Over in the Meadow - Books You Can Sing

Over in the Meadow, based on the original version by Olive A. Wadsworth, illustrated by Ezra Jack Keats (Scholastic, Inc., 1971)

Over in the meadow, in the sand, in the sun . . .

I cannot NOT sing this book. If I read the title, it instantly transforms into a song - complete with melody, animal sounds, and fumblings with who does what and when. I love this book!

The illustrations are adorable and opportunities for learning about life in the meadow many. Just think about it. Sing and learn. Young children learn so much when they can sing, act out, and explore nature and life in general when everything is accompanied by music.

Use this captivating book as a spring board for exploring and discovering nature.

Some fun things you can do:

~ Read and sing the book. Admire the illustrations and discuss the animals featured in the book.

~ Gather a magnifying glass or two and head out for a nature walk. How many bugs can you find?

~ Use a notebook (cheap this time of year at back-to-school sales) and make an observation journal. Date a page and draw a simple picture of each living thing that catches the interest of your child. Help draw and color with colored pencils. Add to the nature journal during subsequent walks.

~ Find a bug hotel at a thrift store or yard sale. Catch - observe - and release.

~ Hunt by phone. Or camera. Or Ipad. Make a slideshow of the photos. Do some scientific research to identify those critters you've electronically captured.

~ Go to the library. Check out books that will help identify and explain the findings from your investigations.

~ Put out the watercolor paints. Draw simple animals with a permanent marker. Fill in the lines. Or just paint and have fun. Rubber stamp animals and insects could easily be stamped on top of dry watercolor paintings.

Go nuts. Enjoy nature with a song in your mouth.