The Nicodemus Field Guide
Around October or November 2007, we listened to the Spiderwick Chronicles. That is, I had purchased the audio CDs. At night, before we put the kids to bed, we'd turn off the lights, light candles, and listen to the "radio like Grandma and Grandpa did because they didn't have television." This is a nice family bonding experience, and the story was good to boot.
Naturally, when the movie came out, we saw it. We usually go to a museum of some sort once a week, but this week we ditched the museum and saw the Spiderwick Chronicles. While my kids thoroughly enjoyed it and haven't had any nightmares, I wouldn't recommend it for most little kids. At seven, Anna knows the difference between fact and fantasy. Quinn, who is four, also knows the difference, but it was still a bit much. I don't think I would have taken him if he hadn't heard the stories.
Anyway, the kids loved the show.
The movie shows Arthur Spiderwick's Field Guide to the Fantastical, and the idea immediately jumped into my head. I decided we'd make the Nicodemus Field Guide to the Fantastical. I didn't tell the kids straight away though. I bought some scrapbook paper and a brown scrapbook cover.
I had the kids sit down on the couch today and I told them, "It's come to my attention that there might be fantastical creatures in and around our house." Anna (7) got a smile on her face. Quinn (4) said, "Mommy, they're fake." I whispered to Quinn, "We're playing a fun game Quinn. We're pretending that we can see fantastical creatures." Quinn immediately got with the game.
I handed the kids card stock that I cut into quarters and asked them to draw pictures of some of the fantastical creatures they saw. They went around the backyard looking for critters, drew pictures, and told me elaborate stories about the critters they discovered. Anna got to pet a baby Dragusfair. Quinn saw Quaw eggs hatch.
This project is probably going to last a few months, and I think I'll be able to milk a lot of hidden schooling out of it. They have to draw (art), explain how their critters live (biology), and document and describe what they "see" (language arts).
I am so far impressed with their imagination and think this project is a hit.
Naturally, when the movie came out, we saw it. We usually go to a museum of some sort once a week, but this week we ditched the museum and saw the Spiderwick Chronicles. While my kids thoroughly enjoyed it and haven't had any nightmares, I wouldn't recommend it for most little kids. At seven, Anna knows the difference between fact and fantasy. Quinn, who is four, also knows the difference, but it was still a bit much. I don't think I would have taken him if he hadn't heard the stories.
Anyway, the kids loved the show.
The movie shows Arthur Spiderwick's Field Guide to the Fantastical, and the idea immediately jumped into my head. I decided we'd make the Nicodemus Field Guide to the Fantastical. I didn't tell the kids straight away though. I bought some scrapbook paper and a brown scrapbook cover.
I had the kids sit down on the couch today and I told them, "It's come to my attention that there might be fantastical creatures in and around our house." Anna (7) got a smile on her face. Quinn (4) said, "Mommy, they're fake." I whispered to Quinn, "We're playing a fun game Quinn. We're pretending that we can see fantastical creatures." Quinn immediately got with the game.
I handed the kids card stock that I cut into quarters and asked them to draw pictures of some of the fantastical creatures they saw. They went around the backyard looking for critters, drew pictures, and told me elaborate stories about the critters they discovered. Anna got to pet a baby Dragusfair. Quinn saw Quaw eggs hatch.
This project is probably going to last a few months, and I think I'll be able to milk a lot of hidden schooling out of it. They have to draw (art), explain how their critters live (biology), and document and describe what they "see" (language arts).
I am so far impressed with their imagination and think this project is a hit.
Labels: art, biology, draw, fantastical, fantasy, field guide, spiderwick
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