| The Only One Club Written by Jane Naliboff Illustrated by Jeff Hopkins |
Activity Guide for The Only One Club
by Donna O'Donnell Figurski
by Donna O'Donnell Figurski
- Author and Educator, Donna O'Donnell Figurski combines her passion for writing and teaching in her book
review column called, TEACHER'S PETS. Donna reviews picture books and early readers with her
KIDDLE CRITers, a critique group which consists of primary-age children who are avid readers. Donna
also suggests lessons for each book and teachers are welcome to try them in their classrooms. If you use
and enjoy the activities below, feel free to contact Donna at Neelyf@aol.com. You can read more about
Donna at www.donnaodonnellfigurski.com.
LET’S GO CLUBBING: Language Arts/Social Studies
There are drama clubs and card clubs. There are book clubs and knitting clubs. There are clubs for
boys and clubs for girls, but if you can’t find a club that you fit into . . . make your own.
Have each child write one thing about himself that he feels is different from others in his class. It may
be “color of eyes, hair, or skin,” “tallness or shortness,” “always wears a barrette or never wears a
barrette,” “eats tuna fish every day for lunch.” or, or, or . . . The possibilities are endless.
The idea is for each child to really think about himself in relation to the other children in his class. Then
list each contribution on a large chart tablet. Encourage the children to think up as many different
possibilities as they can so that no idea is the same and each child can form their “own” ONLY ONE
CLUB. The children will be surprised at how many unique qualities their classmates have . . . and their
teacher, too. Okay, I’ll start. I am the only one in my class who has 35 frogs in my writing office at
home. Ribbet! Ribbet!
Then just like Jennifer have the children make a badge, but this time have them write their special quality
on their badge.
HOLIDAY DECORATIONS: Art/Social Studies
The kids in Mrs. Matthew’s class made holiday decorations . . . stars and Christmas trees, gingerbread
cutouts, dreidels and menorahs.
People around the world celebrate many different kinds of holidays in the winter season.
Christmas, Kwanza, and Hanukkah are some of the more familiar ones. Each of these holidays is a time
for celebration. Christmas commemorates the birth of Christ, while Hanukkah, called the festival of the
lights, celebrates the victory of the Maccabees over the Syrians many, many years ago. Kwanza, which
means “first fruits,” is celebrated to honor family roots and traditions. As with any holiday, food, fun,
and decorations are in abundance.
Each of these holidays, in some way, celebrates with a candle. Below are web sites where you can find
the patterns for the candles.
Christmas Candle
http://familycrafts.about.com/library/projects/blcandleorn.htm
Hanukkah Menorah
http://familycrafts.about.com/gi/dynamic/offsite.htm?zi=1/XJ&sdn=familycrafts&zu=http%3A%2F%
2Fwww.kinderart.com%2Fdec5.htm
and
http://www.hummingbirded.com/holidays_around_world.html
Kwanza Kinara
http://www.hummingbirded.com/holidays_around_world.html
There are many holidays to warm you on those long, cold, winter days and nights. You can celebrate
Black History Month, Groundhog Day, Valentine’s Day and Presidents Day, New Year’s Day and even
Chinese New Year. So snuggle in and check the website below for some wintertime activities.
Kids Domain – Winter Fun
http://www.kidsdomain.com/holiday/winter/index.html
SUGGESTED WEBSITES:
(Although I examined these websites and found them to be very helpful, please use them at your own
discretion.)
Cool Clubs for Kids
http://k6educators.about.com/library/weekly/aa111999a.htm
Kidsreads.com – Book Clubs
http://www.kidsreads.com/clubs/index.asp
SUGGESTED BOOKS:
Horace and Morris But Mostly Dolores by James Howe, illustrated by Amy Walrod
The Dangerous Snake and Reptile Club written and illustrated by Daniel San Souci
No Room For Francie written by Maryann Macdonald, illustrated by Eileen Christelow
There are drama clubs and card clubs. There are book clubs and knitting clubs. There are clubs for
boys and clubs for girls, but if you can’t find a club that you fit into . . . make your own.
Have each child write one thing about himself that he feels is different from others in his class. It may
be “color of eyes, hair, or skin,” “tallness or shortness,” “always wears a barrette or never wears a
barrette,” “eats tuna fish every day for lunch.” or, or, or . . . The possibilities are endless.
The idea is for each child to really think about himself in relation to the other children in his class. Then
list each contribution on a large chart tablet. Encourage the children to think up as many different
possibilities as they can so that no idea is the same and each child can form their “own” ONLY ONE
CLUB. The children will be surprised at how many unique qualities their classmates have . . . and their
teacher, too. Okay, I’ll start. I am the only one in my class who has 35 frogs in my writing office at
home. Ribbet! Ribbet!
Then just like Jennifer have the children make a badge, but this time have them write their special quality
on their badge.
HOLIDAY DECORATIONS: Art/Social Studies
The kids in Mrs. Matthew’s class made holiday decorations . . . stars and Christmas trees, gingerbread
cutouts, dreidels and menorahs.
People around the world celebrate many different kinds of holidays in the winter season.
Christmas, Kwanza, and Hanukkah are some of the more familiar ones. Each of these holidays is a time
for celebration. Christmas commemorates the birth of Christ, while Hanukkah, called the festival of the
lights, celebrates the victory of the Maccabees over the Syrians many, many years ago. Kwanza, which
means “first fruits,” is celebrated to honor family roots and traditions. As with any holiday, food, fun,
and decorations are in abundance.
Each of these holidays, in some way, celebrates with a candle. Below are web sites where you can find
the patterns for the candles.
Christmas Candle
http://familycrafts.about.com/library/projects/blcandleorn.htm
Hanukkah Menorah
http://familycrafts.about.com/gi/dynamic/offsite.htm?zi=1/XJ&sdn=familycrafts&zu=http%3A%2F%
2Fwww.kinderart.com%2Fdec5.htm
and
http://www.hummingbirded.com/holidays_around_world.html
Kwanza Kinara
http://www.hummingbirded.com/holidays_around_world.html
There are many holidays to warm you on those long, cold, winter days and nights. You can celebrate
Black History Month, Groundhog Day, Valentine’s Day and Presidents Day, New Year’s Day and even
Chinese New Year. So snuggle in and check the website below for some wintertime activities.
Kids Domain – Winter Fun
http://www.kidsdomain.com/holiday/winter/index.html
SUGGESTED WEBSITES:
(Although I examined these websites and found them to be very helpful, please use them at your own
discretion.)
Cool Clubs for Kids
http://k6educators.about.com/library/weekly/aa111999a.htm
Kidsreads.com – Book Clubs
http://www.kidsreads.com/clubs/index.asp
SUGGESTED BOOKS:
Horace and Morris But Mostly Dolores by James Howe, illustrated by Amy Walrod
The Dangerous Snake and Reptile Club written and illustrated by Daniel San Souci
No Room For Francie written by Maryann Macdonald, illustrated by Eileen Christelow
| Picture Books That Explore and Illuminate |
