It's January so it's time to start a new month of the Read and Rise Book Club. Since January is typically a time of resolutions and ...
January 02, 2021
'The Most Magnificent Thing' - Read and Rise Book Club January 2021
It's January so it's time to start a new month of the Read and Rise Book Club. Since January is typically a time of resolutions and trying to build healthy positive habits, I thought our focus this month should be on growth mindset because without the ability to grow our brains, we could never take on new challenges or start new habits!
Our first book is "The Most Magnificent Thing" by Ashley Spires. It's the story of a little girl who sets out - with her puppy assistant - to make the most magnificent thing. We don't know what the most magnificent thing will be, but she assures us that she knows just how it will look and just how it will work! So she sets off to make her magnificent thing and it turns out ALL WRONG! But, she does not give up! Which is wonderful because if she had given up she wouldn't have learned anything and she definitely would not have ever made the most magnificent thing. So anyway, she tries again. And it doesn't work again. She keeps trying but it keeps not working! She feels a lot of anger and frustration and disappointment and is ready to give up. But after taking a break, she comes back and looks at her failed inventions with fresh eyes and realizes they're not ALL wrong, just partly wrong. And what happens when she takes all the right parts from the failed attempts and puts them together? Well, you'll just have to read to find out what she makes in the end!
Featured story: "The Most Magnificent Thing" by Ashley Spires
Activity: Create your own magnificent thing! Choose a small toy or stuffed animal and create something that can be used to transport your toy. First, brainstorm all the different carriers you could make! There are wearable carriers like the ones made for babies, things you can hold like baskets or bags, things you can roll like wagons or strollers...
Once you have chosen the type of carrier you want to make, collect some supplies! Older children can sketch out their designs first before deciding on materials. Below, I'll show you how to make a simple box that could be used as the starting point for your creation. I used cardstock, but you could always use thicker cardboard or felt or fabric.
Simple box:
1. Draw a rectangle in the middle of your paper - this will be the base of your box. Then extend your lines so they stretch to each edge of the paper. Older children can measure to make sure their box is larger enough for their toy and to make the sides of the box the height they want.
2. Cut along 2 sets of parallel lines from the edge of the paper to the corner of the rectangle.
3. Fold along all lines - I like to use a ruler to help me fold along the lines easily.
4. Fold all the sides up and glue or tape the flaps closed. And there you have a simple little box!
Just remember, if at first you don't succeed, learn from it and try again! One thing I love to remind my children (and myself!) is that your brain doesn't grow when you succeed - it grows when you make mistakes. If you always succeed, you never learn anything new! So let's celebrate our mistakes and grow our brains! I can't wait to see what kind of magnificent things you all come up with!
Welcome! I’m Natalie, aka Cardboard Mom. I taught Pre-K for 10 years before deciding to stay home with our first child. Now my life has evolved and I get the privilege of homeschooling and caring for our 2 children. It may not be the easiest or lowest stress job out there, but it definitely is one of the most rewarding and I wouldn’t trade this time with them for anything. Keep reading...
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