Sajia Rahman

LANGUAGE BOOK: Chicka Chicka

Boom Boom

Martin, B., Archambault, J., & Ehlert, L.

(1989). Chicka chicka boom

boom. New York: Simon &

Schuster Books for Young Readers.

Age Group: 4 & 5 year old Kindergarten

Rationale:

Chicka Chicka boom boom! Will

there be enough room? This book describes

the journey of the Alphabets as they all try to

climb up the coconut tree! But things get out

of hand quickly once the whole alphabet is up the tree. I chose this book because it is an

extremely fun book to read to kindergartners or kindergartners to read out loud as well. The

simple yet effective illustrations are easy for Kindergartners to start familiarizing themselves

with the alphabets.

Great Idea #1: I would have my students do a small cooking activity where they will work with

their peers at small tables. The activity would consist of making their own replica of the coconut

tree in Chicka Chicka Boom Boom with celery sticks (or crackers), cream cheese, alphabet

crackers (or cereal) and grapes/raisins. The alphabet crackers they choose will the letters of their

first and last names. [Competencies 2 & 3]

Great Idea #2: I would set up small magnetic boards with an image of a coconut tree already

glued or taped on the small board. I would assign each student a set of the magnetic alphabets

and have them place the letters on the coconut tree when they hear the teacher re-read Chicka

Chicka Boom Boom. [Competencies 3 & 4]

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Great Idea #3: In order to incorporate technology in the classroom, I would set up one station

where students will be able to hear the recording of the story and follow along in the book. After

listening to the story, students will have to choose one letter that they really like. They will have

to represent this letter using 3D material any way they like (ex. In the sandbox, with a bunch of

popsicles, etc. They will then take a picture of their letter and brainstorm a write down 4 words

that start with that same letter. [Competency 4]

INFORMATIONAL BOOK: Autumn

Leaves

Robbins, K. (1998). Autumn leaves. New

York: Scholastic Press.

Age Group: 5 year old Kindergarten

Rationale:

Gingko trees, linden trees, birch trees

and sassafras trees! Did you know that we

have so many different trees and each tree

has their own type of leaves? This

informational book explores the different

leaves of the different trees in autumn. In

addition, the book compares some of the different leaves side by side and exposes the reader to

new vocabulary for describing these leaves. I chose this book because of the large and realistic

images of .The layout of the book is also effective because it allows students to look at the leaves

of the tree and then look at the tree itself.

Great Idea #1: Students will use the internet to become a bit more familiar with the vocabulary

words related to autumn leaves. Students will be divided in groups of 3. Each group with be

assigned one type pf leaf/Using the internet, they will research the different types of leaves, their

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structure (such as veins, petiole) and print images of their findings and then quickly share them

with the class. [Competencies 3 & 4]

Great Idea #2: Students will go outdoors and collect different types of leaves. They will have the

opportunity to collect their findings and try to identify the type of leaves they have. This science

lesson, will allow students to use materials such as magnifying glasses and technology to observe

and capture their findings. Vocabulary words associated with leaves will have been previously

discussed. Students will use these new words to label their leaf in written language.

[Competencies 4 & 5]

Great Idea #3: Math also could be incorporated within this unit. The math lesson will be hands

on and allow students to manipulate fall objects, such as acorns and leaves as tools for counting.

Students will use these authentic materials to develop their number sense skills [Competencies 4

& 5]

STORY BOOK: The Kissing hand

Penn, A., Harper, R. E., & Leak, N. M.

(1993). The Kissing hand.

Washington, D.C.: Child Welfare

League of America.

Age Group: 4 & 5 year old Kindergarten

Rationale:

The Kissing Hand is a wonderful

book that tells the story of Chester raccoon

and his worries about starting school. In

order to help Chester cope with his worries, his mother shares a wonderful secret with him. I

chose this picture book because the story is something that Kindergarten students will be able to

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relate to. I hope that by sharing this story, students will relate with the emotions of Chester the

raccoon. Furthermore, the vibrant and beautiful illustrations capture the loving relationship

between the mother raccoon and the baby racoon.

Great Idea #1: Art is a great way for children to express their individuality and their creativeness.

Therefore, for my great idea 1, I would like to have students create their own imprint of their

hand with clay. Before actually working on the activity, students will have already explored

various art techniques associated with clay, such as pinching, cutting, shaping, etc. [Competency

1, 2, 3 & 5]

Great Idea #2: A lesson on science can also be another great lesson for students. Students can

chose an animal that they find interesting and explore the characteristics of that animal. They can

conduct their own mini-project on their chosen animal and present their findings to the class. We

would then see how the animals in The Kissing Hand were represented. Was the information

that Sarah match with what is shown in the illustrations? How is the same? How is it different?

[Competency 3]

Great Idea #3: Having students publish work using technology can teach students the art of

professional writing, even at a young age. Students will use tools on the computer such as paint

and draw a picture showing how they felt on their first day of school. Later on students will write

certain words that expressed how they felt. For example if they felt happy, underneath their

picture they would write happy. Later on, these finished work will be presented to the class.

[Competency 4]

Sajia Rahman

INCLUSION BOOK: Ians Walk

Lears, L. & Ritz, K. (1995). Ians walk: a

Story about autism. Morton Grove,

IL: Albert Whitman.

Age Group: 4 & 5 year old Kindergarten

Rationale:

Ians walk is about a young autistic

boy who takes a walk out in the

neighbourhood with his older sister, Julie.

Ian views the world differently than his older

sister, but she doesnt realize this at first. As Julie learns about Ian, she starts viewing things the

way her younger brother would. I personally really like this book because the story and

illustrations follow Ian as he takes his walk outside. The author does a really good job not telling

readers about Ians differences, but showing his differences through the narration and images.

Great Idea #1: Students will take a walk outside and explore their environment. The teacher will

push students to explore their environment differently, just like Ian and have them notice details

of their environment. Students will be required to choose an item outside that they find special to

them. They will then bring back their item and write a small report on why the item is special for

them. [Competencies 2 & 3]

Great Idea #2: Students will participate in a small physical exercise activity. Students will all

gather around in a circle. Everyone will hold an end of a parachute. The teacher will call out

various things and students will be required to swap places. For example, the teacher might say

Everyone who likes the colour blue, swap places! The teacher will follow up this activity by

discussing that even though we are all in the same class, we have our differences but also share

similarities. [Competency 2]

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Great Idea #3: Students will use technology to explore differences. Using the internet, students

will explore vocabulary words that allow them to understand autism. They will later write a piece

about how they understand autism. [Competencies 4 & 5]