Mrs. Waters has challenged #Oklaed to share a favorite lesson plan! Here goes...
These are activities from one of my favorite 3rd grade units (but I plan to modify for 1st grade)...I know it was supposed to be a lesson plan...but my early-childhood brain thinks in thematic chunks!! I don't always use all of the activities I'm sharing (and there are others I use but didn't include), it really depends on the amount of time I have, and sometimes activities are stretched out over multiple days. I incorporated some of the activities into centers/learning stations. (I didn't include vocabulary, spelling...)
Wolf (story is a trade book but can also be found in Treasures third grade reading book)
These are activities from one of my favorite 3rd grade units (but I plan to modify for 1st grade)...I know it was supposed to be a lesson plan...but my early-childhood brain thinks in thematic chunks!! I don't always use all of the activities I'm sharing (and there are others I use but didn't include), it really depends on the amount of time I have, and sometimes activities are stretched out over multiple days. I incorporated some of the activities into centers/learning stations. (I didn't include vocabulary, spelling...)
Wolf (story is a trade book but can also be found in Treasures third grade reading book)
ELA
*Story Elements: Genre, Setting, Character, Problem and Solution
*Compare and Contrast (fiction v nonfiction wolf / comparing storybook wolves)
*Continued writing practice, complete sentences, paragraph form and organization
*The science portion of this unit is a great opportunity to talk about using resource materials
*The science portion of this unit is a great opportunity to talk about using resource materials
Whole Group:
Read story
Discuss and identify:
(make an anchor chart with this info (I'm cheap I use butcher paper for anchor charts), students can also make mini version in journal. We do this with each story so this doesn't take too much time. The focus for today's independent work will be character, so we will spend additional time talking about descriptive words.)
(make an anchor chart with this info (I'm cheap I use butcher paper for anchor charts), students can also make mini version in journal. We do this with each story so this doesn't take too much time. The focus for today's independent work will be character, so we will spend additional time talking about descriptive words.)
Genre
Setting
Character
Activity:
Activity:
Create an illustration of Wolf...Write descriptive words (of his character) around him.
(Students will use this same process to describe a character from independent reading/library book, and other assigned reading.)
(Students will use this same process to describe a character from independent reading/library book, and other assigned reading.)
Whole Group:
(Practice finding problem and solution)
(Practice finding problem and solution)
Read aloud The 3 Little Pigs
identify problem and solution (create anchor chart/giant fold-able)
(I sometimes have students create a mini chart in journal...helps them stay focused.)
identify problem and solution (create anchor chart/giant fold-able)
(I sometimes have students create a mini chart in journal...helps them stay focused.)
Reading Practice:
Independent and Buddy Reading of Wolf (looking for problem and solution)
Small Group/Partner Activity:
Discuss the problem and steps taken to solve the problem in Wolf with your partner.
(It is important to walk the room and be available finding problem and solution can be a challenge..let students know you are an available resource.)
Come together as a large group and share ideas (take notes on board for students reference).
Independent Work:
Create a fold-able sharing the problem, steps taken, and solution .
Discuss the problem and steps taken to solve the problem in Wolf with your partner.
(It is important to walk the room and be available finding problem and solution can be a challenge..let students know you are an available resource.)
Come together as a large group and share ideas (take notes on board for students reference).
Independent Work:
Create a fold-able sharing the problem, steps taken, and solution .
Whole Group:
Alternate Versions of "The Three Little Pigs"...
(When I need multiple copies of books I borrow from other teachers or get them on iBooks)
(When I need multiple copies of books I borrow from other teachers or get them on iBooks)
Small Group:
Allow students to reread these stories in small groups
And share ideas to compare and contrast (take notes in journal)
Activity:
Activity:
Create a compare and contrast fold-able or Venn diagram (My students got confused by the diagram so I switched to a fold-able...just paper folded into thirds)
Science
Science
*Study of wolves, research and gathering information
Whole Group:
Introduce "real" wolves using YouTube video (In The Valley of The Wolves)
(The above link is just an example. I couldn't find my usual link. We don't watch entire video...I usually find a 3-5 minute clip and use it. Sometimes clips come from various videos)
(The above link is just an example. I couldn't find my usual link. We don't watch entire video...I usually find a 3-5 minute clip and use it. Sometimes clips come from various videos)
Start an example of a Venn Diagram comparing and contrasting real and storybook wolves on the board or make an anchor chart...you can add to this throughout the week. (Be prepared...if you're like me...if it can go wrong it will go wrong with video! Have a book ready for back up!!)
Small Groups:
Provide students with books about wolves and teacher created search engine. Research types of wolves, habitats, characteristics, life in the pack...
Organize information (at least 5 facts) and share with large group
(This activity can be spread over several days by assigning specific topics for research each day...habitat, types of wolves, the language of wolves/communication...)
(I sometimes have problems with students not really reading the material just writing down random facts, but students know I will ask them questions about the facts they have written. This helps to make sure students are actually paying attention to what they are writing.)
(This activity can be spread over several days by assigning specific topics for research each day...habitat, types of wolves, the language of wolves/communication...)
(I sometimes have problems with students not really reading the material just writing down random facts, but students know I will ask them questions about the facts they have written. This helps to make sure students are actually paying attention to what they are writing.)
Activity:
1. create a Venn Diagram (or fold-able if students aren't ready for diagram) comparing and contrasting real and storybook wolves (or 2 different types of wolves)
2. Use research for informative paragraph or mini report.
2. Use research for informative paragraph or mini report.
Social Studies
(These are just resources I use not actual lesson plans)
The Legend of 2 Wolves Video
(there are other videos with more animation,but I love the naration in this one!)
The Legend of 2 Wolves written form
Questions for discussion and daily journal:
Wolf
Wolf
Identify other main characters in the story.
What are they like?
Why don't they want to be friends with wolf?
Have you ever been in a situation where others didn't want to be your friend? Explain.
(The following activity was added 7/31/2016)
STEAM things up with this Wolf Setting/Habitat activity This project will require students to collaborate, problem solve, use math skills (measurement...), physics, art...
Reporting: Students will work with their group to decide what to report on; Wolf story book setting, or the habitat of real wolves. Information can be recorded in a variety of ways, graphic organizer, essay style, students made video..you get the idea.
Model of Setting or Habitat:
Students will work in groups to create either the storybook setting or real life habitat for a wolf. Students will be provide with boxes, paper, cardboard, paints... They will work together to plan how the setting should be built, problem solving, and collaborating to achieve the finished product.
Presentation: Students will choose one or more of the following methods of presentation: give an oral presentation to the class, set up as a visual presentation, or prepare a video.
(The following activity was added 7/31/2016)
STEAM things up with this Wolf Setting/Habitat activity This project will require students to collaborate, problem solve, use math skills (measurement...), physics, art...
Reporting: Students will work with their group to decide what to report on; Wolf story book setting, or the habitat of real wolves. Information can be recorded in a variety of ways, graphic organizer, essay style, students made video..you get the idea.
Model of Setting or Habitat:
Students will work in groups to create either the storybook setting or real life habitat for a wolf. Students will be provide with boxes, paper, cardboard, paints... They will work together to plan how the setting should be built, problem solving, and collaborating to achieve the finished product.
Presentation: Students will choose one or more of the following methods of presentation: give an oral presentation to the class, set up as a visual presentation, or prepare a video.
Other wolf stories:
Little Red Riding Hood (various versions
Little Red Riding Hood a Prairie Tale
Ninja Red Riding Hood...
Other Activities
1. Write an original story starring a wolf.
2. Write a continuation of one of the storybooks shared in this unit.
(Writing assignments can be a challenge...I break it into steps and sometime strech the assignment over more than one day)
3. Build a better house for the Little Pigs (can incorporate math and science).
4. What's in Little Red's basket..story problems (math problems can be students created or teacher created). I have students write the problem and use construction paper & creativity to model the math problem. (This is one of my favorite activities but can be challenging. Our literacy coach happened to stop by when we were working on this and stayed to help...the additional help was great!)
Sometimes you have to make exceptions:
Most of my students enjoy thematic units and working in groups; however there is always a student or two who prefers to work alone. I try to accommodate their desire to work alone, but encourage them to do at least some group work (social skills are important too). There are students who are hesitant to take part in oral participation as well. I make accommodations based on that students needs..sometime amount to be presented in modified, sometimes they are given an alternate way to share.
Can't wait to see what the rest of #oklaed is sharing!!
Little Red Riding Hood a Prairie Tale
Ninja Red Riding Hood...
Other Activities
1. Write an original story starring a wolf.
2. Write a continuation of one of the storybooks shared in this unit.
(Writing assignments can be a challenge...I break it into steps and sometime strech the assignment over more than one day)
3. Build a better house for the Little Pigs (can incorporate math and science).
4. What's in Little Red's basket..story problems (math problems can be students created or teacher created). I have students write the problem and use construction paper & creativity to model the math problem. (This is one of my favorite activities but can be challenging. Our literacy coach happened to stop by when we were working on this and stayed to help...the additional help was great!)
Sometimes you have to make exceptions:
Most of my students enjoy thematic units and working in groups; however there is always a student or two who prefers to work alone. I try to accommodate their desire to work alone, but encourage them to do at least some group work (social skills are important too). There are students who are hesitant to take part in oral participation as well. I make accommodations based on that students needs..sometime amount to be presented in modified, sometimes they are given an alternate way to share.
Can't wait to see what the rest of #oklaed is sharing!!
Thank you so much for sharing your lessons! I'm a secondary teacher, so I can't comment much on the lessons themselves, but I will say that I love how you take the theme and cover it across the curriculum. I wish more secondary teachers could work together to cover themes with their students.
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