Bread and Jam for Frances

¶ … Bread and Jam for Frances

Criteria

Bread and Jam for Frances is about a little badger named Frances who decides she only wants to eat bread and jam. Her parents let her have her way, using a bit of 'reverse psychology' on their daughter. Eventually Frances begins to feel sad because of the nice things other people get to eat, and she decides on her own not to eat bread and jam every day. The issues the book deals with, combined with the engaging tone of the writing, make it ideal for a literature assignment for preschool children, even if they are not capable of reading the book independently. Nonverbal, outside media, including hands-on cooking and art can be incorporated into the lesson plan.

Language

Improving aural communication skills: asking questions of the children, such as "do you like to eat the same thing every day" can be reinforced by reading the book aloud. It is set in an 'ordinary' relatable environment children can discuss with references to their own life experiences.

Intellectual

The book uses visual images to introduce new words, particularly new foods.

Personality

In the book, Frances learns on her own why it is good to eat lots of different things, reinforcing the child's sense of personal mastery

Social and moral

The book deals with 'picky eating' and also shows children way the dangers of being too picky an eater in a funny way.

Aesthetic and creative development of preschool age children

Identifying with animals and using the rich language of the book to discuss issues makes the text a perfect springboard for children to draw their own pictures, either of Frances or about similar struggles at the dinner table with parents in their own lives.

Language

Children can discuss times they have been like Frances in their eating habits.

Intellectual

Children can draw pictures of foods they like and do not like, and place them in different categories, either in an individual assignment, or by taking their pictures on a bulletin board divided into 'LIKE' and 'DON'T LIKE' sections.

Social and moral

Children can set goals to try new foods every week.

Aesthetic and creative development of preschool age children

Children can be given an 'art' assignment to illustrate dinner time at their own households. Or, the class could dine together, eating some of the foods in the book. Cooking or at least learning how bread and jam are made is another hands-on, kinesthetic possibility to expand the learning environment.

Conclusion: Implementation and evaluation