Now that we've sparked your interest, use our activity guide to start some real fun!
Updated: December 1, 2022
The Sandy Bottom Orchestra: Activity Guide
These activities will get your summer going with a BANG!
Prepare a festive food that reminds you of the summer. You might slice a chilled watermelon or make a cold pitcher of lemonade. Serve up some ice cream in honor of the Sandy Bottom Dairy.
In the story, Rachel found creating a garden very satisfying. Try it out yourself and see if you have a green thumb. You could plant a garden in your yard, a community garden, or even a flowerpot on a windowsill.
When was the last time you spoke to one of your closest friends? Admit it - it's been a while. Here's a quick and easy way to keep in touch: Print out our greeting card, add in your personal touch, and make someone feel great when they receive it!
Listen to Tchaikovsky's 1812 Overture. While playing the Overture, act out the orchestra. Assign roles to each participant. Someone can be Rachel, Mr. Green, Mrs. Green, Mr. Birdcage, or the musicians in an orchestra.
You don't have to wait until July Fourth to make your own fireworks! Combine several of these activities to make your own celebration. Send out invitations to your friends, family, or book club members. You can make festive foods, play Tchaikovsky's 1812 Overture, and have the guests be the orchestra.
Throughout the book, Rachel writes letters to her adult friend, Phoebe. In these letters she confides her thoughts and feelings about her life. Pretend you are Rachel and write a letter to Phoebe sharing your thoughts on the end of the story. Try having an adult, or group of adults write one letter while a group of children write the other. Then compare the letters and see how the two perspectives differ. See our examples and then post your own letters to share them with other readers.
