This New For Us Friday we’re sharing a new-f0r-us lunchbox note–fun fact lunchbox notes! LOVE these!!
A few weeks ago, Maddy, Owen, and Cora were totally into an article in the Kids Post about ear wax. Yes, ear wax. At breakfast. And the article promised more equally disgusting (but soooo interesting!) topics in the near future.
I could barely swallow my coffee as I read it, but what was strikingly clear to me was that when kids, even little guys, are interested in something, they’ll read it. They’ll want to learn more. They’ll ask smart questions and make incredible connections.
So I was completely overjoyed when my pal Kristen created these fun-fact lunchbox notes and sent them my way.
I was hoping that these strange, curious facts about animals and insects would spark my kiddos’ interest–get them interested in learning more about the world around them. Get them talking about bugs and birds and animals with each other and with their friends.
And they did. Score!
Fun Fact Lunchbox Notes: Seriously, I love these. And I’m betting your kiddos will, too.
Covering everything from slugs and their numerous noses (do you know how many they have??!) to what ants do when they wake up in the morning, to what a giraffe does with its (how long!!??) tongue, every little fact is fun and full of new-for-us information.
Maddy has said these are her most favorite lunchbox notes ever, and Owen agrees. Cora loves them because there’s one about a honeybee because right now she’s all about bees.
I love them because as I write a little ‘I love you’ note on at the end, I’m surprised and amazed at the randomness and strangeness of each fact. Talk about learning something new with every packed lunch!
Fun-fact lunchbox notes are just that–fun like whut and factual–
though I have to admit, some of the facts are pretty crazy!
Want the fun fact lunchbox notes? Add your email below, and they’ll end up in your inbox in NO time!
Some days, Maddy will tell me that she and her neighbors at lunch talked about her fun fact note all through lunch. I’m not sure I totally believe her, but I’d like to–and I’d pay big money to be a fly on the wall of that cafeteria to hear that conversation. . .
Either way, I’m over the moon that she’s thinking about these, and again, I’m grateful that Kristen sent them to us and gave us the ‘go’ to share them with teach mama readers. Thank you, my friend!!
As more and more rich and varied non-fiction is being created for emerging readers, the challenge for educators is no longer what texts to use but more how they can use non-fiction texts in primary grade classrooms (Palmer & Stewart, “Models for using nonfiction in the primary grades”, The Reading Teacher. February 2005).
The authors offer three models and methods to use non-fiction in classrooms: teacher directed instruction, scaffolded student investigation, and independent student investigation. I’m not going there at this point, with my kiddos, though I do find the ideas worthwhile.
My focus was more just sparking interest, getting kiddos familiar with non-fiction vs fiction texts. I think it’s little steps that parents can take, like reading a high-interest, catered-for-kids article in the newspaper or a fun-fact like these to get kids’ brains going, juices flowing, and (hopefully) asking for more.
If nothing else, what we do now with non-fiction will pave the way for a stronger understanding of expository texts for our kiddos as their literacy skills grow.
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Cheers, and happy reading during this incredibly exciting journey!
originally published March 18, 2011
Stimey
I LOVE these lunchbox notes. Who knew that ants stretched? That’s way cool! I didn’t really write a blog post about it to link to, but I did take part in a podcast this week, which was my first time. It was definitely outside my comfort zone, but turned out pretty well, I think! (http://communities.washingtontimes.com/)
amy
JEAN!!! You totally rock with your podcast. Cannot wait to listen, as your work on Washington Times is incredible, just like your work at http://www.autmont.com/
Thanks for linking back and happy Friday!!
Sande/Urban Mama
Well, this week I saw a new movie, ‘The Lincoln Lawyer.’ It’s not for kids, but it was a pretty decent movie, especially since it proved to me that Matthew McConaughey is more than a six-pack of abs: http://www.commonsensemedia.org/movie-reviews/lincoln-lawyer
amy
thanks a ton, sandie!! can’t wait to check it out!!xo
Carolyn
This is a fantastic idea – I just wish I had thought of it! Has so much potential…
amy
thanks, Carolyn! Yes, it does–and we’ve got lots in the works!!
Rachelle
I love this. My kids aren’t reading yet, but I’ll definitely sock this idea away for the not-too-far-off future!
amy
thanks, Rachelle!!
christine
i recently stumbled upon your blog – loving it so far. i almost have to walk away sometimes because there is soooo much good stuff on here it makes my brain spin (and then sometimes i feel guilty – like i could and should be doing so much more at home..baby steps, baby steps, right).
anyway, this week as an extension of trying to truly focus a chunk of time on my kids each day (no multitasking), i took just my kindergartener to lunch and together we decided on a place that neither of us had been before. it was sooo nice to do a little exploration together, just the 2 of us, w/o the distraction of very much less self-sufficient 18-month old sister in tow. And the place was tasty too (Five Guys…this is sort of a new thing in the Chicagoland area, old news elsewhere I’m sure…)
amy
Christine–thanks so much for writing! I have to remind you that these posts are teeny-tiny bits of our day–like 15 or 20 minute chunks, and the greater part of the day is spent the same way as the majority of households are: picking up, running in place, cleaning, rallying the troops, getting coats on, cleaning more, preparing food, etc.
Especially for you, with a 5/6 yo and a tiny one, it’s HARD to fit in any focused time–but if you do–even if it’s like 10 minutes here and there, it counts! It helps! So pat yourself on the back. I love how you came up with a ‘new’ something to do together–that’s so important because the more of a stakeholder we are, the more interested we are in learning, right?
Thanks again for writing, my friend, and I hope this means we’ll stay connected!
Happy Monday!
Rachel
I just now got around to the list of facts – they are totally awesome! Thanks!
Leticia- Tech Savvy Mama
I just downloaded both lists! Now off to cut them up and stuff them in tomorrow’s lunches! 🙂
amy
glad they’ll work for you, Leticia!
Susan
I just came across your blog…love it! I will be following you 🙂 Thanks for sharing this great idea! My girls also love to learn fun facts and be able to share their cool new knowledge with others. We homeschool, so we don’t always have to take lunch boxes with us, but we do sometimes, plus I could see other uses for the same idea.
amy
thanks for writing, Susan! Glad the notes work for you, and I look forward to staying in touch!! Let me know how else you decide to use these notes, my friend!!
Jude from Colour Giggles
wow, love this idea… my little one is also still a number of years away from reading and lunch boxes, but thinking I might start including some notes in my husbands for now – maybe some tips on how to make the bed ha ha 🙂 Thanks for the great idea though, going to bank this one for sure…
amy
Ha, ha, ha!! I LOVE that idea…I need to make tiny ‘reminder’ notes for my family, too–and of course we’ll throw in some hugs and love in there as well Too funny!
Thanks for writing, my friend!
Kristen Milne
So glad your kiddos liked the fun facts so much!
amy
of course they did–YOU are amazing, and thank you for creating them!! Let me know when Fun Facts 2.0 is ready. . . 🙂
Natalie
Hi cannot download any fun fact lunchbox notes. Link is not working
amy mascott
should be fixed, natalie! thank you for your patience!!!