#2067. "Dear Zookeeper"

Language, level: Elementary
Posted Tue Dec 5 16:30:06 PST 2000 by Stephanie (Watty18@hotmail.com).
Elementary Education Major (Junior),

LESSON PLAN FOR A FIRST GRADE UNIT ON MAMMALS

Lesson 4: Dear Zookeeper

Language Arts
First Grade - 24 students
Instruction Time - 45 minutes

I. RATIONALE AND BACKGROUND

The purpose of this lesson is to review zoo mammals and to introduce to the students how to write a letter in the basic format. The students will discuss zoo mammals through a small group activity and a class discussion. The students will learn how to write a letter using four parts, which include a heading, body, closing, and signature through a class discussion and an individual activity.

The students have sufficient knowledge for this lesson. The students are familiar with zoo mammals and describing mammals from previous lessons. Also, the students know how to complete write sentences.

II. LESSON OBJECTIVES

1. TLW review zoo mammals. (Cognitive)

PI: After the teacher reads the book, Dear Zoo, TLW brainstorm in small groups of four and develop a list of at least three zoo mammals. After about ten minutes, the class will discuss zoo mammals as a review. [small group assessment]

2. TLW understand how to write a letter that includes a heading, body, closing, and signature. (Cognitive)

PI: After a brief lesson and example, TLW write a letter, using the correct format, to the zookeeper explaining what they know about zoo mammals and what they hope to see and do at the zoo. Also, TLW draw a picture, which corresponds with their letter by drawing a picture of what their day at the zoo is going to be like. [individual assessment]

III. LIST OF RESOURCES/MATERIALS

*Chalkboard
*Chalk
*Eraser
*Paper
*Pencils
*Crayons
*The book, Dear Zoo by Rod Campbell

IV. CONCEPTS

The students will review types of zoo mammals.

The students will understand and be able to develop a letter using the correct format which includes a heading, body, closing, and signature.

V. PROCEDURES

A. Introduction and Motivation

The teacher will begin the lesson by asking the students to raise their hands if they have been to the zoo. Then he/she will ask how many enjoyed the zoo. The teacher will then explain that they are going to visit the zoo tomorrow and so today, they are going to review zoo mammals.

B. Lesson Body

The teacher will begin the lesson by reading the book, Dear Zoo, to get the students thinking about zoo mammals. Once the teacher is finished reading the book, he/she will form six groups containing four students each. The teacher will explain to the students that in their groups they are suppose to work cooperatively together to brainstorm and develop a list of zoo mammals. After about ten minutes, the entire class will discuss mammals that are at the zoo.

Once the class reviews zoo mammals the teacher will explain to the students that today they are going to write a letter to the zookeeper. The teacher will explain and demonstrate to the students how to write a letter using the format, which includes Dear Zookeeper, the body of the letter, sincerely, and their name (signature). When the teacher believes that the children understand how to write a letter, he/she will then explain the activity to the students. The teacher will state that they are going to write a letter to the zookeeper explaining what they know about some zoo mammals and what they hope to see and do at the zoo. In addition to the letter, the children will draw a picture of what their day at the zoo is going to be like.

C. Lesson Closure

The teacher will end the lesson by having the students present their letters and drawings orally to a small group of four students. Once each student has presented their work, the teacher will collect the student's letters and drawings to be displayed in the classroom. After the letters and drawing are collected, the students will then chose a picture of a zoo mammal from the patterns, which will be used as their nametag at the zoo. After the children choose a zoo mammal, they will then color the picture. When the students are finished coloring their zoo mammal, they will give it to the teacher and he/she will write their name on it. The teacher will also laminate and place a string on the pictures so that they can be worn.

VI. EVALUATION

A. Student Assessment

1. Assessment Plan

Students' understanding of zoo mammals will be informally assessed through the teachers' observation of the small group activity and individual class participation. The students' understanding of how to write a letter, will be formally assessed through the individual activity.

Students' ability to work together will be assessed through the teachers' observation when the students are working in small groups of four to complete a list of zoo mammals.