Meet an Octopus Lesson Plan

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Academic Standards

 

Reading Objective:

Children will identify four amazing octopus adaptations.

 

Science Focus:

Ocean animals

 

CCSS:

RI.1.8 Text evidence; SL.1.2 Discuss a video; L.1.4 Clarify words and phrases; RI.1.1 Key details; RF.1.1.A End punctuation; RI.1.10 Read and discuss first-grade texts, W.1.8 Write to answer questions

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  • Project or pass out the Predictions printable. Kids can do the first column.
  • After reading the issue, they can go back and do the second column. Then you can discuss what they learned. (SKILL: RI.1.8 Text evidence)
  • Watch our video Eight Extraordinary Facts About Octopuses.
  • Then ask, “What is one thing you learned about octopuses?” (Answers will vary.) (SKILL: SL.1.2 Discuss a video)
  • Play the vocabulary slideshow. This issue’s featured words are siphon and texture. (SKILL: L.1.4 Clarify words and phrases)
  • Read the issue together. 
  • Then project and discuss the reading checkpoint skill sheet. Later, children can fill in their own copies. (SKILL: RI.1.1 Key details)
  • The Ocean Animal Memory Match game not only sharpens children’s memory skills—it also introduces a wealth of content vocabulary! (SKILL: Matching and memory)
  • Kids practice end punctuation with this skill sheet. (SKILL: RF.1.1.A End punctuation)
Example of a completed paper octopus

Objective: Children will make a simple octopus craft and practice creative writing.

Materials: What Would You Do With Nine Brains? skill sheets, paper plates, construction-paper strips or pipe cleaners, scissors, glue or tape

  • Pass out the What Would You Do With Nine Brains? skill sheet and have a prewriting discussion with children. Remind them that octopuses have nine brains. What if kids did? Point out that they’re pretty smart with just one brain—they’d be superpower-smart with nine! How would they use them?
  • Spark ideas with questions like, “Would you invent something really cool? Would you be a genius at your favorite subject? Would you fi gure out a way to tell the future?” Let children share ideas too, and write them on chart paper. Then have children complete the skill sheet.
  • Next, let each child paint or color the rim of a paper plate. They can attach eight colorful construction-paper strips or pipe cleaners to the back of the bottom edge for the arms.
  • Finally, have children cut out the circle with their writing and paste it on the middle of the plate. Display your octopuses and let kids have fun reading each other’s super-smart ideas! (SKILLS: Creative writing, W.1.8 Write to answer questions)