Today is our kickoff to our summer long superhero summer reading adventure series!
To piggy back off this year’s summer theme (Every Hero Has a Story) at most libraries, I will be sharing weekly activities based on a super read-aloud title. This is the perfect project if you are looking for hands-on ideas to do with the kids that are connected to great books. The suggestions will fit perfectly with those who will also be participating in a local library reading program with the same theme.
Each Friday, check back for a new book and list of activities that you can do with your kids this summer. The ideas will work great for the 3-8 year-old crowd.
Let’s kick the series off with Noodle Man: The Pasta Superhero!
Superhero Summer Reading Book and Activities
Book
Noodle Man: The Pasta Superhero by April Pulley Sayre is the story of Al Dente who isn’t your average superhero. His family’s pasta business is struggling and he takes to the streets trying to sell fresh pasta from his pasta machine. Not many people are interested in eating fresh pasta, but the Al Dente finds other uses for the pasta. It can catch crooks and save children! Before we know it, Al Dente is the Pasta Superhero!
Enjoy reading the book several times during the week!
Activities
Try these fun and playful activities throughout the week to build and reinforce skills.
Noodle Creations
Materials Needed: themed shaped pasta (we used this sea life pasta), glue, construction paper
Set out a tray of themed shaped pasta. Let the kids sort the shapes into piles. Then, invite the children to create scenes on paper. Encourage them to tell stories about their ideas as they work.
This is a great activity for working on sorting, counting, storytelling and creativity!
Pasta Patterning
Take a trip to the grocery store and browse the pasta aisle with your kids. Name the different kinds of pasta. Pick out a few to purchase.
Once home, take time to build vocabulary by talking about each shape and size. Encourage your child to make patterns with the different types of pasta.
You could even dye the pasta and allow the kids to make colored patterns.
Lasagna Roll-Ups
Ingredients (per child): 1 cooked lasagna noodle, 1 TBSP ricotta cheese, 1 TBSP chopped spinach, 1/2 stick string cheese, 1/2 cup spaghetti sauce
Have each child make their own lunch! Take one cooked lasagna noodle and spread the ricotta cheese on top. Next, sprinkle the chopped spinach on top of the ricotta. Tear the string cheese into ropes and add on top of the spinach. Roll the lasagna roll up and cut in half. Place a small amount of sauce into the bottom of a small pan. Place the lasagna rolls on top of the sauce and then cover with remaining sauce. Bake for approximately 10 minutes at 350 degrees.
Serve with a homemade salad made from veggies from your garden or a local farmers market. If you are feeling really ambitious you could also make homemade bread. Try this moon bread recipe from The Educator’s Spin On It.
Cooking builds measuring and following directions skills.
Pasta and Playdough
Let your kids work on engineering and fine motor skills with this creative pasta and playdough idea from Kids Play Box.
Shape Necklaces
Buggy and Buddy shares shape necklaces that are great for working on fine motor skills and shape knowledge.
So pull out the pasta this week and explore!
Join us next week for our superhero summer reading series book- Superworm!
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