March 11 is the birthday of Caldecott Medal-winning picture book author and illustrator Ezra Jack Keats. Start your author study by reading a short biography of Ezra Jack Keats and reading his books. Then use the activities and lessons below to introduce students to Keats's timeless classics.
Continue the fun by visiting the Ezra Jack Keats Foundation Web site which has lists of teaching resources and free activities for kids.
For more lesson ideas, see Teaching with Favorite Ezra Jack Keats Books from Scholastic Professional Books.
Included Here:
- Articles (3)
- Collateral (7)
- Lesson Plans (4)
Articles
Activity Plan 5-6: We're the Illustrators
Children will explore book illustration and their own artistic abilities with this creative activity in this ready-to-use teaching idea for five- and six-year olds. Activity: Art.
Activity Plan Mixed Ages: Get to Know Snow!
Watch as children explore this winter wonder as children learn about snow in this ready-to-use teaching idea for mixed ages. Activity: Science.
Making Beautiful Books!
Try these handmade book activity ideas to combine art and writing and to display children's work.
Collateral
Peter's Chair Extension Activities
Extension activity for Peter's Chair, written and illustrated by Ezra Jack Keats .
Peter's Chair Teaching Plan
Teaching plan for Peter's Chair, Written an illustrated by Ezra Jack Keats.
Here Comes the Snow Extension Activities
Extension activity comparing Here Comes the Snow! by Angela Shelf Medearis and The Snowy Day by Ezra Jack Keats.
Whistle for Willie Extension Activities
Extension activity for Whistle for Willie by Ezra Jack Keats.
The Snowy Day Science Lesson
Peter awakens to a world of snow. He makes tracks and snow angels, goes sliding, and packs snowballs, saving one in his pocket for the next day.
The Snowy Day Extension Activities
After reading aloud The Snowy Day by Ezra Jack Keats, introduce a snowy day center with a three-step Snowy Day art project.
Lesson Plans
My Dog is Lost! Lesson Plan
Ezra Jack Keats is a featured author of study in our classroom. In My Dog is Lost!, Students enjoy learning the Spanish words, which are conveniently translated on the last page. They also enjoy guessing what Pepito looks like, and seeing his happy reunion with Juanito.
Over in the Meadow Lesson Plan
While I include Over in the Meadow as part of an Ezra Jack Keats author study, I also like to feature it by itself to concentrate on the counting featured in the illustrations. Students love the lyrical sound of the poem, and especially enjoy participating in a choral reading.
Pet Show! Lesson Plan
Students enjoy Ezra Jack Keats's illustrations in Pet Show! as well as stories featuring Peter of The Snowy Day fame. Children love sharing information about their stuffed animals.
Snowy Day Lesson Plan
I use The Snowy Day during an Ezra Jack Keats author study, as well as during a seasonal unit on winter. Students love unfolding their tortilla shells to find they have created a snowflake.
- Subjects:Arts and Creativity, Creativity and Imagination, Winter, Snow, Ice, Blizzards, Winter Themes
- Skills:Biographies, Science
