Action-Packed Action Words
1st Grade
Objectives Students will identify action verbs. Students will list action verbs that begin with each letter of the alphabet. Materials Needed Ten Naughty Little Monkeys by Suzanne Williams Ten Naughty Little Monkeys Word Cards Pocket chart Chart paper Marker Construction paper Markers or crayons Scissors Preparation: Print and cut apart the Ten Naughty Little Monkeys word cards and have them ready to place in a pocket chart. Introduction Ask students to raise their hands if they have ever heard the rhyme “Five Little Monkeys.” Remind students that the rhyme counts down from five monkeys to zero monkeys. Invite students to chant the rhyme with you: Five little monkeys jumping on the bed, One fell off and bumped his head. Mama called the doctor, and the doctor said, “No more monkeys jumping on the bed!” Continue until you have chanted all six verses.
View Lesson Plan
Getting to Know Each Other
Pre-K - Kindergarten
Objectives Students will listen to a story about a raccoon that is anxious about the first day of school. Students will identify matching objects. Students will introduce themselves and answer a question about themselves. Students will recall another child’s name and state one fact about this child to the class. Materials Needed The Kissing Hand by Audrey Penn Picture cards Plain white envelopes (one per student) Best-Buy Crayons My New Friend reproducible Scissors Before You Begin Download and print out two copies of each picture card for pairs of students in your class. Cut out the pictures so each has a match. (For classrooms with an odd number of students, make two additional copies of one picture to make a group of three identical picture pairs.) Introduction Read The Kissing Hand by Audrey Penn. Reassure children that it is okay to miss home or feel a little nervous about starting school with a new teacher and some unfamiliar faces. Remind students that they will soon make new friends and learn what to expect in the classroom, telling them that you will have a great year together!
View Lesson Plan
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.
View Lesson Plan
Amazing Ocean Animals
3rd Grade
Objectives Understanding and explaining how blubber helps sea mammals adapt to cold temperatures in the ocean Identifying the mammals among a variety of ocean animals Materials Needed Ocean Animal Picture Cards Thin rubber gloves (one per student) Vegetable shortening Bowls of cold water Quart-size zip-close bag Pencils and paper Scissors Before You Begin Download, print and cut apart the set of Ocean Animal Picture Cards. Fill the zip-close bag with shortening. Introduction Hold up each ocean animal picture card, asking students to guess which animals are mammals (the whale, dolphin and walrus). Explain that whales, dolphins and walrus are not fish, but mammals that have adapted to live in the ocean. Tell students that mammals are warm-blooded and that their body temperatures must remain constant, even in the cold ocean environment. Explain that one important adaptation of ocean mammals is the blubber, or thick layer of fat, that these animals have beneath their skin.
View Lesson Plan
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.
View Lesson Plan
Vocabulary Building: Animal Alliteration
3rd Grade - 4th Grade
Objectives Students will identify alliteration as a literary tool. Students will build their vocabulary by listing descriptive words that begin with each letter of the alphabet. Materials Needed Animalia by Graeme Base “Alphabet Alliteration” pre-writing sheet Construction paper Markers or crayons Dictionaries Introduction Introduce students to the concept of alliteration by realing aloud Animalia by Graeme Base. Ask, “What did you notice about the animal names and the words that the author is using to describe them?” (The words begin with the same letter.) Explain that this is called alliteration. Tell students that alliteration is a literary tool that writers use to add emphasis to words or create a certain mood or rhythm in their writing.
View Lesson Plan
Animal Movements
Kindergarten
Objectives
- Children will develop gross motor skills.
- Children will improve balance and coordination.
Animal Sounds
Infant
Objectives
• Infants will develop speech.
• Infants will build vocabulary.
• Infants will identify animals and the sounds they make.
Animal Feelings
Infant
Objectives
• Infants will make connections between emotions and scenarios.
• Infants will build social-emotional vocabulary.
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.
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)
View Lesson Plan
Cotton Ball Race
Pre-K
Introduction
- Here’s a simple game that will get everyone blowing their way to the finish line!
Drop the Ball
Toddler
Objectives
• Toddlers will develop eye/hand coordination.
• Toddlers will develop motor control.
Infant Ball Drop
Infant
Objectives
• Infants will develop fine motor skills and engage their small hand muscles.
• Infants will develop eye/hand coordination.
• Infants will practice reaching and grasping.
Ball Catch
Toddler
Objectives
Toddlers will develop gross motor skills.
• Toddlers will develop eye/hand coordination.
Ball Roll
Infant
Objectives
Infants will practice reaching.
• Infants will develop eye/hand coordination.
• Infants will develop large motor skills, such as throwing.
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?”
View Lesson Plan
Story Sequencing
Pre-K
Objective CCSS Reading: Literature RL.K.2: With prompting and support, retell familiar stories, including key details. Materials Needed A copy of The Three Little Pigs Story sequence cards for The Three Little Pigs A copy of any other familiar read-aloud Story Sequence reproducible Lakeshore Standard Crayon Packs Chart paper Introduction Read aloud The Three Little Pigs.
View Lesson Plan
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.
View Lesson Plan
Add It Up!
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.
View Lesson Plan
Multistep Word Problems
3rd Grade
Objectives CCSS Math: Operations & Algebraic Thinking 3.OA.D.8: Solve two-step word problems using the four operations. Represent these problems using equations with a letter standing for the unknown quantity. Assess the reasonableness of answers using mental computation and estimation strategies including rounding. 4.OA.A.3: Solve multistep word problems posed with whole numbers and having whole-number answers using the four operations, including problems in which remainders must be interpreted. Represent these problems using equations with a letter standing for the unknown quantity. Assess the reasonableness of answers using mental computation and estimation strategies including rounding. Materials Needed Cardboard box or posterboard, cut into an outline of a bus (optional) Whiteboard or chart paper Tim’s Yard Work flyer Neighborhood Jobs reproducible Neighborhood Jobs Answer Key Preparation Print out a copy of the Tim’s Yard Work flyer and the Neighborhood Jobs reproducible for each student in your class. (You can also display the flyer on a document camera.) Introduction Instruct students to listen very carefully to the following story problem: Mr. Smith is driving a bus. At first, the bus has no passengers. At the first stop, 10 passengers get onto the bus. At the second stop, 2 passengers get off the bus. Then 4 passengers board the bus. At the third stop, half the passengers get off the bus. Pause for a few seconds. Then ask, “Now...what is the name of the bus driver?” Most students will likely react with surprise at this question, but a few will remember that you stated who was driving the bus at the beginning of the story problem. Affirm that the name of the bus driver is Mr. Smith. Ask students to raise their hands if they were calculating the number of passengers getting on and off the bus. Explain that, although this story problem was a riddle with a surprising twist at the end, those with their hands raised were actually calculating a multistep math problem that involved addition, subtraction and even division. Point out that this exercise is also a good example of why it is helpful to read the whole problem first in order to find out what information is needed to answer the question.
View Lesson Plan
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.
View Lesson Plan
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.
View Lesson Plan
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.)
View Lesson Plan
Literal vs. Nonliteral Meanings
3rd Grade - 4th Grade
Objective CCSS Language/Vocabulary Acquisition and Use: L.3.5.a, L.4.5.b Demonstrate understanding of word relationships and nuances in word meanings: a. Distinguish the literal and nonliteral meanings of words and phrases in context (e.g., take steps). Demonstrate understanding of figurative language, word relationships and nuances in word meanings: b. Recognize and explain the meaning of common idioms. Materials Needed Amelia Bedelia by Peggy Parish Chart paper and marker or chalkboard and chalk or document camera Illustrating Idioms page Wrap-Around Language Idiom cards and answer key Markers or Crayons Best-Buy Scissors Before You Begin Explain to students that words or phrases can have literal or nonliteral meanings. Tell them that a nonliteral meaning is when a phrase means something other than the exact words in it. Explain that authors sometimes use nonliteral meanings in their writing as a way to make a comparison or an exaggerated statement about something. For example, an author writing that someone is a “night owl” is really saying that this person is awake and active at night (nonliteral meaning) rather than stating that the person turns into an animal at night (literal meaning). Tell students that you are going to read the story Amelia Bedelia by Peggy Parish. Ask students to actively listen for the idioms, or nonliteral phrases, that are used in the story. Introduction Begin reading aloud to the class Amelia Bedelia by Peggy Parish. As you read, pause to point out one or two forms of figurative language (e.g., “change the towels” on p. 16 or “draw the drapes” on p. 25) that cause confusion for Amelia. Ask students to explain and describe what they really mean, as opposed to Amelia’s literal interpretation of the phrases. Before you continue with the story, ask students to pay special attention to some of the other forms of figurative language in the story as Amelia encounters them.
View Lesson Plan
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.
View Lesson Plan
New Year’s Resolution
1st Grade
Objectives Reading Literature Asking and answering questions about key details in a text Language Producing and expanding complete simple and compound declarative, interrogative, imperative, and exclamatory sentences Defining “New Year’s resolution” and helping to make appropriate class resolutions Writing Creating individual New Year’s resolutions Materials Needed Squirrel’s New Year’s Resolution by Pat Miller Chart paper or whiteboard New Year’s Resolution reproducible Tagboard Self-adhesive magnetic strips Safety Scissors Crayons or markers Glue Introduction Ask students to raise their hands if they have heard of making a New Year’s resolution. Invite them to share what they think a resolution is. Explain that you are going to read aloud a make-believe story about a squirrel who makes a New Year’s resolution. Ask students to pay special attention to the story to find out what a resolution is and why people might make them at the beginning of each year.
View Lesson Plan
Reading Reflections
5th Grade
Objectives CCSS Reading/Literature: RL.4.2, RL.5.2, RL.5.6 Determine a theme of a story, drama or poem from details in the text; summarize the text. Determine a theme of a story, drama or poem from details in the text, including how characters in a story or drama respond to challenges or how the speaker in a poem reflects upon a topic; summarize the text. Describe how a narrator’s or speaker’s point of view influences how events are described. Materials Needed Document camera or whiteboard “Arithmetic” by Carl Sandburg Read and Respond record Introduction Explain to students that, just as an author expresses ideas in the form of a story, a poet expresses thoughts and ideas in the form of a poem. Point out that, while a poem does not always have to rhyme, it consistently expresses a poet’s ideas or thoughts about a topic—often using very little space. Challenge students to listen carefully as you read aloud a poem by Carl Sandburg called “Arithmetic.” Remind students that “arithmetic” is another word for “math.” Ask students to think about what the poet is trying to say and what theme, or “big idea,” he is trying to share about arithmetic/math.
View Lesson Plan
One Foot, Two Feet, Hop!
Toddler
Here’s a fun way to get little ones moving and following directions! Children will follow the footsteps on the floor—and have a hopping good time!
View Lesson Plan
Rhyming Sounds
Pre-K - Kindergarten
Objective CCSS Reading: Foundational Skills RF.K.2a: Recognize and produce rhyming words. Materials Needed Three plastic pails Rhyming Guide Picture Cards Rhyming Picture Cards Rhyming Sounds Match-Up Puzzle Cards Introduction Have students sing “Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star” aloud with you. Then ask students to sing the song aloud again and listen for words that rhyme, or sound the same at the end.
View Lesson Plan
Float Your Boat
Kindergarten - 1st Grade
Objectives Students will predict how many pennies an aluminum foil boat will hold before it sinks. Students will test their predictions and record the results. Materials Needed Float Your Boat Record Sheet Aluminum foil Small plastic tubs Pennies Introduction Prompt students to raise their hands if they have ever traveled aboard a boat. Invite students to share what kind of boat it was (such as a rowboat, sailboat, canoe or cruise ship) and about how many passengers were on board. Ask students, “Can you ever have too many people aboard a boat? How do you know? What might happen?” Invite students to hypothesize and share their reasoning. Guide them to the conclusion that too much weight may cause a boat to sink.
View Lesson Plan
Vocabulary Building: Using Context Clues
3rd Grade - 4th Grade
Objectives Language Use sentence-level context as a clue to the meaning of a word or phrase. Use context (e.g., definitions, examples, or restatements in text) as a clue to the meaning of a word or phrase. Materials Needed Whiteboard and dry-erase marker (or chalkboard and chalk) Word Detective Activity reproducible Introduction In a low voice, say to students, “If you can hear me, please raise your snooble.” Students will likely giggle or give you a quizzical look, but simply repeat the instruction until one or two students begin raising their hands. Acknowledge their correct responses with a smile or nod. Once other students begin to catch on, confirm that the nonsense word “snooble” meant hand. Ask a volunteer to explain how she guessed the correct meaning of the nonsense word.
View Lesson Plan
Hot Potato
Toddler
Here’s a small-group game that includes music and physical movement. Get your little one ready for some “Hot Potato”!
View Lesson Plan
Reading for Details
1st Grade - 2nd Grade
Objectives CCSS Reading/Informational Text: Key Ideas and Details (RI.1.1, RI.1.2, RI.2.1, RI.2.2) Ask and answer questions about key details in a text. Identify the main topic and retell key details of a text. Ask and answer such questions as who, what, where, when, why and how to demonstrate understanding of key details in a text. Identify the main topic of a multiparagraph text as well as the focus of specific paragraphs within the text. Integration of Knowledge and Ideas (RI.1.7, RI.2.7) Use the illustrations and details in a text to describe its key ideas. Explain how specific images (e.g., a diagram showing how a machine works) contribute to and clarify a text. Materials Needed “Animal Homes” reading passage Reading for Details graphic organizer Document camera or whiteboard (optional) “Our Closest Star” reading passage Question frames Scissors Highlighters Introduction Explain to students that as they read about the ways animals build their homes, they can be “reading detectives” who discover the main topic and important details! To do this, they must read carefully, examine the text and pay close attention to illustrations that will help them find the answer to the following important questions: Where? When? How? Why?
View Lesson Plan
Pumpkin Measurement
3rd Grade
Objectives Students will listen to a story about pumpkins and learn more about them. Students will learn and understand measurement vocabulary words. Students will estimate—and then measure—the weight, height, circumference, radius and diameter of a pumpkin. Materials Needed Pumpkins by Ken Robbins Small- to medium-sized pumpkins (one for each small group of three to four students and one medium pumpkin for the class) Pumpkins should vary in size as much as possible. Scale Sharp knife (for teacher or adult use only) Rulers String or yarn Pencils Pumpkin Measurement Record Sheet Introduction Read aloud Pumpkins by Ken Robbins. Hold up a medium-sized pumpkin and ask students to estimate, or guess, how much the pumpkin weighs. (Students’ estimates will probably vary widely.) Explain to students that having a starting point of knowledge before estimating will help estimates be more accurate. For example, if students know how much the pumpkin in your hands weighs, this knowledge will help them estimate the weight of smaller or larger pumpkins. Weigh your pumpkin on a scale and tell students the weight. Explain that you’ll be using this measurement in the next activity.
View Lesson Plan
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.
View Lesson Plan
Super-Safe Pour & Scoop
Infant
Objectives
• Infants will develop fine motor skills and engage their small hand muscles.
• Infants will develop eye/hand coordination.
Elapsed Time
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.
View Lesson Plan
Force and Motion: Zip Along! Challenge
5th Grade
Objectives
- Design and create a device for a zip line.
- Use the design process to guide and track decisions.
- Apply Newton’s three laws of motion to describe how inertia, gravity, friction, mass, acceleration, and reaction affect designs and the movement of a ball.
Count & Throw
Pre-K
Objectives
- Children will develop eye/hand coordination.
- Children will recognize numbers.
- Children will participate in cooperative play.
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.)
View Lesson Plan
Box Sort
Toddler
Objectives
• Toddlers will develop eye/hand coordination.
• Toddlers will develop fine motor skills.
• Toddlers will practice sorting.
Food Webs
5th Grade
Objectives
- Develop a model to describe the movement of matter among plants, animals, decomposers, and the environment.
- Explain the difference between a food chain and a food web, as well as how food webs work in an ecosystem.
Potato Roll Race
Pre-K
Introduction
- Here’s a simple game the whole family will enjoy—and a great way to build eye/hand coordination!
Catch-It Cups
Kindergarten
Objectives
- Children will improve their throwing and catching skills.
- Children will develop eye/hand coordination.
Pull & Find
Infant
Objectives
• Infants will develop their small muscles.
• Infants will develop eye/hand coordination.
• Infants will practice their pincer grasp.
Bubbling Color
Toddler
Objectives
Toddlers will explore cause & effect relationships.
Toddlers will explore colors.
Toddlers will develop fine motor skills.
Toddlers will develop eye/hand coordination.
Ring Toss
Pre-K
Objectives
- Children will develop eye/hand coordination.
- Children will participate in cooperative play.
Crunchy Sensory Kit
Toddler
Objectives
• Toddlers will engage in sensory exploration.
• Toddlers will make tactile discoveries.
• Toddlers will develop eye/hand coordination and fine motor skills to use tools.
Balloon Volleyball
Kindergarten
Objective
- Children will develop eye/hand coordination.
Touch Threshold
4th Grade
Objective
- Use a model to describe that animals receive different types of information through their senses, process the information in their brain, and respond to the information in different ways.
Large Lacing Rings
Toddler
Objectives
• Toddlers will develop fine motor skills.
• Toddlers will develop eye/hand coordination.
• Toddlers will explore spatial relationships.
Sharing Scoops
Toddler
Objectives
• Toddlers will learn about building friendships.
• Toddlers will develop eye/hand coordination.
Breathing Lung Model
4th Grade
Objectives
- Understand that plants and animals have internal and external structures that function to support survival, growth, and reproduction.
- Use a model to test interactions concerning the functioning of a natural system.
Apple Balancing Act
Toddler
Objectives
• Toddlers will explore cause & effect relationships.
• Toddlers will make predictions.
• Toddlers will practice balancing objects.
• Toddlers will develop eye/hand coordination.
Tower Topple
Infant
Objectives
• Infants will develop fine motor skills and engage their small hand muscles.
• Infants will develop eye/hand coordination.
• Infants will practice reaching and grasping.
• Infants will explore cause and effect.
The Wonder of Word Meanings
Kindergarten
Objective Distinguishing shades of meaning among verbs describing the same general action Materials Needed Polar Bear, Polar Bear, What Do You Hear? by Bill Martin Jr. 1½" Ruled Chart Tablet Best-Buy Washable Fine-Tip Markers Chalk Shades of Meaning reproducible and answer key Introduction Read aloud Polar Bear, Polar Bear, What Do You Hear? by Bill Martin Jr. As you are reading, have students notice the different ways animals make sounds.
View Lesson Plan
Pom-Pom Drop
Toddler
Objectives
• Toddlers will develop fine motor skills.
• Toddlers will develop eye/hand coordination.
• Toddlers will explore spatial relationships.
Vertebrates or Invertebrates?
4th Grade
Objective
- Understand that plants and animals have internal and external structures that function to support survival, growth, and reproduction.
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.
View Lesson Plan
Number Toss
Pre-K
Objectives
- • Children will develop gross motor skills.
- • Children will develop eye/hand coordination.
- • Children will participate in cooperative play.
- • Children will identify numbers.