Here’s what you need for Week 1: Forest:
Books (find at your local library or order below on Amazon):
- The Things That I Love About Trees by Chris Butterworth (or listen to this read aloud)
- Smart Kids: Rainforest by Steve Parker (or you can use any similar book about the rainforest from your local library)
- Over and Under the Rainforest by Kate Messner (or listen to this read aloud from the author)
- The Umbrella by Jan Brett (or read it here on OpenLibrary)
- The Mushroom Fan Club by Elise Gravel
Optional chapter book:
- The Jungle Book by Rudyard Kipling (or listen to this read aloud by Jim Weiss)
Supplies (use what you have, but here are links to shop if you need anything):
- toilet paper rolls
- paper towel rolls
- hot glue gun + glue
- paper + access to a printer (don’t have one? we like this model)
- construction paper (need lots of green + brown, tan, and red)
- crayons
- scissors
- tape
- medium to large cardboard box + scrap cardboard (or three shoeboxes)
- brown felt
- blue and green tissue paper
- green pipe cleaners
- playdough (you will need yellow, brown, and green)
- coffee filters
- mini clothespins
- markers
- spray bottle
- brown paint
- popsicle stick
- glue stick
- mini googly eyes (optional)
- rainbow feathers (you could also make your own out of construction paper)
- empty plastic bottle
- large glass jar with lid (or something similar to create a terrarium)
- terrarium kit
Here’s what you need for Week 2: Japan:
Books (find at your local library or order below on Amazon):
- My First Book of Japanese Words – An ABC Rhyming book by Michelle Haney Brown (or listen to this YouTube read aloud)
- Suki’s Kimono by Chieri Uegaki (or listen to this YouTube read aloud)
- Wabi Sabi Mark Reibstein and Ed Young (also available on OpenLibrary)
- The Paper Crane by Molly Bang (also available on OpenLibrary)
- Three Samurai Cats : A Story from Japan by Eric A. Kimmel (also available on OpenLibrary)
Optional additional reading:
- Japanese Children’s Favorite Stories – This book doesn’t directly tie in to any of our activities, but it is an excellent example of a living book that can help to add more color, authenticity, and depth to a Japan unit study. Try reading for bedtime or read aloud this week.
Supplies (use what you have, but here are links to shop if you need anything):
- paper + access to a printer (don’t have one? we like this model)
- baking soda
- vinegar
- food coloring
- small water bottle or jar
- dish soap
- playdough
- blocks (any kind will work!)
- LEGO or DUPLO interlocking blocks
- marshmallows
- toothpicks
- coloring supplies
- 1 brown paper bag (it will be less expensive a dollar store)
- small bamboo plant
- soil
- clothespins
- empty tuna can (or something similar)
- sand
- shallow bin or tray (for sensory bin)
- small stones (optional)
- cardstock
- coffee filters
- brown paint + paint brush
- tissue paper (green + pink)
- glue
- scissors
- stapler
- small cube of styrofoam or something similar to stick pipe cleaners into
- brown pipe cleaners
- construction paper (or any paper for origami)
- white plastic spoon
- 2 toilet paper rolls
- 1-inch colorful round stickers
- wooden dowel (10-12 inches) or you could use the chopsticks linked below
- string or yarn
- chopsticks
- felt
- pom poms
- velcro dots (optional if you are making the sushi set)
- needle + thread (optional for sushi set, but recommended for durability)
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