Title – Rare Beasts Madness

By – David Berthy

Primary Subject – Language Arts

Secondary Subject – Science

Grade Level – 4-5

Topics to cover:

Rare Beasts

by Charles Ogden

Materials needed:

Construction Paper		Edgar & Ellen (E&E;) Teacher’s Guide
Dictionaries		List of rare animals with descriptions
Markers		Copies of book
Popsicle Sticks		Paper and pencils/pens
Glue & Craft items		Awards (if used)

Goal of this lesson:

• Reading for comprehension
  
• Vocabulary building
  
• Improving group interaction
  
• Cross-curricular connection with Science
  

Objectives:
Students will be able to:

• read text for comprehension
  
• identify new vocabulary
  
• apply new vocabulary
  
• create their own pet
  
• describe their new pet using new vocabulary

Procedure:

• Anticipatory set: (3-5 minutes)
  • Ask students write a brief description of a pet they have or might like to have OR ask students to make of list of imaginary beast they have heard of (for example unicorns)

• Development of Concept: (3-4 hours or class periods)
  • Activities
    
    1) Give each student a word from the vocabulary list in the E&E; teacher guide
    • Students make up a definition for their word (3-5 min.)
      
    • Students look up the real definition for their word (3-5 min.)
      
    • Then go around the room and each student shares their made up definition and their real definition (15-20 min.)

    2) Break students into groups of three for research and writing activity.

    • Give each group a rare (or mythical) animal to research. (10-20 min including explanation)
      
    • Give an example of what information you are looking for by presenting a report you have done ahead of time that uses the vocabulary words. (5-7 min.)
      
    • Have the students find information about where the animal lives, what it looks like and why it looks that way (i.e.: uses its color to blend into surroundings, its long claws are for climbing trees to escape predators) and what it eats. (30-40 min.) (This could be done as homework)
      
    • As a group they can write up a summary of their research using 3-5 of the vocabulary words they looked up before. (30 min.)
      
    • Teacher can decide whether the groups should present to the class or not.

    3) Have students create a Rare Beast either out of art supplies or online at
    
    edgarandellen.com
    

    • This is a creative exercise so you do not need to give an example unless they feel they need one. (5 min. if they want one)
      
    • Allow kids to create their Rare Beast (30-45 min.) (May be too much time)
      
    • Then ask the students to write a paragraph about their creature including their name, where they live, a little about their personality, what they eat, their favorite hobby/sport/color, etc. Let the students be as silly as they want. (10-20 min.)
      
    • Have the students get together in groups of 2 or 3 (different kids from the last activity) and create a short skit about the interaction between their 2 creatures (skits can be about 2 minutes each). Have them write it out (it is the teacher’s choice whether they collect this or not) and then perform it for the class. (30 min. to create, 30-40 to perform)
      
    • Students can choose and awards can be given for the funniest, scariest, weirdest, etc. beasts. (Lots of categories equal lots of winners!)
  • Conclude: (3 minutes)
    Ask students what they learned.

  • Evaluation:
    
    Formative and summative

  • Assignments:
    
    Read
    
    Rare Beasts
    
    for homework

  • Assessment:
    
    Teacher can assess written activities based on a writing rubric. Student awards can also be included in the assessment.

E-Mail

David Berthy

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