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Mama Don’t Allow

Language: English

When Miles gets a saxophone for his birthday, neither his parents nor his neighborhood can stand the racket. However, when Miles and his Swamp Band receive an invitation to play at the Alligator Ball, no one guesses what’s in store. Inspired by the book, LeVar takes viewers deep into the swamps of Louisiana to visit an alligator farm, journeys down the Mississippi on a riverboat, learns about creating sounds from a mouth sound performer, and meets one of New Orleans’ hottest jazz saxophonists.

Here are activities to do after watching this episode:

Swamp Pals

Show your pals how to make an alligator from a sheet of paper.

You will need:

  • 9” x 12” sheet of construction paper
  • crayon
  • scissors
  1. Fold paper in half, lengthwise.
  2. Draw the outline of an alligator with the fold across the alligator’s back.
  3. Cut out the shape and cut slanted slits along the back.
  4. Unfold the alligator and fold each slit back.
  5. Fold the alligator in half again.

  

Musical Glasses

You will need:

  • eight glass bottles or glasses
  • wooden spoon

Directions:

  1. Fill each bottle or glass with a different amount of water. It works best if you have one bottle nearly empty and one bottle nearly full. The rest should be someplace in-between.
  2. Line up the bottles or glasses next to one another in order, going from least amount of water to most water.
  3. Start by tapping the bottle or glass with the least amount of water using a wooden spoon. As you move from one to the other you will notice that the tone gets higher. Do it again, but this time move as fast as you can across the bottles.
  4. Now try to play a song with your musical water containers.

Check out some of these books on your
next trip to the library:

  • Miranda by Tricia Tusa
  • Apt. 3 by Ezra Jack Keats
  • Alligator Shoes by Arthur Dorros
  • Mouthsounds by Frederick R. Newman

READING RAINBOW has a resource library that includes teacher guide materials as well as reading programs for use in the public libraries. You can download these resources from GPN at:
www.gpnresources.com

If you would like more information about READING RAINBOW or if you would like to learn more about other educational products please visit the GPN web site.

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