Learning outcomes

Students will:

• develop positive attitudes toward science
• learn how to find information and share it with others through projects
• observe special characteristics and senses which influence the life of an animal
• begin to classify animals in groups according to habitat
• become aware of threats to animals and their habitats and how this affects everyone

Teacher planning

Time required for lesson

45 Minutes

Materials/resources

• Live animals if available (to introduce lesson), stuffed animals work just as well
• animal models to be used in science center (jungle animals, forest animals, endangered animals, sea animals, arctic animals, etc.)
• biodiversity information from Pizza Hut’s Book It! Program informational animal books
• zoobooks
• playdoh
• animal stamps
• pencils
• paper
• graphing paper

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Learning outcomes

Students will:

• listen to music.
• move like they think the animal would move.
• show awareness of space.
• demonstrate discipline in movement.
• demonstrate awareness of movement to music.

Teacher planning

Time required for lesson

45 minutes

Materials/resources

• “Animal Action” from Greg and Steve Kids In Motion (record, tape or CD);
• record player
• tape player or CD player

Pre-activities

Talk about how animals move. Have someone demonstrate how each animal in the song moves (horse, spider, bunny, lion, bee, and a duck). You can decide if you want the children to just move or move and sound like the animal.

Activities

Have the children find their own space in the room. Let the class listen to the music first and discuss how you will move. Let the class move to the music like the animal would.

Assessment

Teacher will watch the children move like the animal would move. Watch out for good behavior in all children. Teacher may need to redirect children who get off track. Teacher may need to listen for the volume in the class if sounds are asked for.

Supplemental information

Pictures of the animals: horse, spider, rabbit, lion, bee and a duck may be helpful for students to see the animals.

Comments

This song is a favorite movement song from my Kindergarten classes. The children really enjoy the chance to move around the room and if given a chance, sound like the animal.

By Jo James

Learning outcomes

Students will:

• use pictures to predict main idea of story as well as key points throughout the story.
• use props to retell the story in sequential order. They will then transfer that skill into a flow map (using Thinking Maps Software).
• create a detailed picture of an object from the story and will write a complete sentence, using beginning and ending sounds and proper punctuation (using the Kid Pix Program).
• interview eight friends to poll their favorite ice cream flavor. They will be responsible to collect raw data then transfer that information to a database (using the Graph Club Software) by using a bar graph.
• complete a spreadsheet (Microsoft Works) to determine if certain objects from the story will roll, stack, or slide.

Teacher planning

Time required for lesson

5 days

Materials/resources

• The Book: A Birthday Basket For Tia by Pat Mora
• Props: a large basket, a book, a teacup, a mixing bowl, a small flowerpot, a red ball, and some flowers
• Writing/Drawing Paper
• Polling Sheet: which will allow for voting on three choices of favorite ice cream served at a birthday party (chocolate, vanilla and strawberry)
• Spreadsheet Template: an age/grade appropriate spreadsheet created on Microsoft Works which will allow for comparison of 3-D objects that roll, stack, or slide

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Learning outcomes

Students will enhance their self-esteem by learning that all people have likenesses and differences. Students will learn to be accepting of differences in other people.

Teacher planning

Time required for lesson

45 Minutes

Materials/resources

• People by Peter Spier, Doubleday; Reprint edition (May 1988) ISBN: 038524469X
• Chart paper with Venn diagram
• Markers
• Drawing paper
• Crayons

Pre-activities

The teacher may find these pre-activities useful:

• Create self-portraits. Use mirrors so that the children can explore their individual characteristics.
• Read and discuss the book, I’m Terrific, by Marjorie Sharmat.
• Discussion of “favorites”, including foods, colors, books, toys, games, etc.

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