Art, English Language Arts, Mathematics, Technology
Shape, Color and Size Unit
Kindergarten
Students will be given a general overview of what and how a newsletter is made using kid-friendly language. Student will reflect on what we did/learned in this unit. Students will learn how to make an envelope for our newsletter using shapes, color and size.
Students will be shown the newsletter that I put together. Students will be told how it was made. Teacher will read picture book and/or show video on subject if one can be found. If possible, perhaps computer tech could show on word projector screen generally how a newsletter is made with a template. Another possibility would be to show a video on subject if there is one (e.g. Bill Nye, etc.) On the same day or on another day (back in kindergarten classroom), students will make a simple piece of rectangular construction paper into an envelope by folding it. Envelope will be hole punched on opened sides. Yarn will be weaved through holes. In lieu of this, staples or stickers could be used. Students will put their name on envelope in upper left hand corner. Then the students will sponge paint shapes on sides. It will dry. Mom and/or Dad & family will be written in middle of envelope. Then newsletter will go home to parents. (Other alternatives: A computer design done by students on KidPix could be used in lieu of sponge painting. Printed out design from computer could be glued on envelope. Using shape stickers is another possibility. Labels with child's name and parent's name could be used in lieu of children writing names.) To end unit, students will be asked about their favorite part of the shape, color, size unit, and we will review what we learned.
In this unit, we reviewed shape, color and size. We learned the vocabulary for this subject. We compared them and applied our knowledge to various math, science, language arts projects. We used a range of modalities songs, computer and non-computer games, movement, PowerPoint presentation, art, etc. to cement these concepts.
Background: The class completed several lessons on shape, color and size. The nature and results of our lessons/investigations will be the subject of much of our newsletter. Teacher completed newsletter independently of children, but incorporated student discoveries/findings.
Materials: Computer lab, computer, butcher paper to protect tables, different color tempera paint, different shape sponges, markers, different colors of approximately 1 foot pieces of yarn with tape on end to make needle, hole punch, staplers, stickers.
1. (DAY 1, approx. 20 min.)In computer lab (optimally at computer lab time), teacher and/or tech professional will give students a kid-friendly rundown on how newsletter was made. Computer tech could, with the input of the children, make a quick mock newsletter on big screen so kids in whole group could see process. Reading or showing a "how-to" book or video would be helpful also. Ideally this would be done using a projector to magnify computer screen.) If this is not possible, this process will be demonstrated to small groups of kids on a regular-sized computer screen. While some kids are working on games/activities on computers, others will get to see mini-presentation on making newsletter.
2 (DAY 1 OR DAY 2)Back in the classroom, same day or next day, students will make an envelope out of construction paper. (This could be a buddy or center activity in order to provide kindergartners with more support). Legal size of construction paper will be folded into half (big rectangle folds into a smaller rectangle). Envelope will be prepunched on sides. Students will sew sides up. (stapling or stickers could be used in lieu of sewing yarn on sides.) All of this should be specifically modeled.
3. Students will put their name on envelope with a colored marker. Then they will proceed to sponge paint both sides of envelopes with big and little sponges. Envelopes will be left to dry. To avoid having to deal with drying shape stickers, stencils or computer print outs from KidPix could be used.
4. (DAY 3, approx. 20 min.) Next day students will address envelopes to their parents and carefully place newsletter in envelope.
5. To end the project, we will go to carpet to discuss and reflect what we liked best about this unit...why...what we learned, what surprised us the most...etc. Students will deliver envelope to parents or this project will be saved for open house.
Students will work collaboratively & individually. Students will work in groups of 5.
3 class periods. 30 Min. per class.
Time allotment will vary depending on whether sponge painting, stickers or KidPix pictures are used, whether activity is incorporated into a center (involving rotations over a 3 or 4 day period) and whether there are extra helpers to assist children. Activities could be done in a shorter or longer time depending on choices of materials.
Students may get to take teacher-made newsletter home if not used for Open House.
- The number of computers required is 1 per 5 students.
- Materials and resources:
Word Overhead Projector
Computer Lab
Tempera paint
Different size shape sponges, 40 1 ft. strings of yarn, shape stickers, stapler, hole punches, Child Friendly book on making newsletter/newspaper/envelope...etc
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CA- California K-12 Academic Content Standards
Benchmark or Example 1.4: Write uppercase and lowercase letters of the alphabet independently, attending to the form and proper spacing of the letters.*Did student follow directions?
*Was student on task?
*Did student take his/her time to do best work?
*Was student able to work fairly independently or did he/she need a lot of help?
*Did student participate in discussion?
*Was student a polite, respectful listener?
*Did student clean up his/her materials?
*Does student cooperate, get along with classmates?