I love to start out the school year by reading Giraffes Can't Dance by Giles Andreae and Guy Parker-Rees! Kids come in to a new year with fears and presuppositions about what they can and can't do. This book is the perfect chance to get them to think of a new year as a fresh start full of possibilities! Gerald Giraffe is a terrible dancer (or so he thinks) until a wise cricket shows him that anyone can dance when they find the right music!
I taught 2nd grade inclusion for a few years. I also used the different types of music and dancers in the book to discuss how everyone in our class was different and may need different things. We could all learn in our own way just as the animals danced in their own way!
I found a fantastic channel on YouTube. This artist has turned the poetry in the book into a song. LOVE IT! My sweeties love to watch video versions of books on our SMARTboard and this one is no exception! You can check out more awesome books set to music on the Fun Songs Guy's YouTube channel. {HERE}. I also have a Pinterest board full of video versions of books. You can check it out {HERE}.
I have no idea whose original idea this craft was. (Please let me know if you do so I can give proper credit.) I have made a few modifications to it over the years. I generally avoid painting due to the mess factor and time. Sadly, I never took any photos of all of the different versions that my students created, but my son loved hearing the story and volunteered to make his own version today. I gave him the book, crayons, scissors, glue, white paper, and a pack of construction paper, and let him go. This is his interpretation of Gerald's dancing under the moon and stars.
Again, what's a book chat without a freebie?!? Here is a quick little story element organizer to go with your craft. Put it all together and you've got a couple of great centers! 1. Read the book. 2. Watch the video. 3. Make your craft. 4. Complete the organizer. Easy-peasy-mac-n-cheesy!
Click HERE or on the picture to grab your freebie.
You can read more book recommendations HERE at Deanna Jump's Book Talk Tuesday Linky Party!
Have a great day and remember the wise words of Gerald Giraffe, "We all can dance when we find music that we love." :)
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I think that I may have to make a poster that quotes Gerald for my "We can......" wall this year! I am going to share this post on my FB page today because it combines STORIES and SONGS and just make me giddy with happiness! Have you ever considered starting a "Book Chat" weekly or monthly linky? Maybe we could host it together?!?!?!?!?!?!?!
ReplyDelete~Jennifer
Thanks, Jennifer! I appreciate your sweet comment! You are always so encouraging! Right now, I have been linking up with Deanna Jump's Tuesday Book Talk, but once school gets back in session I would love to set up a monthly book blog hop or linky with you!
DeleteI'm always drawn to this book in the library... but for some reason I've never opened it up! Don't ask me why, because I love giraffes. Thanks for sharing - I HAVE to check this book out this year!
ReplyDelete~Scarlett at Speech Is Sweet
I had seen it many times before checking it out, too. It quickly became one of my faves once I finally read it. The kiddos will love it!
DeleteI am also a Gerald fan. He has such a wonderful message for all of us. My kids love the youtube clip that you posted too.
ReplyDeleteYay! I am so glad that they enjoyed it! Thanks for the sweet comment, too!
Deletethis is awsome
ReplyDeleteThank you! you saved me a lot of trouble! Love the organisation of the entire project!
ReplyDeleteGayatri Aditya(Oman)
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