Story Notes and Extras 

A Very Merry Christmas

 

written and presented by Sean Hunter

with music by

Country Music Hall of Fame Member

 

Charlie McCoy

 

Talk and Discover

for parents, teachers, families and children to enjoy

 

What is something that you might find in a country General Store? 

What is something that you could make as a gift for someone?

Why is it important to help neighbors, friends and family?

What are some ways that you can help someone?

Who is someone that has helped you?

 

Learning With Art

 

Draw a picture of an angel.

Draw a picture of Christmas cookie.

Draw a picture of something that you might see in the winter.

 

More Talk and Discover

 

How do you begin to help someone?

If you were a farmer, what would you share with your neighbors?

What might be some of the songs that were sung in the

General Store around the potbelly stove?

How do you let someone know that you are grateful 

for their kindness?

Why do you think the family that owned the General Store 

were willing to trust that their needs would be met?

 

Other Stories To Enjoy

The Grinch That Stole Christmas
The Night Before Christmas

 

Some Other Ways To Have Fun

 

Make a Ginger Bread House.

Sing some of the traditional Christmas songs with family and friends.

Write a Christmas poem.

 

Helping To Make The Holidays Happy

 For Everyone

Visit someone in a hospital, or that is sick at home.
Write a note or letter to someone that you haven’t seen for a while.
 Smile.

 

 

Story Notes and Extras 

Tom - The Thanksgiving Turkey

 

written and presented by Sean Hunter

 

Talk and Discover

for parents, teachers, families and children to enjoy

 

Why is it important to be thankful?

What are your grateful for?

What are some of the blessings of each day?

Why are you proud to be an American?

 

Learning With Art

 

Draw something people enjoy on Thanksgiving.

Draw a picture of something you would be happy to share.

Draw a picture of King Hop A’Tommus.

 

More Talk and Discover

Who is someone you are grateful for?

What were some of the needs for the Colonial Patriots?

What are some of the needs that we have today?

Why is a meal a part of the Thanksgiving celebration?

 

Extra Credit

 

What did Babe Ruth have to be thankful for?

What are some blessings that Helen Keller received?

What does Denzel Washington have to be thankful for?

Why was Charles Lindbergh proud to be an American?

How did being grateful help Dr. Martin Luther King with his work?

 

More Thanksgiving History

 

In what city did George Washington present his Thanksgiving proclamation?

When is Thanksgiving celebrated in Canada?

 

Being A Good Host

 

Like the Pilgrims and Indians, what foods would you plan 

for a Thanksgiving dinner and celebration?

 

Links To Share

 

George Washington’s Thanksgiving Proclamation

 

 HYPERLINK "http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/gwhtml/gw004.html" http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/gwhtml/gw004.html

 

Abraham Lincoln’s Thanksgiving Proclamation

 

 

 HYPERLINK "http://www.abrahamlincolnonline.org/lincoln/speeches/thanks.htm" http://www.abrahamlincolnonline.org/lincoln/speeches/thanks.htm

 

Story Notes and Extras 

Three Happy Frogs

 

written and presented by Sean Hunter

4

Talk and Discover

for parents, teachers, families and children to enjoy

 

What words do you like to spell?

What words in the story are fun to spell?

Why is spelling good?

What do you learn when spelling words?

 

Learning With Art

 

Draw a picture of a frog.

Draw a picture of one of the words you heard in the story.

Draw a picture of something Zip, Zap and Zoom might spell.

 

Extra Credit

 

What are some words that begin with the 6^th letter of the alphabet?

What are some words that begin with the 16^th letter of the alphabet?

 

Extra, Extra Credit

 

Take one of the three letter words you have learned to spell,

 then add another letter to make a four letter word.

 

for example – you can add the letter R to the word FOG

 

Bonus

 

What are some words that when spelt backwards

make another word?

 

 

Ways To Play ALPHABET

Around A Table

 

Just begin and have fun,

 

and in a classroom, form a circle

and each person name a letter

until you’ve spelt a word.

 

Just One Rule 

 

Words must be at least three letters,

 

and when you add a letter – you have to know a word 

that letter would help continue to spell.

 

for example – the letters called may be “L” “E” “T.”

 

You can say “word spelt” or continue

and spell words such as “letters” and “lettuce.”

 

 

Having More Fun

 

After a word has been spelt,

have the person that went first use that word in a sentence.

 

How To Practice

To Play ALPHABET

 

Starting with the letter A, make a list of three words

beginning with that letter,

 

Then the next time you practice, make a new list with different words.

 

And to keep improving make a list where each word has four letters. 

 Then a list of words with five letters.

 

Practicing As A Class

 

Everyone pick a different letter,

write down a word beginning with that letter,

and when the teacher says it is your turn,

share that word with the class,

and tell the class the way you think the word is spelt.

 

You’ll be learning more words and improving your vocabulary

 

PS 

 

Some words sound the same but are spelt different.

And no one is a perfect speller.  

So if someone spells a word wrong, that is OK.

 

Help make the correction.

 

Part of the fun of playing ALPHABET

Is learning and helping each other.

 

The Spelling Challenge

 

Spell the name of a State.

A food that is healthy to eat.

An animal that lives on a farm.

An animal in the zoo.

An animal found in the jungle.

 

Ways To Learn New Words

 

Reading.

 

Reading a book. A newspaper.  Magazine

 

Use a dictionary.

 

Look up a word in a Thesaurus.

 

 

Story Notes and Extras

Sparky McCloud – Celebrates The 4^th of July

 

written and presented by Sean Hunter

 

Talk and Discover

for parents, teachers, families and children

 

What do you like about parades?

Why do we have parades?

What at a parade makes you cheer?

Why is freedom good?

What have people done to make 

your freedom possible?

What are some freedoms other countries 

don’t have?

 

Learning With Art About America

 

Draw a picture of the Liberty Bell,

the flag Betsy Ross made,

a picture of a famous patriot.

 

Who Were

 

The Sons of Liberty - The Minutemen

The Green Mountain Boys

The Red Coats – Lobster Backs

Hessians – Loyalist -Tories 

Overmountain Men - Whigs

Daughters of the American Revolution

 

More Talk and Discover

 

How many miles would a soldier have to walk 

to get from Philadelphia to Valley Forge?

Boston to Fort Ticonderoga –

Kings Mountain to Yorktown

How many miles could an army march in a day?

How long could each march take?

What were some of the conditions that could make a march difficult?

What does it mean, “proud to be an American?”

 

Talk, Discover and History

 

When the American Revolution began, what was the capital of America?

What was the capital of each state?

What other cities served as America’s capital?

How were some state boundaries different?

 

More Talk, Discover and History

 

When was the Stamp Act signed?

What began the Boston Massacre?

Who were some of the patriots involved in

the Boston Tea Party?

How long did the British occupy NYC?

How long was Philadelphia occupied?

How did Spain, France and the Netherlands 

help the Americans?

 

Talk, Discover and Navy

 

Who were some of the naval leaders in the American Revolution?

How many ships did the American Navy have?

Where were some of the naval battles?

What were some of the names of the American’s ships?

 

Some of the Key Battles

 

Bunker Hill – Quebec - Long Island - Ticonderoga – Saratoga – Trenton and Princeton – Monmouth – Savannah - Charleston - Guilford Courthouse – Cowpens - Yorktown

 

Documents of Freedom

 

Olive Branch Petition

Proclamation of Rebellion

Declaration of Independence

Articles of Confederation

Treaty of Paris

The Bill of Rights

The United States Constitution

 

What is the importance of each document?

When were each signed?

Why are they important today?

 

Remembering Freedom

 

How does voting defend our freedoms?

What are the freedoms that we need to defend?

On what other occasions and parades are the patriots of past and present honored?

 

Extra Credit

 

What inscription is on the Liberty Bell?

Where is the Cradle of Liberty?

Make a list of 10 municipalities named after

American Revolution patriots, soldiers and leaders.  (using 4 different states)

 

Landmarks to Visit

 

Freedom Trail in Boston 

Independence Hall in Philadelphia

Valley Forge

Kings Mountain National Park

 

Some of the Patriots, Soldiers and Leaders  of the American Revolution

 

Paul Revere – Thomas Paine – Samuel Adams –

 

George Washington – Nathan Hale – Benedict Arnold – 

Francis Marion – Barzillai Lew - Nathaniel Greene 

 

John Hancock – John Adams – Thomas Jefferson – Benjamin Franklin – Patrick Henry –

Ethan Allen -

 

Famous Quotes

 

“I have only begun to fight”

“I regret that I only have one life to give for my country”

“Those who expect to reap the blessings of freedom must, like men, undergo the fatigue of supporting it.”

 

Celebrations

 

 

first parade honoring the 4^th o f July was held in Bristol, RI

 

Story Notes and Extras

The Duck With The Brush

 

written and presented by Sean Hunter

with the art of 

Will Bulla

and a little toot at the end by

Country Music Hall of Fame member

Charlie McCoy

 

Talk and Discover

 

Why do you think Ducky wanted people to eat 

something that is good for their teeth?

Where do you think Ducky went to wave his toothbrush?

Why are your teeth important?

 

 

More Talk and Discover

 

What is something that is good to eat

and also good for your teeth?

What is something you ate today

that is good for your teeth?

What is something that you can eat, 

but is not good for your teeth?

What is something that you think Ducky 

would want you to eat?

What are some other foods that are good for your teeth?

What is something to drink that is good for your teeth?

How should you take care of your toothbrush?

 

Learning With Art

 

Draw something that grows on trees, that is good 

for your teeth  (and doesn’t have to be cooked)

Draw something you can eat that’s good for your teeth

and grows in the ground.

Draw something to eat that’s a treat for special occasions.

 

More Talk, Discover and Teeth

 

How many teeth does a Kangaroo have?

What happens if a Kangaroo loses a tooth?

How many teeth does a cat have?

 

Tooth Tips

 

Brush and floss  (twice a day - every day)

When playing sports wear and use guards that protect your teeth and jaw.

Wear seat belts – they also save teeth.

 

Extra Credit

 

Why are some teeth sharp?

Why are some teeth flat?

 

Bonus Questions

 

What are some other animals that don’t have teeth?

What are some animals that grow new teeth if

they loose them?

How much can an elephant’s molar weigh?

What animal has teeth on their tongue?

 

Books With Ducks

 

Make Way For Ducklings

The Ugly Duckling

Make up a name for a book about ducks that you would write –

Ie “The Night The Ducks Went Dancing”

 

And Always Remember 

 

If it’s not good for your teeth,

it’s not good for your body.

And if it’s not good for your body,

it’s not good for your teeth.

 

 

And Having More Fun

Story Notes and Extras 

Why There Wasn’t Any Milk At Mr. O’Mally’s Store

 

written and presented by Sean Hunter

 

Talk and Discover

 

What book do you think the rooster was reading?

Why do you think the rooster liked that book?

Who do you think suggested that book to the rooster?

What book do you think the rooster will want to read next?

Could the Good Farm John start a library in the barn?

Who do you think reads the most books,

the dog or the cat?

The horse or the cow?

What books do you like to read?

Why is it important to read?

When is a good time to read?

What can you learn from reading a book?

 

Learning With Art

 

Draw a picture of a rooster.

Draw a picture of the Good Farmer John.

Draw a picture of Rusty.

 

More Talk and Discover

 

What gives you an appetite to read?

Why are books about history interesting?

What makes reading fun? 

Besides books, what else can someone read?

 

Books About Animals That Are Always Enjoyed

 

The Cat In The Hat  -  Curious George

Peter Rabbit  -  Make Way For Ducklings

National Velvet  -  The Black Stallion

All Creatures Great and Small

 

Ways To Read A Story

 

Whisper (sometimes) as you read.

Act surprised – open your eyes wide.

Smile, listen and laugh together.

 

Extra Credit

 

 

What would be a good name for the Good Farmer John’s rooster?

Story Notes and Extras

 Sparky McCloud 

Goes To An Art Show

by Sean Hunter

Talk and Discover

for parents, children, teachers and friends to enjoy

What would you like to see at an art show?

What are some of your favorite colors?

What do you think are some of Sparky’s favorite colors?

Why is using your imagination fun?

What is something art can teach you?

Learning With Art

 

Draw or paint a self portrait.

A picture of someone in your family.

A picture that you would put in an art show.

More Talk and Discover

What in a painting do you like to see?

How can a painting stir a memory?

What are some types of art besides paintings?

The Art of Imagination

Draw a car that doesn’t need tires.

A house for a duck.

A picture of the moon when it’s happy.

The Art of History

Draw a picture of a President.

A picture of the flag that Betsy Ross made.

A picture of a covered wagon.

The Art of Nature

Draw a picture of a flower. 

Something that grows on trees.

Something that lives in the forest or jungle.

The Art of Reading

Draw a picture of “The Cat In The Hat”

of Peter Rabbit

the train engine in “The Little Engine That Could”

The Art of Geography

Draw something you would see in Europe.

Something you would see at the South Pole

Design and paint a sign for a National Park.

The Art of Fun

Where and when will there be there an art show near you?

What are three famous museums you could visit?

Draw something you saw in a painting.

More Talk and Discover

When does an artist use their imagination?

Why is using your imagination important?

Besides art, what is something that you can use your imagination for?

Extra Credit

Who are some of the people or characters that artist have created besides

Mickey Mouse – Superman - Nancy, Sluggo and Aunt Fritzi?

At The Library

Visit your local and school library where there are books to enjoy

about art, artist and their work.

Some Of Sparky’s Favorite’s Artist

Norman Rockwell

Grandma Moses

Richard Jesse Watson

Jerry Pickney

Frederic Remington

Dr. Seuss

Good Questions

Ask your mother, father, family, friends and teachers who are the artist they like.