This is a super fun card game that can be used to reinforce letter recognition. Great for intervention groups or centers. Includes an original Kat and Squirrel story and a bonus ABC order worksheet.
Goals of the lessonCCSS.ELA-Literacy.RF.K.1.d Recognize and name all upper- and lowercase letters of the alphabet.
This is an interactive story with pauses after each ‘chapter’ to allow students and teachers time to plan, investigate, research, test materials, record observations, and make conclusions.
All lessons are introduced by a continuing story about Kat and Squirrel’s goofy adventures while at baseball practice. The lessons are aligned with the Next Generation Science Standards for second grade (see next page). And the lessons have been created by an experienced elementary teacher.
The timing will depend upon how long and how often you have science class, but would most likely take 2-3 weeks. This could also be integrated into the reading/language arts curriculum very easily with a few creative teacher additions.
NGSS Aligned
2-PS1 Matter and Its Interactions
Students who demonstrate understanding can:
2-PS1-1. Plan and conduct an investigation to describe and classify different kinds of materials by their observable properties.
[Clarification Statement: Observations could include color, texture, hardness, and flexibility. Patterns could include the similar properties that different materials share.]
2-PS1-2. Analyze data obtained from testing different materials to determine which materials have the properties that are best suited for an intended purpose.*
[Clarification Statement: Examples of properties could include, strength, flexibility, hardness, texture, and absorbency.] [Assessment Boundary: Assessment of quantitative measurements is limited to length.]
2-PS1-3. Make observations to construct an evidence-based account of how an object made of a small set of pieces can be disassembled and made into a new object. [Clarification Statement: Examples of pieces could include blocks, building bricks, or other assorted small objects.]
Kids feel great with their bodies in motion, and I do too. Almost every lesson can be adapted to add movement. It could be as simple as showing a character’s mood through facial expression. Or it could be as complex as simulating the inner workings of an animal cell using human bodies. Seeing things from multiple perspectives increases learning.
I recently discovered the game “Scoot” which can be adapted to any subject or grade level. To play the students start at one area (desk perhaps) answering a posted question, then when directed they “scoot” to the next location (another desk maybe) to answer a different question. They keep track of their answers on a student recording sheet. You can find many printable “Scoot” games online (and better directions) by doing a simple search.
In this Ted talk by gamer Jane McGonigal, she explains her remarkable recovery from depression and illness by building 4 types of resilience – one of which includes the FUN of moving.
Crack open those games – what a great way to keep moving, build resiliency and have FUN!
Kat and Squirrel 