Musical Instruments and the Sounds They Make
Discussion: The aim of this lesson is for children to learn the names of multiple musical instruments, and to learn to appreciate and differentiate between the various sounds that these instruments make.
Materials: I will have a tape or CD featuring solos played by musicians on different instruments. I will also have pictures of the different instruments being played. I will have pictures of a trumpet, trombone, drums, flute, piano and guitar; Rachel Isadora's Ben's Trumpet.
Procedure: First I will read the book Ben's Trumpet by Rachel Isadora.
"Class, did you notice that there were different instruments being played in the jazz band? There was a drummer; he played the drums. The trombonist played the trombone. The trumpeter played Ben's favorite instrument the trumpet. Today we are going to listen to different instruments being played by musicians. Let's listen to the music and try to decide what instrument is being played. As the music is playing I will eventually hold up a picture of the instrument being played, and you can check to see if you guessed the correct instrument."
Monday, August 4, 2008
craft lesson #2
Name Recognition
Discussion:
One of the first words kids often learn is their name. At the pre-k level teachers work with students to first recognize then write their own names. Often teachers put students names on the floor next to symbols or a picture of the student to designate their area to sit on the carpet. Teachers also put students names, or have students put their names next to their daily or weekly classroom jobs. This lesson is intended to help children learn to recognize their own name and the names of their classmates.
Procedure:
First I will read some of The Name Jar by Yangsook Choi. This book is somewhat long and difficult for preschoolers, so I will only read parts of the book and summarize much of it. After reading the chosen text I will explain to the children that I have my own name jar. I will have a large jar filled with the children's names written on separate pieces of paper. I will also include my own name. I will ask the children to come up one at a time and select a name from the jar. I will then ask the child to show the name to their classmates. I will ask the child to mach the name with the student whose name is written on the paper. If the child does not know whose name it is, I will ask the class for help. I would hope that the child whose name is written on the piece of paper will recognize their own name. We will play this "game" throughout the year. Further in the year I might even ask the children to write their own names on a piece of paper and place them in the jar.
Note: For more advanced students you might have different types of word jars. For example, you might have a verb jar and ask students to act out the verb they draw from the jar.
Discussion:
One of the first words kids often learn is their name. At the pre-k level teachers work with students to first recognize then write their own names. Often teachers put students names on the floor next to symbols or a picture of the student to designate their area to sit on the carpet. Teachers also put students names, or have students put their names next to their daily or weekly classroom jobs. This lesson is intended to help children learn to recognize their own name and the names of their classmates.
Procedure:
First I will read some of The Name Jar by Yangsook Choi. This book is somewhat long and difficult for preschoolers, so I will only read parts of the book and summarize much of it. After reading the chosen text I will explain to the children that I have my own name jar. I will have a large jar filled with the children's names written on separate pieces of paper. I will also include my own name. I will ask the children to come up one at a time and select a name from the jar. I will then ask the child to show the name to their classmates. I will ask the child to mach the name with the student whose name is written on the paper. If the child does not know whose name it is, I will ask the class for help. I would hope that the child whose name is written on the piece of paper will recognize their own name. We will play this "game" throughout the year. Further in the year I might even ask the children to write their own names on a piece of paper and place them in the jar.
Note: For more advanced students you might have different types of word jars. For example, you might have a verb jar and ask students to act out the verb they draw from the jar.
Friday, August 1, 2008
Upside Down and Backwards
Upside Down and Backwards by Diane Gonzales Bertrand
I really liked this collection of short stories. As a child I liked short stories. I still like them today. Sometimes it is nice to pick up a book and finish reading it in the same sitting. This book is a good way to teach kids that short stories are not just for picture books and little kids. I liked the story about Diana's party. I think every kid has been embarrassed about a family member at one time. I remember when it was embarrassing to have my parents around. As children we don't realize that other people don't recognize or mind all those little things that seem embarrassing to us about our parents or relatives.
I really liked this collection of short stories. As a child I liked short stories. I still like them today. Sometimes it is nice to pick up a book and finish reading it in the same sitting. This book is a good way to teach kids that short stories are not just for picture books and little kids. I liked the story about Diana's party. I think every kid has been embarrassed about a family member at one time. I remember when it was embarrassing to have my parents around. As children we don't realize that other people don't recognize or mind all those little things that seem embarrassing to us about our parents or relatives.
Thursday, July 31, 2008
The Talented Clementine
The Talented Clementine by Sara Pennypacker
Overall, I am undecided on how I feel about this book. I liked the character Clementine. She is creative and has a unique way of looking at things. She is a funny, quirky and intelligent little girl. However, I found myself getting bored with the book. I really did not care to read on to find out how Clementine resolved her problem. What bothers me is that I can not describe what exactly it was about the book that I did not like. I felt that I should have liked it more than I did. I think that children would really enjoy this book. I think that they too would like Clementine and could relate to the story. Lots of children have a hard time recognizing their talents. If I have a book that I think kids would really enjoy even though I did not, should I still give a book talk on it? Should I give it a positive review because I think the kids would really enjoy it? I think I might give a quick talk on it, but omit my personal feelings about it.
Overall, I am undecided on how I feel about this book. I liked the character Clementine. She is creative and has a unique way of looking at things. She is a funny, quirky and intelligent little girl. However, I found myself getting bored with the book. I really did not care to read on to find out how Clementine resolved her problem. What bothers me is that I can not describe what exactly it was about the book that I did not like. I felt that I should have liked it more than I did. I think that children would really enjoy this book. I think that they too would like Clementine and could relate to the story. Lots of children have a hard time recognizing their talents. If I have a book that I think kids would really enjoy even though I did not, should I still give a book talk on it? Should I give it a positive review because I think the kids would really enjoy it? I think I might give a quick talk on it, but omit my personal feelings about it.
Made You Look
Made You Look by Diane Roberts
This is a novel for young readers. I would use it in older elementary grades. I would use it in the fourth and fifth grades, and possibly as a read aloud in the third grade. The book is fun and easy to read. The main character was funny and witty. I liked the fact that it was modern. The main character used his laptop for e-mailing and for sending IM's. I think that kids will like a book where they can identify with the characters, and where they can envision themselves in the characters world. Although some of the happenings in the story were a little far fetched,but not ridiculous, the characters personalities were real and true to life. As I read the story I kept thinking that the characters were just like someone I used to know or now know. I think kids will enjoy reading this funny and exciting book.
This is a novel for young readers. I would use it in older elementary grades. I would use it in the fourth and fifth grades, and possibly as a read aloud in the third grade. The book is fun and easy to read. The main character was funny and witty. I liked the fact that it was modern. The main character used his laptop for e-mailing and for sending IM's. I think that kids will like a book where they can identify with the characters, and where they can envision themselves in the characters world. Although some of the happenings in the story were a little far fetched,but not ridiculous, the characters personalities were real and true to life. As I read the story I kept thinking that the characters were just like someone I used to know or now know. I think kids will enjoy reading this funny and exciting book.
Wednesday, July 23, 2008
Craft lesson #1
Writing a Book About What Happens During the Day
Discussion:
At the pre-k level children are usually not capable of writing sentences on their own. However, with their teachers help pre-k students can become writers. They can dictate words to their teachers and draw pictures that tell a story or have meaning. This lesson will primarily be an exercise in writing.
Procedure:
I will read the students Apple Pie Fourth of July by Janet Wong. Since it is a longer more mature book, I will only read parts of the book. I will shorten it to one or two sentences per page. I will ask the students if they noticed that in the book different things were happening at different times. I will then explain to the students that we are going to write our own book about what we are doing at different times during the day. Every student will be assigned to a different time during the school day. Throughout the day I will ask students to dictate to me what they are doing or did during those different times. At the top of the page each student will have a time and what the activity is for that time. For example, 11:30: Lunch time, will appear at the top of the page. Then I will take the students diction of what they want to write at the bottom of the page. For example, "We ate spaghetti and bread" will appear at the bottom of the page. I will then ask students to draw on their page a picture to go with their words. I will also take pictures of the children during the different times during the day. After all the students have completed their pages. I will read the book to the class. I will then ask the students to come up with a title for the book. We will decide or vote as a class which title we like best. On the cover page of the book I will write the title and every child's name as the author. I will then laminate the book. When you open to the various pages you will see the child's drawing and words. Then on the corresponding page I will have a photograph of the class during that time. I think the photographs will help the children recognize what activity is designated on each page. Children also like looking at photographs of themselves and their friends. I will place the book on our book shelf for the children to read on their own.
Note: Another good book to read for this lesson would be The Grouchy Ladybug by Eric Carle.
Discussion:
At the pre-k level children are usually not capable of writing sentences on their own. However, with their teachers help pre-k students can become writers. They can dictate words to their teachers and draw pictures that tell a story or have meaning. This lesson will primarily be an exercise in writing.
Procedure:
I will read the students Apple Pie Fourth of July by Janet Wong. Since it is a longer more mature book, I will only read parts of the book. I will shorten it to one or two sentences per page. I will ask the students if they noticed that in the book different things were happening at different times. I will then explain to the students that we are going to write our own book about what we are doing at different times during the day. Every student will be assigned to a different time during the school day. Throughout the day I will ask students to dictate to me what they are doing or did during those different times. At the top of the page each student will have a time and what the activity is for that time. For example, 11:30: Lunch time, will appear at the top of the page. Then I will take the students diction of what they want to write at the bottom of the page. For example, "We ate spaghetti and bread" will appear at the bottom of the page. I will then ask students to draw on their page a picture to go with their words. I will also take pictures of the children during the different times during the day. After all the students have completed their pages. I will read the book to the class. I will then ask the students to come up with a title for the book. We will decide or vote as a class which title we like best. On the cover page of the book I will write the title and every child's name as the author. I will then laminate the book. When you open to the various pages you will see the child's drawing and words. Then on the corresponding page I will have a photograph of the class during that time. I think the photographs will help the children recognize what activity is designated on each page. Children also like looking at photographs of themselves and their friends. I will place the book on our book shelf for the children to read on their own.
Note: Another good book to read for this lesson would be The Grouchy Ladybug by Eric Carle.
Friday, July 18, 2008
Los Gatos Black on Halloween
Los Gatos Black on Halloween by Marisa Montes. Illustrated by Yuyi Morales.
This book has become one of my favorites. The illustrations alone make it worth reading. They are beautiful and I notice something new on each page every time I read this book. The rhyme and rhythm of the book is also very nice. It has English and Spanish words. Even though I do not speak Spanish I can infer the meaning of the Spanish words due to the context of the page. The poetic story was fun and a little scary in a light hearted way. The ending was fantastic. What ghosts, mummies, witches and zombies are most terrified of are little kids dressed up in their Halloween costumes trick-or-treating at night. I think kids of all ages would enjoy this book. I would definitely use this book in my class room. However, I would try to be careful. I do not want to scare children or offend anyone's religion. I haven't quite figured out what I would do in order to avoid these problems. I would present the book in a fun way and talk before hand about ghosts and witches not being real. I would use this book around Halloween. By then I would hopefully know my students and possibly their parents well enough to guess whether any of the students or the parents might have a problem with the book.
This book has become one of my favorites. The illustrations alone make it worth reading. They are beautiful and I notice something new on each page every time I read this book. The rhyme and rhythm of the book is also very nice. It has English and Spanish words. Even though I do not speak Spanish I can infer the meaning of the Spanish words due to the context of the page. The poetic story was fun and a little scary in a light hearted way. The ending was fantastic. What ghosts, mummies, witches and zombies are most terrified of are little kids dressed up in their Halloween costumes trick-or-treating at night. I think kids of all ages would enjoy this book. I would definitely use this book in my class room. However, I would try to be careful. I do not want to scare children or offend anyone's religion. I haven't quite figured out what I would do in order to avoid these problems. I would present the book in a fun way and talk before hand about ghosts and witches not being real. I would use this book around Halloween. By then I would hopefully know my students and possibly their parents well enough to guess whether any of the students or the parents might have a problem with the book.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)