Caregivers Guide - Episode Descriptions

#215 The Big Dinosaur

Wimzie and the others tease Horace about eating so much, calling him "Horace, Taurus Rex." Then Horace breaks a chair and is afraid the children are right: he is getting too big. He turns down a snack. Rousso has his physical fitness test at the firehouse this afternoon; everyone is thinking about being "healthy" - what does it really mean? They decide to exercise and jog around the house and yard - which is fun and makes everyone hungry. Horace keeps on exercising through lunch. Horace finds a scale in the garage and tries to weigh himself; the scale breaks. Horace is very embarrassed, and really sure that he is too big. Tired though from all the exercise, he naps with the others. Meanwhile Rousso takes his test and fails it. It seems that from lack of food and too much exercise he seemed weak to the doctor. Horace and Rousso think about the meaning of "moderation" in eating and exercise. Everyone enjoys a bowl of Yaya's special chili.

Theme: Health

Children will learn that it is important to eat the right amount of food - not too little, not too much.
Children will learn that "moderation" in eating and exercise is the way to stay healthy.
Children will learn that exercise is important and fun, especially done together.

Vocabulary:

fitness test
moderation
exercise
"get physical"

Suggested Activities:

Before you view: Horace is having a big problem today. See if you can figure out what he should do.

While you view: See suggestions in "How to use this guide"

After you view: Go back to your pre-viewing activity and have the children respond to the question.
(Answer: Horace is worried about being too big because he eats too much. He figures out he should eat just when he is hungry and also exercise - everything in "moderation".) Talk about what you have seen and take some time to discuss it.

Extended Learning Activities

Option 1: Jogging for Exercise (Movement Activity)
Materials required: None

Suggest that Wimzie and company had so much fun jogging around the house, you'd like to try it too. Plan a route with the children and ask a child to lead the group. Allow everyone to take a turn being leader. When children seem a little tired, stop. Pass around drinks for everyone and talk about not overdoing it, exercising in "moderation."

Option 2: Planning a Nutritious Well-balanced Meal (Cut and paste, Thinking Activity)
Materials required: Old magazines that can be cut up, markers, paper, glue or glue sticks

Tell the children that we need to have good sense about what we eat. We each can plan a lunch of healthy foods that we would like. Have children cut out and glue on paper pictures of foods they like or draw pictures. Ask children to say something about each choice and write a word or two next to each picture. Talking about the children's choices with them can allow you to guide them to realistic, healthy foods. If a child wants only sweets and snacks, you can advise that a person cannot be very "fit" with that diet. (See Healthy Behaviors)

Theme Related Books:

Daddy Makes the Best Spaghetti, Anna Grossnickle Hines. New York: Clarion, 1986.
I Like Me, Nancy Carlson. New York: Viking Kestrel, 1988.
Five Little Monkeys Jumping on the Bed, Eileen Christelow. NY: Scholastic.
One Hungry Monster, Susan Heyboer O'Keefe. NY: Scholastic.
Clap Your Hands, Lorinda Bryan Cauley. NY: Scholastic.

Notes

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