Emily O'Brien
April 24, 2006
Major Content: Animal Habitats
Grade Levels: Kindergarten/Grade 1
Subjects: Language Arts/Reading, Science, Technology
Tradebook & Author: Home for a Bunny by Margaret Wise Brown
Rationale: I have chosen a Directed Reading Thinking Activity for my vocabulary lesson. This is a lesson in which both teacher and students contribute to teaching. The teacher will direct the activity and lead the students to predict the meaning of specific vocabulary words. The students will then use the prepared Word Search for the activity. Then as the teacher reads the story aloud, the students will listen for the new words.
Lesson Objective:
Students will explore new vocabulary words pertaining to animal habitats.
Texas TEKS:
110.2. English Language Arts and Reading, Kindergarten.
1) Listening/speaking/purposes. The student listens attentively and engages actively in a variety of oral language experiences. The student is expected to:
(B) respond appropriately and courteously to directions and questions (K-3);
4) (B) use vocabulary to describe clearly ideas, feelings, and experiences (K-3);
§112.2. Science, Kindergarten.
(5) Science concepts. The student knows that organisms, objects, and events have properties. The student is expected to:
(A) describe properties of objects and characteristics of organisms;
9) Science concepts. The student knows that living organisms have basic needs. The student is expected to:
(C) identify ways that the Earth can provide resources for life.
Resources:
Home for a Bunny by Margaret Wise Brown
List of new vocabulary words from the book (found on Webquest)
Print out a copy of the Word Search for each child.
Procedure/Activities:
This is a pre-reading vocabulary activity that will be used to activate students prior knowledge about animal homes and introduce them to new vocabulary and concepts pertaining to animal habitats.
As the book is introduced, the children can be asked questions to assess prior knowledge. Example Questions: Have you ever seen a bunny before? Where did it live? Many other animals can be used to form a good discussion about animals and their homes that the children are already familiar with.
Then the teacher can use the book illustrations to see if the children can identify the meanings to the new words. The teacher then explains the meanings of words the students cannot predict. After the students understand the meaning of the words, the teacher will give them time to complete the word search.
After the word search activity, the teacher will read the book aloud to the students. Invite the students to quietly raise their hand when they hear one of the new vocabulary words. When the children raise their hand, the teacher can stop and review the meaning of the word. Then the teacher will repeat the sentence containing that word so the students can hear it again in context.
Student Assessment:
As the students point out the new vocabulary words in the book as the teacher reads. The teacher can visually assess which students recognize the word by raising their hand. Then she can call on students to tell her the meaning of the new words.
Lesson Extension:
Children can read additional books about animal habitats. The following are good sources that may be used.
Hewitt, Sally. (1999). World Book Encyclopedia presents: Animal Homes. Chicago, IL: World Book, Inc.