lesson plans

[Unregistered]

I am in college to for my childhood development degree. I have to prepare lesson plans for writing, pre-reading, listening, and speaking but i am having a really hard time doing this because we are required to have a book with each plan. I dont know a lot of childrens books. Does anyone have an ideas? your help would be appraicated. thanks.

[Ozzie]

Hi, I've only been teaching for 3 months, and I've got to say that planning lessons from quality children's literature is an absolute must and one of the best things I got from doing English 1 at Uni. Quite frankly you've got to get interested in kids books and there are some amazing books out there. I started knowing nothing and within 2 years at uni became an expert with over 2000 books (mainly bought 2nd hand at charity shops). With regard to your lesson plans, you need to start by finding 4 kids books that you really like and going from there. A lesson plan I did at Uni that had similar requirements used the picture book "Wilfred Gordon McDonald PArtridge" by Mem Fox, and had the kids interviewing each other about memory boxes as part of the speaking criteria. Another idea I've used in English is the book "Edward the Emu" by Sheena Knowles to teach writing, because you can introduce talking marks through the story. As for pre-reading, best way I've ever done that is to find a 2nd copy (usually 2nd hand) of the book you're going to read and white out all of the text, then cover the pages with clear book cover. Using a marker, then show the children each picture and ask the children what they think is happening on that page, then write their suggested text. Read "their" version of the book, then the real one. It's a great way to get them looking for picture clues and to compare their pre-knowlege of the text to their post knowlege. Best book I've found for this purpose has been "Counting on Frank" by Rod Clement. As for listening, choose a book that is slightly procedural, in that there is some order to the events or items, that way in following activities you can get the kids to sequence the events in the story to check their listeining skills. Don't forget to re-read the story afterwards to let them check their own ability (and it will improve their motivation to listen!). A great book to do this with is "The Very Hungry Catterpillar" by Eric Carle because it has a set sequence of events.

I hope that helps in some small way. I'm Australian so most of the books mentioned are written by Australians and were shortlisted in recent years by the Australian Children's Book Council, thus verifying quality choices when you aren't sure as a student teacher what books to use.

[Elizabeth F]

I understand the frustration in your writing about the lesson plans. I am working on my MEd/SpecEd and have to complete a unit on developmental reading for emergent readers. I do have a few suggestions for you:

1) Visit your local library's children's section. While the sections are generally arranged by author's last initial only as the books are moved so often, it will give you a good chance to look at a good variety of books without having to make a super investment in books immediately.

2) Follow through on Ozzie's suggestion of picking up books! Check with relatives and friends who have children that may have outgrown their children's stories...they may be willing to sell the books to you for a song just to make way for new books for their own kids.

3) Rummage sales and yard sales are great places to pick up books.

4) Programs (such as Reading Rainbow) have a wonderful section of kids reviewing the books they have read -- It's great to hear about books from the horse's mouth, so to speak.

Good luck with your program. And, enjoy the reading. It's fun to take a few books with you when you are in a waiting room for a Dr's appointment and a few kids are around. When they see you reading, it's good practice (with their guardian's permission, of course) to read aloud.

Elizabeth

[Unregistered]

Hi, I'm a senior at LSUS. My major is Elem. Ed. One book that i can remember up front is: Chicka, Chicka, Boom, Boom, by: Bill Martin. This is an excellent book with rhythmic song patterns, Teaches abc's, This would help with their listening skills because it has a cassette tape with it. Whatever you do, make it fun! Hope this helps.

[ritzyjkj]

I feel you. I am a substitute teacher in a kindergarten class. I have written lesson plans for high school classrooms but never for the elementary level. It started out not being very easy. However, I have conquered and feel pretty confident.

I will share a few plans with you. You should be able to contact me directly, as I just signed on to this site. If not I will try back in a few days.

[Unregistered]

Anytime I can spare an hour, I drop by our local B&N bookstore! They have super comfortable chairs, hot chocolate and coffee, and great displays of classic and new children's lit. I have learned of so many great selections by looking at the displays they have set up! It is not as overwhelming as a great library selection, but a great place to expose yourself to new choices.

Our B&N has a good selection of books for educators (lesson planning, setting up centers, activity idea books, etc.) and they don't mind you just sitting, reading for free, and then leaving! Our local store offers an educator's discount on any books purchased for the classroom...10-20%, depending on the time of year.

They can order any book you need and I usually get it in 5-7 days at no additional charge. If the ordered book comes in and it was not what I expected it to be (books I saw recommended, but they were not in stock to preview), they do not require you to purchase it.

This is not a commercial! They don't employ me! But I DO call them my "Reading Room"! I have a very limited budget and they usually get some of my hard earned money, so I have built a very nice collection over the years. I recommend trying to buy 1 good multipurpose book with each paycheck...over time it adds up!