Happy World Book Day!
Silent reading and reading books aloud to our students is something we often do indoors. It could easily be done outside, too. Why not? Pick a lovely day and read outside.
Some of the benefits of reading outside for you and your students include
- Natural light is easier on your eyes than bright white and cool fluorescent tube bulbs.
- Our bodies produce vitamin D when exposed to sunlight. Vitamin D boosts your mood and helps you develop a healthy immune system.
- Breathing fresh air can improve your mood and help you think more clearly.
- Being in a multi sensory environment will make you more alert, and improve your focus and concentration.
Today I’m offering you two books for instilling appreciation and love of nature in your students.
All the World is a 2010 Caldecott Honor Book written by Liz Garton Scanlon and illustrated by Marla Frazee. Dear Children of the Earth: A Letter from Home is written and illustrated by professional artist and musician, Schim Schimmel.
All the World is suitable for elementary school students from pre-k to fifth grade. Liz Garton Scanlon has written a splendid, timeless poem. Marla Frazee has illustrated it perfectly with big, colorful pictures filled with action, movement and wonder. The book is great for vocabulary development in both native English speakers and students learning English. Younger students enjoy the sound and rhythm of the words paired with the beautiful illustrations. Older students could be challenged to write their own poetry in the style of Liz Garton Scanlon.
Today I discovered Liz Garton Scanlon and illustrator, Simone Shin, have a new book out, Thank You, Garden! I can’t wait to read it!
Dear Children of the Earth is suitable for students in grades 3 and higher. It’s a great book to read outside surrounded by nature. The book is written as a letter from Mother Earth to the children of the earth. It’s interesting to ask students whether “children of the earth” refers to only young people or all human inhabitants of earth.
After reading the book, students could be encouraged to write letters to Mother Earth. What would they say to her? What are they willing to do to care for the her? The stunning illustrations in the book could be used to inspire nature paintings, sculptures or photography.
If your students don’t get outside much, it might take a few times for them to settle down. But stick with a routine, make your expectations clear and eventually your students will begin to reap the benefits from reading indoors and outdoors.
