Reading Road Trip: Amusement Park

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Welcome to stop number 7 on our Reading Road Trip! The journey is nearing an end, and we’ve had a great time driving through open country and construction zones, seeing the sights at overlooks and mountaintops, taking a breather at a rest stop, and learning something new at a museum. This week is all about having fun! If this is your first week with us, you can still grab  our map  and join us in the adventure. You can also find the weekly coloring pages and other  printable resources here . For today’s stop, we’re heading to an Amusement Park! The idea this week is to read books that are just plain fun! This can be books that make you laugh, books with fun language or wordplay, or any book that is just plain fun to read. Read:  Any book that makes you laugh or is just plain fun to read aloud! Featured Book:   The Forgetful Knight  by Michele Robinson, illustrated by Fred Blunt. A hilarious story about a knight who has a score to settle with a…what was it again? Oh yes, a dragon! The r
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JABARI'S POOL: A Read, Discuss, Do! Craft

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Review and craft by Mindy Baker

Jabari Jumps, written and illustrated by Gaia Cornwall, is a picture book about a young boy who has just passed his swimming test and is ready to jump off of the diving board. The only thing getting in the way is his fear. But little by little, with Dad by his side, Jabari takes the plunge and comes up exuberant. I think you will enjoy reading this book aloud with your child, and it is a perfect springboard into a discussion about courage and facing your fears. 

 

READ:  Jabari Jumps by Gaia Cornwall

DISCUSS: Jabari shows courage and faces his fear of jumping off the diving board. 

 

  1. What are some clues that help you to know that Jabari is feeling afraid? 

  2. How does Jabari feel when he finally succeeds at jumping off the board? 

  3. What are some things that helped him to have courage? 

  4. What are some common things that other kids are afraid to do? 

  5. What is something that you are afraid to do? 

  6. How do you think you would feel if you faced your fear?

 

DO: Make a shoebox pool with a diving board and act out the story.


You will need:

  • Shoebox

  • Small piece of stiff cardboard

  • 4 small craft sticks

  • Tape

  • Scissors

  • Blue cardstock or scrapbooking paper with a water design 

  • Cardstock of other colors (or you can use markers)

  • Plastic game markers or other small figurines (to pretend they jump off the board)


Directions:

1. Cut a piece of cardboard for your diving board. Fold the cardboard to create 2 tabs. (Or cut along the seam of a box where the cardboard naturally has a fold.

2. Tape four craft sticks side by side to form the stiff part of the diving board on one tab. Adhere the other tab to the box with tape.

3. Measure and cut out blue cardstock or scrapbooking paper with a water design and tape it to the bottom of the box.

4. Cut more paper to decorate the sides of the box. (Or color with markers)

5. Cut a small rectangle and draw lines on it to make the ladder. Tape it to the outside of the box by the diving board. 

6. Use the figurines to “pretend” play. As you pretend, talk about the story and let your child express his/her own emotions about different topics.

7. Optional: Use other recycled items to make more pool toys such as an inner tube, slide, or ball. 

Extension: Read the story again as your child acts it out with the pool craft.



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