackie
Shaunna
February 28, 2013 at 2:09 pmThanks so much for featuring us!
Cerys @ Rainy Day Mum
February 19, 2013 at 6:47 pmThat looks a great book and one we must check out – we love spotting shadows and trying to work out what they are before we look up and see.
Shaunna
February 20, 2013 at 6:31 amI wouldn’t say it is our favorite Dr. Seuss book…so many wonderful options to choose from. But it is great for connecting ideas of positive self-image and learning about shadows. Hope you get the chance to check it out.
Amy @ Sunlit Pages
February 19, 2013 at 12:05 amI absolutely love this! My kids love noticing shadows, and my 4-year-old really likes taking pictures, so I think he would really get into an activity like this! And I love that after you took the pictures, you turned it into a matching game. Great idea!
Shaunna
February 19, 2013 at 5:40 amThanks! It was a fun activity. I have been looking for a kid-tough camera so my oldest can get more involved in taking pictures. She loves taking pictures lately, too.
elsie
February 18, 2013 at 6:23 pmI don’t know that book but it would be perfect for us this week as we have been making shadow monsters and chasing shadows.
Shaunna
February 18, 2013 at 8:45 pmIt isn’t one of the most popular Dr. Seuss books, but there are definitely some wonderful educational ties. Sounds like it would be a great fit for you.
Jodie @ Growing Book by Book
February 18, 2013 at 4:55 pmWhat a fun idea! I really like the idea of turning the pictures into a book.
Shaunna
February 18, 2013 at 8:42 pmThanks! Class books were a wonderful tool I used in the classroom. I think this would be a fun one for sure.
Trisha @ Inspiration Laboratories
February 18, 2013 at 9:55 amI love that this book inspired you to go outside, and the matching game is a great idea!
Shaunna
February 18, 2013 at 12:52 pmThanks! I am loving all of the creative ideas people are coming up with for the Virtual Book Club this month. Glad we could share ours!
Kylie
February 18, 2013 at 7:59 amFun activity! Wheels would love it!