Books
978-133-874-4903
One day down on the farm, Duck got a wild idea. "I bet I could ride a bike," he thought. He waddled over to where the boy parked his bike, climbed on, and began to ride. At first he rode slowly and he wobbled a lot, but it was fun! Duck rode past Cow and waved to her. "Hello, Cow!" said Duck. "Moo," said Cow. But what she thought was, "A duck on a bike? That's the silliest thing I've ever seen!"
And so Duck rides past Sheep, Horse, and all the other barnyard animals. Suddenly, a group of kids ride by on their bikes and run into the farmhouse, leaving the bikes outside. Now ALL the animals can ride bikes, just like Duck!
Extension: What animals would find it easier or harder to ride a bike? Can you think of any adaptations that could be made for some (higher pedals, stronger frames, etc.) We liked that the mouse was just hitching a ride with everyone else!
978-177-138-5589
In this unique nonfiction picture book, the main character is a bicycle that starts its life like so many bicycles in North America, as a child’s favorite mode of transportation. Leo treasures his bicycle so much he gives it a name — Big Red. But eventually Leo outgrows Big Red and decides to donate it to an organization that ships bicycles to Africa. Big Red is sent to Burkina Faso, in West Africa, where it finds a home with Alisetta, who uses it to gain quicker access to her family’s sorghum field and to the market. When Alisetta earns enough for a new bicycle, she gives Big Red to a man who is fixing up old bikes for a medical clinic. The bicycle finds its way to a young woman named Haridata, who renames it Le Grand Rouge and gives it a new purpose — delivering medications and bringing sick people to the hospital.
Extension: Talk about treasured toys your kids have now, and some that you remember from your childhood. Do you still have them? If not, what happened to them? Have you passed any on, or are you saving any, for your children when they get older?
978-133-828-1385
Hedgehog loves his new bike. His best friend Harry says he likes it, too. But when Hedgehog asks Harry to go bike riding with him, Harry says he does not want to go. Does Harry not like his friend's new bike? Or could this all have something to do with training wheels?
This is a cute little beginning reader, part of a series, in graphic novel format. Each has several 'chapters', which can help boost your young reader's confidence - they are reading a chapter book!
In the first chapter, Hedgehog can't find his bike helmet. He looks in some pretty silly places, before finding it exactly where it is supposed to be. Is there something your family always seems to lose? In our house, it's shoes! Can you find a special place to keep them? (I know, I know...we have one, and it doesn't work. But it's worth a try!)
As you may have guessed, Harry is embarrassed that he still needs training wheels. Fortunately, Hedgehog assures him that it is just fine, and they enjoy a ride together - with snacks at the end! Do your kids know how to ride a bike yet? This is a great time to start, or to polish up those skills!
Social Studies
Where is Burkina Fasso? What can you learn about the country, and the lives of the people who live there?
Math
Let's get out on those bikes and use some real world math!
1 - Start with a few family bike rides. How far can you travel each time? Keep track of your distance and time on a graph for a couple weeks. Include the temperature each day - does that effect the length of your ride?
2 - Speed isn't important when you are on a fun ride together, but it is in a race - even if it is just a race against yourself! Set a clear distance - say, from your house to the end of the block - and, every day, clock yourselves to see how fast you can make it. Be sure that it is clear of obstacles and pedestrians each time! Do you think you will go faster before your family ride, when you are fresh and energetic, or after it, when you are warmed up? Try it both ways and chart the differences!
3 - Can you ride your bikes to places you would normally drive? How much longer does it take? How much would you save in gas?
Cooking
Bissap is a popular drink in Burkina Fasso, made with hibiscus flowers. If you are lucky enough to have some growing near you, try this simple tea:
Boil 2 quarts water
Add 2 cups hibiscus flowers and 1/4 cup mint leaves
Steep ten minutes, then strain
Add 1 - 1 1/2 cups sugar and 1 Tablespoon orange or strawberry syrup (or orange flower water if you have any on hand!)
Chill and serve over ice.
Community
Is there an organization near you that refurbishes old bikes for people who need them? What about other items? I have seen everything from appliances to shoes. Do you have a Habitat for Humanity Restore or something similar in your area? A homeless shelter or rehab center or women's shelter? Visit them if you can, then look around the house for things you could pass along.
Writing
Have you ever given away an item you didn't need any more? Imagine the adventures it may have had after it left you, and write a story about them! (Maybe watch a few "Toy Story" movies for inspiration!)
Science
How exactly do the parts of a bicycle work together? There are simple machines galore all working together! We can look in a book or online, but hands-on learning is so much better. Ask a local bike shop if you can take a field trip to their store and see how things are repaired. Then come back and look at your own bikes and see if you can point out pulleys, axles, wheels, levers...
PE
Check around your community for a bicycle safety course. If one isn't offered, get together with some parents and create your own! Find an empty parking lot, borrow some cones, and make a day of it.
Art
I LOVE this bicycle spin art activity from I Can Teach My Child! I can't wait to try it at home! If you aren't quite willing to go so large scale, try using a salad spinner. You can often pick them up pretty cheaply at thrift shops. Just cut circles to size, dribble on a little paint, and start cranking! Make two circles for each child, then let them glue the circles to a larger paper as bicycle wheels. The kids can draw the rest of the bike...or are there other things they can glue down to make it? Popsicle sticks? Coffee filters? Magazine pages? Go poking through the recycling and see what you can find, for a multimedia project!
Music
There are lots of great songs featuring bike riding, both new and old. Check out this list from Cycling Magazine and pick out your favorite. (*earworm warning on some of these!) Cool down after a family bike ride while writing your own lyrics!
Rhyme
I have a little bicycle
I ride it to and fro.
And when I see the light is green
I know it's time to go.
I have a little bicycle
I ride around the town.
And when the light is yellow
I know I should slow down.
I have a little bicycle
I bought it at the shop.
And when I see the light is red
I know it's time to stop!
Web Sites to Explore
Comments
Post a Comment