Author Overview: Lois Ehlert Duration: 6-8 lessons Grade: K

CORE COMPETENCIES

LANGUAGE ARTS BIG IDEAS

1: Language and stories can be a source of creativity and

joy.

2: God’s Word helps us learn about ourselves and

our families.

3: Stories can be told through pictures and

words.

4: Everyone can be a reader

and can create stories.

5: God’s Word is the Ultimate Love Story.

Everyone has a unique story.

6: Playing with language helps us discover how language works.

7: Listening and speaking builds our understanding and helps us

learn.

Language Arts Curricular Competencies

Comprehend and connect (reading, listening, viewing):● Use sources of information and prior knowledge to make meaning● Use developmentally appropriate reading, listening, and viewing strategies to make meaning● Explore foundational concepts of print, oral, and visual texts● Engage actively as listeners, viewers, and readers, as appropriate, to develop understanding of self, identity, and community● Recognize the importance of story in personal, family, and community identity● Use personal experience and knowledge to connect to stories and other texts to make meaning● Recognize the structure of storyCreate and communicate (writing, speaking, representing):● Exchange ideas and perspectives to build shared understanding● Use language to identify, create, and share ideas, feelings, opinions, and preferences● Create stories and other texts to deepen awareness of self, family, and community● Plan and create stories and other texts for different purposes and audience● Explore oral storytelling processes

Cross-Curricular (BC) Competencies Links:

Science:● Demonstrate curiosity and a sense of wonder about the world● Take part in caring for self, family, classroom and school through personal approaches● Transfer and apply learning to new situations● Share observations and ideas orally

Arts Education:● Explore elements, processes, materials, movements, technologies, tools, and techniques of the arts● Create artistic works collaboratively and as an individual, using ideas inspired by imagination, inquiry, experimentation, and

purposeful play● Observe and share how artists (dancers, actors, musicians, and visual artists) use processes, materials, movements, technologies,

tools, and techniques● Develop processes and technical skills in a variety of art forms to nurture motivation, development, and imagination● Interpret how symbols are used through the arts● Express feelings, ideas, stories, observations, and experiences through the arts● Describe and respond to works of art

Math:

● Model mathematics in contextualized experiences● Develop, demonstrate, and apply mathematical understanding through play, inquiry, and problem solving● Visualize to explore mathematical concept● Use mathematical vocabulary and language to contribute to mathematical discussions● Represent mathematical ideas in concrete, pictorial, and symbolic forms● Communicate mathematical thinking in many ways

Career:● Identify and appreciate their personal attributes, skills, interests, and accomplishment● Recognize the importance of positive relationships in their lives● Share ideas, information, personal feelings, and knowledge with others● Work respectfully and constructively with others to achieve common goals

Title Teaching Strategies/Methods Assessment Strategies/Methods

Autumn Books:Leaf ManRed Leaf, Yellow LeafNuts to You!

● Discuss Fall changes in trees and animals● Gather leaves and nuts, use them to create a picture.

Take a photo of the picture instead of gluing everything down

● Do leaf rubbings● Brainstorm fall changes and how God prepares His

creation for winter

Shapes:Color FarmColor Zoo

● Learn basic and complex shapes● Use foam shapes to create your own shape animals

and pictures● Go on a shape hunt around the school● Use pattern blocks to make shape pictures

Snowballs● Discuss winter changes and winter fun● Brainstorm winter changes and how God prepares His

creation for spring

● Make your own snow people pictures ● Use shaving cream to make snowmen pictures

Gardens:Growing Vegetable SoupPlanting a RainbowPie in the SkyEating the Alphabet

● Have students bring a vegetable for soup. Graph the vegetables, talk about what part of the plant each

vegetable comes from● Make soup together● Plant flower bulbs or seeds to plant your own rainbow

● Talk about the rainbow as a promise from God● Look at the colors of a rainbow● Make mini pies, talk about trees and what fruit grows

on a tree● Do a class alphabet book of favorite foods or animals

● Journal about foods or cooking

Counting and More:Ten Hungry CaterpillarsWaiting for WingsFish Eyes

● Counting to 10● Make own counting books of a favorite animal● Life cycle of a caterpillar● Counting book of ocean creatures

Feathers for LunchTop Cat

● “F” is for feather

● Enjoy the humor of the cat and the birds● Compare/contrast different types of birds

● Compare/contrast birds to mammals (cats)● Feather art or feather painting● Look at the First Nations’ use of feathers in their art

and dress

Rrralph ● cut out dog ears/headband, sponge or finger paint● act out being a dog

● talk about pets and animals needs

Author Biography: List of Books:

http://loisehlert.weebly.com/biography.html

Lois Ehlert was born on November 9, 1934 in Beaver Dam Wisconsin. She grew up in a happy home as the child of Harry and Gladys Ehlert. Her father did woodworking and her mother sewed. Her artistic creativity was encouraged from an early age by her parents.After attending high school Ehlert received a scholarship to the Layton School of Art which she attended and graduated from in 1957. After publishing Growing Vegetable Soup she took a class at the University of Wisconsin which taught her new ways to construct books such as: die cut holes in the pages and using combinations of light and dark colors. These educational experiences combined with her rich artful upbringing helped to model a style that she would continue to use her books and illustrations for years to come. Her books present illustrations using found objects, fabrics and cut outs that are dynamic and unique to Ehlert.

Boo to YouEating the AlphabetFeathers for LunchFish EyesGrowing Vegetable SoupHandsIn My WorldLeaf ManLots of SpotsMarket DayMole’s HillMoon RopeNuts to YouOodles of NoodlesPie in the SkyPlanting a RainbowRed Leaf, Yellow LeafRRalphSnowballsTop CatTen Hungry Caterpillars (Bill Martin Jr, illustrated by Lois Ehlert)Under My Nose

Wag a TailWaiting for Wings