Read a squash and a squeeze / Activity Analysis

Art

• The child can learn about different art styles and techniques by observing the illustrations in the book "A Squash and a Squeeze". They can notice the use of lines, shapes, and colors to create the images.
• They can experiment with creating their own illustrations inspired by the story, using materials like crayons, markers, or colored pencils.
• The child can also explore the concept of perspective by drawing the different animals in the story from different angles.
• They can create a collage using cut-out pictures from magazines or newspapers, representing the different objects or animals mentioned in the book.

English Language Arts

• The child can develop their reading skills by following along with the text as it is read aloud. They can practice recognizing sight words and sounding out new words.
• They can improve their comprehension skills by answering questions about the story, such as identifying the main characters and events.
• They can retell the story in their own words, using sequencing words like "first", "next", and "finally".
• The child can also practice their writing skills by creating their own version of the story or writing a short summary.

Social Studies

• The child can learn about the concept of community by discussing how the main character seeks advice from her neighbors when she feels her house is too small.
• They can explore the theme of empathy by discussing how the main character's perspective changes throughout the story, as she realizes that her house is not as small as she initially thought.
• The child can also learn about problem-solving and resourcefulness by brainstorming different ways the main character could have solved her problem without asking for help.
• They can discuss the importance of gratitude by reflecting on how the main character appreciates her home more after experiencing the chaos of having all the animals inside.

To further develop the child's creativity and learning, encourage them to act out the story using puppets or create their own play based on the events. They can also explore other books by the same author, Julia Donaldson, to discover new stories and themes.

Book Recommendations

• A Squash and a Squeeze by Julia Donaldson: This is the book that inspired the activity. It tells the story of a little old lady who thinks her house is too small, until she gets some advice from a wise old man.
• The Gruffalo by Julia Donaldson: Another popular book by the same author, it tells the story of a clever mouse who outsmarts various predators in the deep, dark woods.
• Room on the Broom by Julia Donaldson: In this book, a witch makes room on her broom for various animals who help her when she faces a danger.