Kindergarten Pretend and Learn Lesson

Unit: Amazing CreaturesPretend and Learn Theme: A Bug’s Eye View

Implementing the Pretend and Learn Lesson in the Kindergarten ClassroomCenter Introduction (Whole Group)

1. Have the students imagine they are tiny insects. “What might the world look like to you if you were so small?”

2. Pretend to be insects. Have the students act out and explain what insect they are and what the “insect” is dong.

3. Brainstorm what types of animals you would find on the forest floor. Generate a list, as a class (shared writing) and post it in the center as an anchor.

4. Discuss the various roles available (insects, animals, explorers, etc.) and role play how they could all work together.

Center ParticipationStudents can:

use art supplies to create costumes to act out (insects, animals, explorers, etc.)

use art supplies to construct animals to label and add to the center walls. use booklet paper to “observe” and record findings in a Field Journal or write

a fictional story from a bug’s point of view. use a camera or iPad to take photos to be printed and used in a booklet or

displayed in center.

Center Organization1. Provide construction paper, pipe cleaners, scissors, markers, sequins, etc. in

buckets, baskets, or bins.2. Take photos of what the items should look like when they are put away.3. Use labeled (words/photo) bins, buckets, baskets, and/or shelves to keep the

materials separated and easy to use.4. Keep props in a separate bucket, include photo of expected placement.

Content AreaSocial Studies, Language Arts, Science

VocabularyEnglish and Spanish vocabulary cards are located below

MaterialsConsumables*Butcher Paper (to cover furniture and create scene)Paper Towel RollsConstruction PaperMarkers, Crayons, Colored PencilsScissorsPipe CleanersSentence Strips/or Small Paper for Labeling

Austin ISD Kindergarten 2015

Craft Pom-PomsBooklets “field journal”Anchor ChartPaper Grocery Bags

Non-ConsumablesWingsBug CostumesPlastic bugsAntennaeExplorer Hat (Safari)Butterfly NetsMagnifying GlassesSpecimen Viewer (box)Lily PadsOversized Stuffed Animals (frogs, lizards, snakes, fish, insects)“Fly’s Eye” ViewerCameraIpad

ConnectionsLiterature:Beetles / Escarabajo (Treasures)Salta, Ranita, SaltaThe Magic School Bus Hops HomeThe Magic School Bus Gets Ants in it’s PantsThe Magic School Bus Butterfly and the Bog BeastThe Magic School Bus In a BeehiveThe Magic School Bus Spins a WebFace Bug by Patrick LewisFly Guy by Tedd ArnoldDiary of a Fly by Doreen CroninDiary of a Spider by Doreen CroninThe Very Busy SpiderThe Very Lonely FireflyThe Very Hungry CaterpillarThe Grouchy LadybugThe Mixed-Up ChameleonThe Very Clumsy Click Beetle by Eric Carle

Writing:Field Journal (see anchor below)Lists of animalsWrite fictional booklet based on an animal in the habitat (example Diary of a Fly)Make labels

Technology:Bugs, Bugs, Bugs (Tumblebooks), The Magic School Bus (United Streaming), Student Photography (using iPad or class camera, teacher may choose to print photos for display in center)

Austin ISD Kindergarten 2015

Examples¨A Bug´s Eye View¨ is a center with limitless creative possibilities.

Set-up: Use butcher paper to cover your pretend and learn furniture and to create larger-than-life blades of grass, flowers, and a stream. If you cover your table in blue paper and let it drape down onto the floor, it gives the effect of a flowing stream. The area under the table instantly becomes a small animal/insect habitat.

Pipe cleaners, pom-poms, sentence strips, and construction paper can be used to make antennae and wings.

Large stuffed animals or insects (to continue the idea that the students are small insects) make fun props for students to play with and imagine that they are on level with the forest creatures.

RealSimple.com C+C Preschool Factory Pinterest

Austin ISD Kindergarten 2015

PinterestAdditional Resources and Links

Free from TeachersPayTeachers.com Math Rainforest Fun Rainforest Write the Room and Vocabulary Cards Rainforest Emergent Reader with Real Photos

Videos Watch the first 5 minutes of "Its a Big Big World", Explanation of "Point of

View" and "Being a Butterfly" (dressing up and acting like an ant occurs further in the video)

9 minute video from an insect's point of view The Magic School Bus Videos can be found on UnitedStreaming.com

Austin ISD Kindergarten 2015

tadpolefrog

Austin ISD Kindergarten 2015

pondminnowfrog eggsgoldfishlily padalgae

Austin ISD Kindergarten 2015

cattailbutterflyladybugpraying mantisdragon flyfirefly

Austin ISD Kindergarten 2015

June bugbeetlebiologistbee

renacuajorana

Austin ISD Kindergarten 2015

estanquepececillohuevos de rana

pez doradohoja de lirioalgae marinas

Austin ISD Kindergarten 2015

totoramariposamariquitamantis religiosalibélulaluciérnaga

Austin ISD Kindergarten 2015

abejón de mayo

escarabajobiólogoabeja

Austin ISD Kindergarten 2015

Austin ISD Kindergarten 2015

Austin ISD Kindergarten 2015

Austin ISD Kindergarten 2015

Austin ISD Kindergarten 2015

Austin ISD Kindergarten 2015

Bug’s Eye View Field Journal

1. Make your book’s front cover with Title, illustration and Author’s name.

2. Draw and label. Write sentences about your observations.

3. Share your writing with your classmates.

Austin ISD Kindergarten 2015

Diario desde el punto de vista de un insecto1. Crea la portada del libro: Título, ilustración y nombre del autor.

2. Dibuja y añade etiquetas a tus dibujos. Escribe oraciones acerca de tus observaciones.

3. Comparte lo que escribiste con un compañero.

Austin ISD Kindergarten 2015

In the Bug’s Eye View Center

I can... Draw insects and write their label

Create a costume

Pretend that I am an insect and create a fictional story

Create a field journal

Act like an animal

Hunt for food

Be a biologist or explorer

Catch insects in a net

Take pictures

Austin ISD Kindergarten 2015

Centro del punto de vista de los insectos

Puedo... Dibujar insectos y añadir etiquetas

Crear un disfraz

Fingir que soy un insecto y crear un cuento de ficción

Crear un diario del punto de vista de un insecto

Actúar como un animal

Ir a cazar

Ser un biólogo ó un explorador

Atrapar unos insectos con una red

Tomar fotografías

Austin ISD Kindergarten 2015