Better Lesson
Better Lesson: Ways to Classify Objects
Students often classify objects by size and shape. Now they will look more at the properties of objects such as hardness, flexibility, and texture. Included in this instructional activity are examples of student's science journal...
Better Lesson
Better Lesson: Where'd the Wind Come From?
Kids learn the science behind wind by watching a video, hearing a book and using a flow chart. This lesson includes pictures of young scholars' completed work, extension ideas, and a printable flow chart worksheet.
Better Lesson
Better Lesson: And That's What It's All About
Through the use of movement and observation, the students will be able to identify objects that can be moved and identify and problem solve how to move objects. Included in this lesson are videos of the activity, a vocabulary chart, and...
Better Lesson
Better Lesson: Falling Objects
Students will determine if objects fall at the same speed by testing a variety of objects as they let them fall from above. They will learn that gravity is the force that is pulling on the object. Included in this lesson is a video about...
Better Lesson
Better Lesson: A Change of Direction Exploring the Impact of Forces
Students will be able to determine a way to change the direction of a moving object by conducting a simple experiment. Included in this instructional activity are videos of the activity in action, a printable recording sheet, pictures of...
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Better Lesson: Want to Trade?
Students will write about what they would trade for gold and practice inventive spelling in the process. After reading "In 1492", students will discuss how Christopher Columbus traded with the natives and then write what they would trade...
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Better Lesson: Miss Nelson Is Missing Key Details
Where did Miss Nelson go? We look at the key details in the text to determine what is happening throughout the story. Students will locate and record key details about story elements (characters, setting, problem, solution, and theme) in...
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Better Lesson: Go, Dog, Go!
Students will read the story and describe the picture details of the illustrations in relation to the text and write about one of the story events. "Go, Dog, Go!" contains illustrations that are very elaborate and crazy while the text is...
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Better Lesson: I See the Weather
Students will answer text-dependent questions for the expository text "Seasons and Weather". While text-dependent questions have been around for a long time, Common Core asks teachers to focus on them during reading. This lesson plan...
Better Lesson
Better Lesson: Comparing and Contrasting Our Stories With a Double Bubble Map
Learners will identify the similarities and differences between different versions of fictional stories by completing a double bubble map. Included in this lesson are teacher questions, a bubble map printable, a video of a class...
Better Lesson
Better Lesson: Plant Life Cycle Introduction
Sequencing is an important skill for kindergarten students. This lesson uses nonfiction texts to allow students to make a real-life connection to the skill of sequencing and learn about the plant cycle at the same time! Included are...
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Better Lesson: Arctic vs. Antarctic
Students will be able to identify similarities and differences between two texts about the polar habitats by using a Venn diagram. Included in this lesson are guided questions to use while reading, a printable Venn Diagram, and pictures...
Better Lesson
Better Lesson: A Day to Celebrate Our Planet Earth
Young scholars will compare an informational text versus a narrative text about Earth Day. Included in this lesson plan are videos and pictures of the lesson plan in action, a printable Earth Day Venn Diagram, and a recycling activity.
Better Lesson
Better Lesson: Picture Walk and Partner Talk
Students will participate in a picture walk through the expository text "Seasons and Weather". The purpose of the picture walk is to prepare the students for reading the story and gives them practice in using picture clues to make...
Better Lesson
Better Lesson: Pictures and Text Work Together Too!
The class will read the informational text "Together They Were Better". As the teacher reads the book aloud, she/he will use the illustrations from each page to give students clues as to the text on the page, helping them to see the...
Better Lesson
Better Lesson: Space Man!
Without understanding spacing, students will not be able to successfully track print. In addition, students who do not understand spacing will also not be able to write appropriately. Students will be introduced to Space Man. This tool...
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Better Lesson: Emergent Readers With and Emergent Reader
Students will sequence story events with the teacher and read an emergent reader in a guided setting. The chosen book, "Pilgrims and Wampanoag: Together They Were Better", has high use of sight words and high levels of picture support...
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Better Lesson: Writing an Opinion in Response to the Story
Students need to have lots of opportunities to share their opinions based on text. In this lesson, the teacher will read the story, Jack and the Beanstalk, multiple times before the students create their opinion. The detailed process of...
Better Lesson
Better Lesson: Introduction to Opinion Writing
Learners' opinions are a crucial step in the foundation of good writing. After reading 'I will Never Not Ever Eat a Tomato', students will state their own opinion about a topic through writing.
Better Lesson
Better Lesson: Oh My! It's Apple Pie!
In this lesson, students will give an opinion on the best part of the story "Oh My! It's Apple Pie!" and validate why it is their favorite. Included are student samples, an assessment sample, templates, and videos of the lesson in action.
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Better Lesson: Conferencing
Editing is a step that can often be overlooked in Kindergarten; however, it is crucial that our students understand how and why to go back and fix their writing! In this lesson, students will take suggestions from the teacher and their...
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Better Lesson: Time to Kiss This Nonseuss Goodbye!
In this instructional activity, students will choose their favorite from an assortment of Dr. Seuss books and state a reason why for their choice. Examples of student work are included. Students will also have fun dressing up as their...
Better Lesson
Better Lesson: Ocean Research Project
Research paper writing is a lofty goal for kindergarten learners, but this lesson will expose them to the process without being overwhelming. Students will divide into teams to learn about ocean creatures and then write a research paper...
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Better Lesson: Accountable Talk Introduction
Learning to engage in collaborative conversations allows children to learn about their world, to become familiar with words, and to build a solid foundation for the development of reading and writing skills. This lesson introduces rules...