Author: hboardm

Metamorphosis

Content Area: Science with Art component

Grade: Pre-K

TEA Pre-Kindergarten Guidelines:

VI.B.2. Child describes life cycles of organisms. The child: observes, records, and discusses the stage of the life cycle of an organism (baby, dog, cat, and chicken)

VI.B.3. Child recognizes, observes, and discusses the relationship of organisms to their environments. The child: discusses how animals and humans depend on plants (birds eat seeds, cows eat grass, and humans eat vegetables.), observes, discusses, and records living organisms (spiders, insects, worms, snails, birds) in their natural environments to learn about their habits.

VIII.A.1 Child uses a variety of art materials and activities for sensory experience and exploration. The child: investigates with a variety of materials (crayons, paint, clay, markers.) selects a variety of materials in the art center for exploration (painting with cotton swabs on paper,) comments on colors, shapes, space, textures, and objects in the environment.

VIII.A.2. Child uses art as a form of creative self-expression and representation. The child: uses a variety of materials to create art forms.

The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle

Summary:

A children’s picture book that tells the story of a caterpillar’s life. The caterpillar is seen hatching from and egg, consuming enormous quantities of food, spinning a cocoon staying in it for two weeks and later emerging as a beautiful butterfly.

I chose to create a lesson on a butterfly’s life cycle. I believe it is important to understand the changes that any living goes through. Due to a Pre-K student’s nature, I chose to incorporate art aspects as well in order to keep them interested and tap into their kinesthetic and visual learning styles. As an activity I would have the students create their own caterpillars using egg cartons, paint, and pipe cleaners. Afterwards I would have the students use construction paper to create a small number of food items for the caterpillar to eat. Afterwards, I would have the students use tissue paper and glue to create the wings of the new butterfly. A great addition to this lesson would be to have a butterfly terrarium in the classroom. This way the students could witness a caterpillar’s journey to become a butterfly first hand.

Sources: http://www.scholastic.com/teachers/lesson-plan/very-hungry-caterpillar-activity-plan

Hayley Boardman

Author Presentation: Shel Silverstein


Shel Silverstein is the world renowned poet best known for his quirky illustrations and dark playful poems. Silverstein uses fun a playful language, full of irony, exaggeration and humor. His poems are easy to understand and invite readers to imagine alongside him. Shel Silverstein makes reading fun and stress-free. Many of his poems of are nonsense and allow readers to just explore the music that different sounds can make. I know I was always surrounded by his art and words. He will be truly missed.

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Shel Silverstein reading “Ickle Me, Pickle Me, Tickle Me Too” from Where the Sidewalk Ends.

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Just For Fun: Shel Silverstein singing “The Ugliest Man in Town.”

Hayley Boardman

Larry Gets Lost in Texas

Illustrated by John Skewes

Written by Michael Mullen and John Skewes

Larry Gets Lots in Texas is a quirky picture book that explores the landmarks of the great state of Texas. The book exhibits the ins and outs of Texas from very well-known historical  structures such as the capitol in Austin to lesser known structures such as the Cadillac Ranch in Amarillo. The book is arranged in a way that makes the book readable for younger ages but still contains a large amount of knowledge and facts. The book begins with a boy, Pete, and his best friend, Larry. The buds are traveling across Texas and somehow get separated.   This engaging story serves as a mini lesson in the geography and history of Texas. (TEKS 1.5.B locate the community, Texas, and the United States on maps and globes.)

Here is a Snippet of Larry Gets Lost in Texas (Note: “/” means a break)

“This is Larry. This is Pete. /They like riding together in the backseat. /The family loved going to Adventurous places./This new one was all about /Wide-open spaces. /At the first stop there was a hill, /And on top was a star./Then the biggest boots /Larry had seen, by far!/They drove a long while /Through a curious place. /At first it looked empty,/But that wasn’t the case./While Pete ate with his parents/ At a picnic spot they’d found,/Larry stayed in the trailer/With the windows rolled down./Larry’s hunger was something/He never could hide./And a tangy smell swirled /Through the air just outside. /It was some kind of meat /On a sauce-covered bun. /He could get it and eat it /Before Pete was done./Larry made his decision /And pounced on his treat, /But there was so much food,/ It took a long time to eat./His tummy full, /He came up gasping for air, /And saw that his best friend Pete /WASN’T THERE!”

Hayley Boardman