Tag Archives: First Grade

How Many Kids Are on the Bus – Subitizing to Ten

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Math Lesson from Kat and Squirrel - How many kids on the bus?Covers Math Common Core Standards for Kindergarten and First Grade – Understanding Numbers and Operations in Base Ten – Students will represent a number of objects with a numeral.

Each card displays a school bus with the windows in the shape of a tens frame. Faces are showing in the windows. As cards are flashed students write or say the number of faces they see on the bus.

Includes 26 large demonstration cards that can be flashed to a group of students and they write the corresponding number.

Also includes 26 smaller cards that can be used at a math center or as a game. Shuffle and divide cards. One child flashes a card and if the partner gets the correct number he/she keeps the card. If the number is incorrect the card goes to the bottom of the first child’s pile. Take turns flashing cards. Play until all cards have been correctly identified.

Goals of the lesson Goal/Common Core Standard:

Understanding Numbers and Operations in Base Ten – Students will represent a number of objects with a numeral.

Bonus!! Recording sheet for students to write answers as an independent counting activity.

Enjoy!

Kat and Squirrel - Get the Lesson!

Writing Captions

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Writing Captions with Kat and SquirrelThere are 3 lessons which employ a gradual release of responsibility approach to writing captions for photos.

Included are photos with captions for a large group lesson, photos to use to model the lesson, photos for partner work, and photos for an individual contribution to a whole-class game.

This was designed to be used in a first-grade classroom, but it could easily be used for older groups.

Story to go with the lessons:
Kat and Squirrel have been asked to fill in at the Pigeon Post
Newspaper. Their new boss, Pigeon, wants them to write captions
for the photos. They do not know how to write captions!
Can you help?

Goals of the lessons:

CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.1.5
With guidance and support from adults, focus on a topic, respond to questions and suggestions from peers, and add details to strengthen writing as needed.

CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.1.6
With guidance and support from adults, use a variety of digital tools to produce an publish writing, including in collaboration with peers.

CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.1.7
Participate in shared research and writing projects (e.g., explore a number of “how-to” books on a given topic and use them to write a sequence of instructions).

CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.1.8
With guidance and support from adults, recall information from experiences or gather information from provided sources to answer a question.

 

Kat and Squirrel - Get the Lesson!

 

Did you come up with a fun caption from the “Writing Captions” lesson? If so, write the number and your caption in the comments below. We can’t wait to read them!

Kat and Squirrel on the Farm

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Life Science and Engineering Design Unit for First Grade NGSS

Kat and Squirrel on the Farm - Life Science UnitThis is an interactive story with pauses after each ‘chapter’ to allow students and teachers time to research topics (video link included!), record observations (guided viewing sheet included!), discuss thoughts supported by evidence (animal parent and offspring cards included!), and design a solution to a problem (animal adaptation cards and engineering design form included!).

All lessons are introduced by a continuing story about Kat and Squirrel’s goofy adventures while on a farm. The lessons are aligned with the Next Generation Science Standards for first grade. And the lessons have been created by an experienced first-grade 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.

Goals of the Lesson

1-LS1-1. Use materials to design a solution to a human problem by mimicking how plants and/or animals use their external parts to help them survive, grow, and meet their needs.

1-LS1-2. Read texts and use media to determine patterns in behavior of parents and offspring that help offspring survive.

1-LS3-1. Make observations to construct an evidence-based account that young plants and animals are like, but not exactly like, their parents.

K-2-ETS1-1. Ask questions, make observations, and gather information about a situation people want to change to define a simple problem that can be solved through the development of a new or improved object or tool.

K-2-ETS1-2. Develop a simple sketch, drawing, or physical model to illustrate how the shape of an object helps it function as needed to solve a given problem. Optional: If you have your students build their “solutions,” it would be a great time to complete this standard:

K-2-ETS1-3. Analyze data from tests of two objects designed to solve the same problem to compare the strengths and weaknesses of how each performs.

Optional: If you have your students build their “solutions,” it would be a great time to complete this standard: K-2-ETS1-3. Analyze data from tests of two objects designed to solve the same problem to compare the strengths and weaknesses of how each performs.

 

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Making Connections with Owl Picture Books (Dream Catcher Project)

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Read wonderful owl-themed literature and create a beautiful dream catcher to showcase student learning.

Comprehension through text connections is the focus of this super fun project.

Goals of the lesson

Owl Picture Book Lesson - Kat and SquirrelPractice “close reading” through text connections.
ELA-Literacy.RI.1.3 Describe the connection between two individuals, events, ideas, or pieces of information in a text.

Included in this product:

  • 3 owl/dream catcher graphics with gorgeous color combinations
  • 1 black and white owl/dream catcher graphic
  • Photos of the final project
  • Background information page for the teacher
  • 3 “making connections” posters to display as a reference for students
  • 18 sets of “feathers” with suggested owl-themed literature
  • 2 sets of blank “feathers”
  • And an original Kat and Squirrel story with set of “feathers” to match
    (Psst – The Squirrel has seriously outdone herself with the illustrations for this one!)
  • Bonus – Owl Fact Word Find!!

So much owl fun packed into this project. It could keep kids interested for weeks! And learning of course, but don’t tell them. 😉

Kat and Squirrel - Get the Lesson!

The Possible Owls Books to Use:

Owl Dreamcatcher - Kat and Sqiuirrel

Owl Moon by Jane Yolen

“I’m Not Santa!” by Jonathan Allen

Owls by Gail Gibbons

The Owl Who Was Afraid of the Dark (Jill Tomlinson’s Favourite Animal Tales) by Jill Tomlinson

The Owl Who Hated the Dark by Earle Goodenow

Little Owl’s Night by Divya Srinivasan

Good-Night, Owl! by Pat Hutchins

The Little White Owl. Tracey Corderoy, Jane Chapman by Tracey Corderoy

The Owl And the Woodpecker by Brian Wildsmith

My Little Book of Burrowing Owls (My Little Book Series) by Hope Irvin Marston

Owl Babies by Martin Waddel

White Owl, Barn Owl: Read and Wonder by Nicola Davies

Baby Owl (Nature Babies) by Aubrey Lang

Why the Owl Has Big Ears Retold by Mike J. Preble

Adopted By An Owl: The True Story of Jackson the Owl (The Hazel Ridge Farm Stories) by Robbyn Smith van Frankenhuyzen

The Happy Owls by Celestino Piatti

Little Owl Lost by Chris Haughton

Owl at Home (I Can Read Book 2) by Arnold Lobel

Kat and Squirrel and the Winter Solstice by Kathryn Gjerseth
(INCLUDED IN THE LESSON)

Kat and Squirrel and the Winter Solstice - KatandSquirrel.com

 

Comprehension Unit – Scarecrow Picture Books

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Concepts to Be Covered

Scarecrow Picture Book Comprehension Unit from Kat and SquirrelFeaturing the following picture books:
Six Crows by Leo Lionni (Story Structure)
Scarecrowby Cynthia Rylant (Character Traits)
The Scarecrow’s Hatby Ken Brown (Sequence/Retelling)
The Little Scarecrow Boy by Margaret Wise Brown (Questioning)
The Little Old Lady Who Was Not Afraid of Anything by Linda Williams (Predictions)
Barn Dance! (Reading Rainbow) By Bill Martin Jr. (Making Connections)
The Scarecrow’s Dance by Jane Yolen (Visualization)
The Lonely Scarecrow by Tim Preston (Compare and Contrast)

Goals of the lesson

CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.K.1 With prompting and support, ask and answer questions about key details in a text.

CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.K.2 With prompting and support, retell familiar stories, including key details.

CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.K.3 With prompting and support, identify characters, settings, and major events in a story.

CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.K.9 With prompting and support, compare and contrast the adventures and experiences of characters in familiar stories.

CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.K.10 Actively engage in group reading activities with purpose and understanding.

CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.1.1 Ask and answer questions about key details in a text.

CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.1.2 Retell stories, including key details, and demonstrate understanding of their central message or lesson.

CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.1.3 Describe characters, settings, and major events in a story, using key details.

CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.1.4 Identify words and phrases in stories or poems that suggest feelings or appeal to the senses.

CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.1.5 Explain major differences between books that tell stories and books that give information, drawing on a wide reading of a range of text types.

CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.1.6 Identify who is telling the story at various points in a text.

CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.1.7 Use illustrations and details in a story to describe its characters, setting, or events.

CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.1.9 Compare and contrast the adventures and experiences of characters in stories.

CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.1.10 With prompting and support, read prose and poetry of appropriate complexity for grade

CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.2.1 Ask and answer such questions as who, what, where, when, why, and how to demonstrate understanding of key details in a text.

CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.2.3 Describe how characters in a story respond to major events and challenges.

CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.2.5 Describe the overall structure of a story, including describing how the beginning introduces the story and the ending concludes the action.

CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.2.7 Use information gained from the illustrations and words in a print or digital text to demonstrate understanding of its characters, setting, or plot.

Kat and Squirrel - Get the Lesson!

Squirrel Away 1-6 & 7-12 bundle!

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Subitizing game for structuring numbers

Squirrel Away 1-6 & 7-12 bundle! Subitizing game for structuring numbersNow get both versions of our awesome subitizing dice game and save money!

“Can we play again – and again?”

This is an awesome game I use to help teach spatial patterns and subitizing while working on structuring numbers with my first-grade math intervention group. They love it!

With this product you also get the Kat and Squirrel story that goes with the game –
and Bonus!
Spanish language dice “covers”.
Roman numeral dice “covers”.
Squirrel Away Artwork
for both games!

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ABC Order Scoot

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ABC Order Shoot from Kat and SquirrelStudents will practice ABC order by playing a fun and active game. Alphabetical order is an essential skill for mastering the task of accessing reference material.

Goals:

CCSS.ELA-Literacy.L.2.4e Use glossaries and beginning dictionaries, both print and digital, to determine or clarify the meaning of words and phrases.

CCSS.ELA-Literacy.L.3.2g Consult reference materials, including beginning dictionaries, as needed to check and correct spellings.

CCSS.ELA-Literacy.L.3.4d Use glossaries or beginning dictionaries, both print and digital, to determine or clarify the precise meaning of key words and phrases.

Kat and Squirrel - Get the Lesson!

Camping Science – Sound and Light Unit for First Grade

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Camping_ScienceKat and Squirrel Go Camping This is an interactive story with pauses after each ‘chapter’ to allow students and teachers time to research topics (nonfiction paired articles are included!), conduct experiments (teacher and student directions included!), do demonstrations (detailed instructions included!), discuss vocabulary (vocab. cards are included!), record observations and conclusions (recording sheets included!), and even play a fun game (rules and graphics included!). All lessons are introduced by a continuing story about Kat and Squirrel’s goofy adventures while on a camping trip. The lessons are aligned with the Next Generation Science Standards for first grade. And the lessons have been created by an experienced first-grade 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.
Kat and Squirrel - Get the Lesson!

Goals of the lesson

NGSS Aligned 1-PS4 Waves and their Applications in Technologies for Information Transfer Students who demonstrate understanding can:

1-PS4-1. Plan and conduct investigations to provide evidence that vibrating materials can make sound and that sound can make materials vibrate. Clarification Statement: Examples of vibrating materials that make sound could include tuning forks and plucking a stretched string. Examples of how sound can make matter vibrate could include holding a piece of paper near a speaker making sound and holding an object near a vibrating tuning fork.

1-PS4-2. Make observations to construct an evidence-based account that objects can be seen only when illuminated. Clarification Statement: Examples of observations could include those made in a completely dark room, a pinhole box, and a video of a cave explorer with a flashlight. Illumination could be from an external light source or by an object giving off its own light.

1-PS4-3. Plan and conduct an investigation to determine the effect of placing objects made with different materials in the path of a beam of light. Clarification Statement: Examples of materials could include those that are transparent (such as clear plastic), translucent (such as wax paper), opaque (such as cardboard), and reflective (such as a mirror).

*Not included in this unit: (But wouldn’t this be a great time to do it?) You could have your students write another chapter to the story where Kat and Squirrel get separated and need to devise a way to find each other. Oooooh, the possibilities….

1-PS4-4. Use tools and materials to design and build a device that uses light or sound to solve the problem of communicating over a distance. Clarification Statement: Examples of devices could include a light source to send signals, paper cup and string “telephones,” and a pattern of drum beats.

Lesson- Cool the Lemonade (Missing Subtractend to 10)

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Missing Subtractend to 10 (Cool the Lemonade) from Kat and SquirrelConcepts to Be Covered
Missing Subtractend to 10

Goals for the Lesson
K.OA Understanding subtraction as taking apart and taking from.

1.OA Represent and solve problems involving addition and subtraction. Add and subtract within 20. Work with addition and subtraction equations.

2.OA Represent and solve problems involving addition and subtraction. Add and subtract within 20.

Kat and Squirrel Story for the Lesson
Squirrel took orders around the neighborhood for lemonade including how many ice cubes each person wanted in the glass. Kat carefully counted ice cubes to match each order and filled the glasses with yummy lemonade. As Squirrel was starting to deliver the glasses her friends decided to help. Oh, no! They thought the ice cubes were nuts and took some out of each glass. Squirrel went back to the lemonade stand with the bad news. Squirrel wrote the total needed and how many cubes were left on each glass. Can you help Kat and Squirrel figure out how many ice cubes are needed in each glass?

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Lesson – Animal Needs

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Animal Needs Lesson from Kat and SquirrelConcepts to Be Covered
Animals have needs: food, water, shelter, oxygen.

Goals for the Lesson
Students will discover that all animals have basic needs such as water, food, oxygen, and shelter.

Students will determine that animal needs are met within the context of their environment.

Kat and Squirrel Story for the Lesson
Kat and Squirrel are volunteering at a zoo. It is their responsibility to make sure all of the animals in their care have their needs met. Help Kat and Squirrel makes sure all of the animals are properly cared for.

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