Hi Friends… Do you have any squirrels or chipmunks in your yard? Do you know that they come from the same family? Let’s go look for some acorns (or cotton balls will also work). We are going to play a game called “Hungry, Hungry Squirrels”. What is our theme? Squirrels What is the lesson (overall purpose)? To learn about squirrels. Squirrel Facts: -There are over 200 squirrels. Tree squirrels, flying squirrels, chipmunks, marmots. They are in the sciuridae family. -Squirrels are native to every continent except Antarctica and Australia. -Squirrel family also includes the prairie dogs. -Squirrels have 4 front teeth that grow continuously (about 6 inches per year). This helps with them gnawing. -Adult tree squirrels normally live alone. They may nest in groups during the winter. -A group of squirrels is called a scurry or a dray -Squirrels do not hibernate in the winter (they stay active). -Squirrels communicate using high frequency chirps and tail movements. They also watch and learn from others. -Flying squirrels can’t fly like birds, but they can glide between trees. -Squirrels have large eyes that help them climb trees and avoid predators. A small body and a bushy tail. -Squirrels are born blind. Song: Gray Squirrel, Gray Squirrel Gray squirrel, gray squirrel Swish your bushy tail. (Pretend to shake tail.) Gray squirrel, gray squirrel Swish your bushy tail, (Pretend to shake tail.) Crinkle up your little nose, (Wrinkle nose.) hide a nut between your toes. (Pretend to eat a nut.)Swish your bushy tail. (Pretend to shake tail.) Gray squirrel, gray squirrel MA Guidelines/Standards: Life Science: Use your senses to observe the natural world (collecting acorns). Physical Development: body movement & awareness in space. Math: counting with a 1:1 correspondence, sorting, making patterns. Learning Outcomes: To learn about different types of squirrels and other animals that are related to them. Songs, Books & Videos (Motivational Techniques) Watch Squirrels: https://youtu.be/9iGoDNlKY-g Book: Scaredy Squirrel: https://youtu.be/XnuNOq8G_D0 Materials: -acorns (or buttons, cotton balls, Lego’s, etc). -hula hoops (or napkins) -music Activity (Procedure): Game: Hungry Hungry Squirrel(s): Place a hula hoop or a piece of brown or green fabric napkin for each child on the floor. Place lots of acorns or nuts all around the room. Let children pretend to be squirrels gathering as many acorns as they can carry. When the music stops, the squirrels go “home” to their trees (hula hoops). Ask children to place their acorns in their home. How many accorns did they gather? Ask each child to count them and tell you the number. Continue until no more acorns are left. *Then you can write the number on a piece of paper of how many acorns you got. Then compare the amount of acorns other people got. Is it more or less than what you have? Activity Wrap Up: Talk about squirrels. Can you act like a squirrel? (Gray Squirrel song). Do you like squirrels? why? or why not? How do I know what my child is learning? (Assessment) What do you know about squirrels? What would you still like to learn about squirrels? Sky Writing (or on paper) numbers 0-20. Rote counting in order 0-20. Counting objects with a 1:1 ratio (count objects one at time, touching objects as you count them). Sorting acorns by their size, shape, color. Put them in groups with the same characteristics. How can you extend this activity? (Modifications) Sink vs. Float: objects from nature. Which ones will float or sink. Acorns (varying effects) Helpful Hints: (Pitfalls & Solutions) If you don’t have any acorns, you can use any objects or materials that you have at your house. |
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorMs. Nancy - Pre-Kindergarten Teacher Archives
June 2020
Categories |