Dawn Renee Stephens's Blog, page 10

What is fruit of the Spirit? Explore Six Developments to Producing it.

What is fruit of the Spirit?

The fruit of the spirit is qualities that are possessed by God’s Holy Spirit. When Christians allow the Holy Spirit into their lives, these qualities are produced. They are referred to as “fruit” because they take time to grow and can reproduce or multiply just as fruit does.

Fruit of the Spirit Bible Verse

In Galatians 5:22-23, Paul lists the fruit as Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness, and Self-Control.

Six Developments to Produce the Fruit of the Spirit

In the story of  The Little Pot, a vessel is created by a potter and goes on a journey to discover why it was made. Eventually, it learns that the potter wants to grow fruit (strawberries) from it. The developments that happen within Little Pot mirrors steps we can each take to allow God to produce the fruit of the Spirit through us.

1. Your Unique Identity

We can be confused about our identity in today’s world. Society’s attempt at giving us a choice. For example, gender identity is now defined as something different than the sex assigned based on physical characteristics at birth.  Even though most children will label themselves as a boy or girl before their third birthday, our society has used the likes and dislikes of play, hairstyle, dress, and such characteristics to label them as different genders. In fact, if you do a google search for a gender list, you will find over 72 different types of gender that people can now claim to be. Male and female are only two.

Even if you are not confused by gender identity, there are many other ways we seek to become something. Many people find their identity in the career they choose. Just as Little Pot searched for identity in the things the potter gave it to hold, we find our identity is in the jobs we have or the roles we play. For instance, we may be a mother, a father, a nurse, an engineer. Each of these may be how we explain our own unique identity.

Before producing fruit, Little Pot discovered that it was a vessel made by the potter. If we understand that God, our potter, made us exactly the way He wanted us to be, we have developed the first step we will need for Him to use us to produce the fruit of His Spirit.

first, know the potter made you exactly as He wanted2. Humility vs Pride

Humus soil is the part of the soil that is best for growing things. Likewise, we get the word humility from the Latin word humus. So, just as Little Pot contains humus, we need to contain humility. Manure and dead things make organic matter which is in good soil. The things that make humus soil (manure and dead things) help us to be humble.

Manure:

We often describe the bad things that happen in our lives as manure (or another word that means manure). Does God allow bad things to happen to us? Why? One reason is that it makes us humble. We grow when we experience tough circumstances because we want things to get better. Likewise, we are able to help someone else who is going through rough times too.

Dead Things:

Throughout scripture God asks us to die to ourselves so that we can He can live through us. The connection is that we choose to put God above ourselves. We put others above ourselves too.  What are some things that we may need to “put to death” so Jesus can live through us?

the 2nd step is to contain humility3. Seed of God’s Word

In Matthew and Luke, after Jesus tells the parable of the sower, He states that the seed is God’s Word. We can plant God’s Word in our hearts by reading and memorizing scriptures.

step 3 is to plant God’s Word in our hearts

4. Have Integrity

No one ever notices the stem. They never look at a plant and say, “Wow, that’s a nice stem.” They notice the leaves, the flower, and the fruit. Moreover, no one really notices our integrity. They will notice the things our integrity supports if we are trustworthy and honest. Stems provide support for the plant and hold leaves, flowers, and fruit above the ground. In addition, good integrity provides support for us too. A small crack in the stem can damage the plant. Naturally, a small crack in our integrity will keep us from growing good character. Also, Proverbs tells us that a person of integrity is straight and upright. A strong stem will grow straight and upright too.

the 4th step is to have integrity5. Build Healthy Relationships

The leaves take light and turn it into food for the plant. A process that is known as photosynthesis. With strong integrity, we will form relationships. These relationships can ‘feed’ us with the light of Christ. Without the leaves, the plant cannot grow and bear fruit. Without strong Godly relationships, we cannot grow and bear the fruit of the Spirit.

If a leaf is no longer green and is wilted, it is not absorbing light and producing food for the plant. It can even pull the nutrients away from the part of the plant that is growing. When this happens to a leaf, it will eventually fall off the plant. In the same way, a friend or person that is not providing us with the light of Jesus may be removed from a part of our life so we can grow more fruit. It is important that we build relationships that will absorb the light of Jesus.

the 5th step is to build healthy relationships6. Bloom Knowledge

We can find similarities between a flower and knowledge. First, flowers create nectar that attracts bees, butterflies, and other insects. Just as our knowledge attracts others too. Secondly, pollinators are searching for nectar in the flower. As Proverbs 2:2-6 tells us, we should also search for knowledge. Another similarity is that pollen lands on the insects as they come and go. Consequently, insects leave the pollen wherever they go. Knowledge lands on us as we study, and we leave some of that knowledge wherever we go.

Next, it takes all the parts of the flower to make seeds and reproduce. Likewise, we cannot gain new knowledge on our own.  Lastly, flowers share their pollen with other flowers. Therefore, it is important to share our knowledge with others. Pollen propagates the development of the seed, and our knowledge should propagate God’s Word. Flowers pollinate during different seasons and at different times just as we each gain new knowledge and learn at our own rate.

step 6 is to bloom knowledgeFruit of the Spirit is Love Joy Peace

These are the six developments that produce fruit (Strawberries within Little Pot, and the fruit of the Spirit within us). The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.

Get a FREE Fruit-Bearing Cycle and Posters!

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How to Teach Decay and Growth with Peter Peter Pumpkin Eater Lyrics

Decay and Growth

Understanding the process of decay and how it leads to new growth is an important science concept that young children need to learn. Watching a pumpkin decay is a common way for them to discover this process. Carving a pumpkin and then placing it on your porch will lead to discoveries of how it molds and decays. We often throw it away, however, instead of allowing it to become compost. This year, take a pumpkin (carved or not) to a place in your yard or garden where your child or students can watch the decaying process. Create a notebook to record what you see, smell, and feel as you observe what happens to the pumpkin over time.

Peter Peter Pumpkin Eater Lyrics

Who loves pumpkins more than Peter Peter? If you are familiar with the old nursery rhyme of Peter Peter Pumpkin Eater, you know that Peter puts his wife in a pumpkin shell. The original lyrics of the Mother Goose Rhyme go like this:

Peter Peter Pumpkin Eater, had a wife and couldn’t keep her.

He put her in a pumpkin shell and there he kept her very well.

-Mother Goose

Using this traditional rhyme and idea, Dawn Stephens Books has created a book that illustrates the decay and growth process of a pumpkin. In the tale, Peter Peter and his wife are squirrels. Peter loves eating pumpkins so much, that he wants his wife to live inside one. However, she cannot stay in the pumpkin because it decays. The lyrics to Peter Peter Pumpkin Eater in this version explain what happens to the pumpkin in the process.

Lyrics to Peter Peter Pumpkin Eater teach children about the decay and growth of a pumpkin.

Pumpkin Decay and Growth

The pumpkin decay makes great compost and can fertilize the growth of a new pumpkin.

Lastly, Peter and his wife discover that the rotten pumpkin is valuable after all. A vine, then a flower, and eventually a new pumpkin grows.

In Peter-Peter Learns About Decay and Growth, Peter and his wife discover that decay is a part of the process.Pumpkin Life Cycle Worksheet

To get you started with learning about the decay and growth of a pumpkin, Peter and his wife have some FREE Activities. Fill out the form below and we will send you a Pumpkin Life Cycle Worksheet, a Vocabulary Worksheet, and a Journal page to document the decomposition of a pumpkin.

Subscribe for your FREE pumpkin life cycle worksheet and other activities here.

Peter-Peter Learns About Decay and Growth can be purchased on Teachers Pay Teachers or here.

The post How to Teach Decay and Growth with Peter Peter Pumpkin Eater Lyrics appeared first on DawnStephensBooks.

How to Teach Children Timely Routines Using Words to Hickory Dickory Dock

Words to Hickory Dickory Dock

The traditional words to Hickory Dickory Dock are:

Hickory Dickory Dock

The mouse ran up the clock

The clock struck one,

The mouse ran down

Hickory Dickory Dock

-Mother Goose Rhymes

Teaching About Timefollow Hickory, the Mouse through his daily activities

Young children have little concept of time. You may hear them say” yesterday” or “last week” for a previous event they remember. They may use these terms without any understanding of how long ago something took place. That is completely normal and developmentally appropriate. Consequently, it is good to keep a calendar displayed and review important days and events each month. This is important as they are beginning to gain an understanding of time.

Grasping routines and daily schedules can be easier. For example, as children follow daily routines they are learning that different events happen at different times. For instance, they may wake up, eat breakfast, brush their teeth, have lessons, eat lunch, take a nap, play, eat dinner, take a bath, and share a bedtime story. By providing a list of the things they will do each day, preschoolers gain a sense of security by learning that time is predictable.

teaching the why in telling timeActivities for Hickory Dickory Dock

Once a child becomes comfortable knowing schedules and routines, it is a great time to implement clock images to the chart. Make sure to include images of both an analog clock and a digital clock. Our world has digital clocks everywhere. However, analog clocks are rarely used. Having young children read analog clocks even just for hourly time is important and will set them up for success as they get older and learn how to count seconds and minutes too.

Lastly, Hickory, the Mouse Learns About Time is a great little book to read with your child. You can download this resource, print it, or read it together on your computer or phone. You will be able to follow Hickory through his day and view an analog and digital clock in each illustration.

a daily schedule with clock illustrations

You can create a clock schedule for your child or download a FREE one here.

Hickory, the Mouse Learns About Time can be purchased on Teachers Pay Teachers or here.

The post How to Teach Children Timely Routines Using Words to Hickory Dickory Dock appeared first on DawnStephensBooks.

How to know if your baby shower gift amount is right.

What is the correct baby shower gift amount?

A baby shower gift amount can range from $10 to $500. Therefore, it is very hard to know how much you should spend on a baby gift when planning to go to a shower. If you are a relative or a very close friend of the mother or father, you may feel the need to spend more. The mom-to-be is aware that not everyone will have the same amount of money to spend on gifts and will usually put a variety of items at different price points on the registry. Registries have gotten better by including different stores where an item can be purchased. They also allow the buyer to ship directly to the recipient and will save you money by not having to ship it yourself. Babylist.com is an excellent registry to use.

How much should you spend?Is it better to be practical or special with your baby shower gift amount?

There is sure to be a great aunt who will crochet a blanket, outfit, or booties. I got a blanket at my first shower that was made from the ribbons used as pew bows at my wedding. It was very, very special and I still have it today. Home-made gifts are incredibly thoughtful and always the most unique. However, today’s parents-to-be may be more appreciative of practical gifts that they know they will need. Blending practical and unique can be a challenge.

So what type of gift is best? Everyone loves to shop for cute baby clothes. Consequently, at some baby showers, there have been more clothes than one baby could possibly wear. Diapers and wipes are so needed and expensive if you are the parent buying them every week. I’ve bought a box of diapers, only to see my gift stacked with the other ten boxes of diapers already opened. Then there are so many new convenient gizmos for parents and babies. You may want to be the one to buy the latest and greatest gift item available. Then you may wonder if the parents will really use it as much as they think. Ultimately, we think that a book makes the best gift for a baby shower. It is unique and practical at the same time. It also can be just the right amount of money.

Choose a book with a special message.A book can be the thing that is just the right baby shower gift amount.

Books come at all different prices and children just cannot have too many. You could give a book that was your favorite when you were young. You could spend very little or even zero dollars if you are willing to part with one from your own house or find what at a book exchange shop. The book may also spark a theme and give you ideas of other items you can buy to go with it. If you choose to give The Little Pot, filling a clay pot with baby items is a great way to make the gift stand out and be remembered.

The Little Pot book as a baby shower giftWhat to write in book for Baby Shower.

Furthermore, It won’t matter how much or how little you’ve spent on the gift. It will be about giving something that is special. It becomes even more special when you write a personal note inside the book. Whenever I am signing a Little Pot book, I write “Be a fruit pot!” as the message before signing my name. If you are giving this book, you can do the same. I think it is a great way to share that your wish for the baby is to become a vessel through that the potter will grow the fruit of the Spirit.

write a message that goes with the book.

If you are giving a different book, try and tie the message of the book to whatever wish you have for the baby. For example, if you were to give a book like Corduroy, you might write something like “You are perfect just the way you are. You will always be my friend”. Or if you were to give a book like Harold and the Purple Crayon, you could write something like “Let your imagination take you to amazing places!” with a purple pen of course.

Little Pot helps children to become fruit pots in this FREE program. It shows children what to “hold” and how the potter can grow the fruit of the Spirit through them.

Disclosure: The links above are affiliate links, meaning, at no additional cost to you, I will earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase.

If you prefer to buy the entire set as a signed copy, go here. If you would like to schedule Dawn for a speaking engagement or author visit, go here.

The post How to know if your baby shower gift amount is right. appeared first on DawnStephensBooks.

Three Inspirational Stories about Clay and the Potter for Children

Potter and the Clay Bible Verse

In the Bible, a form of clay and potter imagery is used in ninety-two different verses. Here are a few:

Isaiah 64:8Jeremiah 18:1-23Romans 9:21Iaaiah 45:9Jeremiah 18:1-6Isaiah 29:16Jeremiah 18:4Genesis 2:72 Timothy 2:20-21Jeremiah 18:62 Timothy 2:20Romans 9:20-21Jeremiah 18:1-4Job 10:9Ephesians 2:10The Potter and the Clay Bible

In these references, the potter represents God and the clay represents humans. The imagery of God creating humans with his hands is powerful. In other instances, he spoke things into being. When he made humans, however, he formed them from clay. Many of the verses also speak of the relationship the clay and the potter have with each other. The vessels are each useful and have a specific purpose. That is why this imagery makes for great storytelling.

clay and the potter storiesClay and the Potter, Story One

In the first story, the potter creates a little vessel and gives it many different jobs. It is the Little Pot who is eager to discover its purpose. With each item the potter gives the little pot to hold, the vessel wonders if this task is the purpose for which it was created. Holding papers makes the little pot feel smart and important. Holding coins makes the little pot feel rich and powerful. However, both of these items are not what the potter allows the clay vessel to keep. Then, the potter puts dirt inside the little pot. The clay vessel now wonders even more what its purpose is. Unbeknown to the little vessel, the potter has planted something in the soil and it is beginning to grow something inside. Eventually, the plant blooms beautiful flowers. Is its purpose to be pretty and charming? Not exactly. The flowers do not last. Ultimately, they turn to fruit and the clay vessel realizes its purpose does not come through what it holds, but from what is produced through it. This clay has become a little pot that grows fruit.

We are like Little Pot because we are each a vessel made by the potter, God, to grow the fruit of the Spirit.

The Little PotStory Two

In the second story, The potter continues to grow fruit through Little Pot as he makes more vessels from clay. As other vessels are made, Little Pot watches and begins to compare himself to them. One day the potter makes a vessel that will serve a different purpose. It is a teapot. As the potter makes tea inside this clay vessel, Little Pot wonders if the teapot is better than it. The teapot boils inside and makes a delicious tea. However, when the potter continually pours out the liquid and picks the fruit, the clay vessels become frustrated with the potter. Selfishly, they desire to keep the fruit and tea. The Potter allows it and eventually the fruit rots and the tea spoils. Finally, the clay vessels realize that they need the potter and ask him to clean and prune them. He does, and the clay vessels can now serve others.

We are like Tea Pot and Little Pot because we sometimes believe that the fruit of the Spirit is for us alone. We forget that the potter, God, created us to serve others.

The Tea PotStory Three

In the third story, Tea Pot and Little Pot have learned to serve the potter and others. However, their relationship with the potter continues to grow. In this story, the potter creates a small oil lamp. The purpose of this vessel is to shine a light amongst the other vessels. The potter knows that a storm is coming and that a light is needed. The new clay vessel, however, is too shy to shine its light and hides under other vessels. When it finally does become bold enough to shine, it flares up and burns the other vessels. After hearing the stories of Little Pot and Tea Pot, however, the oil lamp has the faith it needs to shine brightly for the potter.

In this story, we can learn to be like Little Pot and Tea Pot and share our testimonies with others. We also can learn to be like Oil Lamp and shine the light that the potter, God, gives us.

The Oil LampContinuing to Learn More

There are more stories to come about different vessels and the potter. The Bible uses this imagery to help us understand that the potter, God, lovingly creates each of us, his clay vessels, for specific purposes. Still to come are stories about an oil jar and a salt vessel. Make sure you follow this blog to get notifications of these new stories.

more stories to come

Little Pot also helps children to become fruit-bearing vessels, This FREE character education program will show children what they need to “hold” and how the potter can grow the fruit of the Spirit through each of them.

Disclosure: The links above are affiliate links, meaning, at no additional cost to you, I will earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase.

If you prefer to buy the entire set as a signed copy, go here. If you would like to schedule Dawn for a speaking engagement or author visit, go here.

The post Three Inspirational Stories about Clay and the Potter for Children appeared first on DawnStephensBooks.

How to Make and Appreciate Timely Lyrics for Jack and Jill

The traditional lyrics for Jack and Jill

The traditional lyrics for Jack and Jill are:

Jack and Jill went up the hill
To fetch a pail of water;
Jack fell down and broke his crown,
and Jill came tumbling after.

Up Jack got, and home did trot,
As fast as he could caper,
To old Dame Dob, who patched his nob
With vinegar and brown paper.

– Mother Goose

The rhyme scheme

The rhyme scheme is AABCCB. This means the first and third lines contain internal rhymes, Jill/hill and down/crown, as well as got/trot, and dob/nob. Similarly, the third line has an external rhyme with the sixth line (after/water caper/paper). Although our pronunciation of water and after are not quite rhyming in sound. In Jack and Jill, each row has seven syllables. Rhymes like Little Miss Muffet also have a rhyme scheme of AABCCB but have more syllables per line.

the rhyme scheme of Jack and JillThe first lyrics for Jack and JillLyrics for Jack and Jill was first published in the 18th century.

The first Jack and Jill rhyme date back to the 18th century. Still, the rhyme continues to be seen wherever nursery rhyme and mother goose rhymes are printed today. The Mother Goose meets Mother Nature series includes a version of Jack and Jill that teaches students about water and the states of matter.

Making new lyrics

Writing new lyrics for Jack and Jill can be a fun exercise and challenge students to begin making their own poems. Firstly, they first need to think of two names. It is helpful to keep the names at one syllable each to make the number of syllables per line total seven. Therefore, a one-syllable nickname is best if the child wants to make the rhyme about themself and a friend. After that, continue with where the characters will go or what they will do. The ending word will need to rhyme with one of the names chosen. Continue thinking of words that can replace the traditional lyrics but continuing to maintain the correct number of syllables per line.

Use this template to help create your own.Examples

Sue and Joe went to a show
To watch a play with song;
Sue was glad but Joe was sad,
because musicals were long.

Ruth and Quinn can sit and spin
They both would never listen;
They loved to groove, then did move,
to a standing position.

Jade and Blake went to a lake
Deciding to rent a boat;
Only to fish, was their wish
If just they could stay afloat.

Try creating a rhyme that teaches the concepts you want your students to remember. There are endless ways you can rewrite the Jack and Jill Lyrics. In addition, Rhyme Zone can help you search for words that rhyme.

Lyrics for Jack and Jill and other nursery rhymes

Similarly, DawnStephensBooks uses the lyrics for Jack and Jill to teach about water and the three states of matter.

Jack and Jill discover the temperature is colder on top of the hill.

By following the same rhyme scheme, the Mother Goose Meets Mother Nature series of books are easy for children and teachers to read. You can purchase it here or in our TpT store.

The Mother Goose Meets Mother Nature series

In conclusion, the lyrics for Jack and Jill follow a common pattern that helps children learn and remember new material.

Disclosure: The links above are affiliate links, meaning, at no additional cost to you, I will earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase.

The post How to Make and Appreciate Timely Lyrics for Jack and Jill appeared first on DawnStephensBooks.

Water in the Three States of Matter is Easily Taught to Young Children

What is the three states of water?

Water in the three states of matter is an easy way for young children to learn about the changes between

SolidLiquidGas

We refer to the three states of matter in water as three completely different things. Water is what we call the most common state of the substance which is its liquid form. When water is in its solid form, we say “ice” instead of “solid water.” When it is in its gas form, we refer to it as steam or vapor. Consequently, young children may know this vocabulary without realizing that all three forms are actually water. Therefore, helping them to make this discovery can be an exciting lesson.

A model of a water molecule (H2O)

The first step is to help a child understand that water is made of something called molecules. We cannot see these because they are way too small. Water is also called H2O because the water molecule consists of 2 hydrogen atoms and 1 oxygen atom. Typically the model is pictured with the oxygen atom being red and the hydrogen atoms being white or blue. The oxygen atom is larger because it has electrons. While explaining electrons, hydrogen, and oxygen may be more information than necessary at this stage, using the correct shape will serve them well later in life.

You may want to build a molecule model with them using gumdrops and toothpicks. You may also have building toys that you can use too. For example, see the links provided below.

Water in Three States of Matter – LiquidWater in the liquid state.

In the liquid state, the molecules are packed together and move freely. When children are playing in a pool or pouring water, talk with them about how the liquid moves. It will take the shape and fill whatever container it is in. Similarly, if it does not have a container, it moves freely. This can occur if they spill their water.

Water in Three States of Matter – Solid Water in the solid-state.

When water is in the solid-state the molecules are packed together. They are fixed and cannot move. This is why solids have their own shape. Freezing ice cubes in different shape containers will help a child to see that once the water becomes solid, the shape will not change.

Water in Three States of Matter – Gas Water in its gas state.

When water is in the gas state the molecules separate even more and fly around very fast. Boiling water and watching the steam rise will help the child see water in this state. Humidifiers can also be a great way to show children what the gas state of water looks and feels like.

What Causes Water to Change?

Ask your child what do they think caused the water to change from a liquid to a solid and a liquid to a gas? Why is the solid water, or ice, cold? What happens to it once it is not in the freezer and gets warmer? Putting the liquid water over a fire or on the stove causes what? What do they think the humidifier is doing to the liquid water inside the machine? Once you think the child has an understanding of water in the three states of matter, ask them to explain to you.

Hot and cold temperatures cause water to change the state of matter.Lyrics to Jack and Jill

The nursery rhyme of Jack and Jill is a great way to teach about water in the three states of matter.

In this creative teaching resource by Dawn Stephens Books, Jack and Jill go up a mountain to fetch a pail of ice and snow. When they return, however, the ice has melted and is now in liquid form. They discover it is the temperature that changes the states of matter. By applying even more heat, they are able to create steam.

Jack and Jill discover the temperature is colder on top of the hill.

If you searching for easy-to-read text that can help your preschoolers, kindergarteners, or first-grade students learn about water, you will want to have this book. Dawn Stephens has masterfully created a resource that contains new lyrics to the Mother Goose rhyme of Jack and Jill. Your students will memorize the text with ease and then be able to track the words in the book. Therefore, this printable guided reading book and PowerPoint eBook Show will help students learn to read too. You can purchase it here or in our TpT store.

After the lesson, reinforce the information with this video.

Disclosure: The links above are affiliate links, meaning, at no additional cost to you, I will earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase.

The post Water in the Three States of Matter is Easily Taught to Young Children appeared first on DawnStephensBooks.

How to Successfully Teach 5 Groups of Food through the Nursery Rhyme Jack Sprat

5 Groups of Food and the Food Group Pyramid

Over the years, there have been many resources to explain the 5 groups of food and the food pyramid. When I began teaching in the early 90s, we moved from teaching about food groups to teaching the food pyramid. Originally the groups totaled four.

They were:

The MIlk GroupThe Meat GroupThe Fruits and Vegetables GroupThe Bread GroupThe original 4 food groups: meat group. milk group, fruit & vegetable group, and bread group

In 1992, the food pyramid was introduced. It attempted to classify the groups. It included six groups on four levels:

A “base” 5 of grains and carbohydrates recommending 6–11 servings of bread, rice, pasta, etc. Above the grains was fruit (2–4 servings) and vegetables (3–5 servings). Then the dairy group (2–3 servings) and the protein group, including meat, eggs, nuts, and beans (2–3 servings). Finally, at the very top of the pyramid sat the fats group. In the 1990s Jack Sprat and his wife used the food pyramid as a guide.

This model actually encouraged us to eat more carbs and people gained weight. Therefore, the pyramid got a makeover in 2005. It was turned on its side and now included a running man to emphasize exercise along with diet. Even though it now included specific serving sizes, it still did not encourage healthy food choices.

My Plate Categories and 5 Groups of Food

In 2011, the USDA developed My Plate. The five groups that exist in this model are

FruitsVegetablesDairyGrainsProteinIn 2011 we were introduced to MyPlateMy Plate Gov

The USDA has provided a public resource known as My Plate. Their graphics illustrate the food groups in a simple way.

None have been as easy to read and enjoyable as this Mother Goose Meets Mother Nature book. This resource includes graphics from myplate.gov. You will love this beautifully illustrated printable book and eBook of Jack Sprat.

Jack Sprat explains to his wife that her diet is lacking protein using MyPlate as a guideJack Sprat and his Wife

You probably know that “Jack Sprat would eat no fat and his wife would eat no lean”.

But, what did they eat? It is not a problem for Jack to not eat the fat because he still ate lean meat. He was still getting protein. His wife, however, did not eat even lean meat. She was missing protein from her diet. Jack has the solution. He explains to his wife that if she will eat nuts or beans, she will still get the protein she needs to have a balanced diet.

Jack helps his wife get protein without eating meat.Nursery Rhyme Jack Sprat

The nursery rhyme of Jack Sprat is a great way to teach young children about good nutrition.

In this creative teaching resource by Dawn Stephens Books, Jack Sprat and his wife eat fruits, vegetables, bread, milk, and cheese. They learn how to eat healthily. In other words, this book will help children know what should be in the meals they eat too.

If you searching for easy-to-read text that can help your preschoolers, kindergarteners, or first-grade students learn about good nutrition, you will want to have this book. Dawn Stephens has masterfully created a resource that contains new lyrics to the Mother Goose rhyme of Jack Sprat. Your students will memorize the text with ease and then be able to track the words in the book. Therefore, this printable guided reading book and PowerPoint eBook Show will help students learn to read too.

The post How to Successfully Teach 5 Groups of Food through the Nursery Rhyme Jack Sprat appeared first on DawnStephensBooks.

Seven Hard Positional and Opposite Words Hidden in Lyrics for Humpty Dumpty

In these lyrics for Humpty Dumpty, students will learn what is positional words and what is opposite words.

What is Positional Words

Positional Words are typically taught in preschool and kindergarten. They are words that describe the location of something with respect to another object. Without an understanding of opposites, children may have a harder time understanding these words. Youtube offers videos and songs that encourage preschoolers to sing about prepositions of place.

New lyrics from Humpty Dumpty teach children about positional words and opposites.Lyrics for Humpty Dumpty teach What is Opposite Words

Opposite words are two words with completely different meanings. We can find opposite words within any part of speech. They can be nouns, verbs, adjectives, or adverbs. For this reason, opposites are a much broader concept than positions. Therefore, understanding opposites can be more difficult for young children. It is important to realize that learning what opposite words are is different than understanding positions. However, they go together. If a child is able to demonstrate and describe opposite positions, their understanding of the concept is growing.

Printable and eBook provides activities for positional words

In the book, Humpty Dumpty Learns About Positions, the lyrics include seven different groups of these words. Students enjoy reading and reciting a familiar rhyme while gaining knowledge of how these words are used. The seven positional and opposite words kids learn in this version of Humpty Dumpty are:

on – offover – underin – outleft – rightabove – belowfast- slowaround – toActivities for Positional WordsUse this Humpty Dumpty eagle on a popsicle stick to show students positional words

The best activities for positional words should engage students in the demonstration. Get students active and use their behaviors as a way to assess if they understand the words. It is important to remember that their ability to demonstrate the positions and recognize them in others are two different skills. Young children may be able to describe that they are above something without seeing that someone else is also above the item.

Print, cut, and glue on a popsicle stick to use with activities for positional words

First, find an item such as a small stuffed animal, a pencil, or, the picture of Humpty Dumpty below printed and secured on the end of a popsicle stick. Then, ask the students to put the item over their heads. Next, ask them to put the item under their chair. Repeat the directions using other positional words from the list. Then ask the student to be the teacher and give you the directions while watching you place the object in the correct position.

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The post Seven Hard Positional and Opposite Words Hidden in Lyrics for Humpty Dumpty appeared first on DawnStephensBooks.

Six New and Fun Nursery Rhyme Lyrics Sure to Teach Science to Children

Nursery Rhyme Lyrics are a Great way to Learn

If you teach preschool, kindergarten, first, or even second grade, you know how easy it is for children to memorize rhymes. You probably already use a lot of songs and rhymes to help your children remember new information. Nursery Rhyme lyrics have been a part of education for centuries. In this post, I want to highlight six specific rhymes and science lessons that we have used as a basis for some creative teaching resources.

1. Nursery Rhyme Lyrics to Jack and Jill Teach Children About Water

In the traditional lyrics of this rhyme, Jack and Jill go up a hill to fetch a pail of water. In our version, Jack and Jill hike up a huge hill that is more like a mountain. They go high enough that they are not filling their pails with water, but with snow and ice. The background setting for this book is Zermatt, Switzerland. I took photos of the Matterhorn mountain during a vacation there in July of 2019. There are several more photos and videos of this spectacular place online as well. We actually visited Gornergrat and rode on the Cog Railway. Views of the Matterhorn were breathtaking and we were able to see the glaciers and ice at the top while feeling the summer heat at the bottom.

The fun and new lyrics in this version of Jack and Jill teach children about the three stages of water. They fetch ice, but when they return back down the mountain, they discover the ice has melted to water. Discovering that it is temperature that changes the state of the water, they apply more heat, boil the liquid and make steam.

New lyrics for Jack and Jill that teach students about the three stages of water.2. The New Nursery Rhyme Lyrics in Mary Had a Little Lamb will Teach Children About Animals

This classic nursery rhyme is said to be based on true events. In the traditional rhyme, the lamb’s wool is referred to as fleece. Helping a child to learn about fleece and wool is a great start to children learning about different animal coverings. In our version, Mary has one lamb. Then she has two snakes, and finally three birds. The book purposely follows a sequential order of 1, 2, and 3, so that children will be inspired to continue the pattern with additional numbers and other animals. The three types of animals chosen (a lamb, snakes, and birds) were selected to illustrate fur, scales, and feathers. In science, children discover that God created animals with different coverings for the purpose of adapting each species to different habitats. This book pictures different landscapes to help children identify not just an animal’s body covering, but its habitat as well.

Mary Had a Little Lamb lyrics that teach children about different animal coverings.3. Humpty Dumpty Lyrics Teach Children About Positional Words

In the traditional lyrics of Humpty Dumpty, an egg is sitting and falling off a wall. In our version, the egg is a baby eagle and is sitting on a very high ledge where an eagle nest is located. The eggs are baby eagles or eaglets. The new text teaches children positional words that are also opposites. Children need to understand and use these words in Science so they are able to describe the relationships that objects have to one another and the perspective of their observations. In the story, Humpty decides to go out of the nest and hang his feet over the edge, The other eggs want Humpty to get back in the nest. But, Humpty breaks out of his shell, and flies above, under, and around. Not only does Humpty learn positional words, but he also motivates children to try their best.

New lyrics from Humpty Dumpty that teach children about positional words and opposites.4. The Lyrics to Little Miss Muffet Teach Children About Spiders

The traditional lyrics of Little Miss Muffet have a very interesting theory about who Miss Muffet’s father was. Our book lyrics teach children the difference between a spider and an insect. They learn about the specific number of body parts for each. They also learn the number of legs and eyes for spiders and insects. The idea that Miss Muffet observes and studies are also important scientific skills that children can learn. These illustrations have Miss Muffet using books and a magnifying glass to gain new information about her bug friends.

5. Jack Be Nimble Teaches Children About Shadows

Instead of jumping over a candlestick, Jack is trying to jump over his shadow. Before Jack can understand if he is able to jump over his shadow, he first must learn the science of where shadows come from. The lyrics within this rhyme teach students what makes a shadow and that it must move with its source. A great activity after reading this book is to take the children outside and see if they can jump their shadows. Another fun activity is to shine a light behind the students on a wall, play some upbeat music, and invite each student to dance with their own shadow.

New lyrics to Jack Be Nimble that teach children about how shadows are made.6. Jack Sprat Lyrics teaches Children About Good Nutrition

In the lyrics to this nursery rhyme, Jack Sprat ate no fat and his wife would not eat lean. Our lyrics take this rhyme further to introduce Jack, his wife, and your students to the different food groups. In this text, children learn about the food pyramid and exactly what a healthy diet should include. Mrs. Sprat prepares a well-balanced meal for Jack that includes meat, milk, cheese, fruit, vegetables, and bread. Because Mrs. Sprat will not eat the meat, Jack explains that she is missing important protein, and offers her nuts and beans as a substitute. The new lyrics help children learn and understand the science behind a healthy and nutritious diet.

New lyrics for Jack Sprat that teach children about nutrition.

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