The Very Lonely Firefly

Product Information

Get ready to catch fireflies as a The Very Lonely Firefly activity by preparing a jar ahead of time. Ages 3-6. Born one evening as the sun sets, a little firefly stretches its wings and goes off looking for others of its kind. Attracted by the lights, it flies toward a candle, a flashlight, a lantern, and finally a sky full of fireworks, only to be disappointed. When everything quiets down, though, other fireflies come out and flash their lights. The little firefly isn’t lonely anymore. Although the text may not be as strong as in Carle’s best picture books, its simplicity and its depiction of feeling lonely and finding one’s place in a group will appeal to preschoolers. As the flap copy says, “The Very Lonely Firefly is about belonging.” The illustrations, collages of painted papers, make strong visual statements in the artist’s signature style.” Choose a clear glass mason jar and puncture a few holes in the lid. Kids can decorate the lid if they would like. I don’t recommend decorating the jar itself. Decorations on the jar might interfere with the ability to see inside the jar clearly.

Create the colored paper to use for the wings. (We wanted our wings to resemble the firefly’s wings in the book so we decided to paint our wing paper, but you could also just use construction paper wings to simplify the activity.) Access-restricted-item true Addeddate 2010-05-06 21:18:43 Boxid IA118406 Boxid_2 BWB220140905 Camera Canon EOS 5D Mark II City New York Donor Connection to six early literacy skills - I think this book hits all of these early literacy skills The firefly population is decreasing, so we want to make sure we release them in the same condition we caught them in. Glue the pieces to the green face. Then glue the completed face to the front of your cardboard tube. Let dry.Carle's richly hued, collage-like art and gentle text will be comfortingly familiar to his numerous young devotees."-- Publishers Weekly

Carle’s richly hued, collage-like art and gentle text will be comfortingly familiar to his numerous young devotees.”– Publishers Weekly Lushly illustrated with Eric Carle's trademark vibrant collage art, soothingly told with a gentle read-aloud rhythm, and complete with a surprise sure to "light up" children's faces, The Very Lonely Firefly will fast become a storytime favorite. Read it with a flashlight in the dark or under the table--and watch those fireflies glow! Praise for The Very Lonely Firefly :

Paint your cardboard tube to resemble the body of a firefly. We painted the top 2/3 of ours brown and the bottom third with white and yellow stripes. Set it aside to dry. Firefly begins with the letter F. Teach your student the letter F this week as well as the sound it makes. Art paper (This is our favorite art paper. It’s inexpensive and holds different types of paints really well.) The lighted end of the flashlight will be the firefly’s tail. Glue the two eyes on each side of the other end of the flashlight to make the firefly’s eyes. Now glue the two rectangular shaped antenna at the top of the flashlight, above the eyes. Midway down the flashlight is where you will glue one 2 inch half circle and one 4 inch half circle on each side of the flashlight to make wings. Let the flashlight fireflies dry, then turn them on to see them light up! Firefly Catchers You may want to use this book as an opportunity to discuss loneliness. Has your student felt lonely before? When? What can we do when we feel lonely? (Tell someone we trust. Talk about it. Find someone to play with.)

We decided to make our own fireflies (or lightning bugs as I used to call them) using a cardboard tube and some paper. They turned out super cute! (You could even make a smaller version using an empty toilet paper roll.) Then place a damp coffee filter or paper towel in the jar. This keeps the environment humid to protect the firefly. Academic opportunities (preschool level): Opportunities to tact the objects mentioned that the firefly mistakes for other fireflies: lantern, flashlight, headlights, candle, fireworks, etc. Brief summary - A Firefly searches for other fireflies and happens upon other things that light up at night until he finds the fireflies. From bestselling author and illustrator Eric Carle, the creator of The Very Hungry Caterpillar , comes another classic tale about one very lonely firefly. A perfect gift to share with the child or grandchild in your life.Our house rule was that they could catch fireflies to look at, but they couldn’t keep them. They would put them in a little jar for a few minutes while they looked at the insects up close. Then they would release them so they could be with their little bug families. Lushly illustrated with Eric Carle’s trademark vibrant collage art, soothingly told with a gentle read-aloud rhythm, and complete with a surprise sure to “light up” children’s faces, The Very Lonely Firefly will fast become a storytime favorite. Read it with a flashlight in the dark or under the table–and watch those fireflies glow!