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Brush

Language: English

A little boy adopts a large brush to replace his banished dog. The brush totally surprises him when it comes to life and behaves like a dog. LeVar finds out how “things” are not always what they seem when he visits artists who create 3-D animation. He also visits a designer of floats and giant balloons for the Macy’s parade—and takes a trip to the warehouse where the famous Thanksgiving Day Parade balloons and floats come to life.

  

Here are activities to do after watching this episode:

Balloons on Parade

To make their own miniature balloon floats for a family parade, your children will need:

  • balloons
  • construction paper
  • markers
  • cardboard
  • scissors
  • glue
  1. Blow up several balloons and tie.
  2. With the balloon as the head or the body, use construction paper and markers to create a creature or character. Draw and glue details on the balloon.
  3. If you want the animal or character to stand, cut out a pair of feet from cardboard and glue them to the bottom of the balloon.
  4. When finished, have a balloon parade.
  

Crushed Can Puppy

You will need:

  • a soda can—empty, clean, and dry
  • paper or felt
  • pipe cleaners
  • wiggle eyes (optional, but fun!)

Directions:
1. Crush the can by stomping on it.
2. Using the drink hole as the mouth, add wiggle eyes, and then use the paper, felt, and pipe cleaners to add facial features.

Balloons on Parade

Besides making characters for a parade, balloons can offer more fun for the family. Here are three more ideas using balloons.


Balloon Drop: Go outdoors and fill balloons with water. Take turns holding up the balloon and letting it drop on the pavement. Quickly measure the water mark made by the balloon. Record it on paper. At the end, determine whose balloon made the biggest splat!
Pass the Balloon: Use a pin to make a tiny hole in a balloon. Then fill the balloon with water. Have a group form a circle and start to pass the balloon just as in the game “Hot Potato.” As the balloon is passed the water will leak out. The object of the game is to not to be holding it when all the water is gone.
Balloon Bop Race: Give each child a blown-up balloon. Determine a starting line and a finish line for a race. The object is to race to the finish line while hitting your balloon in the air. If the balloon hits the ground, you must return to the starting line. The first runner to cross the finish line with the balloon in the air wins.

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

  • Egg-Carton Zoo by Rudi Haas and Hans Blohm
  • What the Mailman Brought by Carolyn Craven
  • Jumanji by Chris Van Allsburg

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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