Use a teaching guide that includes discussion ideas and activities for use with One Leaf Rides the Wind.
Download

One Leaf Rides the Wind

by Celeste Davidson Mannis

Discussion and Activities

For pre-reading ideas and background information on multiculturalism, see Around the World in 80 Books: A Multicultural Guide.

The young Japanese girl, enjoying the tranquility and beauty of a Japanese garden, wears a kimono, a traditional garment with great significance in Japanese culture. Historically made from silk, distinguished by its open, flowing sleeves, and decorated in patterns or free-style designs, the kimono plays a continuing ceremonial role in modern Japanese life.

Using a child-size outline of a traditional Japanese kimono, have children trace and cut out their own kimono pattern on white roll paper. Using paints, glitter, glue, and/or colored-paper for collage appliqué, allow them to decorate and display their kimonos with symbolic elements discovered and counted in this garden journey. Completed kimonos may be partnered with original or selected haiku written in the traditional 5-7-7 syllable three-line format.

The symbolism of the Japanese garden may be given a scientific spin as children are guided in the planting and care of their own potted Bonsai trees. The bottom half of a milk jug, 3 to 5 inches deep with drainage holes cut into the bottom corners and covered with a piece of pre-cut screen, makes a perfect pot for beginners. With close supervision, each student may cover a thin layer of gravel spread in the bottom of the pot with an inch-deep layer of soil and perlite. Illustrate, via a diagram, how a seedling's roots (maple, willow, pine, or juniper) carry nutrients needed for growth. Place roots on soil, sifting more soil over them until they are covered. Gently press down to insure that no air pockets remain. Sprinkle the soil until water begins to drip out of the drainage holes. Keep the plant out of direct sun, and water it lightly as needed. Wind covered wire around the trunk when it is sufficiently grown yet still easily bent, to shape it as desired. Continue to care for tree, trimming branches that sprout in "wrong" directions.

Penguin Young Readers Group

Brought to you by Penguin Young Readers Group.

The Penguin Group is the second-largest English-language trade book publisher in the world. The company possesses perhaps the world's most prestigious list of best-selling authors and a backlist of unparalleled breadth, depth, and quality. Penguin Young Readers Group features books by authors and illustrators including Judy Blume, Brian Jacques, Eric Carle, and beloved characters like Winnie-the-Pooh, Madeline, The Little Engine that Could, and many, many more.

Featured 3th Grade Resources

Movement Activities for Elementary Students

ACTIVITIES

Movement Activities for Elementary Students

Break up the day and get your students moving with these movement activities for elementary students.

Add to Folder
creative writing
children's book
activities
classroom tools
language arts and writing
vocabulary
Create new folderCREATE NEW FOLDER
Indoor Recess Choice Board Activities for Elementary

CHOICE BOARDS

Indoor Recess Choice Board Activities for Elementary

This menu features a selection of simple and engaging student-choice indoor recess activities.

Add to Folder
creative writing
children's book
activities
classroom tools
language arts and writing
vocabulary
Create new folderCREATE NEW FOLDER
Simple STEAM Suggestions

ACTIVITIES

Simple STEAM Suggestions

Bring Science,Technology, Engineering, Art and Math into the classroom with these fun, cross-curricular projects for ele...

Add to Folder
creative writing
children's book
activities
classroom tools
language arts and writing
vocabulary
Create new folderCREATE NEW FOLDER

Related Resources

ACTIVITIES

Mr. Men & Little Miss Books

Mr.

Add to Folder
creative writing
children's book
activities
classroom tools
language arts and writing
vocabulary
Create new folderCREATE NEW FOLDER

ACTIVITIES

Make Way for Ducklings Literature Guide

Make Way for Ducklingsby Robert McCloskey For Grades Pre–K-5 Enrichment ActivitiesBooks by Robert McCloskey Buy this ...

Add to Folder
creative writing
children's book
activities
classroom tools
language arts and writing
vocabulary
Create new folderCREATE NEW FOLDER

LESSON PLANS

Rapunzel Literature Guide

Rapunzelby Paul O.

Add to Folder
creative writing
children's book
activities
classroom tools
language arts and writing
vocabulary
Create new folderCREATE NEW FOLDER

LESSON PLANS

Aunt Isabel Tells a Good One and Aunt Isabel Makes Trouble

Aunt Isabel Tells a Good One and Aunt Isabel Makes Trouble by Kate Duke For Grades Pre-K - 5 Lesson Plan 1 Less...

Add to Folder
creative writing
children's book
activities
classroom tools
language arts and writing
vocabulary
Create new folderCREATE NEW FOLDER

ACTIVITIES

Goldilocks and the Three Hares

Goldilocks and the Three Hares by Heidi Petach For Grades K - 5 Themes Activities Buy this Book! INTRODUC...

Add to Folder
creative writing
children's book
activities
classroom tools
language arts and writing
vocabulary
Create new folderCREATE NEW FOLDER

ACTIVITIES

Smack Dab in the Middle

Smack Dab in the Middle by Anita Riggio For Grades K - 4 Buy this Book!Enter promo code TEACH for 15% off.

Add to Folder
creative writing
children's book
activities
classroom tools
language arts and writing
vocabulary
Create new folderCREATE NEW FOLDER

About the author

TeacherVision Staff

TeacherVision Editorial Staff

The TeacherVision editorial team is comprised of teachers, experts, and content professionals dedicated to bringing you the most accurate and relevant information in the teaching space.

loading gif