1Professor Whiskerton Presents Steampunk ABC

Kids’ Activity GuideIn Professor Whiskerton Presents Steampunk ABC, Lisa Falkenstern will introduce your child to the alphabet and the world of Steampunk. The Steampunk world is filled with the 19th-century technology of the industrial revolution and the fashion of the Victorian Age. Professor Whiskerton Presents Steampunk ABC follows the work of two mice building an invention. Each letter of the alphabet includes a new piece of their invention. On the final page of the book their grand creation is revealed. The original artwork in Professor Whiskerton Presents Steampunk ABC will allow your child to explore the ABCs in a new and exciting way.

Water, Ice, and Steam Science Experiment:

In the Steampunk world, everything is powered by steam engines. This parent-led science experiment will allow your child to explore the properties of matter using water.

The only things you need for this experiment are an ice cube, a clear glass, and a microwave-safe cup.

Take an ice cube out of your freezer and let your child hold it. This is the solid phase of water.

Ask them these questions:•Is the water hard or soft?•Can you see through it?•Is it hot or cold?

Place the ice cube in the clear glass and let it melt. Once it melts, have your child touch the water and answer the three questions above. This is the liquid phase of water.

For the next step, let your child observe, but do not let them touch as water will be hot. Pour the water into the microwave-safe cup. Place the cup in the microwave and heat until it is steaming. Remove the cup from the microwave. Make sure your child does not touch the cup or get too close to the steam. Show the child the steam coming from the cup. Ask them what they think the answers to the three questions will be. This is the gas phase of water.

Alphabet Race Game:Letter recognition is a very important part of literacy. This active game will help your child learn to recognize the letters of the alphabet. You and your child can play this game alone or with other children.

Materials:26 sheets of paper, or a set of solid alphabet lettersMarkers

Instructions:

1. Write one letter of the alphabet on each sheet of paper (skip this step if you have solid letters).

2. Scatter the letters face up around a wide open space and have all players start from the same position.

3. Call out a letter and all players will race to find and pick up the letter.

4. After each letter is found, all players will return to the start line.

5. Repeat until the letters are all collected!

6. For younger children just learning the alphabet, you can make two sets of letters. Hold one up so they have a visual of which letter they are looking for.

Steampunk is fun!

Steampunk is imaginative!

It’s making something new out of something old.

It’s dressing up in clothing from long ago.

It’s inventing machines out of hardware and found objects.

It’s creating a make-believe world!

Steampunk is fun!

Steampunk is imaginative!

It’s making something new out of something old.

It’s dressing up in clothing from long ago.

It’s inventing machines out of hardware and found objects.

It’s creating a make-believe world!

2Professor Whiskerton Presents Steampunk ABC

Make Your Own Alphabet/Dough Activity:

Using dough is a great way to build fine motor skills and to learn using three-dimensional objects. Your child will create their own three-dimensional alphabet with homemade dough.

Dough Materials (per batch/color):2 cups all-purpose flour2 tablespoons vegetable oil½ cup salt2 tablespoons cream of tartar1½ cups boiling waterA few drops of food coloring 1 mixing bowl1 large spoon1 measuring cup7 sheets of paper cut in half (14 half sheets)1 pencil

Recipe Directions:

1. Have your child measure out and mix the flour, salt, cream of tartar, and oil in the bowl. For younger children, mark and label whole numbers and halves on your measuring cup.

2. You will add the boiling water.

3. Stir continuously until the dough becomes sticky.

4. Let your child add the red food coloring (a few drops).

5. Allow the dough to cool (three to four minutes).

6. Remove the dough from the bowl and knead it for a couple of minutes until it is no longer sticky, adding flour if necessary.

7. Store the dough in a plastic container or plastic zip-topped bag.

Making the Alphabet:

1. Take all the half sheets of paper and write one letter of the alphabet on each side, until you have the whole alphabet written out.

2. Starting with the letter A, use each written letter as a guide to form the three-dimensional letters.

3. Repeat until you have the whole alphabet in dough form!

4. Re-package the dough and save it for another day.

My ABC Book:ABC books are an excellent way to learn the alphabet. Help your child create their own ABC book by using Professor Whiskerton Presents Steampunk ABC as a model.

Materials:A variety of old magazinesScissors Glue7 sheets of white paper StaplerColored pencils in a variety of colors

Directions:

1. Hold all seven pieces of paper in a stack and fold the longest side in half.

2. Make sure the edges are even and secure the spine of your book with three to four staples (keep them as close to the spine as possible).

3. You will now have a twenty-eight-page book! One page for a title, one for each letter and a blank page on the back.

4. Using the colored pencils, help your child write and decorate a title page on the first page, and then write one letter of the alphabet on each page of the book.

5. Help your child find and cut out pictures that correspond to each letter. Glue the pictures around the letter on each page. For example, cut out a picture of an apple for the A page.

6. Use as many pictures as you want, to illustrate the ABC Book.

3Professor Whiskerton Presents Steampunk ABC

Vocabulary for Professor Whiskerton Presents Steampunk ABC Activity Guide:

As a post-reading activity, define and discuss the following vocabulary words with your child. After you talk about the words, ask your child to draw a picture that includes several of the words.

1. Anvil – a heavy iron block on which metal is hammered into shapes by a metalsmith

2. Bolt – a fastening rod with a head at one end that is threaded to receive a nut on the other end

3. Drill – a tool with a spinning head used to make holes in substances

4. Elevator – a moving platform used for carrying things or people to different levels in a structure

5. Gear – a toothed wheel generally used in machinery

6. Iron – a device with a flat, metal base that is heated to smooth out clothes and linens

7. Kettle – a pot used to boil liquids

8. Periscope – an instrument used to view objects that would otherwise be blocked; it accomplishes this by using lenses and mirrors

9. Steam – the mist that water is changed into when heated to the boiling point

10. Thermometer – an instrument for measuring temperature

11. Uniform – identifying dress worn by members of a group or organization

12. Zeppelin – a large passenger balloon with a cylindrical covered metal frame that is driven through the air by engines

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Professor Whiskerton Presents Steampunk ABC Connect the Dots Activity:Connect the alphabet dots to find out what K stands for.

A

C G J P U Y

X

IH N O V W

D F K Q TZ

L M R SE

B

K is for

5Professor Whiskerton Presents Steampunk ABC

Professor Whiskerton Presents Steampunk ABC Coloring Page:Part of the fun of Steampunk is getting to dress up like people did long ago. Help Professor Whiskerton and Percy decorate their uniforms the way you would want yours decorated. What would you want your uniform to look like? Would it have buttons or medals? What color would it be? How would you decorate your hat?

U is for Uniform

6Professor Whiskerton Presents Steampunk ABC

This guide was created by Chris Valcarcel, Educational Consultant, and Jennifer Messinger, Graphic Designer.

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By Jen Arena Illustrated by Stephen Gi lpin

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