ELMER THE ELEPHANT LEADS TO AN INQUIRY

Last week, we began reading the story of Elmer.  Elmer is an colorful patchwork elephant, who doesn't like that he is different.  The children really enjoyed this story and before we knew it our students were creating their very own "Elmers" at the art center. 

Our interest in Elmer, then developed into an interest in real elephants.  The children participated in a simple "book talk" in which they looked at different books about elephants and shared interesting things they had found in the books.  It was great to hear and see such excitement over books.  This has lead to discussion of the difference between fiction and non-fiction books.  

We went on an "elephant parade" on Friday, just the elephants in the story did!  What fun!