If you are looking for some cool reading games for your kids to make reading activities for them more fun, Bright Stanley enrichment activities would be a great fit! Give the story Bright Stanley a chance by Matt Buckingham. In this book, Stanley the fish gets lost from his school so he goes on an adventure in the ocean in search of his friends. He has some scary moments along the way, but in the end, he is reunited once again. This story is not only entertaining, it is also a chance to engage in some educational and enriching activities with your kids. Take a look below at a few activities you can try to further enjoy and understand the book Bright Stanley.
Bright Stanley Enrichment Activities for Kids
1. Shiny Scavenger Hunt
Stanley looked for shiny things in the ocean in hope that it would be where he’d find his friends. Go on a shiny object scavenger hunt in your own home where you look for objects with some glitz. Make a list of all of the shiny objects you find such as coins, mirrors, metal railings, etc.
2. Partner Share
Pair up with your child or have them pair up with a friend and read the text again. Have them each share a time that they felt scared, frightened, or lost like Stanley. Speaking with a partner about this moment will be a lot less intimidating than with a crowd. Allow them time to reflect on this scary moment and how it made them feel.
3. Is Under the Sea for Me?
Give each child a piece of paper and some crayons. Have them pretend for a moment that they are Stanley under the ocean. Ask them to draw a picture of what they see from his perspective. Are there fish and lots of colors? Or is it dark with sharks? Is their coral? Schools of fish? Have them draw in detail what the view looks like. Allow time to share when done.
4. Vocabulary Flip Book
On index cards write down some of the trickier words in the book. Take the time to define these words together. Draw a small illustration next to the word as well for easy reference. Then, use a clip or staple to gather the book together. This flip book will be great to consult later. Such words you may wish to use can be: jellyfish, reflection, pearl, snarled, and lobster.
Related: 5 Effective Ways to Create a Love of Reading for Kids
5. What comes next?
Stanley’s friends were so happy to see him, but then what? Try to think about what they may have said to Stanley next or what Stanley may have said to them. Write a brief dialogue together of what the conversation and next couple pages of the book may have looked like.
Everything you need for the next Bright Stanley Enrichment Activities for Kids!
Bright StanleySchool Smart Craft Glitter with Shaker Tops, Assorted Color (SetGeneral Blank Flipbooks 6PkReynolds Wrap Aluminum Foil, Pack of 2 (REY10900)
6. Counting Goldfish
Pour out a bag of goldfish crackers (Just like Stanley is!) and use them as counters for math. Practice basic math concepts such as addition and subtraction using the fish as an aid. When done, they also make a great snack of course.
7. Let’s Get Shiny
Grab a roll of tinfoil and allow the children to cut out small circles and make their own scales. They can either then dress up themselves or a stuffed animal with the shimmering scales. You can even hold a contest, and see who can make the coolest fish out of the tinfoil material.
See how this cool reading game makes it easy to dive further into the book in a way that is fun and educational? Give Bright Stanley Enrichment activities for kids a try and see what lessons you can learn!
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Oh how I miss my daughter being young enough to love books like this! She is now into chapter books and reading by herself. This will be great to implement for a preschool room. I am going to have to look this book up!
I LOOOOOOVE all of these ideas! That books looks so cute! My kids are so into reading but I rarely take the time to do extra activities. I think this would really enrich the whole experience and turn into a really immersive learning experience. Thanks!
Kimber recently posted…{Luvocracy} The Best New Way to Shop Online!
My Grandson Loves, loves to have books read to him. I think if you are going to read a book, it might as well be a really cute educational book like Bright Stanley.
Terry recently posted…Using Marijuana Has Made My Skin Look Younger
All of my kids love to read books. Bright STanley looks like a good one.
My girls were huge fans of Rainbow Fish when they were little. This book reminds me a lot of that one. I love the colorful illustrations! And the activities are something that sound like a lot of fun to do with children!
Theresa recently posted…5 Days of Super Bowl Eats! Parmesan Potato Bites
I love all these cute ideas to get more active with a book. I usually love reading fun books with my kids, but not super creative on how to enjoy a book beyond the basic reading of the pages. These are brilliant ideas.
I love books like this one that provide enrichment activities which promote literacy.
Tough Cookie Mommy recently posted…Weather The Storm With Blizzard Essential Technology! @PanasonicUSA #Ad
This definitely sounds like a great book to read to my five and three year old sons. All the activities sound like a lot of fun.
My boys are a little too old for this book now, but it sounds like a great learning tool for little ones! I will have to get a copy of this for my new niece.
You’ve added some great ideas to enrich the reading experience. I love the cover on that book too, the lighted fish is cool.
Ah.. I love all these great ideas and tips. Making reading so much more fun and interesting. Great way to keep the little ones engaged.
Fabulous Perks recently posted…OOTD All Black Everything Late Post
What great ideas to get children to learn while totally enjoying themselves. It will also teach them to express themselves even when the subject might be one that frightens or hurts them.
Michele recently posted…@ E-Books GA (3)/Review-Friendship on Fire (#3 The Bradens)-Melissa Foster-Ends 1/30/14
This reminds me of Rainbow Fish. My kids used to read that all the time when they were younger!
I can’t believe the great ideas you came up with to go along with the story. These are brilliant!
Liz @ A Nut in a Nutshell recently posted…Chocolate-Stuffed Monkey Bread
My daughter loves “reading” books! I will ckeck out your activities and try some of them with my daughter. Thanks for great ideas!
Ave recently posted…Valentine’s Gift Ideas for Moms
I Love how you can do more than just Read this book with your children, but you can also add on other activities. I will have to check this book out for my son
Amy recently posted…Pamper your Pet with the Crypton Home Fabrics Bumper Dog Eared Bed
The book sounds like something my son would love. I love the ideals for the activities to go with it. A scavenger hunt would be fun.
books are fun to read especially with the kids
becca recently posted…Reeds Jewelers
I so wish my kids were little again when I see these books
Veronica recently posted…Friday Q and A
these are totally fun and interactive activities any kids would love to engage with 🙂
Aisha Kristine Chong recently posted…What is Plastic Surgery?
My kids love fish character and story books these days. This is nice as it has a story and activity combined.
oh my gosh! I love how the book lets you reflect on your feelings. This is so important. It teaches our children to know that its ok to feel how they feel and that we have time to talk about how they feel!
Ashley Gill recently posted…You Deserve It – Valentine’s Giveaway
I love books like this that really take reading to the next level!
Kristen from The Road to Domestication recently posted…On Organizing with Boxes and Baskets
Definitively need to follow the examples and make reading more fun!
Coolchillmom recently posted…Tips for Flying with Children
This is great for a summer rainy indoor day. This makes reading fun for the kids.
So many great ideas! Thanks for sharing over at Toronto Teacher Mom!
Diana @ Toronto Teacher Mom recently posted…Fisher-Price Moms Top 10 – My Little Snugabunny Deluxe Bouncer #FPMomsTop10
Thanks for sharing with #What to Read Wednesday. Always fun to have activities to add educational opportunities while reading a great book.