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Yikes
. . . it's a looth tooth! One of Junie B. Jones's top front
teeth is loose! Only Junie B. is not that thrilled about this
development. because what if she looks like toothless Uncle
Lou? And even worse . . . what's all this tooth fairy business?
Like, who is this woman, really? and what does she do with
all those unused teeth? So many questions, so little time.
Junie’s
B.’s notion that the tooth fairy recycles teeth in Junie
B., First Grader: Toothless Wonder sparks
a lesson familiarizing students with recycling and its importance
to our environment. A neighborhood survey extends environmental
awareness through math activities as students tally, graph,
and discuss their poll results. A companion printable activity
sheet shows students more about what lies beneath the surface
of their teeth.
Pre-Reading
Activity
Show
your class that recycling symbol on various products and ask
them if they know what it means. Explain the symbol and define
the term recycling, making a list of things in the
classroom and at home made from materials that can be recycled
(glass, metals, plastics, paper). Using information provided
on labels, list those items already made from recycled materials
(brown paper bags, egg cartons, aluminum cans). Help students
to appreciate why recycling is important to our environment
ant to our standard of living. Hint that they are going to
discover some very interesting ideas Junie B. has about recycling
in this latest book.
Waste
Not, Want Not
Through
her classroom lesson with Dan, Dan the Soda Can and her idea
that Ollie’s new tooth is really her very own recycled tooth,
Junie B. sees the sense as well as the “cents” in recycling.
After reading Junie B., First Grader: Toothless Wonder
, have students conduct a brief survey to determine if
family members, neighbors, and school personnel support and
practice recycling materials at home and in the workplace. Questions
might include:
- Do
you think recycling is important to do?
- Do
you recycle at home on a consistent basis?
- Do
you recycle at work on a consistent basis?
- Do
you choose to buy products made from recycled materials whenever
possible?
- Do
you think recycling makes “cents”?
As
a class, tally the Yes/No answers to each question and create
a bar graph to display on the classroom bulletin board. Compare
and contrast the totals from each question.
Conclude
with a fun game of “Recycling Bingo.” Have students divide a
card or sheet of paper into 16 squares organized in four columns
and four rows (or pass out copies of a pre-made grid). List
16 recyclable items on the blackboard, and have students randomly
write one in each of the squares on their card. Then, place
individual mini cards for each of the items in the bottom half
of a recycled milk or juice container. As you call out the items,
have students cover their squares with M&Ms or other candies.
When a student has four in a row, down, across, or diagonally,
he or she should shout, “Recycle!” and as a prize, the winner
can eat (and recycle) the candies!
 Build
Character with Junie B.
• Dignity
In
Junie B., First Grader: Toothless Wonder, Junie B.
is excited about being the first person in her class to have
a loose tooth, but her excitement dwindles when classmates mention
that she might look strange like Uncle Lou. Discuss with the
class how dignity starts with liking yourself and how you look
and not caring what others think. How did Junie B.'s grandpa
help her cope with liking how she looked with her missing tooth?
•
Citizenship
In
Junie B., First Grader: Toothless Wonder , Miss Chris
came in to talk about recycling and how it is important to not
litter. Define citizenship and the kinds of behavior that demonstrate
being a good citizen. Ask the class to explain how recycling
and not littering translate into being a good citizen. As a
class make a list of behaviors that exhibit good citizenship
and post it in the classroom.
Check
out the complete Build
Character with Junie B. Educational Activity Kit
Printable Activity
Rosemary
B. Stimola, Ph.D., serves as educational and editorial consultant
to publishers of children’s books.
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