Bears, Bugs & Dinosaurs Presented by Julie Quast

1. Bears, Bugs & Dinosaurs Presented by Julie Quast

2. Why Theme Units? • Creates a language-rich learning environment • Increases vocabulary • Allows for experiences across the curriculum • Integrated learning is more meaningful, because it connects learning to real life Image from: middleburghlibrarykids.blogspot.com

3. Daily Literacy Activities Combination of both fiction and nonfiction A variety of types of literature available and model reading of varied materials (books, notes, recipes, newspapers, magazines, mail, dictionary, phone book, online) Songs Poems Alphabet Chart Names of Students Image from: justincaseyouwerewondering.com

4. Reread, Reread, Reread “Brain connections are strengthened through repetition of experiences” (Creating Readers, 2001, p. 47). Vocabulary, understanding of plot and story language increases with each reading. Some students will ask the same questions with each reading, because children acquire language in “increments—not all at once” (p.47).

5. Books about Bears Fiction Blueberries for Sal by Robert McCloskey Big Smelly Bear by Britta Teckentrup Corduroy by Don Freeman Ask Mr. Bear by Marjorie Flack Non-fiction Bears by Alice Twine Watch Me Grow Bear by DK Books Bears by Emily Green Bears and Their Dens by Linda Tagliaferro Compare fiction and nonfiction books about bears

6. Create a journal to draw and write new facts learned about bears each day. Bear and Teddy Bear Venn Diagram or Comparison Chart Bears

7. Read Where's My Teddy? By Jez Alborough Invite children to bring a bear from home. • Provide an opportunity to share their Bear! Speaking is part of Literacy! • Graph teddy bears from home according to size, color, and/or other attributes (bows and without bows) • Let the bear stay all week and join in the bear picnic on the last day • Have extra bears in case someone forgets

8. Blueberries for Sal by Robert McCloskeyMake connections with the book Art activity response: fingerprint blueberries in the Kuplink, Kuplank, Kuplunk bucket(This will help them retell the story at home.)

9. We're Going on a Bear Hunt Action Story and Book Teddy Bear Picnic wear teddy bear headband and take binoculars on bear hunt through trees—you may have to pretend!

10. When snow starts to fall.He hurries insideHis warm little cave And there he will hide.(Put thumb inside fingers.)Snow covers the caveLike a fluffy white rug.Inside the bear sleepsAll cozy and snug. (Place one hand over the other.)Author Unknown Bear Finger PlayHere is a cave.(Bend fingers on one hand)Inside is a bear.(Put thumb inside fingers.)Now he comes outTo get some fresh air.(Pop out thumb.)He stays out all summerIn sunshine and heat.He hunts in the forest For berries to eat.(Move thumb in a circle.)

11. BUGS Bugs

12. Bugs Insect Anatomy – discuss the three body parts of an insect (head, thorax, abdomen) Model how to label the parts by looking at the first letter.

13. Bugs Compare Bugs and Spiders

14. Sorting Bugs Bug Color Power Point AND Bug Jars for sorting by color or by insect at: http://prekinders.com/bugs-theme/ Color Bugs PowerPoint by Karen Cox

15. Five Busy Bees (Finger play) Five little bees on a day so sunny; First one said, “I'd like to make some honey.” Second one said, “Tell me, where shall it be?” Third one said, “In the old honey tree.” Fourth one said, “Let's gather pollen sweet.” Fifth one said, “Let's take it on our feet.” Humming t heir busy little honeybee song, Bzzzzzzzzzzzzzz!

16. Helpful or Harmful? Read and identify how insects help us and how some are harmful. Then classify them into categories.

17. Bugs Which are Insects??? On card stock print pictures of insects and other animals with labels. Have children sort which are insects and which are not while describing why and/or why not. mouse

18. Bugs Riddles What am I? I am an insect. I can hop. I make music with my wings. What am I?

19. Books about Bugs Bugs are Insects by Anne Rockwell What is an Insect? by Lola M. Schaefer Big Bugs by Seymour Simon Ladybugs by Mia Posada The Icky Sticky Frog The Ladybug Girl and Bumblebee Boy by David Soman and Jacky Davis

20. Dinosaurs Movement Poem The dinosaurs lived long ago, when life on earth began. Some were tall, (stretch up hands) Some were small, (crouch down low) Some liked water, (make a swimming motion) Some liked land, (stomp feet) Peteranodons had leathery wings (fly with arms) Appatosaurus had long necks; (show long neck) And the meanest of all Was the Tyrannosaurus Rex! (mean face and claws!)

21. Dinosaurs Read Dinosaur Story Big Book (in packet for you) Poem for Pocket Chart or Poster Herbivore, herbivore, what do you munch? “I enjoy plants and leaves for lunch.” Carnivore, carnivore, what do you eat? “I am a hunter, I only eat meat.” Omnivore, omnivore, how about you? “I like meat and plants to chew.”

22. Dinosaurs Creative Response Create your own dinosaur by tracing your foot print on construction paper, cutout to use as the body, and then add parts with scraps of construction paper. Dinosaur Memory • I purchased cards, but you could use pictures printed on card stock. This is a great activity for identifying similarities and differences. Tip: Begin with a small number of cards. 

23. Dinosaurs Estimate how many shoes will fit on our dinosaur foot print. Measure dinosaurs and compare using terms of measurement.

24. Read Bones, Bones, Dinosaur Bones by Byron Barton Dinosaur DigAdd dinosaurs and small dinosaurs in eggs to your sand table. Have a chart of the types of dinosaurs nearby, so they can locate which dino they found!

25. Dinosaurs Dig for dinosaur bones using a chocolate chip cookie! Excavate the bones with a toothpick or age appropriate tool, while looking through a microscope.

26. Find a Dinosaur EggPaint a watermelon white with washable, ACMI paint. Hide the dino-egg on the playground and go on a dino-egg hunt. Wash the watermelon for a snack. Read Dinosaur BabiesBy Lucille Recht Penner

27. Dinosaurs Movement Poem Spread your arms way out wide, Fly like a Pteranodon, soar and glide. Bend to the floor, head down low, Move like a Stegasaurus, long ago. Reach up tall, try to be as tall as An Apatosaurus eating on a tree Using your claws, grumble and growl Just like Tyrannosaurus on the prowl.

28. Books about Dinosaurs I Like Dinosaurs by Angela Aylmore Dinosaur Bones by Bob Barner The Dinosaur Who Lived In My Backyard by B.G. Hennessy Usborne First Encyclopedia of Dinosaurs • GREAT pictures for browsing and discussing How do Dinosaurs... by Jane Yolen and Mark Teague

29. Questions??? Have a great year! Print Materials at: thereadinglady.wikispaces.com Email me with questions or ideas: juliequast@hotmail.com