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Books with Babies
Infant
Objectives
• Infants will show interest in shared reading experiences and looking at books.
• Infants will show interest in books by reaching for books and exploring them through touch.
• Infants will imitate adults by pointing at pictures.
• Infants will develop print awareness.
Pick a Book Out of a Hat!
Toddler
Objectives
• Toddlers will be exposed to books and print.
• Toddlers will develop language skills.
Feelings Photo Book
Toddler
Objectives
• Toddlers will identify feelings and emotions.
• Toddlers will recognize facial characteristics associated with emotions.
Classroom Hello Book
Pre-K
Objective
- Children will explore cultural diversity displayed in language.
Dr. Seuss Graphing Fun
Kindergarten
Objectives Reading Literature Retelling familiar stories, including key details Listening to oral readings of a variety of Dr. Seuss books Identifying a favorite Dr. Seuss book and explaining why Measurement & Data Making a class bar graph to show favorite Dr. Seuss books Materials Needed 3 or 4 books by Dr. Seuss Chart paper Top hat template “My Favorite Dr. Seuss Book” reproducible Markers or crayons Safety Scissors Tape Preparation Display a sheet of chart paper horizontally. At the top, write “Our Favorite Dr. Seuss Books.” Photocopy the covers of the books you plan to read to your class. Then tape the copies in a column along the left-hand side of the chart paper. During the lesson, students will complete the graph by placing their name next to their favorite book.
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Everyday Learning Activities
3rd Grade
Book Journal Start a journal with your child in which you write letters back and forth to each other about the books you are reading. Ask questions about the characters or things you’ve learned from the books, or describe how the books remind you of other books you’ve read.
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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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Author’s Purpose PIE
1st Grade
Objectives Reading Literature Explain major differences between books that tell stories and books that give information, drawing on a wide reading of a range of text types. Reading Informational Text Identify the main purpose of a text, including what the author wants to answer, explain or describe. Materials Needed Author’s Purpose PIE chart Interactive whiteboard or chart paper Various informational, persuasive and entertaining texts Sticky notes (enough for each small group) PIE reading passage cards PIE sorting mat and answer key Glue (optional) Introduction Explain to students that authors have many different reasons for writing. For example, an author might write to inform or explain something to the reader about a topic, to persuade someone to think about an idea or convince them to do something, or simply to tell an entertaining story. Tell students that these varied reasons for writing are called the author’s purpose. Students can recall the three main purposes by remembering the acronym PIE—Persuade, Inform, Entertain. Emphasize that being able to identify the author’s purpose in writing helps us connect with the text and understand what the author wants us to know.
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Friction Fun
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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Storytelling Baskets
Toddler
Objectives
• Toddlers will build oral language and vocabulary skills.
• Toddlers will retell stories.
• Toddlers will be exposed to books and print.
Make-Your-Own "Spilt Milk"
Toddler
Objectives
• Toddlers will build vocabulary through word repetition.
• Toddlers will build oral language skills.
• Toddlers will be exposed to books and print.
Character Study and Story Elements Comparison
3rd Grade - 4th Grade
Objectives CCSS Reading/Literature & Writing RL.3.9: Compare and contrast the themes, settings and plots of stories written by the same author about the same or similar characters (e.g., in books from a series). W.3.3: Write narratives to develop real or imagined experiences or events using effective technique, descriptive details and clear event sequences. Materials Needed Lilly’s Purple Plastic Purse by Kevin Henkes Lilly’s Big Day by Kevin Henkes Character Analysis chart Story Elements chart Paper and pencils Introduction Read aloud Lilly’s Purple Plastic Purse and Lilly’s Big Day by Kevin Henkes. Encourage students to discuss Lilly’s character traits in both stories, and have them help you fill in the Character Analysis chart.
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The Rainbow Fish: Counting Storytelling Kit
Infant
Objectives
• Infants will show interest in shared reading experiences and looking at books.
• Infants will build vocabulary.
• Infants will develop memory and listening skills.
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.
The Sea and Me: A Measurement Lesson
3rd Grade
Objective Students will use measurement skills to compare the relative size of sea animals. Materials Needed Is a Blue Whale the Biggest Thing There Is? by Robert E. Wells Adding machine paper roll Tape measure 6 rocks (as paperweights) Butcher paper sheets (large enough for students to lie down on) “The Sea and Me” Record Sheet Rulers Pencils Scissors Preparation: Cut a strip of adding machine paper to match the average length of each sea animal below: Blue Whale: 94 ft. Orca: 32 ft. Bottlenose Dolphin: 12 ft. Label each strip with the name of the animal. (Do not write the length of the animal on the strip.) Introduction Tell students that they are going to learn about measurement and relative size. Then read Is a Blue Whale the Biggest Thing There Is? by Robert E. Wells. After you have finished the book, ask students to share examples of relative size that are given in the book (e.g., a blue whale is big compared to other animals but small compared to Mount Everest). Finally, tell students that they are going to compare the sizes of three sea animals. Then they will compare their own size to the three animals.
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What Makes a Shadow?
1st Grade
Objectives Understanding that shadows are formed when an object blocks a light source, such as the sun Explaining how their own shadows change shape and size Materials Needed Moonbear’s Shadow by Frank Asch What Makes a Shadow? reproducible Chalk Introduction Tell students that you are going to read a book about a bear and his shadow. Encourage them to pay close attention to what the bear’s shadow does in the story. Read aloud the book Moonbear’s Shadow by Frank Asch. Then ask students the following questions: What makes Moonbear’s shadow? Why does Moonbear want to get rid of his shadow? How does he try to get rid of his shadow? Why doesn’t it work? What happens to Moonbear’s shadow when he hides behind a tree? Why? Why does Moonbear’s shadow disappear when he buries it? Why does Moonbear’s shadow appear larger during certain times of the day and smaller during other times?
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Rainy-Day Writing
3rd Grade - 5th Grade
Objectives Writing Writing narratives to develop real or imagined experiences or events using effective techniques, descriptive details and clear event sequences Using narrative techniques, such as dialogue, description and pacing, to develop experiences and events or show the responses of characters to situations Using concrete words, phrases and sensory details to convey experiences and events precisely Materials Needed Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs by Judi Barrett Chart paper or whiteboard Pre-writing graphic organizer Umbrella book reproducible Pencils Crayons or markers Stapler Introduction Read Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs aloud.
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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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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
4th Grade
Everyone’s a Critic After you read a book or watch a movie, invite your child to pretend to be a newspaper critic! Have your child summarize the book or movie and then analyze it. What did he or she like about it and why? Would he or she recommend it? Make sure your child uses examples from the book or movie to support his or her opinion.
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Comparing Living Things
1st Grade
Objectives Students will listen to a story that is read aloud and recall events from the story. Students will understand that trees and other living things have patterns that they follow from one season to the next. Students will learn about hibernation. Students will research different types of animals and compare and contrast the animals. Students will extend their learning by creating a book that illustrates the differences between two animals. Materials Needed Fletcher and the Falling Leaves by Julia Rawlinson Tree Squirrels and Ground Squirrels graphic organizer Bears and Bats graphic organizer Foxes and Rabbits graphic organizer Hamsters and Mice graphic organizer Construction paper (white) Stapler Best-Buy Crayons or Best-Buy Colored Pencils Scissors Preparation Cut the white construction paper into 4.5" x 6.5" rectangles. Staple six to eight rectangles together to make booklets for the class. (You will need four booklets for four groups of student researchers.) Make several copies of each graphic organizer. Introduction Invite students to gather on the floor in front of you as you read aloud Fletcher and the Falling Leaves by Julia Rawlinson. Ask students the following questions: What is Fletcher’s problem in the story? (Answer: Fletcher was sad that the leaves were disappearing from the tree. He did not understand that the leaves were falling off the tree in preparation for winter.) What does Fletcher discover when he goes to visit the tree at the end of the story? (Answer: It is covered with shimmering icicles and is just as beautiful as it was before.)
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First Day, Last Day Friendly Letter
1st Grade - 2nd Grade
Objectives Students will identify the parts of a letter. Students will write a friendly letter. Materials Needed The Jolly Postman by Janet and Allan Ahlberg Letter template Chart paper and marker Preparation: Using the template below, write a letter to yourself on chart paper. Sign your name at the bottom and fold the piece of chart paper in thirds. August ____, _________ Dear ___________________________, I am so excited about teaching _____ grade this year. The students in my class are great! I can’t wait to teach them ______________________________________________________. It is going to be a fantastic year! Sincerely, _________________________ Introduction Read aloud The Jolly Postman. Be sure to read all the hidden letters in the book. Ask students if they have ever written a letter. Who did they write to? What was the occasion? (Was it a thank-you note, an invitation or a friendly letter to a distant relative?)
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Counting Hearts
Pre-K - Kindergarten
Objective CCSS Math/Counting and Cardinality (K.CC.5) Count to answer “how many?” questions about as many as 20 things arranged in a line, a rectangular array or a circle, or as many as 10 things in a scattered configuration; given a number from 1 - 20, count out that many objects. Materials Needed One Heart: A Valentine Counting Book by Maryann Cocca-Leffler Conversation candy hearts or paper hearts page Chart paper, whiteboard or document camera Conversation heart mat Number cards Zip-close plastic bags Candy jar mats and candy pieces Best-Buy Crayons Counting Hearts reproducible Fiskars Classroom Scissors Introduction Read aloud One Heart: A Valentine Counting Book by Maryann Cocca-Leffler. As you read, pause and ask students to help you count the hearts on each page.
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Money Mania
2nd Grade
Objective CCSS Math/Measurement and Data: 2.MD.8 Solve word problems involving dollar bills, quarters, dimes, nickels and pennies, using $ and ¢ symbols appropriately. Example: If you have 2 dimes and 3 pennies, how many cents do you have? Materials Needed The Coin Counting Book by Rozanne Lanczak Williams or The Penny Pot by Stuart J. Murphy Coin counting chart Money problem-solving cards and mat Money problem-solving answer key Plastic coins (pennies, nickels, dimes and quarters) and dollar bills, or paper coins and dollar bills Race to the Bank spinner game mats Paper Pencils and paper clips Introduction Give pairs or small groups (three or four) of students coins with at least 25 pennies, 20 nickels, 15 dimes and four quarters to use as manipulatives. Read aloud The Coin Counting Book by Rozanne Lanczak Williams or The Penny Pot by Stuart J. Murphy, pausing to encourage students to count out the appropriate coins in the book and add them together as you read.
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Hooray for Earth Day!
1st Grade
Objectives Recognizing how their actions affect our environment Identifying positive steps they can take to protect our planet Materials Needed Earth Day—Hooray! by Stuart J. Murphy Chart paper Best-Buy Markers White Posterboard Stapler Earth Day book pages Before You Begin Copy, fold and preassemble a set of Earth Day book pages for each student. Staple each book together. Introduction Read Earth Day—Hooray! by Stuart J. Murphy. Ask children to help you think of ways to protect our planet and keep it healthy. Write their conservation ideas on chart paper.
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Pumpkin Seed Count and Compare
1st Grade - 2nd Grade
Objectives Students will estimate how many seeds are in a pumpkin and compare their estimates to the actual results. Students will count by twos, fives, and tens. Students will use the greater than, less than and equal symbols to compare numbers. Materials Needed How Many Seeds in a Pumpkin? by Margaret McNamara Pumpkin Knife (for teacher use only) Newspaper 3 index cards Comparing Seeds reproducible Preparation: Purchase a pumpkin from a local grocery store or pumpkin patch. Bring it to school, along with a sharp knife and some old newspaper. Spread out the newspaper to protect your workspace. Then cut out the top of the pumpkin. Leave the top on until instructed to remove it during the lesson. Finally, take the index cards and write the greater than symbol on the first card, the less than symbol on the second card, and the equal sign on the third card. Introduction Display the pumpkin and ask students to tell you what’s inside (seeds). Ask students if they can estimate, or guess, how many seeds there are. Write their guesses on the board or on chart paper. Tell students that you are going to read a story about a class that does the same activity that you will do with students today. Ask students to listen for ideas on how to count the pumpkin seeds. Then read aloud How Many Seeds in a Pumpkin? When you have finished reading, ask students to share their observations about the book, including ways to count the pumpkin seeds.
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My Winter Acrostic
3rd Grade - 5th Grade
Objectives Reading: Literature Reading and comprehending grade-appropriate literature, including stories, dramas, and poetry Writing Writing an acrostic poem Materials Needed Animal Acrostics by David Hummon or Autumn: An Alphabet Acrostic by Steven Schnur My Winter Acrostic template Winter Acrostic Organizer template Dark-blue construction paper - 9" x 12" Crayons or colored pencils Pencil Chalk or write & wipe marker Chalkboard or write & wipe board Introduction Hold up the book Animal Acrostics by David Hummon or Autumn: An Alphabet Acrostic by Steven Schnur. Then explain that the first letter of each line in an acrostic poem spells out a “topic” word that ties all the lines of the poem together. (It’s helpful to demonstrate the concept on a chalkboard or write & wipe board.) Read a few examples from the book and show students how acrostic poems are arranged on a page. (You may want to reproduce one on the board or a large poster so students can refer to it throughout the lesson.)
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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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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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Counting Flowers
Pre-K
Objectives Students will count objects using one-to-one correspondence. Students will write numerals from 1 to 20 as an expression of quantity. Materials Needed Flowers and Showers: A Spring Counting Book by Rebecca Fjelland Davis Vase template Counting Flowers reproducible Flowers template Number cards template Cardstock Scissors Crayons Glue Preparation: Before the lesson, print out and cut apart the number cards template. Then print the flowers template and make four copies of the flowers with stems. Color the flowers and cut them out. Next print the vase template and copy it onto heavy cardstock. Cut along the dotted line at the top of the vase so that you can slide the stems through the slit as you add flowers to the vase. If desired, laminate these for repeated use. Introduction Read Flowers and Showers: A Spring Counting Book by Rebecca Fjelland Davis. Before reading the verse on each page, have students take turns identifying the number that is shown and counting the objects on the page. Then encourage students to listen as you read the verse that relates these objects to spring. Next teach children this simple counting song (to the tune of “Are You Sleeping?”). We love counting, We love counting, One, two, three, Four, five, six! Let’s count all the flowers In the pretty vases. Count with me, Count with me!
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Earth Day Every Day
3rd Grade - 5th Grade
Objectives Students will analyze the characters and events in The Lorax by Dr. Seuss, drawing comparisons between the fictitious environment and our own environment. Students will discuss ways to positively impact the environment. Materials Needed The Lorax by Dr. Seuss Small-Group Discussion Questions Colored pencils, pens or markers Introduction Discuss the meaning of Earth Day, and introduce the book to students. Explain that aside from being an enjoyable children’s story, The Lorax is a metaphor to make us think about the world around us and the impact we have on our environment. Invite students to listen carefully to the story and see if they can draw comparisons between the characters and events in the story and our own planet.
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Sight-Word Study
Pre-K - Kindergarten
Objective CCSS Language: Reading: Foundational Skills RF.K.3c: Read common high-frequency words by sight (e.g., the, of, to, you, she, my, is, are, do, does). Materials Needed Sight-word cards A New Pet Chalkboard or document camera Scissors Stapler Before You Begin Print out a copy of A New Pet for each student in your class. After printing them out, stack the full-page sheets in the following order, starting at the bottom of the stack: page 7/cover facedown page 1/page 6 faceup page 5/page 2 facedown page 3/page 4 faceup Then carefully fold the entire stack in half and make a crease. Keeping the pages together, unfold the stack and staple three staples along the length of the crease to make a spine. Be sure to staple through the top of the stack so that the tips of the staples are on the inside of the book. Introduction Display the sight-words can, have, I, not, that and you on a chalkboard or with a document camera. Explain to the class that there are many words you can “sound out” for the correct pronunciation, but there are some words that you should recognize by sight. These sight-words do not always follow the standard rules of letter sounds. As you point to each word, read the word aloud and have students repeat after you. Then point to each word again, calling on student volunteers to say the sight-word.
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Beginning, Middle and End
Pre-K - Kindergarten
Objectives Students will identify the beginning, middle and end of a story. Students will recall events of a story in the correct order. Materials Needed The book The Rainbow Fish by Marcus Pfister Chart paper and marker (or chalkboard and chalk) Construction Paper (12" x 18") Scissors Crayons Aluminum Foil Glue The Rainbow Fish Reproducible Introduction Ask students to raise their hands if they like it when their friends share things with them. Then ask them to raise their hands if they have ever owned something so special that they didn’t want to share it with others. Invite a few volunteers to talk about their prized possession. Finally, ask students, “How do you think your friends would feel if you never shared with them?” and, “How do you think you would feel if your friends didn?t share with you?” Tell students that you are going to read a book called The Rainbow Fish. Explain how the Rainbow Fish in the story has something special that he is not sure he wants to share. Invite students to pay close attention to the sequence of events in the story as you read it aloud. Ask them to think about what happens in the beginning, in the middle and at the end of the story.
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Everyday Learning Activities
Pre-K
Everyday Learning Activities
- When reading a familiar book with your child, encourage your child to use the pictures to “read” parts of the story to you. Afterward, ask your child what happened at the beginning of the story, in the middle, and at the end.
Reduce, Reuse, Recycle!
4th Grade
Objectives Students will match ecology vocabulary words to their corresponding definitions. Students will actively research ecology terms and demonstrate hands-on understanding of a variety of environmental issues that impact their community. Materials Needed Earth Book for Kids by Linda Schwartz Ecology Word and Meaning cards Pocket chart or bulletin board Scissors Pencils Reduce, Reuse, Recycle! graphic organizer Before You Begin Copy and cut out a set of Ecology Word and Meaning cards for each student. Make several copies of the Reduce, Reuse, Recycle! graphic organizer. Introduction As an introduction to Earth Day, read aloud Earth Book for Kids by Linda Schwartz.
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Cause and Effect
3rd Grade - 4th Grade
Objective CCSS Reading: Informational Text RI.3.3: Describe the relationship between a series of historical events, scientific ideas or concepts, or steps in technical procedures in a text, using language that pertains to time, sequence, and cause/effect. Materials Needed “The Earthquake that Changed Earth” nonfiction reading selection “The Earthquake that Changed Earth” graphic organizer and sample graphic organizer Cause & Effect Flip Book template Scissors Pencils or markers A copy of any other nonfiction text
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Cause & Effect: Why Did the Pilgrims Come to the New World?
3rd Grade
Objectives Students will understand the relationship between cause and effect. Students will identify the effect when given a cause. Materials Needed …If You Sailed on the Mayflower in 1620 by Ann McGovern “A Chain of Events” reproducible Cause & Effect Flip Book template Scissors Introduction Hold up the book …If You Sailed on the Mayflower in 1620. Tell students that this story takes them back in time so they can understand the events that led the Pilgrims to travel across the sea in search of a new life. Ask students to listen carefully as you read aloud the passage titled “Where does the Pilgrim story begin?” Then invite children to share what they learned about why the Pilgrims decided to leave England and travel to America.
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Alphabet Water Painting
Pre-K - Kindergarten
Objectives Reading: Foundational Skills Demonstrating knowledge of letter-sound correspondences Language Printing many upper- and lowercase letters Materials Needed Alphabet flash cards Dr. Seuss’s ABC book Chart paper Marker Paintbrushes Cups of water Scissors Introduction Choose a letter (or group of letters) that your lesson will focus on. Gather students together for circle time and read aloud Dr. Seuss’s ABC. After you read the book, reread the page with the letter that you’d like to emphasize. Talk about the sound that letter makes. Then say the words on the page that begin with the letter. Ask, “Do these words have the same beginning sound? What letter makes that sound?”
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My Gift to the World Opinion Writing
1st Grade - 2nd Grade
Objectives CCSS Reading: Writing W.1.1: Write opinion pieces in which they introduce the topic or name the book they are writing about, state an opinion, supply a reason for the opinion and provide some sense of closure. W.2.1: Write opinion pieces in which they introduce the topic or book they are writing about, state an opinion, supply reasons that support the opinion, use linking words (e.g., because, and, also) to connect opinion and reasons, and provide a concluding statement or section. Materials Needed The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein “My Gift to the World” writing frame Bow template Holiday wrapping paper (in a variety of styles) Best-Buy Crayons Construction Paper - 9" x 12" Lakeshore Glue Sticks Safety Scissors Chart paper or whiteboard Preparation: Cut the wrapping paper into 10" x 13" sheets. Introduction Read The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein. Ask, “What are some of the gifts that the tree provides in the story?” (Possible answers include shade, apples and branches to swing on.) Then ask, “How does the tree feel when he sees the boy enjoying his gifts?” Discuss how giving gifts can often feel more rewarding than receiving gifts.
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Exploring Nonfiction Text
4th Grade
Objectives CCSS Reading: Reading Informational Text RI.1.7: Use the illustrations and details in a text to describe its key ideas. RI.2.7: Explain how specific images (e.g., a diagram showing how a machine works) contribute to and clarify a text. Materials Needed Ah, Music! by Aliki Selection of one or two fiction read-alouds “The Venus Flytrap” reading selection Chart paper Introduction Ask students to tell you what the difference is between fiction and nonfiction text. (Help students understand that fiction is not real or not a true story that happened in real life, and nonfiction is factual or real.) Show students a sample of fiction (e.g., a fiction read-aloud, such as Corduroy by Don Freeman; The Rainbow Fish by Marcus Pfister; or Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day by Judith Viorst). Ask, “When we read a fiction story like this one, what do the pictures show us?” (Encourage students to share their responses, guiding them to understand that the illustrations usually give a snapshot or visual image of what is happening in the story.) Then hold up the book Ah, Music! by Aliki, and tell students, “In nonfiction texts, you might find pictures, too! These pictures will help us understand what the words are telling us. There might also be a diagram that shows us more details about the information.”
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Graph Your Heart Out
1st Grade - 2nd Grade
Objectives Operations & Algebraic Thinking Making estimates about the number of objects in a group and comparing the estimate to the actual amount Measurement & Data Organizing, representing, and interpreting data with up to three categories; asking and answering questions about the data points Drawing a picture graph and a bar graph to represent a data set with up to four categories; solving simple put-together, take-apart, and compare problems using information from a bar graph Materials Needed Read-aloud math picture book, such as Betcha! by Stuart J. Murphy or Math Curse by Jon Scieszka Small box of candy conversation hearts for each student Graph Your Heart Out worksheet Hearts Graph pencils Introduction Capture students’ interest in estimation, counting and thinking about math by reading aloud Betcha! by Stuart J. Murphy or Math Curse by Jon Scieszka. Ask students, “What is the difference between counting and estimating?” Guide them in understanding that estimating involves making a reasonable guess, and counting is reaching an exact answer. Explain that counting sometimes takes longer than estimating, but both methods can be used to help you figure out answers to math questions.
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Introduction to Idioms and Multiple Meanings
1st Grade
Objectives Students will discuss and decode the meaning of idioms and figures of speech from the book Amelia Bedelia. Students will demonstrate an understanding of figures of speech by interpreting their meanings. Materials Needed The book Amelia Bedelia by Peggy Parish Whiteboard and dry-erase marker (or chalkboard and chalk) Interpreting Idioms Reproducible Scissors Box or hat Introduction Ask students if they have ever heard a joke that made them laugh their heads off! Ask volunteers to share the joke with the class. Then ask students, “When we say ‘I laughed my head off,’ do we really mean that we laughed so hard that our heads fall off our bodies?” Once students have responded—and giggled a little—tell them that this kind of expression is called an idiom, or a common phrase that means something different than what it says. Hold up the book Amelia Bedelia by Peggy Parish. Explain that Amelia Bedelia is a character who often gets confused by idioms or words that have more than one meaning. Before you begin reading the story aloud, tell students to listen for Amelia’s misunderstandings and try to figure out what Amelia Bedelia should really be doing.
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Ten Little Turkeys: A Counting Lesson
Pre-K - Kindergarten
Objectives Understanding the relationship between numbers and quantities When counting objects, saying the number names, pairing each object with only one number name and each number name with only one object Counting up to 20 items in a line, rectangular array or circle, or up to 10 items in a scattered configuration; counting out objects up to 20 Materials Needed Turkey template Construction Paper - 9" x 12" (a variety of colors, including 10 pages of light brown) Duck Quills - Class Pack Help-Yourself Glue Tubes Marker Thanksgiving Counting Book reproducible Small Thanksgiving - themed stickers (55 stickers per student)
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Umbrella Color Patterns
Pre-K - Kindergarten
Objective Identifying and creating three-color patterns Materials Needed Book about umbrellas or rainy weather (such as Who Likes Rain? by Wong Herbert Yee, Ella’s Umbrellas by Jennifer Lloyd, or The Umbrella Day by Nancy Evans Cooney) Umbrella poster reproducible Umbrella pattern strips Construction Paper - 9" x 12" (blue, green and yellow) Crayons Scissors Preparation Photocopy the umbrella poster reproducible onto the 9" x 12" construction paper, or photocopy it on white paper and color each umbrella. You will need four posters in each color (blue, green and yellow), for a total of 12 posters. Introduction Gather your students and read the book about umbrellas or rainy weather aloud.
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Poems for Peace
5th Grade
Objectives Students will listen to an oral reading about the life of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Students will identify key words that describe his work and values. Students will create their own poems that promote peace in honor of Martin Luther King Jr.’s birthday. Materials Needed Martin’s Big Words: The Life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. by Doreen Rappaport Chart paper or chalkboard Markers or chalk Martin Luther King Jr. poem Peace Poem template Introduction Show students the picture of Martin Luther King Jr. on the front cover of the book and ask them to identify him. Explain that Dr. King’s birthday is celebrated as a national holiday in the United States to honor him and his contribution to society. Read aloud Martin’s Big Words: The Life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. by Doreen Rappaport.
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Beginning Sound Presents
Pre-K - Kindergarten
Objectives Students will identify letters A to Z. Students will identify beginning sounds and match them to the corresponding letters. Materials Needed 26 small boxes and holiday wrapping paper (or holiday gift bags)* Beginning Sounds Letter Cards Beginning Sounds Picture Cards Tape Scissors *Try to include wrapping paper or bags that represent Christmas, Hanukkah, and Kwanzaa. Preparation. Have parent volunteers wrap the lid and base of each box separately. (For younger students, you may choose to focus on 3 or 4 letters instead of the whole alphabet. Simply have volunteers prepare the number of boxes that you need.) Download, print, and cut apart the Beginning Sounds Letter Cards and Beginning Sounds Picture Cards. Tape each letter card to the outside of a different box. In several of the boxes, place a small classroom object that starts with that letter. For example, place scissors in the “S” box, a pencil or bottle of paint in the “P” box, and a small book in the “B” box.
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"Pot of Coins" Money Counting Lesson
2nd Grade
Objectives Students will identify the name and value of different coins. Students will count the total value of a group of coins and find equivalent coin combinations. Materials Needed The Coin Counting Book by Rozanne Lanczak Williams Coin template or Plastic Coins or Magnetic Coins “Pot of Coins” activity mat Spinner template Paper bag Paper clips Pencils Scissors Before You Begin Print and cut out a set of coin templates for each student or pair of students. (You can also use real coins or a set of pretend coins.) Print the “Pot of Coins” activity mat. You will need one mat for every student in your class. Print the spinner template. You will need one spinner for every three or four students. Introduction Give a set of coins to each student so students can manipulate them throughout the lesson. Or have students work in pairs to enhance understanding. Read aloud The Coin Counting Book. As you read, pause periodically and challenge students to demonstrate the money concepts in the book using their coins.
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Simile Study
5th Grade
Objectives CCSS Language L.4.5.A: Explain the meaning of simple similes and metaphors (e.g., as pretty as a picture) in context. L.5.5.A: Interpret figurative language, including similes and metaphors, in context. Materials Needed Stubborn as a Mule and Other Silly Similes by Nancy Loewen (or another book that contains a variety of similes) Whiteboard or chart paper Make Your Own Simile reproducible Super Similes instruction page and reproducible Super Similes answer key Preparation Print a copy of the Make Your Own Simile reproducible and Super Similes instruction page and reproducible for each student. Introduction Read aloud Stubborn as a Mule and Other Silly Similes by Nancy Loewen (or another book with a variety of similes).
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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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