Welcome back to our Early Excellence Project blog series, where we aim to turn reading into an adventure for our youngest scholars. Today, we're spotlighting "Ada Twist, Scientist" by Andrea Beaty, a delightful story that follows Ada, a curious girl who embarks on a quest for answers through science. This book not only entertains but also inspires children to ask questions and explore the world around them. Let's dive into some engaging activities to accompany this read.
Questions to Ask After Reading
Discussing "Ada Twist, Scientist" with your child can deepen their understanding and appreciation of the story. Here are some questions to get the conversation started:
What makes Ada a good scientist?
Why is it important to ask questions?
Can you think of a time when you were curious about something like Ada? What did you do?
What did Ada learn by the end of the book?
How can you be a scientist in your everyday life?
These questions encourage children to reflect on the value of curiosity, perseverance, and the scientific method in discovering the world around them.
Sight Words to Search For Within the Book
"Sight words" are frequently used words that young readers should recognize by sight. "Ada Twist, Scientist" offers a great opportunity to practice these. Here are some sight words found in the book: ask, why, how, what, when, where, who.
As you read the book with your child, make a game of finding these words. This activity supports the development of reading fluency, a key principle in the science of reading, by enhancing word recognition skills.
Drawing Activity: Connect with the Book in a Creative Way
Engage your child's imagination and reinforce the story's themes with a simple drawing activity. You'll need only basic supplies and a little creativity.
Materials Needed:
Paper
Crayons, markers, or pencils
Activity Instructions:
Invent Something: Inspired by Ada's love for science, ask your child to draw an invention they dream of creating. It could be anything from a robot that cleans their room to a machine that makes candy.
Science Experiment: Have your child draw a picture of themselves doing a science experiment. Encourage them to think about what they would study and how they would do it.
Ada Twist, Scientist Portrait: Invite your child to draw Ada Twist in her lab, surrounded by all the tools and gadgets a scientist might need.
This drawing activity not only taps into your child's creative side but also encourages them to think like scientists, fostering curiosity and imagination.
"Ada Twist, Scientist" by Andrea Beaty is a celebration of curiosity, a love for science, and the relentless pursuit of knowledge. By engaging with your child through thoughtful questions, sight word identification, and creative drawing activities, you're not only supporting their literacy development but also encouraging them to think critically and creatively about the world around them. These activities are designed to be simple, requiring no prep and using materials you likely have at home, making learning both fun and accessible.
Stay tuned for more engaging literacy lessons for our little learners. Happy exploring!
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