Imagine Life on a Cloud

What You Need:

• A pad of paper
• 5 pieces of white paper
• A stapler
• Pen or pencil
• Markers
• Glue
• Cotton balls

What You Do:

1. Head outside with your child and observe the clouds together. Discuss the shapes and textures of the cloud. Then ask him to imagine what he thinks it would be like to live on a cloud, and discuss adjectives. If he already knows what they are, great! If not, explain that they are words used to describe things.
2. Invite him to write down nine adjectives to describe what his life on a cloud would be like, based on his five senses. The things can be good or bad, as long as he uses describing words. If he has trouble coming up with answers, ask guiding questions such as "What would it feel like?" and "What would it smell like?" and so on.
3. Once he has nine adjectives, take the five pieces of white paper in a pile and fold them hamburger-style. Flip the paper so the fold (or spine) is on the left, like a book, and staple the spine.
4. Encourage your child to write a story based on his life on a cloud! Use a different adjective from his list in a sentence on each page of the book. Then write a second sentence explaining why he thinks the cloud would be the way he described it.
5. Invite your child to draw pictures on each page, illustrating what his life on a cloud would look like.
6. On the cover, draw a big cloud shape in the middle of the page. Spread glue over the shape and stick cotton balls onto the glue in the shape of a cloud. Set it aside to dry.
7. Have your child create a title to write on the cover, and be sure he adds his name as author. Then invite him to read it out loud to you!