Discover a World of Words

Throughout the story introduce new vocabulary words using gestures, tone of voice, pointing to illustrations, or providing brief explanations. Examples include:

Reading Tips and acTiviTies

An OrAnge in JAnuAryby Dianna Hutts Aston

Reading with children can improve their language, literacy, and social-emotional skills, increasing their knowledge of the world around them. With the right book choices, reading can introduce children to healthy eating habits too!

What It’s All About

This story follows the journey of an orange from its origin as a flower bud in an orange grove to a local grocery store and finally to the mouths of friends sharing a delicious treat. The story shows how the orange grows, relying on water and sunshine. Next the orange is picked by a worker and shipped to a grocery store where a young boy imagines all the uses for an orange. At last the young boy shares the orange when it is time to eat.

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Dig into the Story

Develop children’s comprehension of the story by discussing higher-level information (e.g., link characters’ feelings to their actions and/or events in the story, predict what might happen, summarize chunks of text). Use prompts throughout the story, such as:

• Whydidthefarmersshiptheorangeacrossthecountry?• Thelittleboysawmanythingsinthegrocerystore.Whydidhe

choosetobuytheorange?• InJanuary,canorangesgrowinplaceswhereitiscoldand

snowing?Whatdoorangesneedtogrow?• Whatdidtheboydecidetodowiththeorange?

Make Connections Beyond the Book

After reading the story, make connections to an aspect of the child’s real-life by:

• Discussing that some fruits and vegetables only grow in certain conditions. Most fruits and vegetables only grow in places where it is warm, sunny, and sometimes rains.

• Visiting the grocery store. Talk about where different fruits and vegetables came from by reading notes on the packaging or grocery store displays. Share information about how these fruits and vegetables grow.

This guide was created in partnership with Whole Kids Foundation, a charitable organization that provides children with access to healthy food choices through partnerships with schools, educators and organizations. Learn more at WholeKidsFoundation.org.

©2013 Jumpstart for Young ChildrenSome definitions taken from Biemiller, A. (2010). Words worth teaching: Closing the vocabulary gap.

Jumpstart is a national early education organization working toward the day every child in America enters kindergarten prepared to succeed. Learn more at jstart.org.

• Drenched:thoroughly and totally soaked or wet

• Aglow:glowing• Segments:parts of

something larger, pieces

Reading Tips and acTiviTies

Together Time Activity

CiTRUS ExpERiMENT: FiND YoUR MAiN SqUEEzE: There are so many citrus fruits with different flavors ranging from sweet to sour and mild to bold. Find your favorite with this taste test!

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Talking Points

• Discuss the many ways of enjoying citrus fruits: as a snack, on salads, as a flavoring for all kinds of recipes, including salad dressings, marinades, even desserts.

• Citrus fruits can be used to add flavor or enhance a food’s natural flavor, without adding fat or salt.

• Discuss the nutritional value of citrus fruits, which can be a great source of vitamin C and potassium, along with other nutrients. They can also provide dietary fiber, but you must eat the segments (not just the juice) for this benefit.

• For more tips on enjoying citrus fruits, read BetterBites“Add a Healthy Squeeze with oranges” available at www.wholekidsfoundation.org.

1 Buy a variety of different citrus fruits when they are in season. Look for oranges, mandarins, tangerines, grapefruits, lemons, limes, etc. ideally choose at least 3-5 different ones for your experiment.

2 Examine each citrus fruit carefully before peeling or cutting. Smell it, feel it and notice the color, size, weight, and texture of the peel. Make notes or a chart to record your observations for each one.

3 peel/cut each fruit (with adult supervision). Notice the thickness of the skin and the presence of a white membrane, called the pith, inside each fruit. Which ones are easiest to peel? Which ones have thinner or thicker skins? Which have seeds? Which have more or less pith? Add all of this information to your notes or chart.

4 Taste the fruit. Try whole segments and the juice. Chart and take notes about the different flavors and sensations. Which ones are more sweet/sour/acidic/juicy/tangy/mild?

5 Make your conclusions. Which ones do you like best? What do your favorites have in common? When and how would you like to enjoy these fruits in the future? Do some taste better whole, while others are better as juice? Which ones would be best for the lunchbox or snack time.

TIP: This can be an individual or group activity. For medium-large groups, set up a station for each step and have kids work in pairs or small groups to discuss their findings.