Eggs

Who knew an egg could be so many things?
When I think of an egg...a white chicken egg comes to mind. The kind of egg that sits with 11 other identical eggs in a Styrofoam container in my fridge.

If you read An Egg is Quiet by Dianna Aston, you'll see that an egg is colorful, shapely, artistic, and more. This informational book with gorgeous illustrations by Sylvia Long is an outstanding specimen of the picture book genre (scientifically speaking).

It's the perfect time of year for a study on eggs and this is the perfect springboard.  A fascinating book, it introduces more than 60 types of eggs and and shares some amazing facts about them.

Did you know that seabird eggs are pointy at one end? Why? If they are laid on rock ledges, they roll around in safe little circles, not off the cliff. Amazing.

You can't help but be entranced by the beauty of this book and still learn something new.
It's the perfect addition to an Easter basket too!




Extension Idea:
Truly, the possibilities are endless with this book. The topics of math, science, art, geography, and history are all introduced.
Here's one for Math.
An ostrich egg can weigh up to 8 pounds. Take a balloon and fill it with water to equal the size of a chicken egg.  Let the children weigh it on a kitchen scale. Take another and fill it until it weighs 8 pounds (or as close as you can get) to show the size of an ostrich egg. Let the children hold each of these just to get a feel for the difference in these two types of bird eggs.

Weigh it.

Water

It's raining again here. Rain is water. Water is an essential element of life and the topic of today's book.

All the Water in the World by George Ella Lyon is a great introduction to the water cycle. It's a science book that you want to read again and again.  Vibrant digital illustrations and the use of a variety of font styles and sizes keep each page interesting.

The rhythm and rhyme make it appropriate for preschoolers while older children can make the connection to the global concerns for water conservation.

Community Service Extension Idea:
Most American children never have to worry about having clean water to drink. For many children in other countries all around our world, that is not the case. EDGE Outreach is working to change that and you can help.
After reading All the Water in the World, take a look at a world map and show your child where they live. Choose one of the many countries where clean drinking water is not readily available to children and explain how you can help by donating old shoes. Let your child help you clean out the closets and box up old shoes to take to a drop off location.