A guide for using our resources

Students will identify what spring animals eat.

Vocabulary: hibernating, cub, explore, aphids, emerge

Science Focus: spring, animal adaptations

CCSS (and states that have similar standards): RI.1.1 key details; RF.1.2 phonological awareness; RF.1.3.read grade-appropriate irregularly spelled words; SL.1.1 collaborative conversations; L.1.6 use new vocabulary

Simple, spectacular ideas to boost your lessons.

Paired Text Suggestion: The Very Hungry Hedgehog by Rosie Wellesley

  • Follow this hedgehog as he wakes up in spring and searches for something to eat. Unfortunately, a lot of other animals are hungry too! This book provides a great opportunity for acting out and considering: How would you respond differently than the characters in the book?

Guessing Game: What Will the Animals Eat?

  • Write down the names of all the animals that appear in the article. Read the list with your students.
  • Take a sneak peek at the article and tell the students all these animals are waking up and they are hungry. One animal is eating a fly! Which animal do you think would eat a fly? Have students share their guess. Repeat for all the yummy foods found in the article.
  • As you read each section, refer to their predictions. Acknowledge students who guessed right, and ask other students, “Did that surprise you?”

Verb Hunt: Act It Out!

  • In each section of the article, find a verb. Students can take turns sharing by acting out and other students can guess the verb!
  • Verbs in the issue include catch, wake, look, buzz, grow, explore, crawl, slurp, and munch.

Hands-On Activity: Roll-a-Spring Scene

Skill: Read a chart, drawing

Materials: Roll a Spring Scene key, dice, paper, coloring tools

  • With this fun game, students will use prompts to bring an imagined spring scene to life!
  • Provide each small group with a die and a copy of the Roll a Spring Scene key. Students take turns rolling a die and use the key to find the question that matches their roll.
  • With each turn, students will read the question and illustrate their answer by drawing a spring picture. Students can cross off the question on their key and keep playing until all the questions have been crossed off!
  • Give extra time for students to add any additional ideas or colors as they complete their spring scene!