Author: ereiter

Kindergarten Mini Unit

Grade: Kinder

TEK: (K.9) Geometry and spatial reasoning. The student recognizes attributes of two- and three-dimensional
geometric figures. The student is expected to: (B) recognize shapes in real-life three-dimensional geometric figures or models of three-
dimensional geometric figures

Content Area: Mathematics

Video Info: “3D Shapes I Know” Song: Cone, Cylinder, Sphere, Cube

Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K9L9l86N-xM

Summary: The song in this video gets kids excited about shapes and the repetition would help students learn the names of the shapes. The song is actually a rap that names the shapes and then shows real life examples of each shape.

Instructional Strategy: After the students watch the video we will go on a walk around the classroom to find other examples of 3D shapes. Once they find a shape they will draw a picture and share it with a partner. Each pair will see how many real-life examples they can come up with around the classroom and then expand on it by adding ones they can think of that are not in the classroom. Each set of partners will then compare their lists with their table. The teacher will then make a master list of the examples for the whole class to see and come back to in the next lesson. This activity is great for a lesson because it gets the students involved in finding specific examples that go with the lesson. It also gives the teacher an opportunity to check and see if each student is fully comprehending each 3D shape.

Inventors From Da Vinci to Biro

The Useborne Book of Inventors From Da Vinci to Biro written by Struan Reid and Patricia Fara from Scholastic Inc. is an incredible resource for the classroom. From early inventions to communication machines there are articles about every subject you might need. It could be used in a unit on science, history, social studies or even language arts (expository text). Whether your lesson is on transpiration, technology, observations, and or inventors your students would be able to find something in this book. Short exert from text:
Trains and Railway
The age of railways began at the end of the 18th century, with the invention of the steam engine and the introduction of cast iron rails. At the time, many people believed that it was dangerous to travel fast than the speed of a galloping horse, and opposed the development of locomotives.

James Stevenson

Author Presentation on Prezi

Humorous poetry is hard to come by but it is all James Stevenson does in his colorful books. He writes about his experiences and for students this is a great reference if you are doing a unit on personal writing. His illustrations are beautiful and when you know so little about him (his background information is provided no where on the internet) your class can use context clues from the text in order to find out more about his past. Students will find his writing exciting and inspiring for their own writing and his story is very compelling.