1. Learn to spell "leprechaun"

         2. Learn about spring by going to the web site:
           kids.msfc.nasa.gov/news/2000/news-vernalequinox.asp

      3.  Draw a shamrock picture

Poem Activities

1.  Read the poem aloud with your child.  As you say each word point to it, so your child will learn that each word has a sound and a look.  Talk about any  individual word or phrase your child may not be sure of the meaning. Ask your child, "What does the word brook mean? After discussing the word, have your child draw a picture to help reinforce the meaning of the word.  It doesn't need to be elaborate; just a small, quick drawing to help them remember.

2.  Make a copy of this poem and give to your child with a pencil.  Ask your child to circle the words that begin with "B" in the first line.  Repeat with other words throughout the poem.
 

3.  Make a copy of this poem and have your child circle individual letters in the poem.  For example, ask your child to circle all the “S” in the second line of the poem.  Ask “Can you find the longest word in the seventh line.”  Help your child count down the lines if they do not understand ordinal numbers.  What is the shortest line in the poem?

4.  Talk about what the poem means. Make sure your child knows that brook and streamlet are small bodies of water.  Using a dictionary to actually look up the words and read to your child will also help reinforce the words, as well as demonstrate a new skill for your child. Ask your child if this poem may be talking about a waterfall.  Point out the last stanza and ask your child what the author is saying.  How can water be quick or compared with a cat?  If this is a hard concept for your child, skip it.  Instead talk about how big rocks can divert the water and make little streams or how the water can run over the rocks to make a waterfall.  Draw a picture to illustrate the poem.

5.  Talk about the author.  Who is the author?  What is an author?  If you wrote this poem, what words would you add?  What words would you change?  Did the author make you a waterfall?

Click here to print the March calendar.

Click here to print the March calendar markers.

1. Discuss the important dates for March including any special days pertaining to your family such as birthdays or anniversaries.  Talk aboutthe different holidays and the changes that usually occur in the weatherand the environment.  Don't forget to talk about any special traditions your family may have for a holiday or special day.

2.  Have your child trace the word March with their finger and say each
     letter out loud.

3.  Together, count how many days are in the month, while pointing to each
     number.

4.  Discuss what the letters at the top of the calendar mean (S M T W T F S).

5. Cut out the icons representing March and any others that relate to
    your family's special days.

6. Talk about what each icon represents and paste it onto the appropriate day.

7. Draw a picture within the border of the calendar that represents an aspect
    of  March.

8. Again, count the days of the month and say the special days.

9. Hang the calendar at your child's eye level and try to refer back to it
    during the month, especially around the special occasions.

              These are just a few books on the subject of spring that you may want to explore with your child. 
              Please feel free to e-mail me the title and author of any books that you enjoy reading with your child.

 
St. Patrick's Day by Gail Gibbons
This book covers the life of St. Patrick.  The author also includes traditional Irish symbols and ways to celebrate the holidays.

St. Patrick's Day in the Morning by Eve Bunting
A story about a young child who is told he is to small to participate in the St. Patrick's Day parade and how he proves them wrong.

Leprechaun Gold by Teresa Bateman
This is a wonderful tale that is a bit different from the usual pot of gold tales.  Donald rescues a leprechaun from drowning.  As a reward the leprechaun gives Donald a pot of gold; which he refuses to take.  The leprechaun tries many times without success to give Donald his reward.  Finally, he is able to reward Donald for rescuing him by helping him to fall in love and marry Maureen who's heart and hair is made of gold.

Kites:  Magic Wishes That Fly Up To The Sky by Demi Hitz
Long ago in China, kites were used to send messages and wishes to the gods.  The author tells a tale of one mother who made a wish.  The book begins as fiction, but flows into facts about the symbols of kites and their meanings and discusses the festival of kites.  The illustrations are beautifully down with brilliant colors.  In the back of the book are directions for making a kite.

The Wind Blew by Pat Hutchins
This is a humorous book about the wind snatching items and their owners having to give chase.  The book is written in rhyming verses, so is a great read aloud book.

Feel the Wind by Arthur Dorro
This is a science book explaining what makes the wind blow.  The  book uses simple terms and fun illustrations in its explanation.  There are also instructions for making a weather vane.

My Spring Robin by Anne Rockwell
A picture book about all the signs of spring.  The story is about a little girl searching for a robin that means spring is really here.

North Country Spring by Reeve Lindbergh
This book depicts what the forest animals do when spring arrives.  The rhyming text describes the changes that occur in nature and the behavior of animals at the first signs of spring.  The notes in the back of the book gives specific behaviors of the animals portrayed in the story.

Hopper Hunts for Spring by Marcus Pfister
Hopper is a bunny on the look out for spring.  While looking for spring he makes a lot of new friends.

 

March          (click for printer friendly poem)

The sun is nervous
   As a kite.
That can't quite keep
   Its own string tight.

Some days are fine
  And some are raw.
The timid Earth
  Decides to thaw.

Shy budlets peep
  From twigs on trees.
And robins join
  The chickadees.

Pale crocuses
  Poke through the ground.
Like noses come
  To sniff around.

The mud smells happy
  On our shoes.
We still wear mittens
  Which we lose.
 

John Updike