Verbal Comm: Brown Bird

[Verbal Communications]

Reading poetry to young children is essential for language appreciation and development.  Even if you are not a fan of poetry, don't miss the opportunity to share its rhythm and rhyme with your children.

Brown Bird

"Little brown bird
Where do you live?
Up on yonder wood, sir,
On a hazel branch."

Author Unknown

Check out some more bird poems here.

Storybox: Being Grateful for a Person, Place & Thing

LOVE LOVE LOVE how this Fireflies Verbal Comm idea turned out!  
This idea began with the purchase of Rory's Story Cubes which I love with two exceptions: size and images.   Wanting  a larger size for little hands and the ability to control the story prompts (images), I decided to create my own.

Last November's post:
Magnetic Family Personalities  is also a favorite of mine, and since we are focusing on GRATITUDE this month, I combined both ideas and came up with our second "Tell Me a Story" Box.

The result?
I am thankful for the "People, Places & Things" God has given to me!  Read on...

While visiting our local Michael's store (a must when I begin brainstorming), I found a bin of  2 1/2 inch wooden disks for 29 cents.  

Next, I picked up some paint and a few other supplies and headed home to begin this project - The Fireflies' "Tell Me a Story" Box: Person, Place, & Thing.

Keeping in mind that we are creating these verbal comm projects for young children, I decided to use three colors to distinguish between nouns [person, place, & things].   The idea is for children to pick up one of each and create a story using all three.   Depending on the age of your child, you might use these as simple image recognition circles, vocabulary identification prompts, and/or story starters.   For older children, add a color and introduce verbs (action words).   Obviously this verbal comm project is flexible and will accommodate all developmental stages and communication skills standards.  

The Process

1.  Paint your wooden circles.

2.  Print out 3 inch square images of family members on regular paper or card stock and affix them to one side of the circles using Mod Podge (I seriously love this stuff...)  If you have never used it before, apply some to the back of your image and press it firmly onto your wooden disk, smoothing out any bubbles.  Wait about 20 minutes until basically dry and then apply a top coat to your image.  Mod Podge will dry completely clear.

Crop each image to a 3" X 3"square and print out.

Cut your images into circles.

With a paint brush apply Mod Podge to back of images
and press firmly onto wooden circles working out any air bubbles.

Brush Mod Podge on top of image after waiting about 20 minutes.

3.  Identify nouns with your child during a conversation about gratitude.  "I am thankful for...(name some people, places, & things)."  I am thankful for my family, for my home, and for books, flowers, etc.    Encourage your child to come up with their own list and take pictures so that their storystarters are customized to your family and personal to your child.  

NOTE:  I'm working on my own "I am grateful for..." list, and it's apparent that I'm going to have to make another run to Michaels for more wooden circles!  In the meantime, here is the start of my collection.

4.  Place the finished Person, Place, & Things Circles in your "Tell Me a Story" Box and begin creating family stories.  Turn the disks over and have your child select at least one from each category.  Remember that the stories can make sense or be totally fanciful.  Also, they do not need to end cleanly - just have fun creating a situation, a moment, something that might happen in a complete story.  The creative communication process is what really matters.  Don't forget to keep a journal nearby and document your original family stories.  (Oh, and Mom and Dad must take a turn creating their own stories too!) 

We hope you will enjoy being together as a family "chasing fireflies" while creating memories and stories with your Fireflies' Person, Place, & Thing Storybox!

Create a Fireflies' "Tell Me a Story" Box, LINK.

Don't miss our next "Tell Me a Story" Box Idea
Sidewalks & Shoelaces!

Deni Corbett

Poem: RAIN by Shel Silverstein

[Verbal Communications]

I opened my eyes

And looked up at the rain,

And it dripped in my head

And flowed into my brain,

And all that I hear as I lie in my bed

Is the slishity-slosh of the rain in my head.

I step very softly,

I walk very slow,

I can't do a handstand--

I might overflow,

So pardon the wild crazy thing I just said--

I'm just not the same since there's rain in my head.

                                                    Shel Silverstein

Enjoy reading this fun poem to your child.  Laugh at the silliness of it and encourage your child to finish select lines by remembering the rhyming word(s).   rain-brain   head-bed

Create a "Tell me a story" Box

Just what is a Fireflies' "Tell me a story" Box?

Today's young children are living in a media-flooded environment.  For critical and creative thinking skills to develop, parents must provide opportunities for their children to process new ideas and connect the dots of language development.  That is why it is so important to read aloud to young children and engage them in language-rich communication experiences.

The Fireflies' "Tell Me a Story" Box provides opportunities for unique family experiences that encourage language-rich communication adventures!  It's a win-win...

Steps to creating a family "Tell Me a Story" Box:

1. Choose a box.
   I love wooden boxes and found this gem at one of the many antique shops I have visited over the years.  As I walked through the house looking for the perfect storybox, I decided that the one, that once held teabags, would be a perfect Fireflies' "Tell Me a Story" Box.
   
   

   
   

Select items. (imagination story prompts)
Each month we will suggest items to place in your box - items that will be used to "Tell Me a Story"!  Because the target audience for the Fireflies' Blog is young children [ages 3 - 8], I suggest you place only 3 - 5 items in the box.  Even though we will give suggestions based on a Fireflies' theme, please feel free to use your storytelling box anyway you want to with your family.  

I chose the following items for my storybox:
-piece of blue cloth
-small box (because of our theme this month)
-bottle lid
-rock
-twig

The idea is to choose items that children will identify immediately, but can become something else, or have another imaginative use.

Once items are selected and placed in the special storybox, set the tone for engaging in this language experience.   "Oh Davis, I can't wait to show you our new special box. It's called a secret (surprise) storybox!  Oh I hope before bedtime we can..."  You get the idea - create anticipation. 

Show your child the "Tell Me a Story" Box and open it to reveal its contents.  I revealed each one individually and ceremonially...

Hold up the blue cloth
Q.  What is this?
A.  All of the answers will very greatly depending on the age of your child.
Something blue, blue fabric, a piece of blue material, etc.

Q.  Yes, that is exactly what this is...but when we get it from the storybox, it can become anything we want it to be.   If we use our imagination, what else could this be?
A.  The goal is for your child to get use to suspending what they know to be the "right" answer and begin thinking creatively.
The sky, water, a glass of water, spilled paint, a rug or blanket.... (Oh the possibilities!)

For this first introduction to storytelling, simply go through each item in the box asking first what the item is, and then following up with what it could be.

Finally, using great enthusiasm and excitement, explain to your child that whenever they see the storybox [on the kitchen table, or coffee table, or in the child's room], that means that they will create their very own stories using the special items they find in the storybox.   

Keep the first session short by introducing your child to your family's storybox & creating anticipation for the first family storytelling adventure.

Oh, and once you begin telling stories as a family, keep a recording device close by.  You are going to want to capture these family legacy moments on video...I promise!

During our next "Tell Me a Story" Box post I will share why I am so passionate about storytelling and the growth that comes from engaging in this activity as a family.   We will also provide ideas for story starters to place in your storybox.

HOMEWORK:  Go find a wonderful storybox for your family storytelling adventures and meet me back here next month!   

What items did you select for your storybox?  Send us a picture of your storybox!

Deni Corbett

Verbal Comm: John 3:16

Subscribe in a reader

created at Wordle.net

Each month we provide a poem or verse to introduce to your children.  Some are for memorizing and reciting - some are simply for read-aloud.   Print out Fireflies' verbal comm posts and read them each day to your children so that they become familiar with its' language and rhythm.

For February, we chose John 3:16.  There is no better LOVE verse to have your children memorize and recite in February than John 3:16: the hope and promise of the Gospel.   

Simply position the words so that you spell the word, VALENTINE vertically.

John 3:16

"For God so loVed the world,

       that He gAve

            His onLy

           begottEn

                 SoN,

                    That whosoever

      believeth In Him

          should Not perish,

       but have Everlasting life."

Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening

[Verbal Communications]

Older children are quite capable of memorizing this poem by Robert Frost, but it is also a wonderful poem to simply read over and over again to a younger child.   Poetry is so important for language development because of the "music" of the words as well as the rhythm and rhyme of the word combinations used in the poem.   This poem is a prime example.    Read this poem often to a younger child and allow them to add the last rhyming word to select lines themselves. I encourage you to print out a copy of this poem and enjoy it together with your child(ren).

NOTE: We have highlighted this poem in our "S is for SNOW" script.

Whose woods these are I think I know.
His house is in the village though;
He will not see me stopping here
To watch his woods fill up with snow.

My little horse must think it queer
To stop without a farmhouse near
Between the woods and frozen lake
The darkest evening of the year.

He gives his harness bells a shake
To ask if there is some mistake
The only other sound's the sweep
Of easy wind and downy flake.

The woods are lovely, dark and deep
But I have promises to keep,
And miles to go before I sleep,
And miles to go before I sleep.

by Robert Frost

This is a great Study Guide if you are interested in digging deeper into this poem.

The following is a reading of the poem, Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening.

SBACS
Send us a video of your child reciting all or part of this poem 
for a chance to win a beautifully illustrated book by Susan Jeffers.
Send videos to Fireflies.

Over the River and Through the Woods

[Verbal Communications]

Over the river and through the woods

To Grandmother's house we go.
The horse knows the way to carry the sleigh
Through white and drifted snow.

Over the river and through the woods,
Oh, how the wind does blow.
It stings the toes and bites the nose
As over the ground we go.

Over the river and through the woods
To have a full day of play.
Oh, hear the bells ringing ting-a-ling-ling,
For it is Thanksgiving Day.

        Why not consider having an older child (or grandparent) read or recite this 
        traditional poem by adding it to your Fireflies Presents' program?

"Over the River and through the Wood" is a Thanksgiving song by Lydia Maria Child. Written originally as a poem, it appeared in her Flowers for Children, Volume 2, in 1844. The title of the poem is, "A Boy's Thanksgiving Day". It celebrates her childhood memories of visiting her Grandfather's House. Lydia Maria Child was a novelist, journalist, teacher, and wrote extensively about the need to eliminate slavery.

Poem: The Little Red Apple

A Little Red Apple

A little red apple
Hung high in a tree.

I looked up at it,
And it looked down at me.

"Come down, please," I called.

And what do you suppose?

That little red apple,
Dropped right on my nose!

Print out, post on the refrigerator door, memorize and recite together!

Poem: A Book by Emily Dickinson

A Book
by Emily Dickinson

There is no frigate like a book
To take us lands away,
Nor any coursers like a page
Of prancing poetry.
This traverse may the poorest take
Without oppress of toll;
How frugal is the chariot
That bears a human soul! 

Verbal Comm: All Things Bright and Beautiful

[Verbal Communications]

A classic poem, this is a great one to use as a launching off place for other activities.  Young children will be able to memorize one verse, encourage older children to take on all the verses.   This poem lends itself to easy illustrations.  Consider helping your child create a poem book by printing each verse on a separate sheet of paper and "hire" your child as the illustrator.   

CLICK HERE to download a .pdf template to illustrate.

by Cecil Frances Alexander All things bright and beautiful, All creatures great and small, All things wise and wonderful, The Lord God made them all. Each little flower that opens, Each little bird that sings, He made their glowing colors, He made their tiny wings. The purple-headed mountain, The river running by, The sunset, and the morning, That brightens up the sky; The cold wind in the winter, The pleasant summer sun, The ripe fruits in the garden, He made them every one. He gave us eyes to see them, And lips that we might tell, How great is God Almighty, Who has made all things well.

Verbal Comm: The Pledge of Allegiance

[verbal communications]

The text of the Pledge of Allegiance is illustrated with stunning photographs of American landscapes, monuments, and flags. The meaning of the pledge, its history, and information about the flag are included.

This book by Scholastic Press is a wonderful tool for children ages 4 and up who want to learn about the origin and purpose behind reciting the Pledge of Allegiance.

The Pledge of Allegiance

I pledge allegiance to the flag

of the United States of America,
and to the republic for which it stands,
one nation under God, indivisible,
with liberty and justice for all.

Rachel Faith leads us in the Pledge!

POEM: Play Ball!

by Lillian M. Fisher                                                                     [verbal communications]
A great poem for your child to memorize.

It was my turn to bat
And I hit the ball
So hard it sailed
Right over the wall.


The crowd went wild.
I started to run.
How happy I’d be
If my team won.


First base, second,
third—I’m home free!
Hurrah for my team!
Hurrah for me!

From Hopkins, Lee Bennett, comp. 1999. Sports! Sports! Sports! HarperCollins.

Poem: My Spring Garden

[Verbal Communications]

April is National Poetry Month
Why not print out the following poem to enjoy with your children?

My Spring Garden

Here is my little garden,
Some seeds I’m going to sow.
Here is my rake to rake the ground,
Here is my handy hoe.

Here is the big, round yellow sun;
The sun warms everything.
Here are the rain clouds in the sky;
The birds will start to sing.

Little plants will wake up soon,
And lift their sleepy heads;
Little plants will grow and grow
In their little, warm earth beds.

~ Author Unknown ~

Poem: The Rain

[Verbal Communications]

The Rain

Girl in the Rain with Umbrella
oil painting
Artist: Debra Hurd

The rain is raining all around,

It falls on field and tree.
It rains on the umbrellas here,
And on the ships at sea.

Robert Louis Stevenson

This is a great poem to memorize and recite with your child, especially every time it rains!  Children directly benefit from the rhythm and rhyme of poems. Don't miss these monthly opportunities to grow your child's language and memorization skills.

Poem: Who Has Seen the Wind?

Today we are switching themes from facing fears to wind & kites.  

We hope you enjoy our book choices and CLIP activities.

[SOC Verbal Communications: Reciting a Poem]

by Christina Rossetti

     Who has seen the wind?
     Neither I nor you;
     But when the leaves hang trembling
     The wind is passing through.

     Who has seen the wind?
     Neither you nor I;
     But when the trees bow down their heads
     The wind is passing by.

This is a great poem to memorize with your child.  Every age group can successfully memorize Rossetti's poem.   Keep a copy close by in the kitchen, in the car etc. so you can read/recite it often to your child.   Have them fill in words when you pause until they can recite it with you.  Sometimes clapping the poem's meter (four beats per line) helps children capture the rhythm of the poem.  If you are taking a walk with your child, step in rhythm to the poem as you recite it.  Have fun and enjoy.  Share with us other ways to help children memorize poems and Bible verses - comment below.

Then let them "perform" their poem for family and friends.   If you have other families participating in Fireflies, set aside an evening for the children to perform and display all of their communication projects: print, verbal, and visual.

Send us an audio file (this is easy with a Smartphone) of your child (or your family) reciting Who Has Seen the Wind? for a chance at a lovely book of poetry, courtesy of SBACS.   Email your file to us!

The Poem "Apology" by Judith Viorst

[Verbal Communications]

It’s hard to say, “I’m sorry,”

Although I’m feeling sorry.

The “s” always sticks in my throat.

And, “I made a big mistake”

Would produce a bellyache

That might last till I was old enough to vote.

“Please forgive me” sounds real good.

And I’d say it if I could,

But, between the “forgive” and the “please”

I would have to go to bed

With a pounding in my head

And a very shaky feeling in my knees.

“I was wrong” seems oh so right.

But it gives me such a fright

That my “was” always turns into “ain’t”.

So I hope you’ll take this rhyme

As my way of saying “I’m

Really sorry.”  Now excuse me while I faint.
______
"Apology" might not be a classic poem worth memorizing (like January's "Stopping by Woods...") - but it is great poem to enjoy reading and rereading to/with your young child!  It's also a good choice for an older child to read with expression during "Family Showtime".  The pauses and inflection used when reading this poem are what make it work.  What's "Showtime"?    Keep following Fireflies...we'll explain.