Literacy is about reading and thinking…
Prof. María Teresa Manteo
mmanteo@supportlearning.com.ar
June 5 is World Environment Day and June 25 is the acclaimed children’s author and illustrator Eric Carle birthday anniversary. An awareness month that brings with it the promise of an environmental literacy project.
So why not read, think and talk it over?
“I speak for the trees, for the trees have no tongues…Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better. It’s not.” --Dr. Seuss, The Lorax
Suggested activities for an environmental literacy project:
Read “The Mountain that loved a Bird” by Alice McLerran, illustrated by Eric Carle.
This book shows how the power of love can turn a bleak mountain into a habitat for migrating birds to choose and stay.
This book can be springboard for the exploration of colour and line as featured by Touch the Author Workshops, as well as trigger for a study on the life of migratory birds.
- Migratory Birds Project
Start the project encouraging children to keep a Bird-watching Journal. Stimulate them to perceive colours, movements and bird singing.
To do research just right for kids, visit: Dialogue for Kids on Bird Migration
Enjoy National Geographic Birding Photo Artgallery and Bird Illustrations
Watch a video on Tundra migration birds
Birdwatching in Argentina http://www.camacdonald.com/birding/saargentina.htm
At a later stage in the project, ask students if they have lately seen birds “fall from the sky”, and discuss the connection between this and environmental contamination.
Effects of Air Pollution on Birds
Throughout the project, encourage them to use their journal to write about their findings on the topic, as well as draw and doodle thoughts and feelings. At the end of the project, ask them to draw conclusions and make a personal response on the topic.
- Watch “The Lorax” video, based on Dr Seuss´ book, which is an ecological fable on man’s greedy logging. Dr Seuss coined the term “Truffula Trees” to refer to the trees that were being cut down non-stop, and invented the Lorax, a small, whiskery character who “speaks for the trees” because “ trees have no voices.”
Visit Dr Seuss’ official site and read more about the life of this author who simply wanted his books to make children read and think. The author’s bio is a must-read for teachers!
- Earth's Clock by Laura Burns
In this poem the author clearly draws a timeline of the different stages in the evolution of planet Earth. Ask students to make a:
Poem Board illustrating the different stages in Earth’s Clock by Laura Burns, or any artwork of their own inspired by this poem. Focus on the closing lines to reflect on our responsibility:
- “In the thirty seconds man's walked the earth
See what he's managed to do.
Earth's clock continues ticking;
The rest is up to you.” - Laura Burns
More Books with a green message from Barefoot Books:
WHOLE WORLD – Fun Eco Activities by Cristopher Corr
THE ANIMAL BOOGIE Illustrated by Debbie Harter and sung by Fred Penner
THE BEEMAN by Laurie Krebs and Valeria Cis
WHAT´S THIS? A SEED STORY by Caroline Mockford
WINTER SHADOW by Richard Knight and Richard Johnson
Biodata
María Teresa Manteo holds a degree as an English Teacher for Primary and Secondary School from the Lenguas Vivas Teachers' Training College, where she also completed a post-graduate course in English Literature. She has obtained a Further Professional Studies Certificate in Education Management from the University of Bristol UK as well as a Practitioner's Certificate in Neurolinguistic Programming Applied to Education.
She has taught Literature at IGCSE and International Baccalaureate levels and lectured for various publishers of English reading materials. As Support Learning Educational ConsultancyDirector, she trains teachers in affective methods in the teaching of reading and writing. She also runs SL educational programme Touch the Author Workshops for Children and Adolescents as well as their new arts project in Spanish Arte y Lectura.
For 2012 we have a host of educational workshops based on outstanding books that deserve a special corner in our Literature in the Arts programme for children and adolescents.
In this issue we will be highlighting two literary jewels, one for kinder and the other for primary school, as well as a Paul Klee visual arts project for pre-teens and adolescents.
Touch the Author programme has over twenty workshops on offer at the moment!
Rock & Roll with Pete the Cat
artperformance/ workshop optional *- K1-3 to G1
Based on Pete the Cat: I Love My White Shoes &
Rocking in My School Shoes
Musician Author: Eric Litwin
Illustrator: James Dean
Book Talk:
Pete the Cat takes us on a hilarious walk in his amazing shoes, to the beat of rock & roll and his cool “I like my ...shoes!”
You will find:
- Dazzling artwork in the shape of a cobalt blue happy cat strolling down the streets in search of adventure.
- Positive outlook on accidental walking into mud puddles. It can be fun!
- A musical story to teach colours and school words.
Interesting Fact:
Pete the Cat had been James Dean’s staple art in art galleries for more than ten years when musician Eric Litwin accidentally met artist him on the Atlanta streets and shouted: “Hey! I wrote a story and just recorded a song for Pete the Cat!” James thought to himself this man with wild hair and rumpled clothing was just another crazy guy wandering the streets but he did not dawdle at the idea. And that is how a powerful partnership started!
SL Workshop
SL facilitator leads children on the strings of her groovy guitar, beckoning them to enjoy James Dean’s dazzling illustrations & Eric Litwin’s musical story about a very happy cat! Interactive Singing and a Love of Books all in one session!
*Hands-on: Working on vibrant colour to create a special cartoon character. Mural.
Me and the Universe Workshop Grades 2 to 5
artperformance/ workshop optional*
Based on How to Catch a Star & The Way Back Home
By Oliver Jeffer
Book Talk
You will find:
- Two stories about a boy who sets out on a quest to make his dreams come true: catching a star and befriending a Martian.
- Spectacular blend of intense water-colour to create suggestive settings for a young mind that probes the vastness of the universe.
Interesting Fact:
Oliver Jeffer’s concern with the cosmos and quantum mechanics is visible in his minimal art with facial expressions flitting across spherical heads like the phases of the moon. His art is very interesting to contemplate as it is a subtle reminder that we are tiny specks in a vast ocean of stars.
SL Workshop
Drawing on physical theatre and clowning, SL Facilitator unfolds these two titles by multiple award-winner Oliver Jeffer, about the power of friendship and freedom. Catching a star and befriending a Martian are themes that will easily tap into children’s desire to reach out for heaven. An encounter with hope, imagination and outer space!
*Hands-on: Use of geometric art and shadow, to portray the interconnectivity between man and the Universe.
The Visual Arts and Media
The Poetry of Colour in Paul Klee
Workshop Grades 4 & 6
Art Talk
Paul Klee’s love of music and richness of artistic resources made him one of the most original painters of all times. His highly individual style was influenced by movements in art that included expressionism, cubism, and surrealism.
SL Workshop
Children are led by SL facilitator on a journey through the fascinating painter’s life: Paul Klee would sprint for his paintbrushes to capture a breathtaking sunset, and dance to the rhythm of his vigorous brushstrokes. Links with music and fun cartoons about his life.
Hands-on: Children work on the colour of words and their names. Mural.
Music and Colour in Paul Klee
Workshop Grades 7 to 12
Colour Theory and Optic illusions. The elements of music Paul Klee’s art. Links with music and poetry. Hands-on: Students create a mural mosaic of colours triggered by music and poetry.
www.supportlearning.com.ar
For more information, please contact: Prof. María Teresa Manteo info@supportlearning.com.ar 011 4503 0605
Biodata
María Teresa Manteo holds a degree as an English Teacher for Primary and Secondary School from the Lenguas Vivas Teachers' Training College, where she also completed a post-graduate course in English Literature. She has obtained a Further Professional Studies Certificate in Education Management from the University of Bristol UK as well as a Practitioner's Certificate in Neurolinguistic Programming Applied to Education.
She has taught Literature at IGCSE and International Baccalaureate levels and lectured for various publishers of English reading materials. As Support Learning Educational ConsultancyDirector, she trains teachers in affective methods in the weaving of reading writing and the arts. She also runs SL educational programme Touch the Author Workshops for Childrenand Adolescents as well as their new arts project in Spanish Chicos Ilustrados.
SUPPORT LEARNING facilitators running Touch the Author workshops are professionals whose educational philosophy is in complete consonance with affective methods in education. Team players come from different fields of the Arts and are well-versed in holistic strategies which honour the learner as a whole.
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