Tuesday, June 25, 2013

Happy Birthday Eric Carle!

Happy Birthday to one of my favorite author/illustrators!


 It is just amazing how many ways I can find to use what some "untrained eyes" (AKA NOT primary teachers... :)  may see as such simple books. 

One of my favorite Eric Carle stories was when I taught a Summer School class called "Reading and Writing with Eric Carle" or something like that.  A mom stayed around after all of the children were dropped off and in the classes.  My sister was helping me with the class, and she asked her if she needed anything.  The mom said, "No, I am just waiting around to see who this Eric Carle guy is."  Bless her heart if she thought our school could afford to have Eric Carle come teach a K-1 summer school class! But I think it was not really until that moment that I realized what  a bubble I live in teaching Kindergarten.  Everybody out in the "real world" does NOT know Eric Carle, Tooty Ta, or the magic powers of a sticker! :)  I am just thankful that I do!

Today my Eric Carle Prezi is on sale at my TPT store.


 Since I use so many of his books throughout the year,   I  searched the internet for the best videos, activities, ideas, and links to go with 21 of Eric Carle's books. The books include: The Very Hungry Caterpillar, The Grouchy Ladybug, The Very Busy Spider, The Mixed Up Chameleon, The Tiny Seed, The Little Cloud, Draw Me a Star, Papa, Please Get the Moon for Me, A House for Hermit Crab, The Very Lonely Firefly, The Very Clumsy Click Beetle, The Very Quiet Cricket, Mister Seahorse, Pancakes, Pancakes, Brown Bear, Brown Bear What Do You See?(with Polar Bear, Polar Bear, What Do You Hear?), 10 Little Rubber Ducks, Hello, Red Fox, Today is Monday, From Head to Toe, My Apron, and The Artist Who Painted a Blue Horse.

This was a labor of love for Eric Carle lovers out there! Each book you click on will include a read aloud of that book (which I was able to find for most of the books), interviews, book talks, or songs about the book if available, links to the Pinterest boards/pins for the book, the link to the book site on the Caterpillar Exchange (Eric Carle's official site), and many science videos/charts/ posters to go with the book because so many of his books lend themselves so beautifully to science lessons. Below the book cover, I put pictures of related books that work well to use with the book. I do an Eric Carle unit each year and have always wanted these resources together and finally did it!

I hope you enjoy it, and Happy Birthday, Eric.  Thank you for making the world a better place for my Kindergarteners with your gifts!

Carolyn

4 comments:

  1. Hi Carolyn! I love Eric Carle too. Have you ever made Eric Carle paper and then made Projects with it? It's a huge mess but the final product is so worth it! Another fun post! Thank you!

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    1. Hi Sandy! I did that one year for summer school and loved it. I don't have a sink in my classroom and I have to admit that makes me not do as many messy things as I used to. Our school is actually an old middle school, so the classrooms are not primary friendly... thanks so much for commenting! :)
      Carolyn

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  2. What a sweet tribute.
    The Very Hungry Caterpillar was the first book my daughter seemed to really focus on when she was a baby. Carle is great for all ages.

    School Is a Happy Place

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    1. He really is! It's funny how one particular author/illustrator is so easy to recognize and has such appeal. I think the brightness and fun of his artwork just sort of draws you in. :)
      Thank you so much for writing!
      Carolyn

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