EARLY LITERACY ACTIVITY GUIDE -...

T H E M E :

Stars and

the Sky

A howerA Showerof Starsof Stars

E A R LY L I T E R A C Y A C T I V I T Y G U I D E

Welcome to the World of BETWEEN THE LIONS! 1

How to Use This Guide 2Stories to Watch and to Read Aloud 2

Theme: Stars and the Sky 3

Literacy Skills 3

The Building Blocks of Preschool Literacy 4

Enjoying and Understanding Books 4

Building Vocabulary 4

Learning about Letters and Words 4

Playing with the Sounds of Language 4

Exploring Concepts of Print 4

Active Viewing and Listening 5Learn to Read—Watch TV? 5

Read Aloud Tips 5

Watch the Story 6Before Watching 6

As You Watch 7

After Watching 7

Read Aloud 8Before Reading 8

As You Read 8

After Reading 9

Learning Centers 10Art 10

Dramatic Play 11

Science 11

Library 12

Writing 13

Wish Upon a Star 14Star Poem 14

Star Name Chant 14

Star Mobiles 14

Word Play 15Rhymes with Star 15

Rhyming Basket 15

Star Tongue Twister 15

Sing a Song 16Introduce the Song 16

Song Chart 16

“Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star” 17

Family Connections 18Stargazer Night 18

Family Letter (English) 19

Family Letter (Spanish) 20

Pictures in the Sky Activity Sheet 21

Resources 22

Glossary 24

Credits 25

Tableof Contents

1

Welcome to the World

of BETWEEN THE LIONS!

BETWEEN THE LIONS is named for a family of lions—Theo, Cleo, Lionel, and

Leona—who run a library like no other. The doors “between the lions”

swing open to reveal a place where characters pop off the pages of books,

vowels sing, and words come alive.

From the beginning, BETWEEN THE LIONS has been much more than a kids’ television show. Since the series premiered on PBS in 2000, it has made an enormous difference in helping young children learn to read. Developed along with literacy experts, the series features live action, puppets, animation, songs, and humor to introduce the joys of reading and to teach the basic skills children need to learn to read. The series also has an extensive Web site (pbskids.org/lions) where you’ll fi nd more educational and fun activities.

Specifi cally designed for preschool and family child care settings, this BETWEEN

THE LIONS Early Literacy Activity Guide offers a wide variety of activities to help

make children’s fi rst steps towards literacy enjoyable, exciting, and rewarding.

A Shower of Stars Activity Guide

http://pbskids.org/lions/

2

How to Use This Guide

Stories to Watch and to Read AloudChildren become active viewers as they watch a story on the BETWEEN THE

LIONS Web site and practice active listening as they respond to a read-aloud picture book.

Read AloudOur Stars by Anne RockwellDid you know that the sun is really a star? This informational book will spark children’s curiosity and answer their questions about stars and other wonders of the night sky.

Look for Our Stars at your local library or bookstore.

Watch Together“A Shower of Stars”Theo reads Leona a lyrical story about a magical meteor shower that sends beautiful fl ashes of light across the night sky.

Watch the story with your children on the BETWEEN THE LIONS Web site at pbskids.org/lions/stories/showerstars.html.


http://pbskids.org/lions/stories/showerstars.html


3

Literacy SkillsThe activities help children develop and practice a wide range of early literacy skills, including:• active viewing and listening

• choosing books to look at alone and with a partner

• holding, handling, and caring for books

• understanding that we read English from left to right and from top to bottom

• developing oral vocabulary

• asking and answering questions

• recording information on a graphic organizer

• visualizing

• playing with rhythm, repetition, and sequence

• identifying and generating rhyming words

• associating the names of letters with their shapes and sounds

• associating spoken and written words

• listening to and identifying sounds in words

• recognizing that different words begin with the same sound

• clapping and counting syllables

• recognizing the word as a unit of print

• listening for and counting words in a sentence

• journal writing

• developing coordination and fi ne motor skills

• forming letters with different materials

This guide provides a range of whole-group, small-group, and individual activities for teachers and child care providers. Select the activities that best suit your program, your schedule, and the developmental abilities of your children.

• Preview “A Shower of Stars” on the BETWEEN THE LIONS Web site at pbskids.org/lions/stories/showerstars.html. Read Our Stars and select words and concepts to teach children. The Watch the Show and Read Aloud sections provide activities and discussion questions for before, during, and after viewing and reading.

• Encourage children to try activities in different Learning Centers—Art, Dramatic Play, Science, Library, and Writing—throughout the week.

• Extend the theme with the whole-group activities in Wish Upon a Star. Help children develop phonological awareness and concepts of print with activities in the Word Play and Sing a Song sections.

• Gather theme-related books from the Resources section and place them in the Learning Centers.

• Make copies of the Family Letter (pages 19–20) and the Pictures in the Sky Activity Sheet (page 21) to send home to families.

Theme: Stars and the SkyKids are fascinated by stars and the splendor of the night sky. This guide builds on children’s natural curiosity about stars to teach them early literacy skills. A variety of activities encourage children to ask questions that help them explore science concepts and understand the world around them. Asking questions is a strategy that helps children’s comprehension.

You can also use this Early Literacy Activity Guide to explore other themes, such as:

• the world around us

• the solar system

• bedtime songs, stories, and routines



4

Enjoying and Understanding BooksRead to children every day. Share many different kinds of books that spark children’s imagination and curiosity. Talk about what authors and illustrators do, and help children create their own books. During story time, guide children as they make predictions, ask questions, recall and retell stories in their own words, and relate stories to their own lives.

Building Vocabulary Encourage children to learn new words by reading aloud and discussing books, explaining unfamiliar words, singing and acting out songs, poems, and nursery rhymes, and talking about daily activities.

Learning about Letters and WordsHelp children recognize letters and the sounds letters make. Encourage children to shape letters with a variety of materials. Play games and sing songs with the letters in children’s names.

Playing with the Sounds of LanguageGive children the opportunity to hear and play with the different sounds of spoken language with songs, poems, and rhymes. Word play helps children understand that language is made up of words, that words are made up of beats or syllables, and that syllables are made up of separate sounds. This builds phonological awareness, which helps children become successful readers and writers.

Exploring Concepts of PrintCreate a print-rich environment for children with books, charts, labels, and signs. As you read books aloud and teach children poems and songs, show them how we read from left to right and from top to bottom. Encourage children to recognize familiar labels and signs in their environment.

As preschool teachers and child care providers, everything you do to give children engaging and meaningful literacy experiences helps prepare them to enter kindergarten ready to learn to read and to write.

The Building Blocksof Preschool Literacy


5

Learn to Read—Watch TV?Can a television show help teach children to read? Yes! BETWEEN THE LIONS, developed to help teach reading skills, is an educational tool that encourages oral language development, phonological awareness, and a love of reading.

Help children think and talk about what they are watching and learning by encouraging active viewing.

• Before viewing, tell children something about the story to capture their interest and to introduce unfamiliar words and ideas.

• While viewing, show children that you are engaged by laughing, singing, and reading the words on the screen aloud. Encourage children to sing along, sway, and clap to the music.

• Pause occasionally and ask children to talk about what they just watched and to guess what will happen next.

• Ask open-ended questions, such as, What did you think of the show? What part did you like best?

• After viewing, read aloud the featured book or another book with similar themes.

• Watch the story more than once. Children enjoy the repetition and often learn something new at each viewing.

Read Aloud TipsReading books aloud is the foundation of early literacy. While listening to stories, children learn book language and structure, new concepts, and new words.

• Read the book several times before sharing it with children. Mark the places where you would like to pause to ask questions or explain unfamiliar words.

• Talk about the cover. Point out the title, author, and illustrator. Look at and talk about the art.

• Create a context. Share a related personal experience, look at the pictures together, or ask children to predict what might happen in the story.

• Read slowly so children can understand and enjoy the rhythm of the words and explore the pictures. Hold the book so that everyone can see it.

• Add drama to your reading by using different voices and simple props. Don’t be afraid to be silly or dramatic!

• Ask open-ended questions after reading to help children think about, remember, and discuss the story.

Active Viewing and Listening


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You will need• computer with

Internet connection

• A “Shower of Stars”pbs.kids.org/lions/stories/showerstars.html

• large, precut yellow circle, markers

• large index card with the word stars written on it

Before WatchingBefore watching “A Shower of Stars,” tell children something about the show to capture their interest. Make connections between the show and children’s lives. Introduce new words, ideas, and concepts.

Introduce BETWEEN THE LIONS Tell children that they will be watching a story from a TV series called BETWEEN THE LIONS. Ask children if they have ever seen the show, and invite them to share what they know about it. Explain that the show is about a family of lions who lives in a library and loves to read and to talk about books.

Children will• practice active viewing and listening skills

• build oral vocabulary

• ask questions, express ideas and opinions

• use a graphic organizer to organize thoughts and questions

• learn about stars and the night sky

• learn that what they know and say can be written down and read

• recognize a familiar word

Preview the Show Explain that the show is called “A Shower of Stars.” In the story, a family of lions watch a meteor shower, which looks like a bright fl ash of stars falling through the night sky. Ask, What are stars? Has anyone ever seen a shooting star? What do you think a shooting star looks like? Emphasize that shooting stars are called meteors. Have children slowly repeat the word with you—me-te-ors.

Invite children to close their eyes and imagine that they are looking at the sky at night. Ask, What do you see? What sounds do you hear? How do you feel when you look at the sky at night? Encourage a wide variety of responses.

Watch the Show



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After WatchingTalk about the Story Ask open-ended questions that invite children to share their thoughts and opinions.

• What did you think of the story? What part did you like the best?

• What does the little lion see in the sky?

• What are some things that you want to know about stars?

K-W-L Star Chart Graphic organizers help children think about and remember information. They also help children understand that what they say and know can be written down and read.

Use a precut yellow circle (representing the sun), to create a three-column K-W-L Star Chart. Ask children what they know about stars. Record their responses in the “K” column. Then ask children what they want to know about stars. Record their questions in the “W” column. Explain that children will be fi nding out the answers to their questions and that you will be recording what they learn in the “L” column.

As You WatchGather children around the screen Encourage active viewing to keep children focused and engaged.

Hold up the stars word card. Trace your fi nger under the word and read it aloud. Point to and name each letter. Emphasize that the letter “s” is the fi rst and last letter in the word stars. Encourage children to look for the word stars as they watch the story.

Take It Further

• Highlight the word star or stars. Invite children to “read” the words as you read the chart aloud.

• Invite children to point to and name any letters that they know.

K W LWHAT WE KNOW

WHAT WE WANT

TO KNOW

WHAT WE LEARNED

We see stars

in the sky.

What are stars

made of?

Stars are made

of gas.


8

You will need• Our Stars by Anne

Rockwell

• a poster or large labeled picture of our solar system (see the middle spread of Our Stars)

• nine precut circles, labeled for the sun and each of the eight planets (Earth, Jupiter, Mars, Mercury, Neptune, Saturn, Uranus, Venus)

• bright scarves or streamers

• fl ashlight

Before ReadingPrereading activities build background knowledge, spark children’s interest, and prepare them for listening.

Introduce the Book Show the front cover. Explain that the front cover gives the name, or title, of a book. Tell children that Our Stars is a nonfi ction book. It tells us true things about stars.

Explain that Anne Rockwell, the author and illustrator, wrote the words and made the pictures. Ask, What do you see on the cover? What do you think the boy is pointing at?

Take a Picture Walk Look at the pictures together. Use the pictures to point out and explain the meaning of words children may not know, such as constellations, horizon, planet, orbit, solar system, comet, crater, and astronauts.

Read Aloud

Read Our Stars during story or circle time. Read it again to individuals or a small group. The book contains information that children may not grasp in one reading.

Children will• get information from a nonfi ction book

• learn book language and concepts

• ask and answer questions

• express ideas and opinions

• build oral vocabulary

• learn about stars and the solar system

• talk about what authors and illustrators do

As You ReadEncourage children to describe what they see in the pictures and to ask questions. Emphasize facts that answer children’s questions. Reread or paraphrase sections that challenge children’s understanding.

• Page 4: Point to the telescope and ask, What is the boy looking through? Explain that telescopes help us to see things that are far away.

• Page 5: Ask, What picture are the stars making here? (a lion, just like on BETWEEN THE LIONS!)

• Pages 17–18: Explain that even though meteors look like stars, they are not stars at all! They are really pieces of rock that fall through the sky.


9

After ReadingTalk about the Book Ask open-ended questions that encourage children to tell what they learned. Ask follow-up questions that invite children to expand and explain their answers.

• What did you learn about stars? Did anything surprise you?

• What are some things that we can see in the night sky with a telescope? (stars, the moon, planets, comets, meteors)

• Where have astronauts gone? Would you like to go to the moon? Why?

Revisit the K-W-L Star Chart Display the chart and review children’s questions in the “W” column. Ask, Can we answer any of our questions now? Write children’s responses in the “L” column.

Ask questions to help children realize that the chart is shaped like the sun. What shape is the chart? (a circle) What color is it? (yellow) What does it look like? (the sun) What is the sun? (a star!)

Explore Words and Their Meanings

• Show children the picture of the solar system in Our Stars. Point out the sun in the center, and the eight planets that circle or orbit around the sun. Count and name the planets. Ask, What is the name of the planet that we live on? (Earth)

• Assign eight children the role of each planet and one child the role of the sun. Distribute precut circles with the names of the sun and the planets written on them. Ask children to repeat their planet’s name with you.

• Give the remaining children brightly-colored scarves and tell them that they are comets and meteors. (Review that comets are chunks of ice that orbit the sun and form a long, bright tail when they start to melt. Meteors are pieces of rock that look like shooting stars.)

• Help the “planets” form a circle around the “sun.” Give the child playing the sun a fl ashlight. Invite the planets to orbit counterclockwise around the sun, as the sun shines its light on the planets. Invite the children playing the comets and meteors to wave their scarves as they dance around the sun.

Take It Further

• Play music, such as the Star Wars theme song or a symphony, as the children act out the solar system.

• Encourage children to clap the syllables of the planets’ names, for example, Ve-nus.

• Point out that Saturn and sun begin with the letter s. Ask, Does anyone have a name that begins with the letter s?


10

Children can do these activities in small groups, with partners, or independently. Invite children to explore the materials at each center. Name, explain, and think aloud as you model activities for children. Then encourage children to join in and interact with other children as they work and play.

Art Art inspires children to express their thoughts and feelings and expands their vocabulary with words that describe color, line, shape, and texture. Children learn about concepts of print and letters when they sign their name to their artwork.

You will need• drawing paper,

crayons, markers

• construction paper, star-shaped sponges and/or cookie cutters, paint, glue, glue tray, glitter, chalk

Night Sky Have children draw or paint pictures of the night sky. Invite children to talk about the different things in their pictures. What beautiful stars! How many are there? Let’s count them.

Star Paintings Invite children to use star-shaped sponges or cookie cutters to paint on construction paper. Children can also dip cookie cutters into a tray of glue and press them onto their paper to form star patterns. Show children how to sprinkle

Children will• use different materials for creative

expression

• develop fi ne motor skills

• develop oral vocabulary

• visualize the night sky

• write their names

glitter over the paper and tilt it gently to cover the glued areas. Shake off the excess glitter and lay the papers fl at to dry. Ask questions that invite children to talk about the different patterns they have made.

Meteor Shower Encourage children to use glitter or chalk on construction paper to create their own meteor showers. Talk to children about their pictures.

Learning Centers


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Space Explorers Decorate the area with children’s night sky artwork and pictures of outer space. Label the pictures. Include nonfi ction books about outer space (see Resources). Wrap aluminum foil around paper towel rolls to make telescopes or rocket ships, or make a space ship out of a large box. If available, include toy space ships, toy astronauts, and dress-up costumes. Encourage children to be astronauts and explore outer space! Ask, Where did you go? What did you fi nd?

Good Night! Invite children to put baby dolls or stuffed animals to bed by singing or playing lullaby music, reading books, and/or rocking the dolls. Talk to children about what they are doing. That’s a beautiful song. What do you do at home to get ready for bed?

Night Sky Mural Display nonfi ction books and pictures about stars, the night sky, and constellations (see Resources). Explain that constellations are groups of bright stars that form outlines of people, animals, or things, such as the Big Dipper. Show children pictures of the different constellations.

Invite children to make a mural of the night sky. Lay mural paper on the fl oor or a large table. Have children draw or paint stars on construction paper. Help them cut out their stars and glue or tape them onto the mural. Children may want to work together to create and name their constellations. Display the mural on the wall or the ceiling.

Science Exploring science builds children’s knowledge about the natural world. Activities help them learn new vocabulary and concepts as they describe their observations and discoveries. Children also begin to understand that they can fi nd information in books.

Dramatic Play In dramatic play, children deepen their understanding of the world around them and use language to choose roles, describe what they are doing, and ask and answer questions. Literacy props, such as labels and signs, engage children’s early reading and writing skills.

Children will• visualize and describe the night sky



Children will• use imagination to assume

different roles in dramatic play

• explore and describe the natural world

• develop vocabulary

You will need• children’s night

sky artwork (see Art Center)

• cutout pictures of the moon, sun, planets, stars, comets, and meteors

• aluminum foil, paper towel rolls

• toy space ships and astronauts, large box (optional)

• nonfi ction books about space

• baby dolls (male and female), stuffed animals, cradles, rocking chairs, bottles, blankets, books, lullaby music

You will need• mural paper,

construction paper

• drawing and painting supplies

• glue or tape, scissors


12

You will need• books about

stars and the solar system

Library Setting up an inviting and cozy place where children can look at books helps foster a love of reading. Include many different kinds of reading materials that relate to children’s interests and refl ect their cultural diversity. Add props such as puppets, stuffed animals, and fl annel boards. Encourage children to tell their own stories and act out stories they have heard.

Independent and Partner Reading When young children imitate adults and play at reading, they are engaging in book handling behaviors that are important fi rst steps in learning to read.

• Display books about stars and the solar system (see Resources). Encourage children to choose books that interest them.

• Demonstrate how to hold, handle, and care for books. Talk about the front, back, top, and bottom of a book. Show children where to begin reading and how to turn the pages. Encourage children to look at the words and the pictures.

• Read books that children select to a small group. Track print as you read to show children that in English we read from left to right and from top to bottom.

• Organize children into pairs. Have each pair select a book about stars or the solar system to look at and read together. Encourage children to take turns looking at the pages, naming something in the night sky or the solar system, and describing it. Talk to children about their book. What did you think of the book? Tell me about some things you saw.

Children will• choose books to look at alone

and with a partner

• learn how to hold, handle, and care for books

• learn that we read from left to right and from top to bottom


Learning Centers (continued)


13

Writing When children practice writing letters and words to express their ideas, they learn about concepts of print, the different functions of print, the alphabet, and phonics. Include a variety of writing materials and samples of different types of writing such as invitations, postcards, letters, lists, signs, and thank-you notes.

Letter Shaping Choose a letter from the alphabet and encourage a child to fi nd it on an alphabet strip or poster. You may want to choose the letter s for star or another letter that children are interested in learning. In the air and on paper, trace over the letter in lowercase and uppercase. Review the sound the letter makes. Have children make the letter from a variety of materials. Children can also make the letters in their names.

Write about It Think aloud as you write and/or draw something about “A Shower of Stars” or Our Stars. Then encourage children to draw and write their thoughts. Children may want to dictate their thoughts and ideas for you to write. Ask questions to help children expand their ideas. Track print as you read the dictation aloud.

Make a Wish Invite children to close their eyes and imagine seeing a star in the night sky. Ask children to think of a wish they would like to make. To help children come up with ideas, ask questions such as, What do you wish we could have for snack? What do you wish you could play outside? Give each child a large, precut star. Write children’s names, or help them write their names on one side of their star. Encourage children to draw a picture of their wish on the other side of their stars. Children may want to dictate their wish for you to write. Track print as you read the dictation aloud.

Children will• associate names of letters

with their shapes and sounds


• use a variety of writing tools to shape and write letters

• write and draw a response to a book

• understand that what we think and feel can be written down

• write their names

You will need• play dough, Wikki

Stix®, Unifi x Cubes®, pipe cleaners, fi nger paints, clay (choose one or more)

• alphabet stamps and stencils

• alphabet strip or poster

• paper and writing materials, including markers, pencils, colored pencils, crayons

• large, precut stars


14

Star PoemTeach children the poem, “Star Light, Star Bright.”

Star light, Star bright,First I see tonight,I wish I may,I wish I might,Have the wishI wish tonight.

Ask children, Have you ever made a wish on a star? Would you like to tell us what you wished for?

Star Name ChantGive each child a star with his or her name written on one side. Invite a child to stand up and display his or her star with the name side showing. Then teach children the following chant and invite them to chant with you:

Little star, little star,Who do you see?I see SimoneSmiling at me.

• Repeat the child’s name and ask her to clap out the syllables (Si-mone). Encourage children to say the name again as they clap the syllables or beats.

• Invite the child to lead the class in chanting the letters in her name—S-i-m-o-n-e. Simone!

• Give each child a chance to be a star!

You will need• chart paper and

markers

• precut stars with each child’s name written on one side (see Writing Center)

• string, transparent tape, coat hangers

• fl ashlight, lullaby or bedtime music

Children will• learn a rhyming poem about stars

• identify the letters in their names

• clap the syllables in their names

• express opinions and ideas

Wish Upon a Star

Star MobilesUse tape and string to attach children’s stars to the bottom of wire coat hangers. Hang the coat hangers from the ceiling. Pull down the window shades and turn off the lights. Play a lullaby or other bedtime music. Shine a fl ashlight on the star mobiles. As children look up at the stars, ask them to fi nd the star with their name on it and make a wish. If they want, children can share their wish with others.

Take It Further Create a rebus poem chart by replacing the word star in the Star Poem with a drawing of a star. Track print as you read the poem aloud. Invite children to chime in with the word star each time they see a star in the poem.

These whole-group activities help children develop oral language skills and extend the theme.


15

Take It Further Write and read aloud a sentence from the “K” or “L” column of the K-W-L Star Chart. Ask children to watch as you place a star-shaped sticker under each word. Invite them to count every time you place a sticker. Ask, How many words are in the sentence? Repeat with other sentences on the chart.

Rhymes with Star Have children sit in a circle and give each child a cutout star.

• Say, I’m going to say some words. If a word rhymes with the word star, I’d like you to raise your star above your head.

• Say each of the following words slowly: car, sun, jar, far, Earth.

• After each word, ask, Does this word rhyme with the word star? If it does, raise your star!

• Ask, What other words can you think of that rhyme with the word star?

Rhyming Basket Show children a basket fi lled with different objects, including a star and a toy car. Ask a child to fi nd the star. Then ask if he or she can fi nd an object that rhymes with star. Display the two objects and say them aloud with children, emphasizing the rhyme.

Star Tongue Twister Trying to say sentences that use alliteration is fun and teaches children that different words begin with the same sound. Invite children to repeat the following sentence: Silvery stars sparkle in the sky. Invite children to create their own tongue twisters.

Children will• identify and generate rhyming words

• listen for similarities and differences in sounds

• recognize that different words begin with the same sound

• recognize a word as a unit of print

• understand that sentences are made up of words

• count the number of words in a sentence

Rhyming, alliteration, and counting words in sentences build children’s phonological awareness.

Word Play

You will need• cutout stars

• basket fi lled with a star shape, a toy car, and other familiar objects

• K-W-L Star Chart (see page 7)

• star stickers

15A Shower of Stars Activity Guide

16

Introduce the SongSing “Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star” to children with joy and enthusiasm. Sing the song a few times to help children learn it. Then invite them to sing with you. Once children can sing the song, add the hand motions (see page 17).

Song ChartWrite the words to “Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star” on chart paper or poster board. As you read the song, point to each word with a star pointer. This helps children learn that print is read from left to right and from top to bottom, and that sentences are made up of words. Sing the song together and encourage children to add the hand motions.

Invite some children to do a star dance while others sing the song. Encourage them to twinkle, sparkle, shimmer, and glow like stars.

Take It Further

• Teach children additional verses or invite them to make up one of their own. (See Resources for books containing additional verses.)

• Invite children to use the star pointer to point to and say any words or letters that they recognize.

You will need• pointer (with a

star tip)

• chart paper, markers

Singing songs is a great way to build early reading skills. The song “Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star” gives children the opportunity to play with rhythm, repetition, and language patterns—skills they need to practice before they learn to read and write.

Children will• understand that the words in a song

are read from left to right and from top to bottom

• associate sounds with written words

• develop coordination and fi ne motor skills

• identify familiar letters and words

Sing a Song


17

Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star

Twinkle, twinkle, little star,(open and close fi ngers as you say each word)

How I wonder what you are!(look up and tap head with a fi nger)

Up above the world so high,(reach up to the sky)

Like a diamond in the sky.(make a diamond shape with your hands)

Twinkle, twinkle, little star,(open and close fi ngers as you say each word)

How I wonder what you are.(look up and tap head with a fi nger)


18

Encourage parents to ask their children about what they are doing and learning each day. Send home letters regularly that offer suggestions about how parents can support their children’s learning. You can send home the letter on page 19 (English) and page 20 (Spanish), along with the Pictures in the Sky Activity Sheet (page 21). Try to host several family get-togethers during the year to celebrate children’s accomplishments and to promote a sense of community.

Stargazer NightInvite family members to a special Stargazer Night. Children can come dressed in pajamas! Display children’s night sky artwork. Invite family members to tell stories about stars or teach children songs about stars in their home languages. If you have a telescope, give everyone a chance to look through it to see the wonders of the night sky.

Family Connections


19

Date

Dear Family,

This week we have been watching and talking about a story from

BETWEEN THE LIONS, a PBS television series about a family of lions who

lives in a library and loves to read. In the story, a lion family watches

a spectacular meteor shower. We have been exploring stars and other

wonders of the night sky. Here are some ways you can explore the night

sky at home with your child.

• Look at the sky with your child. Compare what you see in the sky

at night to what you see during the day.

• Sing the song “Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star” or another star song

together.

• At bedtime, read your child a book about the stars or the night sky.

• Watch the story “A Shower of Stars” on the BETWEEN THE LIONS Web

site at pbskids.org/lions/stories/showerstars.html.

You can watch BETWEEN THE LIONS at home with your child. Sing along

with the songs and talk about the show. Visit the BETWEEN THE LIONS

Web site (pbskids.org/lions) where you’ll fi nd lots of fun activities, songs,

and recommended books.




20

Fecha

Apreciada familia:

Durante esta semana, estamos viendo y hablando sobre un cuento de

BETWEEN THE LIONS, una serie de televisión en la cadena PBS que trata

sobre una familia de leones que vive en la biblioteca y que tiene gran

amor por la lectura. En el cuento, una familia de leones se trasnocha

para ver una espectacular lluvia de meteoros. Hemos estudiado

las estrellas y otras maravillas del cielo nocturno. He aquí algunas

maneras de explorar el cielo nocturno en casa con los niños.

• Juntos miren al cielo. Comparen el cielo que ven de noche con el que

vieron de día.

• Canten juntos la canción “Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star” u otra

canción que tenga que ver con las estrellas.

• Al acostarse, léale al niño un libro sobre las estrellas o sobre el cielo

nocturno.

• Vean el cuento “A Shower of Stars” en la sede en Internet de BETWEEN

THE LIONS en pbskids.org/lions/stories/showerstars.html.

Puede ver BETWEEN THE LIONS en casa con los niños. Canten cuando

suenen las canciones y hablen sobre la trama del episodio. Visiten el

sitio en inglés de BETWEEN THE LIONS en Internet (pbskids.org/lions).

Encontrarán muchas actividades divertidas y una lista de libros que

pueden disfrutar juntos.




21

Look at and talk about the picture of the Leo the Lion constellation with your child. Explain that constellations are groups of stars that form pictures in the sky. Invite your child to color the lion in the sky or draw and color his or her own star picture. Together, look at the sky on a clear night. What do you see?

Pictures in the Sky

Name


22

Folktales, Fables, Legends, and MythsCoyote Places the Stars by Harriet Peck Taylor

(Aladdin, 1997)

A retelling of a Wasco Indian story about

how Coyote arranges the stars in the shapes

of animals.

Storytelling Star: Tales of the Sun, Moon and Stars

by James Riordan (Pavilion Books, 1999)

An illustrated collection of myths and legends

about the night sky.

Story BooksHow Many Stars in the Sky? by Lenny Hort

(HarperTrophy, 1997)

A father takes his son to count the stars in the

night sky.

Star Blanket by Pat Brisson (Boyds Mills, 2003)

Dad tells his daughter about his favorite

childhood blanket. It had forty-one stars on it,

each representing a relative.

Stella the Star by Mark Shulman (Walker, 2004)

Stella tells her parents that she will be the star

in the school play. The surprise ending plays

on the double meaning of the word star.

Nonfi ction BooksThe Big Dipper by Franklyn M. Branley


Explains basic facts about the Big Dipper,

including which stars make up the constellation

and how it points to the North Star.

Comets, Meteors, and Asteroids by Seymour Simon


A look at these racing celestial bodies, with

spectacular color photographs. For older readers.

I Am a Star by Jean Marzollo (Cartwheel, 2001)

Poetic text and cut-paper illustrations explain

facts about stars.

Stars by Steve Tomecek (National Geographic, 2003)

A little boy invites us to “learn all about the

stars!” and provides answers to common

questions.

Once Upon a Starry Night: A Book of Constellations

by Jacqueline Mitton (National Geographic, 2004)

Presents ten constellations and briefl y retells

the Greek myths related to them. Includes

information about the solar system.

Our Solar System by Seymour Simon

(HarperCollins, 1992)

Describes the sun, moon, planets, asteroids,

meteoroids, and comets. For older readers, but

good for browsing by all ages.

Stargazers by Gail Gibbons (Holiday House, 1992)

Explains what stars are, how the constellations

were named, and more.

Resources


23

Stars by Seymour Simon (HarperTrophy, 1989)

Discusses the composition and characteristics of

stars, with color photographs. For older readers.

Zoo in the Sky: A Book of Animal Constellations

by Jacqueline Mitton (National Geographic

Society, 1998)

Introduces children to the constellations

that are named for animals—Leo the Lion,

the Great Bear, etc. Includes star maps that

show the constellations.

Songs, Poetry, and Rhyming BooksI Like Stars by Margaret Wise Brown (Random

House, 1998)

A simple poem describes all kinds of stars that

appear in the night sky.

The Sun, the Moon, and the Stars by Nancy Elizabeth

Wallace (Houghton Miffl in, 2003)

A collection of 33 poems about the sun, the

moon, and the stars.

There Was a Bold Lady Who Wanted a Star

by Charise Mericle Harper (Little, Brown, 2002)

In this variation on the traditional cumulative

rhyme, a feisty woman tries roller skates, a

bicycle, and even a rocket to reach a star!

Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star by Sylvia Long

(Scholastic, 2002)

Watercolor pictures of young animals gazing at

the stars and returning home to their parents

illustrate the verses of the traditional lullaby.

Resources for Teachers and CaregiversThe Complete Book of Rhymes, Songs, Poems,

Fingerplays, and Chants by Jackie Silberg and Pam

Schiller (Gryphon House, 2002)

Over 700 selections arranged alphabetically

by title. Includes a thematic, title, and fi rst-

line index.

Creating Readers: Over 1000 Games, Activities,

Tongue Twisters, Fingerplays, Songs, and Stories to

Get Children Excited About Reading by Pam Schiller

(Gryphon 2001)

A compilation of resources for the preschool

teacher and family day care provider. See also Do

You Know the Muffi n Man? and Where is Thumbkin?

by the same author.

Preschool Literacy Collection edited by Lesley Mandel

Morrow (IRA, 2009)

A series of six books on early literacy for

preschoolers.

Starting Out Right: A Guide to Promoting Children’s

Reading Success by M. Susan Burns, Peg Griffi n, and

Catherine E. Snow, editors, the National Research

Council (National Academy Press, 1999)

Offers hands-on activities to encourage

children’s interest in books and reading and

to build oral language skills. Also available

online at http://www.nap.edu.


http://www.nap.edu/

24

alliteration: The repetition of the same sound

at the beginning of words, as in Sally sells seashells

by the seashore.

book handling: Learning about the parts of a

book, including the front and back covers, the text,

and the illustrations, as well as how to hold, care

for, and handle books.

book language: Words that describe the features

of books, such as author, illustrator, title, plot,

character, setting, and dialogue.

concepts of print: 1) The different ways we use

written language, such as letters, recipes, labels,

and stories; 2) the structure of written language,

such as the space between words; and 3) the

conventions of written language, such as the way

we read from left to right and from top to bottom.

environmental print: The print at home or in the

community, including labels on food products, store

and road signs, and advertisements.

learning center: A small area in a classroom

or family child care setting that is designed

to allow children to explore materials as they

play and learn by themselves or with others.

Examples include art, dramatic play, library, and

writing centers.

modeling: An instructional approach in which

the teacher thinks aloud and demonstrates a task

before inviting children to perform it.

phonological awareness: The ability to hear,

understand, and play with the different sounds

that make up spoken words; the realization that

sentences are made up of words and that words are

made up of separate syllables.

picture walk: A prereading activity to prepare

children for listening. The teacher turns the pages

of a book from the beginning to the end and

encourages children to look at and talk about

the pictures.

rebus chart: Pictures replace key words in a song,

poem, story, recipe, etc. Adults can then read the

words as children “read” the pictures.

song or poem chart: A large chart with the words

to a song or poem so teachers can point to each

word as they read it to children.

track print: An instructional technique in which

the teacher moves a fi nger or a pointer under the

words from left to right and from top to bottom

as she or he reads a book, song chart, or other text.

visualize: A comprehension strategy that uses the

fi ve senses to imagine what something looks, feels,

tastes, smells, or sounds like.

word play: Playing with the beginning, middle,

and ending sounds of words to explore how sounds

and words work.

24

Glossary


This BETWEEN THE LIONS Early Literacy Activity

Guide was produced by the Educational Outreach

department of the WGBH Educational Foundation.

Karen Barss

Director, Educational Outreach

Sonja Latimore

Manager, Editorial Content

Cyrisse Jaffee

Editorial Project Director

Rhonda Berkower

Writer

Jill Mackay

Production Coordinator

Tyler Kemp-Benedict

Doug Scott

Designers

Mark Hoffman

Print Production

Michelle Figlar

Consultant

National Head Start Association

BETWEEN THE LIONS

Brigid Sullivan

Executive-in-Charge

Judith Stoia

Executive Producer

Christopher Cerf

Executive Producer for Sirius Thinking, Ltd.

Norman Stiles

Executive Producer for Sirius Thinking, Ltd.

Linda Rath

Curriculum Director

Beth Kirsch

Coordinating Producer/Project Director

Carol Klein

Supervising Producer

Mary Haggerty

Outreach Manager

Gay Mohrbacher

Outreach Coordinator

Credits

BETWEEN THE LIONS is produced by WGBH Boston, Sirius Thinking, Ltd., and

Mississippi Public Broadcasting. BETWEEN THE LIONS is funded in part by

The Corporation for Public Broadcasting, a cooperative agreement from the

U.S. Department of Education’s Ready To Learn grant, and by the Barksdale

Reading Institute. National corporate sponsorship is provided by Chick-

fi l-A, Inc. The contents herein were originally developed with support from

the Ready To Learn Television Program, P/R Award Number R295A0002, as

administered by the Offi ce of Innovation and Improvement, U.S. Department

of Education, and were developed in part under a cooperative agreement

between the U.S. Department of Education, The Corporation for Public

Broadcasting, and the Public Broadcasting Service for the Ready To Learn

Initiative, PR#s U295A050003 and U295B050003. However, the contents do

not necessarily represent the policy of the Department of Education, and you

should not assume endorsement by the Federal Government.

©2005, 2009 WGBH Educational Foundation and Sirius Thinking, Ltd. All

rights reserved. BETWEEN THE LIONS, Get Wild About Reading, and the BTL

characters and related indicia are trademarks or registered trademarks of

WGBH Educational Foundation. All third party trademarks are the property

of their respective owners. Used with permission.

Illustrations by Steven Mach.

BTL Photos on TOC and page 7 by Richard Termine/©WGBH/Sirius Thinking;

all other BTL photos by John E. Barrett/©WGBH/Sirius Thinking. Photo, page 5:

©Geatano/CORBIS. Photo, page 11: ©John Feingersh/CORBIS. Cover of Our Stars

by Anne Rockwell, pages 2 and 8. Copyright ©1999 by Anne Rockwell. Reprinted

by permission of Houghton Miffl in Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights

reserved. Drawing on page 10 by Willa Field.

0912066

Barksdale Reading Institute


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