We were excited to have an opportunity to review the Paddington Bear literature study from Branch Out World.
Branch Out World was started by a homeschooling mom with a family who loved books and wanted to share that love with others. The company is located in the UK. They carry a variety of products such as lapbooks, Picture Book Explorers, and Chapter Book Explorers. Paddington Bear is part of the Picture Book Explorers. The Picture Book Explorers studies are geared for children ages 5-10 but also can be used and enjoyed by older students as well. The PDF download we received for review is 69 pages.
Paddington, by Michael Bond, is the story of a bear who arrives from Paddington Station in London from darkest Peru. The Brown family finds him there while on their way to pick up their daughter. They discover that he was a stowaway and has no one to help him and take him home to live with them. Paddington has a few difficulties adjusting to life with the Browns. The picture book Paddington is based off of the first two chapters of the book A Bear Called Paddington by Michael Bond that was adapted to appeal to a younger audience.
To use the study, you read aloud the book Paddington to your child each day for 5 days and then work on each day's study. On Day One you explore the setting, Day Two is called Exploring the Words, Day 3 Exploring the Pictures, Day 4 Exploring Science, and Day 5 Exploring Maths, Crafts, and More. The study begins with instructions and tips, extra optional resources, and lists of supplies for each days activities. Next you find information and instructions for each days' activities. In the appendix you will find all of your printables such as maps, flags, lapbook pieces, other worksheets, and fact sheets.
I started out using this study with just my girls ages 7 and 9. Lily (age 9) had already read A Bear called Paddington and other books in the series, but Emmie had not. I did not even know there was a picture book. We ordered a hard cover copy of the book. After we completed the first days activities, my 11 and 12 year old boys also were interested and joined in.
Each day of the study has a variety of activities that you can choose from to complete. You do not need to complete each activity, just the ones that appeal to your family. I was very impressed with the number of activities and that you can choose different ones to suit the ages of the children in your family.
Day 1: In the first day's activities, the lesson included locating London and Peru on a globe, labeling and coloring maps of Peru and London, coloring flags of London and Peru, creating a Travel brochure of England and Peru, researching facts about England and Peru, learning about migration, and making a timeline of events.
Day 2: Has information about the author and the themes of the book. Children have an opportunity to give a narration of the story, make a list of vocabulary words, write or dictate their own story based on one of their toys, learn about subject/verb agreement, talk about the differences between the first two chapters of the chapter book and the picture book, and write an adaptation of another chapter book.
Day 3: Gives information about the illustrator and picture study. They also learn about the architecture of the Brown's home and different principles of design.
Day 4: Exploring science had information on Andean bears, sensory activities, edible and non edible foam experiments, an experiment with condensation, and nature study activity ideas.
My children really enjoyed making their own shaving cream. That was their favorite part!
Day 5: Activities with parallel lines, numbers, spatial awareness, and art, along with recipes to make your own strawberry tarts, and marmalade and information on snacks from Peru. You will also find other ideas to further your study.
I would definitely be interested in completing other Picture Book Explorers studies. To see what my Crew Mates had to say, stop by the Crew Blog!
No comments:
Post a Comment