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Something
very wonderful is happening to Junie B. Jones. And it’s called—hurray,
hurray!—she’s getting to be a professional lunch lady! And that
means hanging out with Mrs. Gutzman in the cafeteria. And standing
behind the counter. And even wearing a real actual hair net!
Who knows? Pretty soon she could be the boss of the whole entire
lunch operation!
In
this guide, Junie B.’s baby bird lunch box in Junie
B., First Grader: Boss of Lunch transforms
young readers into young birdwatchers. A science lesson acquaints
students with many facts about our feathered friends and leads
to further learning activities in art, music, and language arts.
A companion printable activity sheet sharpens thinking and expands
vocabulary in a fun word game.
Pre-Reading
Activity
Using
a show of hands, ask your students how many of them bring
their lunch to school and how many buy their lunch in school.
Ask the students who bring lunch what they carry it in (paper
bag, lunch box, backpack). Tell them that Junie B. is so thrilled
with her new lunch box that she can’t take her eyes off it.
Have them guess what might be on it, offering hints when necessary.
For example, “It came from a nature store” or “It shows certain
kinds of animal babies.” Once they “guess” the answer, ask
your class: “What makes a bird a bird?” Identifying characteristics
such as feathers, beaks, feet, and wings and what functions
or purposes each serves. Then ask about what birds they know
or have heard about in particular. Have them share some of
their favorite bird stories.
Junie
B., the “B” Is for “Birdwatcher”
In
Junie B., First Grader: Boss of Lunch , Junie B. feels
happy inside every time she looks at her new lunch box with
pictures of baby birds on it. Imagine how much happier she will
be when she learns that her lunch box shows just a few of the
8,600 species of birds in the world today!
Have
each student create his/her own Official Junie B. Birdwatcher
Badge, cutting out a bird silhouette on construction paper and
decorating with crayons, feathers, and other art materials of
choice. Explaining the importance of quiet and gentle movement
in observing birds, prepare your class for a series of short
Bird Watcher Field Trips around your school or neighborhood.
Ask students what birds they think they may encounter and where
they might find them.
Upon
return to the classroom, have each student develop a guide called
My Neighborhood Field Guide to Birds. Students may draw a picture
of each bird observed, listing the species name and location
found, along with physical descriptions such as size, color
patterns, shape, and voice. Then, using Internet and other library
resources, assist students in learning more about each of the
birds in their guide, including feeding habits, nesting/nurturing
behaviors, etc. Students may then extend their research to birds,
such as eagles, owls, woodpeckers, and parrots, found in other
habitat and world areas and prepare a report on “My Favorite
Bird.”
Conclude
activities by sharing folktales from different cultures featuring
bird characters ( The Nightingale, Raven, The Seven Swans
) and through a “Feathered Friends Sing-along” that includes
familiar tunes such as “Robin in the Rain,” “Six Little Ducks,”
“Bye-Bye Blackbird.”
 Build
Character with Junie B.
•
Responsibility
In
Junie B., First Grader: Boss of Lunch , Junie B. take
on a job in the school cafeteria. As her dad points out, “a
helper makes things easier.” Discuss with the class Junie B.’s
responsibilities with helping Mrs. Gutzman. Ask students to
share roles they take on that show they are responsible.
Check
out the complete Build
Character with Junie B. Educational Activity Kit
 Printable
Activities
•
Junie
B.’s Magical Words
Rosemary
B. Stimola, Ph.D., serves as educational and editorial consultant
to publishers of children’s books.
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