Explore Reading with Your Family!d28hgpri8am2if.cloudfront.net/tagged_assets/564_ak14_415.pdf · Explore Reading with Your Family! Join Dora and Diego on a Reading Adventure! Explore

Simon Spotlight • Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing • SimonSaysKids.com

Explore Reading with Your Family!

Join Dora and Diego on a Reading Adventure!

Explore Reading with Your Family!Dear Parent(s),

Welcome to your Family Reading Adventure guide! We’ve put together this Family Reading Event Kit to helpyour family spend some quality time reading, learning, and having fun together. Everything included in the following pages will help you prepare an unforgettable and enjoyable reading-themed adventure right in yourown home.

Reproducible materials provided in this kit:

• Family Reading Adventure clue pages

• Backpack Tag template

• Family Reading Adventure mini poster

• Family Reading Adventure map template

• Family Reading Adventure finger puppet activity

• Dora and Diego coloring pages

• Spot the Difference activity

• Sticker sheet template

Additional items you’ll need to provide:

• Three or four different Dora the Explorer and Go, Diego, Go! books (see list of new titles at the end ofthis kit)

• Backpacks (one for each family member taking part)

• Scissors, a hole punch, and string to cut out and attach your backpack tags

• Crayons, pencils, markers, etc. for filling out your Family Reading Adventure map and activities

• Blank sheet of round stickers two and a half inches in diameter (such as Avery labels #3111)

• Empty scrapbook for creating your own family adventure storybook (optional)

We hope you enjoy your Family Reading Adventure and that you’ll make reading a valued part of your family’s routine.

Sincerely,

The Simon Spotlight Marketing Team


Preparing for Your Reading AdventureThe main part of your reading adventure revolves around planning a treasure hunt in and around your home,by placing Dora the Explorer and Go, Diego, Go! books in different rooms and locations, while giving cluesabout the next location once a story is completed.

For the treasure hunt, designate three or four areas in your home as the reading areas and hide each of thebooks in or around that area. Or, if you prefer, you can designate one specific reading spot, where everyone willbring the discovered books to read the story together. It might be a good idea to keep a cheat sheet handy thatlists all of the book locations, because this will help in making your map and finding the books and the clues.

At the starting location, hide the first clue (see the clue pages we’ve provided) in the general area. We’ve providedready-made clues, but have left some blank should you want to create your own clues (such as “where Daddy eatsbreakfast,” “where Mommy likes to sit when she’s outside,” etc.). Let the children use the map that they made tofind the location and then lead the way. Another alternative is giving a clue about a room and then playing“Hot or Cold” toward the specific location where the book is hidden—saying “hot” or “cold” depending onhow close or far from the books they are.

Prepare backpacks for each of the family members embarking on the adventure (and attach the providedbackpack tags) to collect books and hold the map and the used clues. You can also throw in some randomitems for fun (a snack, a Dora or Diego toy, etc.).

Print out the mini poster included in this kit and hang it near your first reading area.

You can choose to hand out the activities provided in this kit at each of the different reading stations or complete them all together at the end of your event.

Additional Ways to Enhance Your Family Reading Adventure

• Have a Dora- and Diego-themed meal before embarking on your reading adventure to set the mood, orhave a picnic during your adventure to make it as authentic as possible. Click here for recipes:http://www.nickjr.com/food/character_food/dora_recipes/index.jhtml

• Use an empty scrapbook and create your own family adventure storybook from the event. Have a Polaroidor digital camera on hand so that you can have instant pictures to put into your book. Together, fill thepages with photos, the used clues, completed activities, etc., as a way to remember this special time withyour family.

• Extend the fun of your adventure after it ends. Choose a few books from those you included in the bookhunt and make your own audio books. Grab a tape recorder or use your computer and record the story asyou read it aloud to your child. Doing this allows your child to read along with you next time they pick upthe book.


Family Reading Adventure Clue Pages

Here are some ready-made clues with hints to where the next book is hidden.Cut each square out and place in the back of each book (in order).

REPRODUCIBLE CLUE PAGES

Simon & Schuster Children’s PublishingFind more reading adventures at SimonSaysKids.com © 2008 Viacom International Inc. All rights reserved. NICK JR.; Dora the Explorer; Go, Diego, Go!; and all related titles, logos, and characters are trademarks of Viacom International Inc.

Clue # __

Try near the fridge.

Clue # __

Did you make your BED today?

Clue # __

Check your sock drawer.

Clue # __

Way to go, you found all the clues!

Here’s your treasure!

Family Reading Adventure Clue Pages

Fill these squares with hints as to where the next book is hidden, then cut each square out and place in the back of each book (in order).

REPRODUCIBLE CLUE PAGES


Clue # __ Clue # __

Clue # __ Clue # __

Family Reading AdventureBackpack Tags

REPRODUCIBLE BACKPACK TAGS

’sFamily Reading

Adventure Backpack

’sFamily Reading

Adventure Backpack

’sFamily Reading

Adventure Backpack

Fill out these backpack tags,

then cut them out and attach one to each

family member’s backpack.


REPRODUCIBLE MINI POSTER

Your Reading Adventure

Begins Here!

Time:

Date:

Location:

Simon & Schuster Children’s PublishingFind more reading adventures at SimonSaysKids.com

© 2008 Viacom International Inc. All rights reserved. NICK JR.; Dora the Explorer; Go, Diego, Go!; and all related titles, logos, and characters are trademarks of Viacom International Inc.

grey does not print

Family Reading Adventure MapWork as a family to draw a map of your home.

Create a rough plan of your house or apartment and the outside area, if you have a porch, balcony, or backyard. You will use this map to move from

one spot to another and to help you find the hidden books.

REPRODUCIBLE FAMILY READING ADVENTURE MAP TEMPLATE


Activity #1

Act Out Dora’s and Diego’s Adventures!

REPRODUCIBLE DORA AND DIEGO FINGER PUPPETS

Cut along the dotted lines to make your own finger puppets. Act out the

adventures as you read!

Carefully cut vertical lines.Interlock cuts with ones opposite

on band for correct size.


Activity #2

Dora Coloring Page

REPRODUCIBLE COLORING PAGE


Activity #3

Diego ColoringPage

REPRODUCIBLE COLORING PAGE


grey does not print

Activity #4

Can you help Diego spot the difference among

each set of pictures?

REPRODUCIBLE SPOT-THE-DIFFERENCE ACTIVITY


A B C

A B C

A B C

ANSWERS: B. (One of the gloves is brown.), B. (No spots on Baby Jaguar’s forehead.), C. (No patch on vest.)

Family Reading Adventure Stickers!

REPRODUCIBLE STICKER SHEET TEMPLATE

Stickers fit Avery Sticker Template #3111

Read

ing Is GREAT!

Read

ing Is GREAT!

Read

ing Is GREAT!

My FamilyReads

Together

My FamilyReads

Together

My FamilyReads

Together

My FamilyReads

Together

My FamilyReads

Together

My FamilyReads

Together

I Went on a

READINGFAMILY

ADVENTURE!

I Went on a

READINGFAMILY

ADVENTURE!

I Went on a

READINGFAMILY

ADVENTURE!

I Went on a

READINGFAMILY

ADVENTURE!

I Went on a

READINGFAMILY

ADVENTURE!

I Went on a

READINGFAMILY

ADVENTURE!


Simon Spotlight [logo] • Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing Find more reading adventures at www.SimonSaysKids.com

Have more exciting family reading adventures with these new Dora the Explorer and

Go, Diego, Go! books from Simon Spotlight!NEW!

ALSO AVAILABLE

Available wherever books are sold!


In storesApril 2008

How to use this event kit

For Librarians

Dear Librarian(s),

Perhaps you too wish to hold a Dora and Diego Reading Adventure for your patrons. With a few simple modifications to the adventure set out in the previous pages, you can make that happen. Here are some tips for creating a Dora and Diego Reading Adventure in your library branch.

• Conducting this adventure in the library will take a bit more organization and long-term planning. Set a datefor your event far enough in advance to give you time to plan everything.

– It may help to have a larger version of your map posted somewhere, so the children can use it to create their own.

• Once you have the date set, make sure to thoroughly advertise your event. – Put up flyers and posters around the library, at local schools, and around the neighborhood. You can

use the mini poster included in this kit. – If possible, send mailings or e-mails out, and make sure to include ads on the library website and in

any published material.

• Instead of preparing backpacks, you can use the bags that children bring with them—they will usually havesomething to hold books.

– It may also help to request on the posters and advertisements that participants bring a backpack. – If your budget allows, you may prepare small “backpacks” for all participants.

• Make sure that you have the supplies required for the activities in this event kit and that you have enoughmaterials for everyone.

• One of the activities is making your own map. Consider limiting the area where you choose to hide books,since having a complicated floor plan will lead to a frustrating map activity for you and the children.

– Keep in mind that the children do not spend nearly as much time in the library as they do in theirhomes, and they will require much more guidance in the activity.

– It may help to have a larger version of your map posted somewhere, so your students can use it tocreate their own.

• Your books can be hidden throughout the library or you can designate certain reading areas around the room(or even the entire library) and have books hidden around those areas only.

– If you plan on reading in those areas, then you should have the appropriate accommodation to do so (small chairs, rugs, etc.)

– Another alternative is hiding books in the shelves and giving clues based on surrounding books, theDewey Decimal system, or the location. Once the books are found, you can return to a reading area.

• Try to gauge the number of people coming to the event ahead of time and have extra staff on hand in casethere are more participants than anticipated. It is always best to have extra librarians available to read, walkaround with, and help the participating children.

• You can invite a local class or work with a teacher (especially if the library is either in a school or near one).This ensures a set number of participants and allows you to have helping hands in the event (teachers and parents).

• If you do find yourself with a large number of participants, perhaps it may be best to split into smaller groupson the adventure.

– The maps and other activities can be done together, and then children can be split into subgroups,each led by a different adult.

– Organizational suggestions include color-coding the clues for each group, planning out routes so thatthere is no overlap, timing the stays at each place so that there is no clumping, and ensuring that thebooks are returned to their hidden locations before the other group finds them.

• In order to allow your patrons to continue their adventures at home, it may help to have a wide selection of Dora the Explorer and Go, Diego, Go! books available immediately to be checked out of the library for reading at home.

– Refer to the list of available titles in the event kit for suggestions.

• You can get even more people involved in this Reading Adventure by bringing in older kids to lead the groupsand conduct the reading.

– This is a good way to encourage younger children to read more—they will think it’s cool.

• If resources allow, it may help to have a Dora- and Diego-themed snack provided for all participants. It will setthe mood for the adventure.

– Click here for recipes: http://www.nickjr.com/food/character_food/dora_recipes/index.jhtml

• You may also find it useful to take pictures of the event (or you can give out a few disposable cameras for participants to use).

– Using these pictures, create a bulletin board or a visual display of the Reading Adventure. This is agreat reminder of the event for attendees, and also a way to increase participation next time.

– Try to have the participants help with the creation of the bulletin board.



For Teachers

Dear Teacher(s),

A Dora and Diego Reading Adventure is the perfect activity for your classroom. With a few simple modificationsto the directions set out in the previous pages, you can make that happen. Here are some tips to creating aReading Adventure in the classroom.

• Decide ahead of time if this is an event you wish to tell the class about or save as a surprise. – If you would like the help of parents, librarians, or other students, discuss the date with them ahead

of time in order to maximize participation.

• Have the students use their own backpacks for the adventure.

• Make sure to have the necessary supplies for the activities and enough copies for the entire class.

• Keep in mind that one of the activities is making your own map. The students should know the classroom verywell but will probably still need some guidance.

– It may help to have a larger version of your map posted somewhere for students to base theirs on.

• The books can be placed in various locations around the room. – An ideal time to do this is during recess, when none of the kids are in the room to see it. Otherwise,

you may just ask the class to stand outside while you hide the books.

• You can designate certain reading areas around the room and have the books hidden near those areas. – If you plan on reading in those areas, then you should have the appropriate accommodation to do

so (small chairs, rugs, etc.) – Another alternative is hiding books in various places, but having the students return to their seats for

the reading, or having only one reading area.

• It may be helpful to bring in parents or older students to help with adventure. – Having older students participate will also set a good example for younger readers.

• Depending on the size of your class and the number of volunteers, it may be possible to split into smallergroups. The maps and starting activities can be done as a class, and then students can be split into groupswith a different leader.

– Organizational suggestions include color-coding the clues for each group, planning out reading – This may be difficult to coordinate in a smaller classroom; you can try to hold the event elsewhere

(e.g. school library, gymnasium). – You can also have each student group follow a series of clues to find one book and then reconvene

to read as a class.

• Encourage your students to continue reading at home by having a small selection ofDora the Explorer and Go, Diego, Go! books available to borrow or to read in class.

– Refer to the list of available titles in the event kit for suggestions.

• You may prepare (or ask parents to prepare) a Dora- and Diego-themed snack to set the mood for the adventure. You may also time the event with a party and serve this instead of more traditional food.

– Click here for recipes:http://www.nickjr.com/food/character_food/dora_recipes/index.jhtml

• Take pictures of the Reading Adventure. – Use these pictures to create a bulletin board or visual display of the Reading

Adventure. – This is a great reminder of the event and a way to showcase the adventure

to parents and other teachers.



For Booksellers

Dear Bookseller(s),

Would you like to hold a Dora and Diego Reading Adventure in your store? With a few simple modifications tothe adventure set out in the previous pages, this can be arranged. Here are some tips for creating a Dora andDiego Reading Adventure in your store.

• Conducting the Reading Adventure in your store will require organization and some long-term planning. Select a date for your event far enough in advance to give you time to plan and organize everything.

– Make sure that the date and time is convenient for the audience you wish to attract (and for thosebringing them there).

– It may also help to time the event with the availability of key titles of the season. – Make sure to order ahead of time any Dora the Explorer and Go, Diego, Go! books necessary for the

adventure and for consequent sales. Refer to the book list included in this event kit for suggestions.

• Once you have the date set, make sure to advertise your event. – Put up flyers and posters (you can use the mini poster we’ve included in the kit) around the

neighborhood and at local schools. – If possible, send mailings and/or e-mails out to your customers.– Make sure to include information on your website and in any published material, if time allows.

• Instead of preparing backpacks, you can use the bags that customers bring with them to shop—they will usually have something with them to hold books—or you could use your store’s branded shopping bags.

– It may also help to request on posters and advertisements that participants bring a backpack. – If your budget allows, you may prepare small “backpacks” for all participants.

• Make sure that you have provided the supplies for the activities in this event kit and have prepared enoughfor everyone participating.

• One of the activities is making your own map of the surroundings. Be considerate of the area that you choose to hide books in, since having a complicated floor plan will be a frustrating activity for both you andthe participants.

– Be aware that the participants spend minimal time in the store and will require much more guidancein the activity.

– It may help to have a larger version of your map posted somewhere, so the children can use it to create their own.

• Your books can be hidden in various locations. You can designate certain reading areas around the store and have the books hidden around those areas.

– If you plan on reading in those areas, then you should have the appropriate accommodation to do so(small chairs, rugs, etc.)

– Another alternative is hiding books in the shelves and giving clues based on surrounding books

and general location. Once the books are found, you can return to one set reading location.

• You can plan to partner this event with a class (especially if you are near a school). This ensures a set number of participants and allows you to have helping hands in the event (teachers and parents).

– This may be better for timing—teachers will bring students during the day, when there may be fewer customers.

• If you do find yourself with a large number of participants, it may be best to split into smaller groups for the adventure.

– The map-making and activities can be done together, and then children can be split into subgroupseach with a different leader.

– Organizational suggestions include color-coding the clues for each group, planning out routes so thatthere is no overlap, timing the stays at each place so that there is no clumping, and ensuring that thebooks are returned to their hidden location before the other group finds them.

• In order to allow your participants to continue reading at home, prepare a display area with a wide selectionof Dora the Explorer and Go, Diego, Go! books available for purchase right after the adventure.

• For booksellers who have a coffee or snack shop on premises, if resources allow, it may help to have a Dora-and Diego-themed snack to set the mood for the adventure.

– Click here for recipes: http://www.nickjr.com/food/character_food/dora_recipes/index.jhtml

• You may also find it useful to take pictures of the event (or you can give out a few disposable cameras for participants to use).

– You can then use these pictures to create a visual display of the event for advertising purposes. – You can also place the pictures on your company website and in e-mail newsletters.


Documents

Explore Reading with Your Family!d28hgpri8am2if.cloudfront.net/tagged_assets/564_ak14_415.pdf · Explore Reading with Your Family! Join Dora and Diego on a Reading Adventure! Explore