Try These QUICK and FUN Tips and Activities:
READ FOR FUN
The trick to using nonfiction well is to first give children the feel
of the language (or story) by just reading it straight through with
expression. But sometimes we are in such a hurry to teach the
information, we forget! So don't worry about getting to the
facts--invite children to experience the gestalt (wholeness) of the
book first.
REREAD FOR INFORMATION
Reread taking time to examine pictures and discuss the information on
each page. Talk about any new words and write them down on chart paper
for later exploration and reference.
WRITE ABOUT IT!
Hang the chart
of new vocabulary words in your writing area. Add
simple drawings, cutout pictures, or stickers to illustrate the words
for easy reference. Provide book making materials for children to
write their own stories using the new words.
FIELD STUDY
Read a nonfiction spring book to your class that relates to your
environment. Then, take your students on a nature walk to observe
spring changes and bring the book along to use as a guide. Don't
forget clipboards and pads for children to record their observations!
They will be using essential reading and writing skills as they create
their own field books.
SPRING SCIENCE
No time (or space) to grow flowers in your classroom? Grow bean
sprouts! Wash 1/2 cup of beans (lentils, mung, or alfalfa) and soak
them in water overnight. Drain. Put the beans in a jar with a lid and
put it in a dark place. Rinse and drain the beans 2-3 times each day,
always returning them to the dark place. After 5 days put your jar in
sunlight. The next day, the bean sprouts should be green and ready to
eat. Your crunchy crop will taste great in a salad!
TRANSITION TIME FUN
Kids getting a bit antsy with spring in the air? Put all that energy
to work with this fun movement game. Secretly tell each child an
animal to pretend to be as he or she go to line up, making sure that
there are two of each type of animal. Children should move and make
the
sounds of their animals and observe the "animals" around them to
find their partners!
Source: Scholastic, Inc.
IN SPRING!