Lakeshore Learning - Search Results for art

3rd Grade - 4th Grade

Objectives CCSS Math: Measurement & Data 3.MD.A.1: Tell and write time to the nearest minute and measure time intervals in minutes. Solve word problems involving addition and subtraction of time intervals in minutes, e.g., by representing the problem on a number line diagram. 4.MD.A.2: Use the four operations to solve word problems involving distances, intervals of time, liquid volumes, masses of objects, and money, including problems involving simple fractions or decimals, and problems that require expressing measurements given in a larger unit in terms of a smaller unit. Represent measurement quantities using diagrams such as number line diagrams that feature a measurement scale. Materials Needed Lakeshore Magnetic Teaching Clock Lakeshore Student Clocks - Set of 12 “Elapsed Time Word Problems” activity page Elapsed time worksheet Introduction Ask a student what time school starts. Write this time on the board under the heading “Start Time.” Then ask another student what time school ends. Write this time next to the start time under the heading “End Time.” Ask, “From the time school starts to the time it ends, how much time elapses, or passes?” (Invite students to respond and explain their reasoning and calculations.) Hold up the teaching clock and demonstrate how to set the clock at the start time and count the hours and minutes until the end time. (Hint: Move the hour hand first and have students count the hours aloud with you. Then move the minute hand and have them count the minutes.) Explain to students that you are going to teach them some strategies to help them calculate elapsed time.

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3rd Grade

Objectives

Understand that people are more alike than they are different.
Celebrate and embrace people’s cultural and ethnic backgrounds.

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Read & Write About It

3rd Grade - 4th Grade

Objectives CCSS Writing W.3.2: Write informative/explanatory texts to examine a topic and convey ideas and information clearly. W.3.2a: Introduce a topic and group related information together; include illustrations when useful to aiding comprehension. W.3.2b: Develop the topic with facts, definitions, concrete details, quotations, or other information and examples related to the topic. W.3.2d: Provide a concluding statement or section related to the information or explanation presented. Materials Needed Jackie Robinson reading passage Jackie Robinson Fact Sheet graphic organizer Whiteboard, overhead projector, document camera or interactive whiteboard Informative passages and graphic organizers (“Chocolate Town,” “Praying Mantis” and “Why Can’t You Tickle Yourself?”) Fact cards and writing assignment prompts (“Scientists at Work,” “Natural U.S. Landmarks,” “The Olympic® Games” and “Going West”) Introduction Note: This lesson plan can be completed in more than one day. Explain to students that authors of informative/explanatory texts write to convey specific facts or ideas about a person, topic or event. State that you will read aloud an example of this type of writing using the Jackie Robinson passage. Have students read along with you. As a class, list the key pieces of information to determine the facts that the author wants the reader to know about the topic. Explain that deconstructing a passage in this way helps them become better writers. This process will assist them in thinking about how to use a list of facts to create an interesting paragraph or passage about a given topic.

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The Science of Skin

5th Grade

Objectives

Understand that people are more alike than they are different.
Foster a culture of inclusion and belonging.

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Kindergarten

Objective CCSS Math: Operations & Algebraic Thinking K.OA.A.1: Represent addition and subtraction with objects, fingers, mental images, drawings, sounds (e.g., claps), acting out situations, verbal explanations, expressions or equations. Materials Needed Animals on Board by Stuart J. Murphy Ladybug counters Number tiles Leaf mat Dice (two for each pair of students) Scissors Introduction Read aloud Animals on Board by Stuart J. Murphy. As you read, point out to students that the truck driver is spotting two groups of the same animal and adding them together to find out how many of that animal there are. Challenge students to solve the addition problems along with you as you read.

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Infant

Objectives

• Infants will learn and use simple gestures to communicate.
• Infants will be introduced to sign language.

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Pilgrim Patterns

Pre-K - Kindergarten

Objective Students will identify and make repeating patterns. Materials Needed The Pilgrims’ First Thanksgiving by Ann McGovern Pilgrim templates Mayflower template Construction Paper - 12" x 18" (brown, blue and white) Help-Yourself Glue Tubes Safety Scissors Markers or crayons Preparation: Print out the Pilgrim templates on white paper. Each child will need a page of boy templates and a page of girl templates. Reproduce the Mayflower template onto brown construction paper. Make one copy for each student. Introduction Read aloud The Pilgrims’ First Thanksgiving by Ann McGovern. Lead students in a brief discussion about how it might have felt to be a Pilgrim child on the Mayflower. What would they be excited about? What would they be sad about?

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Autumn Owls Beginning Addition

Pre-K - Kindergarten

Objectives Counting & Cardinality Understand that the last number name said tells the number of objects counted. The number of objects is the same regardless of their arrangement or the order in which they were counted. Operations & Algebraic Thinking Solve addition and subtraction word problems, and add and subtract within 10, e.g., by using objects or drawings to represent the problem. Materials Needed Large number cards Autumn owl Autumn Owls Addition worksheet Construction paper Scissors Chart paper or whiteboard Bulletin board (optional) Stapler (optional) For the Extension Activity: Autumn Owls Partner Game Scissors Paper clips Pencils Zip-close bag Introduction Hold up the large number cards one at a time, going in order from 0 to 10. Prompt students to say each number aloud with you. Then mix up the cards and have students practice identifying the numbers out of order.

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Positional Word Play

Toddler

Objectives

• Toddlers will be introduced to positional words.
• Toddlers will build vocabulary.

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3rd Grade

Objective

Participate in physical activities that are enjoyable and challenging.

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Infant

Objectives

• Infants will build vocabulary.
• Infants will engage in pretend play.
• Infants will be introduced to the rhythms of conversation.

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Toddler

Objectives

• Toddlers will identify feelings and emotions.
• Toddlers will receive emotional support, even if they are not yet able to communicate their needs.

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Comparing Whole Numbers

4th Grade

Objective CCSS Math: Number & Operations in Base Ten 4.NBT.A.2: Read and write multi-digit whole numbers using base ten numerals, number names and expanded form. Compare two multi-digit numbers based on meanings of the digits in each place, using >, =, and < symbols to record the results of comparisons. Materials Needed Interactive whiteboard or chalkboard Large number cards Cardstock or Construction Paper - 9" x 12" (optional) Place value charts Preparation Make two sets of the number cards. (For durability, you may want to mount them onto sturdy construction paper or cardstock and laminate them.) Introduction Display the following symbols on an interactive whiteboard or chalkboard: > Invite students to discuss what each symbol means (greater than, less than and equal to). Remind students that these symbols are used when comparing two numbers to determine which is larger (greater than) or smaller (less than) or if they are equal.

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Sticky Shape Sort

Toddler

Objectives

• Toddlers will be introduced to shapes.
• Toddlers will develop early sorting skills.
• Toddlers will count quantities.

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Wild About Word Problems

1st Grade - 2nd Grade

Objectives CCSS Math/Operations and Algebraic Thinking: 1.OA.1, 1.OA.2 Use addition and subtraction within 20 to solve word problems involving situations of adding to, taking from, putting together, taking apart, and comparing with unknowns in all positions by using objects, drawings, and equations with a symbol for the unknown number to represent the problem. Solve word problems that call for addition of three whole numbers whose sum is less than or equal to 20 by using objects, drawings, and situations with a symbol for the unknown number to represent the problem. Materials Needed Animals on Board by Stuart J. Murphy Wild Animal Counters or other animal manipulatives Animal Story Problems and answer key Create-Your-Own Animal Story Problems Easel, document camera, chart paper, chalkboard or whiteboard [to display problems] Introduction Read aloud Animals on Board by Stuart J. Murphy. As you read, encourage students to help you solve the word problems that are presented in the story. Then point out how the problems are represented in numeric form to show the sum. For example, you might say, “There were three tigers. Along came two more. 3 + 2 = how many?”

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Bundles of Beans: A Place Value Lesson

1st Grade - 2nd Grade

Objectives Students will understand place value. Students will explore the relationship between ones, tens, and hundreds. Materials Needed Place value work mat Spinner template Large dried beans (over 100 for each student) Craft Sticks (10 for each student) Glue Paper clips Pencils Introduction On chart paper or a chalkboard, draw a chart with three columns. Label the columns from left to right: hundreds, tens, and ones. Hold up a bean and ask students, “How many beans do I have?” Then write the numeral 1 in the ones column on your chart. Say, “If I add two more beans, how many will I have?” Write the numeral 3 beneath the 1 in the ones column. Explain, “When we have a number that is less than 10, we can show it by writing it in the ones column.” Then ask, “But what if I have 14 beans? Each of these columns can only hold one numeral. So how can I show 14 on my chart?” Write a 1 in the tens column and a 4 in the ones column. Reinforce the concept by pointing to each numeral and saying, “This means I have one ten and four ones—14.”

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States of Matter

2nd Grade

Objective

Understand what matter is and identify the three main states of matter.

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Equivalent Fraction Activities

3rd Grade

Objectives Number & Operations - Fractions Understanding fractions as equivalent if they are the same size or same point on a number line Recognizing and generating equivalent fractions, and explaining why the fractions are equivalent using a visual model Materials Needed Whiteboard Fraction pizzas reproducibles Fraction bars reproducible Crayons Chart paper “Fraction Contraption” game mats “Fraction Contraption” game pieces Spinner template Pencils Paper clips Scissors Tape Introduction On the board, write: 5 dimes are equivalent to 2 quarters. 3 + 5 is equivalent to 5 + 3. 1/2 is equivalent to 50%. Read the sentences aloud. Then ask students to discuss what they think the term “equivalent” means.

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Playing with Push and Pull

1st Grade - 2nd Grade

Objectives Students will define force as the push or pull on an object. Students will identify whether the force being exerted on an object is pushing or pulling. Students will understand and demonstrate that an object at rest tends to stay at rest. Materials Needed Small washers or coins Strip of paper Chart paper Playground equipment Masking tape Variety of small objects (e.g., pencils, pennies, balls, toy cars, etc.) Measuring tape Push/Pull recording sheet Introduction Place a stack of three or four washers or coins on top of a strip of paper on a table or flat desktop surface, making sure that most of the paper is hanging off the surface. Ask students to predict what will happen if you quickly pull the strip of paper off the table. After they have made their guesses, grab the paper and swiftly pull it out from under the washers or coins in a downward motion. (The objects should stay on the table.) Explain how the coins or washers resisted movement even though the paper below them was moved away.

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Storytelling Baskets

Toddler

Objectives

• Toddlers will build oral language and vocabulary skills.
• Toddlers will retell stories.
• Toddlers will be exposed to books and print.

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Chinese Tangrams

3rd Grade

Objective Students will be able to use tangram pieces to demonstrate spatial reasoning and geometric modeling. Materials Needed Tangram Template Reproducible Tangram Shapes Reproducible Tangram Designs Reproducible Scissors Introduction Explain to students that a tangram is an ancient Chinese puzzle made of seven pieces that form a square. In honor of Chinese New Year, invite students to listen as you read aloud Grandfather Tang’s Story by Ann Tompert. Before you read, ask students to pay close attention to the different pictures that are made using various tangram pieces. Challenge them to figure out which shapes are used to make the pictures.

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Black History Hall of Fame

3rd Grade - 5th Grade

Objectives Reading and listening to a story about Harriet Tubman and her contributions to American history Researching and identifying an African American hero’s achievements and presenting this information to the class orally and in writing Materials Needed “A Woman Called Moses” Readers’ Theater Script “A Woman Called Moses” comprehension questions Chart paper (optional) Markers “Hall of Fame” frame Scissors Preparation Make a copy of the “A Woman Called Moses” Readers’ Theater Script for each student. Introduction Remind students that February is Black History Month, which celebrates the many positive contributions of African Americans throughout history. Tell students that you would like to share a story of one such person, Harriet Tubman.

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Eating Right: Healthy Choices

Pre-K

Objectives Identifying healthy foods and unhealthy foods Sorting and classifying a variety of foods into the appropriate food groups Materials Needed The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle Chart paper or whiteboard MyPlate graphic organizer Food pictures Nutrition puzzles Best-Buy Scissors Lakeshore Glue Sticks Introduction Read aloud The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle. Have students identify which foods in the book are healthy and which are not. Chart their responses on chart paper or on a whiteboard.

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Everyday Learning Activities

Infant

Here are some fun ways you can incorporate learning into your everyday routines!

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Place Value Practice

4th Grade

Objectives Number & Operations in Base Ten Reading and writing multi-digit whole numbers in number, name, and expanded form Comparing two multi-digit numbers based on meanings of the digits in each place, using >, =, and < Materials Needed Large number cards Place Value Playoff game mat Place Value Playoff number tiles Construction paper Scissors Chart paper (optional) Preparation: Print out the large number cards, photocopy them onto construction paper and cut them out. You will need two or three copies of each number. Introduction/Review Write 347 and 453 on the board. Ask students to tell you which number is greater. Then ask, “Which place value did you compare to know that this is true? Why?” Guide students to understand that they compared the hundreds place because it is the highest place value in both numbers. (For older students, bring up the level by writing 3,470 and 4,532 or 34,705 and 45,320.) Reinforce the concept by underlining the hundreds place in each number and telling students that four hundreds is greater than three hundreds. Now ask, “What if the numerals in the hundreds place are the same? Which number is bigger, 347 or 353?” Guide students to understand that they should compare the next highest place value—the tens place.

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Teddy Bear Parade

Pre-K

Objectives Students will listen to a story and make connections to their own experiences. Students will orally express an idea to the class. Students will write their names and dictate sentences. Materials Needed Ira Sleeps Over by Bernard Waber Parent letter Name Badge template Yarn or string Lakeshore Crayon Packs Hole punch Preparation: A week prior to the activity, send home the parent letter, which explains the activity and encourages students to participate by bringing a special stuffed animal. Introduction Have students sit in a circle on the floor. Invite them to bring their stuffed animals with them. Read aloud Ira Sleeps Over. After you have read the story, ask students, “Why do you think Ira decides to return to his house to get his teddy bear?” (His teddy bear helps him feel safe and secure. When he sees that his friend sleeps with a teddy bear, he is not embarrassed to have his own.) Explain that when we are in a new place (like a new classroom) or have a new experience (like attending the first week of the new school year), it helps to have a friend with us. A special teddy bear or other stuffed animal can help us to feel less nervous and less alone.

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Summarizing a Story

4th Grade

Objectives Students will listen to or read a story. Students will summarize the story in writing, using sequencing words in their summaries. Materials Needed “Found!” reading passage “First Snow” reading passage “Summarize a Story” reproducible Introduction Provide a copy of the “Found!” reading passage to each student. Display the passage on a projector or chart paper. Read the passage aloud and encourage students to read along with you. Tell students that you are going to demonstrate how to summarize the passage. Explain that you will break it down into three parts, describing what happens at the beginning, middle, and end. As you summarize aloud, underline important parts of the story and have students help you determine which events happen first, next, and last. For example, underline the first three sentences and say, “Robby found a wallet full of money that he could use to buy lots of things he wanted. Can anyone point to the sentence that tells what happens next?” (Answer: Suddenly, Robby saw that the wallet had a driver’s license in it with someone’s name and address.) Underline this sentence and offer a short summary, such as, “Robby found out whom the wallet and money belonged to.” Then ask, “In which sentence can we read about what Robby does at the end of the story?” (Answer: Robby wanted to be a good citizen, so he decided to return the wallet and the money.) Draw a line under the last sentence and say, “Robby decides to return the wallet to its owner.” Go over the three parts again so that the summary is very clear: “First, Robby found a wallet with money in it that he wanted to spend. Next, he found a name and address in the wallet. Last, Robby decides to return the wallet and money to its owner.” Invite students to ask questions about the process as you check for understanding.

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Introducing Emotions Through Pictures

Infant

Objectives

• Infants will be exposed to expressions of emotions.
• Infants will build social cognition and process social information.

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4th Grade

Objectives

Make observations to provide evidence that energy can be transferred from place to place by sound, light, heat, and electric current.
Apply scientific ideas to design, test, and refine a device that converts energy from one form to another.

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Rolling for Number Sense: Even and Odd Numbers

1st Grade - 2nd Grade

Objectives Students will classify numbers as even or odd. Students will recognize that even numbers end in 0, 2, 4, 6 or 8 and odd numbers end in 1, 3, 5, 7 or 9. Students will add numbers with sums up to 12. Materials Needed Dice Manipulatives Paper and pencils “An Odd Valentine” reproducible Red and blue crayons (one of each for each student) Introduction Introduce the concept of odd and even numbers. Tell students that even numbers end in 0, 2, 4, 6 or 8. Odd numbers end in 1, 3, 5, 7 or 9. To help students understand the concept, explain that an even number of objects can be divided equally between two people. Say to students, “If there are four cookies on a plate, two friends can divide them equally—each child can have two cookies. Four is an even number! But if there are three cookies on the plate, the two friends cannot divide them equally. Each child can have one cookie, and they would have to break the third cookie in half. Three is not an even number.”

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Beginning Sounds Hunt

Pre-K - Kindergarten

Objectives Students will recognize beginning sounds and identify the letters that represent the sounds. Students will write letters that represent beginning sounds. Materials Needed Items you might take to the beach (such as a hat, a towel, sunglasses and a beach ball) Beginning Sounds Picture Cards Beginning Sounds Letter Cards Pocket chart (or clear tape and a chalkboard or whiteboard) Cardstock or posterboard Scissors “Beginning Sounds” reproducible Preparation: Print the Beginning Sounds Picture Cards on heavy cardstock and cut the cards apart. (Or cut out the cards and glue them onto posterboard.) Then print and cut out two sets of the Beginning Sounds Letter Cards. Choose the letter sounds you wish to work on and display one set of those letter cards in a pocket chart and hide the second set of those letters around the classroom. Set the picture cards near the pocket chart so they are ready to display during the lesson. (If you do not have a pocket chart, simply tape the letter cards to a chalkboard or whiteboard. Place a loop of tape on the back of each picture card so they are ready to display during the lesson.) Introduction Display a few items you might bring to the beach, such as a hat, a towel, sunglasses and a beach ball. Take the hat and hold it up for students to see. Say the word “hat,” emphasizing the beginning sound. Ask a volunteer to name the letter that makes the beginning sound in “hat.” Repeat this exercise for the rest of the items. Make sure students understand that the first letter of each word represents its beginning sound.

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Reading and Responding: The Five Senses

Kindergarten

Objective CCSS Literacy/Reading Informational Text: RI.K.1. With prompting and support, ask and answer questions about key details in a text. Materials Needed The Five Senses Lakeshore Nonfiction Sight-Word Reader Five Senses chart and answer key Five Senses picture cards My Five Senses writing frame Safety Scissors Stapler Introduction Explain to students that sometimes authors write books just to tell a story. Ask students to name a few of their favorite stories (e.g., Jack and the Beanstalk, Corduroy, Goldilocks and the Three Bears and so on). Then tell students that other times authors write books to tell us more about a topic or to give the reader more information. Explain that students are going to look at this type of informational book for the lesson.

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Everyday Learning Activities

Toddler

In the morning, check the weather outside with your child. Is it sunny, rainy, or windy? Invite your child to help pick out weather-appropriate clothing for the day. Point out a few options to help your child make the right choice—for example, This T-shirt looks great for a sunny day

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Multiples & Factors

4th Grade

Objectives

Find the factor pairs for a whole number within 100.
Determine if a whole number within 100 is a multiple of a given one-digit number, and whether a whole number within 100 is prime or composite.

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4th Grade

Objectives Students will understand Newton’s First Law of Motion. Students will understand friction’s effect on moving objects. Materials Needed “What Is Friction?” information page and experiment sheet Books Sandpaper (one strip, approximately 4" - 5" long, for each group) Tape measure (one for each group) Toy cars (one heavier car and one lighter car for each group) 2" x 4" wood boards (each approximately 6" long for each group) Introduction Explain to students that Newton’s First Law of Motion states that an object at rest will remain at rest and an object moving in a straight line will continue to move in that direction unless an outside force interferes. Demonstrate this by setting a toy car down on a table. Ask, “Is the car moving?” (no) Reinforce that it will not move until an outside force moves it. Then push the car gently with your finger to make it roll forward, and ask students to explain what happened. (The car rolled forward because it was pushed.) Point out that the car eventually stopped rolling because it encountered friction. Tell students that friction occurs when two surfaces rub against each other. In this case, the wheels of the car rubbing against the surface of the table eventually slowed the car’s movement and caused the car to stop. In addition, heavier objects, or objects with more mass, create more friction when they come in contact with another object or surface.

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Persuasive Writing Essay: Before or After Dinner?

5th Grade

Objectives

Write an opinion piece, supporting a point of view with reasons and information.
Include logically ordered reasons that are supported by facts and details.

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Addition Strategies: "Make 10"

1st Grade - 2nd Grade

Objective Operations & Algebraic Thinking Using strategies to add and subtract fluently within 20 (e.g., counting on, making ten, decomposing or creating equivalent sums) Materials Needed “Make 10” frame Place Value Blocks Number line “Spin-To-Build” spinner “Build a Sum” record sheet Paper clips Pencils Introduction Pair students with partners, and give each pair 10 ones cubes and 1 tens rod from the Place Value Blocks set. Challenge students to see how many ways they can “make 10” in two minutes (e.g., 2 cubes + 8 cubes, 3 cubes + 7 cubes, etc.). Invite students to share their answers and compare. Provide the “Make 10” frame and have students complete it. Model the problem created in the frame. Ask, “How can I find out how to make 12? 14? 18? Can I start from 10? Is it faster?” Note: Use Place Value Blocks to show visual representations of two-digit numbers. For example, 14 is 1 tens rod and 4 ones cubes.

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Ants Go Marching

3rd Grade

Objectives CCSS Math/Operations & Algebraic Thinking 3.OA.A.1: Interpret the products of whole numbers, e.g., interpret 5 x 7 as the total number of objects in 5 groups of 7 objects each. For example, describe a context in which a total number of objects can be expressed as 5 x 7. 3.OA.A.2: Interpret whole-number quotients of whole numbers, e.g., interpret 56 ÷ 8 as the number of objects in each share when 56 objects are partitioned equally into 8 shares, or as a number of shares when 56 objects are partitioned into equal shares of 8 objects each. For example, describe a context in which a number of shares or a number of groups can be expressed as 56 ÷ 8. 3.OA.A.3: Use multiplication and division within 100 to solve word problems in situations involving equal groups, arrays and measurement quantities, e.g., by using drawings and equations with a symbol for the unknown number to represent the problem. Materials Needed One Hundred Hungry Ants by Elinor Pinczes Ant counters or raisins Multiplication activity cards Ants Go Marching multiplication page (multiple copies for each student) Introduction Read aloud One Hundred Hungry Ants by Elinor Pinczes.

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Chinese New Year Celebration

Pre-K - 1st Grade

Objectives Students will listen to an oral reading of a nonfiction story about Chinese New Year. Students will recall and identify customs and traditions associated with this holiday. Students will create and use a dragon puppet to celebrate Chinese New Year. Materials Needed Dragon Dance: A Chinese New Year Lift-The-Flap Book by Joan Holub Dragon puppet template Chart paper Marker Red construction paper (cut into 12" x 2" strips) Glue Crayons Glitter (optional) Chopsticks (two per student) Curling ribbon Tape Scissors Introduction Read aloud Dragon Dance: A Chinese New Year Lift-the-Flap Book by Joan Holub. As you read, invite student volunteers to take turns lifting the flaps on each page. Discuss with students what is found beneath each flap.

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Everyday Learning Activities

2nd Grade

Here are some fun ways you can incorporate learning into your everyday routines!

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Jelly Bean Fractions

3rd Grade

Objective Students will recognize and name fractions. Materials Needed Jar of jelly beans (four pink and four green) Jelly Bean Fractions reproducible Jelly beans template Scissors Glue Crayons Introduction Set out a glass jar with eight jelly beans—four pink and four green. Pull out three pink ones and one green one, and ask, “Out of these four jelly beans, how many are pink? That’s right—three.” Then explain, “To express this in the form of a fraction, we would write three-fourths.” Write 3/4 on the board. Point to each number as you reinforce what it means, saying, “The fraction three-fourths shows that three out of the four jelly beans are pink.” Ask, “Can anyone tell me how many of these four jelly beans are green? That’s right—one.” Then ask, “How do you think we could express that in the form of a fraction?” Invite volunteers to offer answers until someone explains that one-fourth shows that one out of the four jelly beans is green.

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Turnaround Addition Facts

1st Grade

Objective

Apply the commutative property of addition (e.g., if 6 + 4 = 10, then 4 + 6 = 10 is also known) when adding numbers together and solving for a sum.

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Same Story, Different Cultures

1st Grade - 2nd Grade

Objectives CCSS Reading: Literature RL.2.1: Ask and answer such questions as who, what, where, when, why, and how to demonstrate understanding of key details in a text. RL.2.2: Recount stories, including fables and folk tales from diverse cultures, and determine their central message, lesson, or moral. RL.2.9: Compare and contrast two or more versions of the same story (e.g., Cinderella stories) by different authors or from different cultures. Materials Needed Any copy of Cinderella A copy of a Cinderella story from another culture, such as Yeh-Shen or The Rough-Face Girl Whiteboard or chart paper “The Tortoise and the Hare” “The Heron and the Hummingbird” Comparing Stories reproducible Introduction Tell students that you are going to read two different stories and then compare them to find similarities and differences. Ask students to pay special attention to the characters, the plot and the lesson that each story teaches.

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Fun in the Snow

1st Grade - 2nd Grade

Objective Students will recall and reference events in a story. Students will use oral and written language to describe winter activities. Students will draw a picture of their favorite winter activity and write a sentence about it. Materials Needed The Snowy Day by Ezra Jack Keats Chalk or write & wipe marker Chalkboard or write & wipe board Fun in the Snow Worksheet Crayons or colored pencils Introduction Tell students that you are going to read them a story about a boy and what he does on a snowy winter day. Ask them if they have ever played in the snow. If so, have them share what they did. (If you live where it snows every winter, simply have your students share which snow activities they enjoy the most. If you have students who have rarely or never seen snow, ask them what snow activities they think might be fun.)

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Prefix & Suffix Puzzles

3rd Grade

Objective

Determine the meaning of the new word formed when a known affix is added to a known word.

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Everyday Learning Activities

1st Grade

Here are some fun ways you can incorporate learning into your everyday routines!

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Good Citizenship

Pre-K - 1st Grade

Objectives Understand that being a good citizen involves acting in certain ways. Learn examples of honesty, courage, determination, individual responsibility, and patriotism in American and world history from stories and folklore. Know beliefs and related behaviors of characters in stories from times past and understand the consequences of the characters’ actions. Materials Needed John, Paul, George and Ben by Lane Smith Whiteboard or chart paper Good Citizenship reproducible Crayons and pencils Introduction Ask students if they have any ideas about what it means to be a good citizen at school or in your community. Write students’ suggestions on a whiteboard or chart paper and guide students toward understanding that good citizenship is demonstrated through our actions toward other people and our environment. Give a short explanation of different character traits such as honesty, responsibility, respect, courage, determination, trustworthiness and so on. Have students match a couple of these words to the examples they gave of good citizenship.

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Five Little Ducks Prints

Toddler

Objectives

• Toddlers will build vocabulary through word repetition.
• Toddlers will build oral language skills.
• Toddlers will be exposed to books and print.

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"Back to School" Poem Booklets: An Introduction to Poems and Storytelling

Kindergarten

Objectives Recognizing common types of texts (e.g., storybooks, poems) Naming the author and illustrator of a story and defining the role of each in telling the story Recognizing and producing rhyming words Materials Needed Over in the Meadow by Olive A. Wadsworth with illustrations by Ezra Jack Keats Whiteboard, overhead projector, document camera or interactive whiteboard “Back to School” poem booklet Crayons Introduction Tell students that you are going to read a picture book called Over in the Meadow. Explain that the words are a poem that was written by author Olive A. Wadsworth. Point to the title page and indicate that the pictures were drawn by Ezra Jack Keats. Explain that adding pictures to the poem can help the reader understand more about what is happening in the story. Explain to students that authors, or writers, often write poems to communicate ideas or tell a whole story. Point out that many poems contain rhyming words and a certain rhythm to their sentences. Ask students to pay special attention to the rhythm of the poem and how some of the words rhyme. As you read, challenge students to find two words in the poem that rhyme.

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Toddler

Objectives

• Toddlers will be introduced to letters.
• Toddlers will develop print awareness.

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Bushels of Sight-Word Fun

Kindergarten - 1st Grade

Objectives Recognizing and reading grade-appropriate irregularly spelled words Decoding regularly spelled one-syllable words Materials Needed Apple sight-word cards Construction Paper - 9" x 12" (red) Basket or bin Scissors Introduction List the sight-words on the board. Tell students you are going to practice recognizing sight-words. Have them repeat each word aloud as you point to it.

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Past, Present, or Future? Progressive Verb Tenses

4th Grade

Objective

Form and use the progressive verb tenses—for example, “I was walking,” “I am walking,” and “I will be walking.”

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Close Reading and Text Features

3rd Grade - 4th Grade

Objectives CCSS Reading: Informational Text RI.3.7: Use information gained from illustrations (e.g., maps, photographs) and the words in a text to demonstrate understanding of the text (e.g., where, when, why, and how key events occur). RI.4.7: Interpret information presented visually, orally, or quantitatively (e.g., in charts, graphs, diagrams, time lines, animations, or interactive elements on Web pages) and explain how the information contributes to an understanding of the text in which it appears. Materials Needed “Three Cheers for Engineers!” reading passage Paper and pencils Introduction Provide students with a copy of the “Three Cheers for Engineers!” reading passage. Tell students, “Today we are going to read a passage titled, “Three Cheers for Engineers!” One practice of good readers is that they pay close attention to the text. As we read, I want you to think about the meaning of the text, the words that are used and other features on the page that are used to help interpret the text.”

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Citizenship: Flag Day

2nd Grade

Objectives Identify and explain the meaning of national symbols (the American flag). Recite the Pledge of Allegiance and explain its general meaning. Materials Needed Pledge of Allegiance F Is for Flag by Wendy Cheyette Lewison Pencils Dictionaries (one for each pair of students) Introduction Invite students to stand and recite the Pledge of Allegiance aloud with you. Explain to students that to “pledge allegiance” to something means that you promise to be loyal to it. Ask, “Why do you think we say these words, promising to be loyal to our country’s flag? What is special about our country’s flag and what it represents?” Tell students that you are going to read aloud a story about the American flag and you would like them to listen for some explanations of what it represents to the United States of America.

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First Day Friendship Building

1st Grade

Objectives Introducing themselves to classmates Sharing something unique about themselves and learning something special about their classmates Understanding that they will work together as a community throughout the school year Describing people, places, things and events with relevant details, expressing ideas and feelings clearly Materials Needed First Day Jitters by Julie Danneberg Ball of yarn Puzzle piece template Construction paper (white) Scissors Crayons or markers Stickers (optional) Introduction Read aloud First Day Jitters by Julie Danneberg to your students. After reading, ask students to raise their hands if the book’s ending surprised them. (The main character in the story was the teacher, not a student!) Invite them to share why they, their classmates, or their teacher may feel nervous about the first day in a new classroom. Encourage them to share ideas of ways to overcome this feeling.

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Butterfly Life Cycle

Pre-K

Objective Students will identify and describe the stages of the butterfly life cycle. Materials Needed The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle Life Cycle Wheel template Crayons Scissors Brass fasteners Life Cycle of the Butterfly sequencing strip Life Cycle Picture Cards Number Spinner Paper clips Pencils Introduction Read The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle. Explain to students that they can see the life cycle of a butterfly in the story. Turn back to the beginning of the book and point to the pictures that show each stage—egg, caterpillar, cocoon and butterfly. Explain to students that a butterfly cocoon is called a chrysalis.

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Animal Adaptations

1st Grade - 2nd Grade

Objective Explore the relationship between a bird’s beak and its ability to find food and survive. Materials Needed “Awesome Adaptations” and “A Beak for Every Job” information cards “Why Do Birds Have Different Beaks?” activity card Easy-Grip Safety Tweezers - Set of 12 Spoons Super-Safe Eyedroppers - Set of 12 Plastic fish and plastic worms (or other small objects to represent fish and worms) Plastic tray Water Introduction Ask students, “Have you ever wondered why a turtle has a hard shell? Or why a chameleon can change colors to match its surroundings?” Explain that these are two examples of animal adaptations, or ways that animals change in order to survive in their environment.

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Character Building: Bullying

3rd Grade - 5th Grade

Objectives Students will listen and respond to literature read aloud by the teacher. Students will share interpretations of lessons in a story and learn to apply these lessons to their own lives. Materials Needed A Bad Case of Stripes by David Shannon Chalkboard, sentence strips or interactive whiteboard Notebook paper Introduction Ask students if they have a favorite food that might surprise others, like broccoli, spinach or beets! Invite volunteers to tell the class what this surprising food is. Tell students that you are going to read a story in which the main character has an odd choice for a favorite food. Ask students to pay special attention to what happens to this character, how her classmates react to her, and what she does to solve her problem. Read aloud A Bad Case of Stripes by David Shannon.

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Long Vowel Combinations

1st Grade - 2nd Grade

Objectives CCSS Reading: Foundational Skills RF.1.3b: Decode regularly spelled one-syllable words. RF.1.3c: Know final -e and common vowel team conventions for representing long vowel sounds. RF.2.3b: Know spelling-sound correspondences for additional common vowel teams. Materials Needed Chart paper, overhead projector or interactive whiteboard Long Vowel Words building board Long vowel picture cards and letter tiles Word Ladder activity pages Three-In-A-Row game components (game board, spinner and word list) Small scraps of paper or game markers (e.g., coins, chips, etc.) Classroom Pencils Paper clips Introduction Write the following words on chart paper: tap hop fin Ask a volunteer to read each word aloud. Point out that the vowel sound in each word is a short vowel (as in “apple,” “object” and “igloo”). Next, write an “e” at the end of each word to form the words “tape,” “hope” and “fine.” Tell students that this final -e (sometimes called a “magic e”) changes the vowel sound from short to long.

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