Today, I'm visiting the ASPIRE Program in Downey, California. They just added several new sites so we get to see experienced LitART users alongside novice users. I am excited to see their progress.

LitBLOG will be used to help after school staff members using LitART prepare for the day. It features the day's picture book, gives a few tips on how to conduct the day's activities, and hopefully, provides a bit of inspiration.

LitART Orange: Children's Favorite Authors and Illustrators.

Picture Book: Anansi the Spider

Today, when you read Anansi the Spider with your class, remember that, after you start, ask students to briefly pretend to be one of the characters. Choose students to play the parts. While you read, make sure the "actors" listen to the story and act out what is being described. Allow time for this to happen. If it does not, cue the students by saying, "now Anansi gets lost, so go over there."

Literacy Response

Try having students invent new spider characters (e.g., tree climber, water walker.) Draw them on index cards and write the name of the spider near the bottom. Fold over the bottom to cover the same with a flap. Invite students to walk around and guess the names of the other spiders from the pictures.

Quick Facts

• Gerald McDermott started as a film maker and Anansi was one of his first animated movies.

• There are many other versions of Anansi tales. Anansi is typically a trickster spider.

Let me know what the students thought of Anansi. Have them rate it!