Turtle Day - Day 2

Today's session was very simple but my students really enjoyed it and they were very successful.

Read the story. During reading, instead of reading those words that can be decoded simply, sound them out. These words are words that can be said using the sounds of the alphabet. A word such as 'he' can not be used because the 'e' sound is a long sound. 

"Early i-n (students would then say 'in) the morning"

"so Turtle w-e-n-t for a s-w-i-m"
"so he came out of his sh-e-ll" (Depending on what sounds you have taught in class)

I was really surprised how engaged my students were. You could follow up with sorting the words into categories. 

• How many sounds in the word e.g. in = 2    swim = 4
• How many letters in the word  
• Make a word find searching for the words in the book
• Clap the sounds
• Have cardboard letters and ask students to hold the cards up to create the words you have discussed. 

Turtle Day - Day 2

Today's session was very simple but my students really enjoyed it and they were very successful.

Read the story. During reading, instead of reading those words that can be decoded simply, sound them out. These words are words that can be said using the sounds of the alphabet. A word such as 'he' can not be used because the 'e' sound is a long sound. 

"Early i-n (students would then say 'in) the morning"

"so Turtle w-e-n-t for a s-w-i-m"
"so he came out of his sh-e-ll" (Depending on what sounds you have taught in class)

I was really surprised how engaged my students were. You could follow up with sorting the words into categories. 

• How many sounds in the word e.g. in = 2    swim = 4
• How many letters in the word  
• Make a word find searching for the words in the book
• Clap the sounds
• Have cardboard letters and ask students to hold the cards up to create the words you have discussed. 

Turtle Day

Recently our school has had a focus on comprehension and all the different ways to encourage this. We looked at the Four Resource Model, Meaning Maker, Text User, Text Participant and Text Analyst. I have planned a unit of work around the fiction book Turtle Day. My plan lasts 12 days/lessons, which can be done daily or over a few weeks.  I also plan on reading the story each day even if I do not have time for a follow up activity. Hopefully some of my EALD learners will also read the story independently. 

Introduction lesson

• Talk about the front cover. What will this book be about? How do you know?
• What kinds of activities/events will happen in Turtle's day?
• Read the text.
• Each time we get to a problem/event, ask students to predict what Turtle might do.

*Before reading the text you may want to make a KWL chart about turtles. At the end of the story you would add anything you may have learned. Be aware that this book may not add any new information, but it is a good source for opening up students to questions e.g. When Turtle was cold, he sunned himself on a log. Why did he have to lay in the sun instead of being active to his warm his body? 

Books about Reptiles

This term my class and I are learning all about reptiles. In my search for resources I have come across some excellent books. Some I have listed, I have not used in my classroom as yet, but may be worth a look. You may want to search your school or local library, or if you click on the link, it will take you to one of my favourite book seller websites. 

FICTION

A Nice Walk in the Jungle by Nan Bodsworth

The Dangerous Snake and Reptile Club by Daniel San Souci

Turtle Day by Douglas Florian

The Dirty Great Dinosaur by Martin Waddell

How to Hide a Crocodile & Other Reptiles by Ruth Heller

Sea Turtle Journal by Lorraine A. Jay

The Selfish Crocodile by Faustin Charles

The Enormous Crocodile (CD) by Roald Dahl

Solomon Crocodile by Catherine Rayner

Here Comes the Crocodile (Book & CD) by Kathryn White

NON-FICTION

Revolting Reptiles by Lynn Huggins-Cooper

Reptiles (Kingfisher Young Knowledge)

Field Guide to Australian Reptiles by Stephen Swanson (Rather expensive but an excellent resource. Take a search in your library.)

Australian Frogs and Reptiles by Pat Slater

Most people know the story of the Cat in the Hat. It's one of my student's favourites. Reading a book can be a great way to begin an activity in class. Books are also extremely useful when you are relieving in a classroom. You can easily turn the day into a 'theme' day where all the activities you do are based around a book. Below are some ideas of how to enjoy The Cat in the Hat that little bit more. 

1. Students can make their own hats.

2. Play a game of Fish, Fish, Cat (Duck, Duck, Goose)

3. Discuss rainy day activities. Ask students to draw/paint what they enjoy doing on a rainy day.

4. Make fish kites 

5. Make a paper plate cat.

6. Make these gorgeous Cat in the Hat posters.

7. Write a summary/book review like the ones found on Art Smarts 4 Kids.

8. Try these free colouring pages from Early Moments

9. Have a magnetic fishing game already made. You'll need cardboard (possibly laminated) with paper clips or safety pins attached. You'll need some 'fishing rods' with magnets. You may want to cut out a fish bowl to place the fish on.

10. Make a kite like the one that Thing 1 and Thing 2 have in the story or get students to design their own. Go outside and fly them before hometime.

11. Ask students to draw themselves on a ball balancing several things at once. 

12. Have some things for students to try balancing e.g. balls, small bean bags, a plastic cup etc. Allow them to hold things and let them try placing these things on their head or feet.

There are some more great ideas at http://lilteacher.com/seussville.html. Scroll down to "The Cat in the Hat'

Have fun with it.