- I can discuss how people depend on trees using our shared notes. (SL.K.1b, SL.K.2)
- I can contribute ideas about the focus statement in a piece of shared writing. (W.K.2, W.K.7, W.K.8)
These are the CCS Standards addressed in this lesson:
- W.K.2: Use a combination of drawing, dictating, and writing to compose informative/explanatory texts in which they name what they are writing about and supply some information about the topic.
- W.K.7: Participate in shared research and writing projects (e.g., explore a number of books by a favorite author and express opinions about them).
- W.K.8: With guidance and support from adults, recall information from experiences or gather information from provided sources to answer a question.
- SL.K.1: Participate in collaborative conversations with diverse partners about kindergarten topics and texts with peers and adults in small and larger groups.
- SL.K.1b: Continue a conversation through multiple exchanges.
- SL.K.2: Confirm understanding of a text read aloud or information presented orally or through other media by asking and answering questions about key details and requesting clarification if something is not understood.
- L.K.1: Demonstrate command of the conventions of standard English grammar and usage when writing or speaking.
- L.K.1d: Understand and use question words (interrogatives) (e.g., who, what, where, when, why, how).
- L.K.1f: Produce and expand complete sentences in shared language activities.
- L.K.5: With guidance and support from adults, explore word relationships and nuances in word meanings.
- L.K.5b: Demonstrate understanding of frequently occurring verbs and adjectives by relating them to their opposites (antonyms).
Daily Learning Targets
Ongoing Assessment
- During Work Time A, circulate and observe as students briefly discuss the class notes with a partner. Consider using the Speaking and Listening Checklist to document progress toward SL.K.1 and SL.K.2 (see Assessment Overview and Resources).
Agenda
Agenda | Teaching Notes |
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1. Opening A. Poem and Movement: "Who Depends on Trees?" (10 minutes) 2. Work Time A. Back-to-Back and Face-to-Face Protocol: How People Depend on Trees (10 minutes) B. Analyzing a Model: Be a Friend to Trees (10 minutes) C. Shared Writing: How People Depend on Trees for Food (25 minutes) 3. Closing and Assessment A. Reflecting on Learning (5 minutes) |
Purpose of lesson and alignment to standards:
How this lesson builds on previous work:
Down the road:
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In Advance
- Prepare the People Depend on Trees booklet by writing it on chart paper (see supporting Materials).
- Post: Learning targets, People Depend on Trees booklet, and applicable anchor charts (see Materials list).
Tech and Multimedia
Consider using an interactive white board or document camera to display lesson Materials.
- Continue to use the technology tools recommended throughout Modules 1-2 to create anchor charts to share with families; to record students as they participate in discussions and protocols to review with students later and to share with families; and for students to listen to and annotate text, record ideas on note-catchers, and word-process writing.
Supporting English Language Learners
Supports guided in part by CA ELD Standards K.1.C.12, K.2.B.5, and K.2.C.6
Important points in the lesson itself
- The basic design of this lesson supports ELLs with opportunities to revisit and apply their learning through partner work with opposites with the animal riddle and shared writing.
- ELLs may find it challenging to describe the animal they are assigned to make a riddle about. In addition to the Adjectives anchor chart, encourage them to ask for help from classmates and you and to use the basket of realia and visuals you've created and displayed in the classroom as they consider their animal. It may be useful for them to draw their animal first to recall its physical attributes and primary characteristics.
Levels of support
For lighter support:
- In the Opening, students may talk about what the animal does (verbs) instead of its attributes (adjectives). Consider creating a visual rubric on the Adjectives anchor chart that shows their chosen words must describe how an animal feels to touch (draw a hand), how it looks (draw an eye), or how it moves (draw squiggly lines to show movement). Instead of providing corrective feedback immediately, refer them back to the chart to confirm whether the word they chose is an adjective.
For heavier support:
- In the Opening, if students are struggling with describing the animals, consider probing them with a question that helps them select between two opposite adjectives (example: "Is the ______ [squirrel/elephant/dog] ______ [furry/fast/noisy] or ______ [smooth/slow/quiet]?")
Universal Design for Learning
- Multiple Means of Representation (MMR): During the Closing, students reflect on how they acted like a researcher. Some students may need additional support to recall the work they did as a researcher in this lesson. Scaffold memory and access of prior learning by listing the related learning on chart paper or a white board.
- Multiple Means of Action & Expression (MMAE): Similar to Unit 1, continue to support students in setting appropriate goals for their effort and the level of difficulty expected.
- Multiple Means of Engagement (MME): Some students may need additional support in linking the information presented in the two texts back to the learning target. Invite students to make this connection by explicitly highlighting the utility and relevance of the texts to the learning target. Include opportunities to refocus students' attention to the learning target throughout the lesson and invite students to respond to how the activities are supporting their instructional goal.
Vocabulary
Key: Lesson-Specific Vocabulary (L); Text-Specific Vocabulary (T); Vocabulary Used in Writing (W)
New:
- focus statement (W)
Review:
- depend, opposite, adjective (L)
- furry, noisy, light, quick, graceful, clumsy, timid, bold (T)
Materials
- "Who Depends on Trees?" Version 1 (from Lesson 2)
- "Who Depends on Trees?" Version 2 (from Lesson 2; for teacher reference)
- Adjectives anchor chart (begun in Lesson 3; added to in advance; see supporting Materials)
- Adjectives anchor chart (begun in Lesson 3; example, for teacher reference)
- People, Trees, and Food: Class Notes (completed in Lesson 4; one to display)
- Back-to-Back and Face-to-Face Protocol anchor chart (begun in Module 2)
- What Researchers Do anchor chart (begun in Unit 1, Lesson 1; added to during Work Time C; see supporting Materials)
- What Researchers Do anchor chart (begun in Unit 1, Lesson 1; example, for teacher reference)
- Be a Friend to Trees (one to display; for teacher read-aloud)
- People Depend on Trees booklet (one to display)
- Focus statement (page 1 of People Depend on Trees booklet)
- People Depend on Trees booklet (example, for teacher reference)
- Pencils (one per student)
- Paper (lined; several pieces per student)
Materials from Previous Lessons
New Materials
Assessment
Each unit in the K-2 Language Arts Curriculum has one standards-based assessment built in. The module concludes with a performance task at the end of Unit 3 to synthesize their understanding of what they accomplished through supported, standards-based writing.
Opening
Opening | Meeting Students' Needs |
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A. Poem and Movement: "Who Depends on Trees?" (10 minutes)
"What is the difference between the words quick and slow, light and heavy, graceful and clumsy?" (They are opposites.)
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Work Time
Work Time | Meeting Students' Needs |
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A. Back-to-Back and Face-to-Face Protocol: How People Depend on Trees (10 minutes)
"I can discuss how people depend on trees using our shared notes."
"How do people depend on trees for food?"
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B. Analyzing a Model: Be a Friend to Trees (10 minutes)
"What are some hand gestures, motions, or actions that could go along with this new item on the anchor chart?" (Responses will vary, but may include: showing writing to others.)
"What is the big idea on these two pages?" (Animals make their homes in trees.)
"What is the difference between the focus statement and the next sentence I read?" (The focus statement is about lots of animals, and the next sentence is only about birds.)
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C. Shared Writing: How People Depend on Trees for Food (25 minutes)
"I can contribute ideas about the focus statement in a piece of shared writing."
"What is the big idea that we should share about what people get from trees?" (People get food from trees.)
"What picture should we draw that will show the big idea about how people depend on trees?" (Responses will vary, but may include: a picture of a person eating food from a tree.)
"Now we need to write a sentence that matches our drawing. What can we say that answers the question 'How do people depend on trees for food?' without giving away details?"
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Closing & Assessments
Closing | Meeting Students' Needs |
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A. Reflecting on Learning (5 minutes)
"How did you act like a researcher today?" (Responses will vary.)
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