Title – Insects Through Literature

By – Jen Lorio

Primary Subject – Language Arts

Secondary Subject – Science
Grade Level – 1-2

Goals:

The student will
• know the main idea of the books,
• recognize four insects, and
• observe and identify insects in their natural habitat.

Objectives:

The student will be able to demonstrate through words and illustrations that they understand at least one part of the books that were read.

Prerequisite Skills:

The student should have basic skills in writing (invented spelling is okay).

Materials/Resources:

• Multiple copies of:
  Carle, Eric;
  
  The Very Quiet Cricket, The Very Hungry Caterpillar, The Grouchy Ladybug
  
  .

  Kent, Jack;

  
  The Caterpillar and The Polliwog
  
  .

  Maxner, Joyce;

  
  Nicholas Cricket
  
  .

  Baker, Betty;

  
  Rat is Dead and Ant is Sad
  
  .

  Fleschman, Paul;

  
  Joyful Noises
  
  (poetry).

  Lobel, Arnold;

  
  Grasshopper on the Road
  
  .

  McClung, Robert;

  
  Ladybug
  
  .

  Parker, Nancy Winslow;

  
  Bugs
  
• Sheets of lined paper for writing activity
  
• Pencils
  
• Blank paper for illustrations
  
• Crayons and markers

Vocabulary/Key Terms:

APHIDS: small insects who suck the juice from leaves.

Organization:

At the end of a science lesson, mention insects and ask if the children know some names of insects. Write them on the board. Then say the introduction (written below) and begin reading the first book,

The Grouchy Ladybug

by Eric Carle. Plan to read all the books over the course of a week to a week and a half. Bring children outside to observe insects in their natural habitat. Each day that a book is read about a particular insect, use that insect in your science lesson.

Introduction:

After mentioning insects at the end of a science lesson, tell the students that when you woke up this morning and walked outside, a ladybug flew and landed on your arm. “At first I was scared, but then I realized how pretty she was and that there was nothing to be afraid of.” Then tell the class that you have a story to read to them about a ladybug and then read Eric Carle’s

The Grouchy Ladybug

.

Procedure:

1. The students will be gathered together on the carpet area.

2. Say the introduction and then tell them what an aphid is.

3. Read the book and then ask the students some of the things that they liked best about the story.

4. Ask the students to illustrate their favorite part of the book and to write down what is going on in that scene.

5. The final copy will be hung on the wall underneath the sentence “Our Class likes

The Very Grouchy Ladybug

because …

Conclusion:

I will be able to see if the students can understand what has been read to them, can somewhat isolate the scene and loosely support the illustrations with words.

Evaluation:

The students will be evaluated based on written responses. They should be able to express what the meaning of the illustrations are. After all the books are read for the week, the students can choose their favorite book and act it out.

E-Mail

Jen Lorio

!