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KEATS ACROSS THE CURRICULUM

ACTIVITIES AND INTERNET RESOURCES USING BOOKS BY EZRA JACK KEATS


APT. 3 by Ezra Jack Keats. Macmillan, 1971. 

 

CLEMENTINA'S CACTUS by Ezra Jack Keats; Viking, 1982. 

 

DREAMS by Ezra Jack Keats; Macmillan, 1974. 

  • This book features some excellent examples of marbleized papers. Marbleizing is a technique perfected by Keats and used in a number of his books like John Henry, Maggie and the Pirate, and In a Spring Garden. Keats demonstrated his marbleizing technique in the video, "Ezra Jack Keats." Have students view this video in preparation for making their own marbleized paper. 

    http://www.teachingbooks.net/spec_athr.cgi?pid=1071&a=1
    Denise Fleming's Papermaking Instructions 
     

  • Using the instructions provided, have students make marbleized paper. This requires them to measure the amounts of oil paint and water, and to determine the best ratio of colors. This paper can be used as a part of other artwork, for wrapping gifts, or for bookbinding. 

    Recipe for Marbleized Paper
     

  • Have students make a paper mouse like Roberto made in school. These can be made from construction paper. Require an exact size so they will have to use rulers to measure. 

    http://www.dltk-kids.com/animals 
    Animal Activities - coloring and crafts 
     

  • Talk about the science of shadows. Using a blank screen and a large flashlight, have students make shadows on the screen. Increase and decrease the distance between the light and the screen to change the size of the shadow. To duplicate the shadow that scared away the dog in the book, stand on a ladder and drop a paper mouse between the light and the screen. 

    http://www.shadow-puppets.com/shadow-puppet-7.html 
    Hand shadows 

 

IN THE PARK: AN EXCURSION IN FOUR LANGUAGES by Esther Hautzig, ill. by Ezra Jack Keats; Macmillan, 1968. 

 

HI, CAT! by Ezra Jack Keats; Macmillan, 1970. 

  • Have a veternarian or a humane society representative speak to the class about the problems of stray dogs and cats.

    http://www.kindnews.org 
    National Association for Humane and Environmental Education 
     

  • Make "Mister Big Face" paper bag masks using brown grocery bags. This can combine art with measurement and shapes. 

    http://relache.hubpages.com/hub/kids-masks
    Making a mask 

 

JENNIE'S HAT by Ezra Jack Keats; Harper & Row, 1966. 

 

MY DOG IS LOST! by Ezra Jack Keats and Pat Cherr, illustrated by Ezra Jack Keats. Crowell, 1960. 

 

PET SHOW! by Ezra Jack Keats; Macmillan, 1972. 

  • Count how many different children appear in this book. How many are boys? How many girls? How many times does each child appear in the whole book? How many adults are in the book? Are the children who appear in this book in any other books by Ezra Jack Keats? 

  • How many animals are in the pet show? What are they called? Can you think of any other animals that are kept as pets? 
     

 

PETER'S CHAIR by Ezra Jack Keats; HarperCollins, 1967. 

  • Take a poll to determine which students have older and younger brothers and sisters. Make a graph to show the distribution of boys and girls and their ages.

    http://nces.ed.gov/nceskids/Graphing
    How to make graphs 
     

  • What year was this book published? How old is this book? Is the book older than you are? If so, how much older?

    http://www.funbrain.com/math
    Baseball games using math concepts 
     

  • Write a newspaper article about the birth of Peter's sister and his reaction.

    https://www.timeforkids.com
    Writing a news story 

 

REGARDS TO THE MAN IN THE MOON by Ezra Jack Keats; Four Winds, 1981. 

 

THE SNOWY DAY by Ezra Jack Keats; Viking, 1962. 

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