Materials:

• book: How Kids Grow* by Jean Marzollo (Scholastic, Inc.; $2.44)
• chart paper and marker
• oaktag
• clear contact paper
• two photographs of each child (one baby picture and one current photograph)

Objective: Children will investigate and observe the different way in which their bodies have grown and developed.

In Advance: Send a note home to families requesting baby and current photos of each child.

ACTIVITY

1. Introduce the activity by reading How Kids Grow to the children. Engage children in a discussion about how they have grown since they were babies. Ask them to describe how they can tell that they are growing. Record children's comments on chart paper to begin a display about their growth and development.

2. Collect two photographs of each child, one as a baby and one current photograph. Write each child's name on the reverse side of their baby photograph. Photocopy each child's pictures for the Curriculum Connection activity.

3. Tape children's current photograph onto a sheet of chart paper. Leave space for each child's baby picture, as well as space to record children's comments. During meeting time, show the children their current photos. Explain to children that you would like them to look at the baby pictures and guess who it is. Pass the photographs around for each child to observe. Encourage children to explain their answer. Invite each child to tape her baby picture next to her current photograph.

4. Ask children to look at their sets of photographs and describe how they have changed. Record their comments beside or below each set of photographs.

5. Develop a Venn diagram with children to record differences and similarities between babies and themselves. Draw two intersecting circles. Record similarities in the intersection and the differences between babies and themselves in the outer sections.

6. Display children's charts and activities to document their learning experiences. Encourage children to add drawings and dictations to the display.

Curriculum Connection

Problem Solving: Make a Lotto Game.
Mount children's photocopied pictures on oaktag and cover with clear contact paper to make lotto game cards. Place the cards face down on a table. Invite two to four children to play a memory and matching game. Children will match the baby picture with the current photograph.  Additional: Make separate name cards and invite children to match the child's name card with his current photograph

BOOKS
The Growing Up Feet
by Beverly Cleary
(Mulberry Books, 1997; $4.95)

How Have I Grown?*
by Mary Reid
(Scholastic Inc.; $2.21)

Training Wheels*
by Kathryn Cristaldi
(Scholastic Inc.; $3.99)