"I Need a Break" Classroom Activities from Author and Fifth-Grade Educator Kimberly Behre Kenna
An Interview Excerpt
More from our interview...
Jett Jamison and the Secret Storm
All Jett Jamison wants is a little peace from her active household and the traumatic memories in her head. Seedlings chatted with author and educator Kimberly Behre Kenna to learn more about about Jett Jamison and the Secret Storm and what inspired her to write it.
Artemis Sparke and the Sound Seekers Brigade
Twelve-year-old Artemis Sparke conjures up help from deceased ecologists to save a Long Island Sound salt marsh from certain death, but chaos ensues in her tourist town when she discovers that her mother’s boyfriend’s hotel is part of the problem.
Talking about Trauma in Middle Reader Fiction
Both of Kenna’s protagonists have experienced trauma. Seedlings sat down to talk with the author about how she approaches the topic of trauma when talking to students about her books.
Field Trips: Keeping it Simple and Local
In an interview with Kimberly Behre Kenna, author and a long-time 5th-grade educator, she talks about connecting places to curriculum and using those locales to connect learning to students’ lived experiences.
ELA, STEAM, Social Studies, and Other Curricular Areas for the Brave Girls Book Series
Author and educator Kimberly Behre Kenna has compiled activities grouped by a variety of curricular areas, including ELA, STEAM, Social Studies, and more.
Ideas for Teaching Writing to Elementary School Students
Author and educator Kimberly Behre Kenna offers up some ideas for teaching writing, writing prompts, writing-related activities, and encouraging peer editing.
Other "We Need a Break" Activities
These are plans that have been culled and cobbled from various sources and meant to be easily implemented as a sub plan or if you or your kids are stressed and need a break from the regular routine or you’re at a point where you can’t start the next lesson or unit today…a snow day schedule, or maybe an unplanned assembly changes your schedule.
If you have a favorite activity for teacher or classroom “regrouping,” or sub activities, share with us!
Kindness Art Activity: Fostering Kindness and Creativity in the Classroom
The classroom is the perfect place for this memorable and moving book. Jacqueline Woodson’s Each Kindness has teachable life lessons that might include bullying, judgmental attitudes, the power of kindness–specifically –including others, peer pressure, and the differences in our socioeconomic situations.
Jane Yolen’s Owl Moon Provides Launching Pad for Art, Science, and Writing Activities
Jane Yolen’s Owl Moon, is a terrific book to pair with language-related activities, including similes and metaphors. Find activities that may be used as for a variety of situations from stand alone lessons to a “let’s take a break” sessions.
Thunder Cake: Explore Weather, Feelings of Fear and More
Patricia Polacco’s story can be a springboard for many activities including weather studies and conversations about students’ personal fears and concerns.
Miss Rumphius: Ideas for Discussion and Classroom Activities
Find prompts for discussion and writing and art activities to pair with Barbara Cooney’s Miss Rumphius
