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
Awesome. 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
Thanks! Yes, shadows on their own can be quite fascinating. Glad you liked this little way to extend the fun.
The Iowa Farmer's Wife
What a fabulous activity and idea! featuring your post tomorrow on the Sunday Showcase!
Shaunna
Thanks for featuring the idea! I’ll be sure to stop by and check out the other features.
iGameMom
Love 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
Thanks for that compliment! I really appreciate you featuring the idea, too.
Erin
great idea! My kids would love to do some shadow activities. Thanks for sharing!
Shaunna
Thanks! It was simple but very fun for the kids. We’re still hunting for shadows around here.
Debs
Fun Post! Thanks for linking it to Tuesday Tots. I’ll be featuring it on my site this Tuesday. Have a great day 🙂
Shaunna
Thanks so much! I look forward to stopping by to see the other posts you’re featuring, too.
Carolyn
Dr 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
There are certainly a lot of Dr. Seuss books to choose from!
Carolyn
It 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
I agree! My youngest is all about finding shadows lately. Each time she finds one she shrieks with joy.
Jackie Higgins
I 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
Thanks so much! Hope you get that sunny day to try it out soon 🙂
Jackie Higgins
Hi! 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
Thanks so much for featuring us!
Cerys @ Rainy Day Mum
That 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
I 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
I 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
Thanks! 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
I 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
It 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
What a fun idea! I really like the idea of turning the pictures into a book.
Shaunna
Thanks! Class books were a wonderful tool I used in the classroom. I think this would be a fun one for sure.
Trisha @ Inspiration Laboratories
I love that this book inspired you to go outside, and the matching game is a great idea!
Shaunna
Thanks! 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
Fun activity! Wheels would love it!