Sunday, April 10, 2016

LOOK! LOOK! IT'S STREAM!

This is a meaningful way to encourage children to observe nature. It’s also a powerful way for them to make print connections and write descriptive sentences.                                        
                              
Materials:  cardboard paper towel rolls, string, hole punch, wide packaging tape, markers, crayons


Directions:
1. Cut the cardboard rollers into 4” sections and tape together to make binoculars.  Punch a hole in both sides and tie on a string that will easily go over children’s heads. Let the children decorate their binoculars with markers.
2. Go on a nature walk and encourage children to observe carefully. What do you see when you look up? What do you see when you look down?
3. When you return to the classroom give each child a sheet of paper with two large circles. Ask them to draw their favorite thing they saw through their binoculars in the circles.
4. Younger children can dictate this sentence:
     (Child’s name) saw (what they saw).
     Hint! Encourage each child to read over the sentence with you as you point to each word.
Older children can write descriptive sentences about what they saw. 


5. Make a cover for the book that says “Look! Look!”
Add a page that says “Authors and Illustrators” where children sign their names. Put their pictures together, bind, and you’ll have a wonderful class book that all your students will want to read.


MORE!  Tie in this activity with science themes.  If you're studying weather they can look for cloud formations.  When studying animals they can look for animal homes.  When doing a unit on birds they can focus on those.