Cranberries from A to Z
“I created this book to fill a need for accurate yet entertaining resource material on this unique and important native American fruit.” Ann Kurz
We are excited to offer CRANBERRIES FROM A TO Z, by Ann Kurz Chambers in The Shop. CRANBERRIES FROM A TO Z is an educational picture book appropriate for all ages. This book is the perfect introduction to the cranberry industry using the letters of the alphabet and botanically accurate drawings to convey cranberry industry facts. It has 32 pages of blossoms, berries, harvesting, winter, and summer scenes depicting all aspects of cranberry culture. Every child and adult can learn from this book. The glossary and cranberry terms will allow readers to enrich their educational reading experience. We paired this engaging picture book with some of Cranberry Learning Inc.’s most popular lessons for an exciting hands-on literacy kit.
Cranberries from A to Z Literacy Kit
Educational picture books give an opportunity for educators to talk about the “A” in STEAM. The “A” in STEAM commonly stands for “Art” but can also be seen representing “Agriculture”. CRANBERRIES FROM A TO Z can represent both “Art and Agriculture”. Picture books use illustrations to convey stories, which delight and engage the reader. This 32 page book will take just over 5 mins to read to a class out load. Educators may want to spend more time pointing out and discussing the story telling illustrations that may or may not have text.
After reading and looking at the book, have students create their own artwork to illustrate the meaning of one of the words or images seen in CRANBERRIES FROM A TO Z, with this worksheet . Students can continue exploring their artistic talents with our coloring pages.
Discuss how art and imagery can be an important educational tool. Talk about career possibilities through art, by sharing Ann Kurz Chambers success with oil paintings, drawings, and illustrated books (see below about the author).
Keep the cranberry excitement going with a fun hands-on, edible lesson Dirt on Cranberry Soil. CRANBERRIES FROM A TO Z has illustrated the layers of cranberry bed soils several times throughout the book. Reinforce this cranberry growing fact with clear cups and layers of edible soil topped with dried cranberries.
Snacks can be enjoyed while watching one of our educational videos here.
Below are other cranberry lessons that could be incorporated into curriculum.
Cranberry Lessons and Standards
• Kindergarten: M.K.G.B.5
• 1st grade: M.1.G.A.2
• 2nd grade: M.2.G.A.1
• Kindergarten-2nd grade: SCI.CC3.K-2, SCI.SEP1.A.K-2, SCI.SEP3.K-2, SCI.SEP4.K-2 • 3rd-5th grade: SCI.CC3.3-5, SCI.SEP1.A.3-5, SCI.SEP3.3-5, SCI.SEP4.3-5
• Kindergarten-2nd grade: SCI.LS1.C.K, SCI.SEP1.A.K-2, SCI.SEP2.K-2
• 3rd-5th grade: SCI.LS1.C.5, SCI.SEP1.A.3-5, SCI.SEP2.3-5
• Kindergarten: M.K.CC.A1, M.K.CC.A3, M.K.CC.B.5, M.K.CC.B.6, M.K.OA.A.1
• 1st grade: M.1.OA.C.5, M.1.OA.C.6
• K-2nd grade: SCI.SEP3.K-2, SCI.SEP4.K-2 (science)
• 2nd grade: M.2.MD.A.3 (math)
• 3-5th grade: SCI.CC2.3-5, SCI.CC6.3-5, SCI.SEP3.3-5, SCI.SEP4.3-5 (science)
• 3rd grade: M.3.MD.B.4 (math)
• 3-5th grade: SCI.LS1.A.4
• 3-5th grade: SCI.SEP2.3-5, SCI.SEP3.3-5, SCI.ETS3.C.3-5
• 3rd grade: R.3.1, R.3.4
• 4th grade: R.4.1, R.4.4
• 5th grade: R.5.1, R.5.4
About the Author
She remarks, “I like the four stages too, because it is somewhat educational to people learning about cranberries” (from, Cranberries, The National Cranberry Magazine, September 1985 Volume 49, No. 9)
Ann Kurz Chambers is a nature focused multi-media artist and entrepreneur with a Masters of Communications degree from the University of Wisconsin.
She is the author and illustrator of Cranberries from A-Z, published in 1989. She writes, “I created this book to fill a need for accurate yet entertaining resource material on this unique and important native American fruit.”
She grew up in Port Edwards, Wisconsin, the heart of cranberry country. Ann began painting in the 1970s. After being inspired by another local artist, Gloria Janetski, Ann Kurz Chambers branched out on her own.
She was discovered by a local cranberry grower, who was fond of Ann’s wild flowers, sunflowers and landscape subject matters, and was asked to draw or paint “from a fruit fly’s view”. Ann’s talents flourished in cranberry art; from cranberry paper, Ink sketches, to painting the vines, blossoms, and cranberries. Her ability to draw botanically correct cranberry stages acclaims her to be an extraordinary artist to the evolving history pathway in the cranberry, that she is now woven into.
Quoted from The Country Today newspaper, January 28, 1987, Ann says, “A native to Central Wisconsin, I am mostly a self-taught artist who began painting in oil, concentrating in watercolor for the past few years. Over the years my painting styles and subject matter have changed dramatically and will continue to change. Change is psychological and aesthetic imperative. My greatest reward is the interest and encouragement of all who appreciate my work.” Ann Kurz Chambers continues to embrace and enjoy the beauty of the environment around her and shares her artistic talents with others in the western part of the United States.
