I’m starting something new on the blog: Storytime with Make and Takes. As a teacher, this is something that’s done all the time at school. You read a story to the children, then plan a fun activity or lesson to go with it. It furthers the learning of the story and helps it come alive. The children seem to remember the story that much better, it becomes a part of them.
Everybody Needs a Rock
To start story time off, we read a book that I have loved for a long time. Everybody Needs a Rock by Byrd Baylor. Who did not go rock hunting when they were a kid? This story talks about the rules of how to find the perfect rock. But not just any rock, the one that is just for you. The book’s illustrations are amazing as well.
Rock hunting was a great way to get my kids out and about exploring. I drove them up the canyon a little ways and found a nice rocky place to look. We followed the rules from our story, getting down really low, staying quiet, looking for a rock to fit in our hand or our pocket, and even gave it a sniff. Then we gave it the water test, to see what other colors our rocks could produce.
Both my kids picked perfect rocks. My 2 year old found one really fast, but she loves it. My son really took to all the rules of the book. He ended up with two perfect rocks. One that was smooth and one that was rough and had lots of ridges with sparkles.
What you choose to do with your rocks now is up to you. I think we are going to put them in special places to look at and remember they are just for us. You could paint it, give it a name, or even use it as a decoration or paperweight. Have fun with story time and finding your special rock.
Unfortunately our library doesn’t have this book, but when I was searching under the author he does have many great books! I remember as a kid just digging out in our gravely driveway and in the woods looking for rocks and how a special one would make you feel. Makes me kind of sad. :)
Thanks for all the Storytime love. I am super excited to start this too. We have been planning some great books and fun projects. I hope it does add to summertime fun.
I ordered that book from amazon last night – looks like a wonderful way to kickstart an outdoors adventure!
awesome idea; it’ll be fun to do with summer coming.
I look forward to future Storytime Make and Takes!
seriously…your kids are quite blessed to have such a fun mom!!!
Recently I’ve been toying with doing the same thing at my blog! Must be a teacher thing….
What a lovely post! We always went up to Lake Superior every summer and looked for agates. My grandmother was a geologist and always made looking for rocks so exciting. I can’t wait to read this book!
Marie,
You are about the craftiest person I’ve met. If only my kids had you to keep them from being bored. That book looks really cute. We’ll have to do that! Thanks for keeping in touch. Your kids are darling and seem so happy!!!! Good to hear from you…
Whit
Great idea Marie!
Oh, I am jumping up and down with excitement! First of all, I am so excited your going to start storytime make and takes. I love that idea. I try to do this with my girls all the time, but run out of ideas. Thank you!
Secondly, my oldest daughter (6) adores rocks! She has a collection and names each one. She just spent her entire afternoon yesterday polishing all of her rocks and logging them in a notebook. We’re going tomorrow to a place in the mountains for her to find more. I’m going to head to our library today to find this book. Thank you!
What a wonderful way to spark their observation skills. Terrific!