What Happened When We All Stopped is a children’s book and animated poem by Tom Rivett-Carnac, illustrated by Carla Kreuser and Bee Rivett-Carnac. It explores life after a health pandemic, like COVID-19, from the viewpoint of people at home observing nature. The story suggests that this time of quiet can help the Earth heal and remind us how to live in harmony with nature.
Spark your thinking!
1. Set up your language arts mini spark recording page: #77: Pandemic Poetry
2. Read this article about Jane Goodall. Record 5 details about her life on your recording sheet.
3. Tom Rivett-Carnac wrote the children’s book What Happened When We All Stopped in partnership with the Jane Goodall Institute. The book, read by Jane Goodall, is about what happens after a health pandemic and how to build back better. Watch this animated poem.
4. On your recording page
- write about what changed from the beginning of the poem to the end
- write about your favorite part of the poem
5. Choose one activity
- Write a 5-10 sentence personal reflections about a natural place that feels peaceful. Incorporate sensory images to help the reader understand what it feels like to be there.
- Write your own poem about nature.
6. Share your language arts mini spark recording page with your teacher/EY coordinator.
Check out the Jane Goodall Badge at the EY Website.
