Chapter One - Let's Parade!
Many things go into planning a parade. You need costume designers, performers, planners and a setting. Children can participate in this whether singly or groups. Encourage children to find their talents such as costumes, music (always a drummer for the beat), performers (riding a bicycle counts), and pets are always winners in a parade.
Where can we parade? Around the table, around the yard or block, around the library, at the church or with the neighbor's help, around the neighborhood. Will the leader carry a flag? Who will make flyers and signs to publicize the parade?
Another option? Put on a talent show, gather the performers and practice, make a stage set, make a program and invite the neighbors. Where? In the backyard, living room, at the local library, at school or in a neighborhood center. Make and issue tickets either for free or requesting a donation for a charity or a neighborhood need!
It takes a smoothly running team. Lots of lessons to be learned. And who doesn't love a parade!
Chapter Two - Camping on El Rio
When we think about it, camping is usually a family or group
activity. We can make camp in any number of settings such as
underneath dining room chairs or tables, in our own room, in the
backyard, or in a park. For whatever place, planning is a great part of the fun. What kind of shelter and clothing are needed, are
there safety precautions, and what will we do at camp. Should we be packing a lunch or even planning a meal around the campfire. It's a chance to work together. And, at the heart of it, we get closer to nature. What birds and animals can we find or talk about? We can take a closer look at the plants and trees around us.
Games can be a part of any camping trip. Sometimes they are fun sports, water games like making a little wooden boat to float, playing softball or baseball games, or taking an exploring hike. And there are the stories around the campfire or home circle, like scary ghost stories or any "make-up" stories fun to tell.
Another option - gather children, pack small lunches and go on a nature hike or exploring hike in your neighborhood. Look at trees or buildings. What makes the neighborhood special to the children?
Camping brings a group of kids closer together while they learn consideration and the value of sharing the planning and work that makes for fun times. It's a chance to participate and communicate.
Chapter Three - The Club Gets a New Member
This is a chance to talk about forming Girls and Boys Club - a positive club that can provide a sense of belonging as the children grow up. A child may already be a member of a group at school, a community center, a church,
4-H or Scouts. In this chapter, the kids show social skills as they welcome a new member to their club. They have an "initiation" in which the new member chooses to help the community in a positive way like gathering books for the library book sale. It's also about making a new member feel welcome such as teaching a club dance step, song or choosing a club flower. Being thoughtful, kind and considerate are musts for club members.
An important part of the club is having good fun and celebrating. The King Street kids go to a farmer and gather food for their little feast. It's simple healthy food. Children in your club may not be able to go to the local farmer, but they could ask members of the farmer's market or even visit their local stores with their parents to get some support. After all, a feast can be as simple as popcorn or buttered toast - it's the spirit that counts.
This chapter presents an opportunity to talk about good clubs and how they can be wonderful for children in a neighborhood.
Chapter Four - Jack O'Lantern Days
Presented with a problem, the kids in this chapter get in gear to develop a creative solution. That's really what it is about. A cold clubhouse with no heater leads to earning money to buy a heater. They decide to engage in a their own business to raise money. Carving pumpkins for sale involves a visit to the pumpkin patch, making the Jack O'Lanterns, and finding ways to sell them. Along the way they find a supportive farmer and get other help from the neighborhood members as well as their parents. In the end they have the satisfaction of work well done!
Opportunities for solving a need are always there - it just takes creative problem solving and children can be good at that when given the chance and community support. Children, parents and teachers can be on the look out. Are there needs that could be solved with their help? Could something be made for sale such as greeting cards, cookies, or drawings? Could the kids offers a service like sweeping walks or raking leaves? Maybe the children learn that helping others for no money is important too. After all it's not all about earning money. They learn to be enterprising while using good judgement.
Chapter Five - Indian Stories
This chapter brings the cultural diversity of the group to the spotlight as a Native American girl appears on the scene. The kids follow their natural curiosity. In an exchange free from restraints they ask questions, have fun, and learn about a new culture. They quickly appreciate new customs and crafts as they try making baskets from natural materials.
There are many opportunities in a growing multicultural society to appreciate diversity and richness. What is unique and what is similar about the children in the King Street Club or in our own neighborhoods? What can we learn? Things like language, food, crafts show differences. Kindness, respect, curiosity, fun loving are among the similarities. Children can spend time naming similarities and differences. The similarities present opportunities for sharing and appreciation; the differences present opportunities for sharing and learning.
Have a party, dinner, children's talent show to celebrate new found friends from all cultures!
Bonus Story - I Hate Lima Beans!
This story appears simple. The children just hate lima beans. But then they grow them. What happens? They come around to loving them. When we really dig into things, we may like them. Lots of foods need more love, like broccoli and, who knows, lima beans. Maybe a local garden will let the children visit. Maybe kids can plant a few seeds in a garden or a pot. It's an opportunity to talk about our food and what it does for us besides just tasting good. It gives a whole new meaning to vegetables! Another option - look through magazines or seed catalogs, explore, find one and make a drawing, painting or sculpture. Then find it at the grocers, cook it and give it a taste! Just maybe...
TAKING ACTION - Here's the fun!
The Adventures of the King Street Girls and Boys Club is a book where great friends and good ideas make for fun times. It offers many opportunities for related activities. Children, parents and teachers can get ideas here for arts, social studies and many subject connections. Importantly there's space for a world of creativity and problem solving. Learning is all about participation, imagination, and play after all. Some suggestions for each chapter follow.
Chapter One - Let's Parade!
Many things go into planning a parade. You need costume designers, performers, planners and a setting. Children can participate in this whether singly or groups. Encourage children to find their talents such as costumes, music (always a drummer for the beat), performers (riding a bicycle counts), and their pets are always winners in a parade.
Where can we parade? Around the table, around the yard or block, around the library, at the church or with the neighbor's help, around the neighborhood. Will the leader carry a flag? Who will make flyers and signs to publicize the parade?
Another option? Put on a talent show, gather the performers and practice, make a stage set, make a program and invite the neighbors. Where? In the backyard, living room, at the local library, at school, church or in a neighborhood center. Make and issue tickets either for free or requesting a donation for a charity or a neighborhood need!
It takes a smoothly running team. Lots of lessons to be learned. And who doesn't love a parade!
Chapter Two - Camping on El Rio
When we think about it, camping is usually a family or group
activity. We can make camp in any number of settings such as
underneath dining room chairs or tables, in our own room, in the
backyard, or in a park. For whatever place, planning is a great part of the fun. What kind of shelter and clothing are needed, are
there safety precautions, and what will we do at camp. Should we be packing a lunch or even planning a meal around the campfire? It's a chance to work together. And, at the heart of it, we get closer to nature. What birds and animals can we find or talk about? We can take a closer look at the plants and trees around us. Make drawings of them.
Games can be a part of any camping trip. Sometimes they are fun sports, water games like making a little wooden boat to float, playing softball or baseball games, or taking an exploring hike. And there are the stories around the campfire or home circle, like scary ghost stories or any "made-up" stories fun to tell.
Another option - gather children, pack small lunches and go on a nature hike or exploring hike in your neighborhood. Look at trees or buildings. What makes the neighborhood special to the children?
Camping brings a group of kids closer together while they learn consideration and the value of sharing the planning and the work that make for fun times. It's a chance to participate and communicate.
Chapter Three - The Club Gets a New Member
This is a chance to talk about forming a Girls and Boys Club. It can provide a sense of belonging as the children grow up. A child may already be a member of a group at school, a community center, church, 4-H or Scouts. In this chapter, the kids learn social skills as they welcome a new member to their club. They have an "initiation" in which the new member chooses to help the community in a positive way like gathering books for the library book sale. It's also about making a new member feel welcome such as teaching a club song or choosing a club flower. Being thoughtful, kind and considerate are musts for club members.
An important part of the club is having good fun games and celebrating. The King Street kids go to a farmer and gather food for their little feast. It's simple healthy food. Children in your club may not be able to go to a local farmer, but they could ask members of the farmer's market or even visit their local stores with their parents to get some support. Really a feast can be as simple as popcorn or buttered toast - it's the spirit that counts.
Another option - welcome newcomers to your block, neighborhood, school or church. Make a special introduction, remember names, make a little gift.
This chapter presents an opportunity to talk about good clubs and how they can be wonderful for children in a neighborhood.
Chapter Four - Jack O'Lantern Days
Presented with a problem, the kids in this chapter get in gear and develop a creative solution. That's really what it is about. A cold clubhouse with no heater leads to earning money to buy a heater. They decide to engage in a their own business to raise money. Carving pumpkins for sale involves a visit to the pumpkin patch, making the Jack O'Lanterns, and finding ways to sell them. Along the way they find a supportive farmer and get ther help from the neighborhood members as well as their parents. In the end they have the satisfaction of work well done when the days get cold and they turn on their toasty heater!
Opportunities for solving a need are always there - it just takes creative problem solving and children can be good at that when given the chance and community support. Children, parents and teachers can be on the look out. Are there needs that could be solved with some children's help? Could something be made for sale such as greeting cards, cookies, or drawings? Could the kids offer a service like sweeping walks or raking leaves? Maybe the children learn that helping others for no money is important too. Maybe it's not all about earning money. They learn to be enterprising while using good judgment.
Chapter Five - Indian Stories
This chapter brings the cultural diversity of the group to the spotlight as a Native American girl appears on the scene. The kids follow their natural curiosity. In an exchange free from restraints they ask questions, have fun, and learn about a new culture. They quickly appreciate new customs and crafts as they try making baskets from natural materials.
There are many opportunities in a growing multicultural society to appreciate diversity and the richness it brings. What is unique and what is similar about the children in the King Street Club or in our own neighborhoods? What can we learn? Things like language, food, and crafts show differences. Kindness, respect, curiosity, and fun loving are among the similarities. Children can spend time naming similarities and differences. The similarities present opportunities for sharing and appreciation; the differences present opportunities for sharing and learning.
Have a party, dinner, and a children's talent show to celebrate new found friends from all cultures!
Bonus Story - I Hate Lima Beans!
This story appears simple. The children just hate lima beans. But then they grow them. What happens? They come around to loving them. When we really dig into things, we may like them. Lots of foods need more love like broccoli and, who knows, lima beans! Maybe a local garden will let the children visit. Maybe kids can plant a few seeds in a garden or a pot. It's an opportunity to talk about our food and what it does for us besides just tasting good. It gives a whole new meaning to vegetables! Another option - look through magazines or seed catalogs, explore, find a new vegetable and make a drawing, painting or sculpture. Then find it at the grocers, cook it, and give it a taste! Just maybe...
The suggested activities for each chapter in the King Street Girls and Boys Club book can be simple or complex. Most of all you notice in the stories that the adults have time for the kids. Kindness and consideration make for happy kids, they are alright! And their parents and teachers are alright too!
