A young frog uses his long tongue to catch a fly, a beetle, and a grasshopper, but when he tries to catch a butterfly he's in for a surprise.

This book takes the creativity and inventiveness of the maker movement and applies that energy in a new way to help children learn across all subject areas as well as broaden their world view. Traditional library literacy programs have helped many children foster a love of reading, but to prepare this next generation of learners, this programming needs to be modified to include technology. The inherent creativity and inventiveness of the Maker Movement, embracing both classic and innovative technological activities, provides the perfect bridge to invigorate, expand, and update these programs. This alternative to conventional library literacy programming will help children learn throughout all subject areas, see additional possibilities, and make connections in the world around them. With this guide, readers can discover how to apply maker literacy to introduce connections that help children better understand that their experiences in life are interrelated—that art can be made on a 3D printer and that science and technology are an essential part of design. This holistic approach provides a myriad of creative opportunities for both teaching staff and the children they serve. A great resource for youth services librarians in public libraries, this guide to infusing library programs with technology and maker activities to motivate learning will also appeal to preschool and elementary librarians, educators, and parents.

The standards-based lessons in this slim volume serve as an introduction to environmental science for young learners. Hop Into Action helps teach children about the joy of amphibians through investigations that involve scientific inquiry and knowledge building. Twenty hands-on learning lessons can be used individually or as a yearlong curriculum. Each lesson is accompanied by detailed objectives, materials lists, background information, step-by-step procedures, evaluation questions, assessment methods, and additional web resources. The activities can be integrated into other disciplines such as language arts, physical education, art, and math and are adaptable to informal learning environments. --from publisher description.

From both an international perspective and through combining theory, practice and reflection, this book examines critically how listening to young children in early childhood services is understood and practiced.

What's your plan? If you're not sure, this great big book has the answer! With 52 weekly plans, it's easy to come up with appropriate learning experiences that children will love. This essential classroom resource covers special holidays, seasonal topics, everyday plans, and other things you've probably never thought of, such as National Pretzel Month or National Pancake Day!