Owls, O, Number 4

We had fun learning about owls a few months ago, here's a recap of what we did. In the past people have had a box to teach from, so I was nervous it wouldn't be as good, but I think we did some good things!

9:30 – Gathering –megablocks

9:40 – Welcome Time

-song – 5 Little Owls -  http://www.dltk-teach.com/rhymes/5owls/m-5owls-lyrics.htm (this link includes printable song cards that we used)

-pledge of allegiance - one child holds the flag

-Who is here?

-what day is today on calendar – Sing the “Days of the Week” song, any tune you know

-Read Aloud – Tuesday: Owl Howl by Paul Friester (talk about real vs. make believe books)

Thursday: Owls.Talk again about real vs. make believe. (Tuesday was make believe, this is real). Have kids help review body parts, and especially point out the part about owl pellets.

9:50 – Literacy Activity – Tuesday: O Oats from SEEL (Letter Recognition)

• Thurs - continue O Oats playful practice and make O cookies out of oats in the shape of an O

10:05 – Math – Tues - practice writing number 4 on white boards, get out 4 counters, group them in various ways, and have children count them; have children make their own groups of 4 from materials provided (Note: Grouping them in various ways may sound unnecessary, but conservation is hard for kids this age! It took a while for them to realize that no matter how I grouped them, there were still 4, and in the end only some of the kids got that.)

Thursday - Have each child write a 4 on their own paper, Play a game where one person puts out 0-4 cubes, and the other person has to figure out how many cubes to add to make 4.

10:20 – Break/Snack – Tuesday: Apples, Thursday: O Oats cookies

10:40 – Science/Social Studies –

Tues: Read Owls Up Close - take note of what kids like about book to extend on Thursday

-Label Owl Picture (wings, beak, head, eyes, talons)

Thurs: Watch short owl video on YouTube, dissect owl pellets (first review what they are and why you would look inside them), look at findings through magnifying glass (note: this was a huge hit!! Couldn’t believe how much the kids loved this.)

11:05 – Choosing Time –

-Owl puzzle-  put together cut up copy of owl picture from earlier

- art - cut owl parts, glue them to black paper (night to remind of nocturnal), paint feathers

- math activity - glue groups of 4 of various craft items on paper

- megablocks

add on Thursday: imaginary play with owl puppets, continue to look at bones from pellet dissection

11:25 – Clean up, Gather to sing and read until picked up

As I mentioned above, the owl pellets were the hit of the week. Here are some pics!