Ideas for activities for students

What children learn at which age

Kindergarden (Ages 5 and 6)

Reading
· Recognize and write all of the letters of the alphabet in upper and lowercase forms
· Write her first and last name
· Identify sounds corresponding to vowels and consonants
· Uses initial consonant sounds and sound patterns to read words (for example, f + an = fan; r + an = ran)
· Read several sight words, including names of colors
· Retell a story including details
· Put events of a story in order
· Write simple sentences using sight words and phonics skills
Listening and Communication
· Listen attentively
· Raise her hand and wait to speak
· Follow and repeat spoken directions
· Engage in question-and-answer dialogue with classmates and teachers
· Works as a team on projects or problem-solving
· Relate stories, songs, or poems heard on tape to others
· Focus on the lesson being taught
Math
· Sort and classify objects using one or more attributes
· Recognize and write numbers up to 100
· Tell when one number is greater or less than another
· Count orally by ones, five, and tens to 100
· Name ordinal numbers first through tenth
· Perform simple addition and subtraction
· Understand spatial relationships (top/bottom, near/far, before/behind)
· Compare quantities by estimating, weighing, and measuring
· Uses graphs to gather information
· Recognize patterns and shapes
· Tell time to the nearest half-hour
· Count money
· Recite the days of the week and the months of the year

1st grade (Ages 6 /7)
Reading
· Expand sight word vocabulary
· Recall the sequence of events in oral and written stories
· Discuss story elements such as plot, character, events, and setting
· Understand basic punctuation (capitalize first letter of a sentence, use periods and question marks, etc.)
· Identify the main idea and details in a story
· Print legibly
· Recognize single and plural forms of nouns
· Write in complete sentences
· Differentiate between fiction and nonfiction stories
· Memorize and correctly spell between 130-150 words
Math
· Understand greater than, less than, lighter than, heavier than, the same as, etc.
· Recognize and write numbers up to 100
· Count by 2s, 5s, and 10s to 100
· Mentally add numbers to 10
· Add and subtract to 20
· Add and subtract with pennies, nickels, dimes, and quarters
· Tell time to the hour and half hour
· Recognize shapes
· Identify, describe, and reproduce patterns with number, shapes, colors, or words
· Uses simple graphs to record information
· Recognize simple mathematical symbols (e.g. “+”, “=”, “>”,”<”)</li>
· Read thermometers and use measuring tools like rulers
Social Studies
· Locate the United States, the seven continents, and the four oceans on a large map or globe
· Construct and interpret simple maps with cardinal directions and map key
· Demonstrate awareness of current news
· Participate in group decision making
· Understand traditions that reflect American ideals and influences from diverse cultures within the nation
· Create charts and timelines demonstrating an understanding of past and present
· Recognize shared values and goals as students in the same community, despite differences in backgrounds
Science
· Use tools such as a magnifying glass, ruler, and balancing scale
· Learn the basic needs of living things by caring for animals in class
· Conduct simple, hands-on experiments
· Explore the senses — hearing, sight, smell, touch, and taste
· Explore the life cycle of living things, such as frogs or butterflies
Other Subjects
Art: Mix primary colors to make secondary colors and describe the process
Music: Use hand percussion instruments to learn rhythmic patterns
Physical Education: Improve eye-hand coordination, balance, flexibility, and ball handling

2nd grade (Age 7/8)
Reading and Writing
· Read grade-specific material confidently and for fun
· Read with expression
· Demonstrate comprehension by predicting outcomes
· Identify main ideas and supporting details
· Decode words using cues from phonics, word order, and context
· Self-select a variety of fiction and nonfiction books
· Keep a journal
· Recognize parts of speech such as subject, verb, adjective
· Use capitalization and punctuation correctly
· Compose in poetic, narrative, creative, and expository forms
· Write in paragraph form
· Recognize spelling patterns and spell high-frequency words correctly
· Use basic research skills for presentations
· Edit and proofread classmates' work
Math
· Read, write, count, and sequence numbers up to 1,000
· Identify place value to the thousands
· Represent quantities in multiple ways (e.g., 36 = 18 + 18 = 14 + 14 + 8)
· Know addition and subtraction facts to 20
· Mentally add or subtract any two-digit numbers
· Add and subtract three-digit numbers
· Identify, describe, and extend repeating numeric patterns
· Tell time to the quarter hour; be able to calculate elapsed time (e.g. from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.)
· Count, add, and subtract money using dollar and cent symbols and decimal point
· Collect, sort, and interpret data in various graphs
Social Studies
· Discuss current events
· Recognize historical figures and their contributions to society
· Understand the relationship between consumers and producers
· Locate her hometown on a map
· Appreciate diversity among cultures in the community
Science
· Identify parts of plants and animals and explain their functions
· Study dinosaurs and the process of extinction
· Name classifications of animals
· Study life cycles, perhaps by raising caterpillars into butterflies
· Identify land forms
· Explore physical science, covering topics such as electricity, magnetism and gravity
Other Subjects
· Art: Experiment with depth and dimension integrating such media as oil pastels, crayon rubbings, collage, watercolors, tempera, weaving, sculpture or printmaking
· Music: Understand basics of musical notation, such as time, rests, clefts, and keys
· Physical Education: Jump rope, run, skip, slide, bounce and catch balls more accurately, participate in team sports
· Technology: Learn basic computer skills, such as saving and retrieving documents, accessing the Internet for classroom research and touch-typing
3rd grade (Age 8/9)
Skills Acquired During 3rd Grade
As with every passing grade level, the work in 3rd grade becomes more challenging, which can initially intimidate any 8 year old. But with focus, motivation to learn, and attentiveness to the material, your child can make major strides in the following subjects:
 
Reading
· Explore fables, legends, myths, poems, and plays as supplements to fiction and nonfiction reading
· Progress as an independent reader and work up to an appropriate comprehension level
· Read in groups, alternating paragraphs out loud, to build fluency and vocabulary
· Read chapter books that can be either applied to school or just for fun
· Use a dictionary to check the accuracy of the spelling, definition, and pronunciation of a word
· Look up information in a book by using a table of contents, glossary, or index
Writing and Verbal Communication
· Learn to write in cursive (longhand)
· Write in paragraph form, using transitions
· Use correct spelling, punctuation, and grammar (e.g. verb tenses must agree in sentences)
· Use reference books, such as the thesaurus, to make more interesting word choices
· Master the writing process: pre-write, outline, draft, revise, edit, and polish
· Use outlines to write a story or book report that has a beginning, middle, and end
· Write in a variety of styles, including informative, creative, and persuasive writing
· Keep a journal to practice personal writing and handwriting skills
· Understand written instructions and follow them independently
· Listen actively to a speaker in the classroom, whether that is the teacher or a fellow student
· Answer questions in complete sentences (for example, "I like to play on the monkey bars more than playing kickball because I like to climb," as opposed to "Because I like to climb," or simply "Because.")
Math
· Add and subtract numbers to 10,000
· Memorize the multiplication table
· Multiply multi-digit numbers by a single-digit number
· Divide multi-digit numbers by a single-digit number
· Identify written and spoken numbers up to 100,000
· Explain in words how a math problem was solved
· Use measuring tools to calculate volume, area, length, and height
· Analyze and graph data – e.g. collecting and charting the birthdays of all the boys and girls in class to determine how many boys were born in April
· Work with simple fractions and decimals
· Round to the nearest whole number
· Predict patterns in shapes and numbers
· Tell time to the nearest minute
· Relate number problems to everyday situations (e.g. using a budget to plan a party)
Science
· Learn with hands-on projects that illustrate the subject matter, such as maintaining a class greenhouse to show the development of plants and flowers
· Identify rocks and minerals
· Name the planets in the solar system and explore the galaxies, moons, stars, and meteors of outer space
· Compare the human skeleton to animal skeletal systems
· Track water cycles and study how they relate to the formation of clouds
· Conduct experiments that test a hypothesis
History and Social Studies
· Know how to read world maps; be able to find locations on the globe
· Compare different parts of the United States (e.g. contrasting year-round climate of the various regions)
· Learn the 50 states and their capitals
· Study topics relating to American history, such as Native Americans, the journey of the Mayflower, pilgrims and the first settlers
Other Subjects
· Learn basic computer skills for word processing, conducting simple research, or playing educational games
· Develop healthy habits in Well-Being and Fitness
· Create Artwork and experiment with sounds and instruments in Music
4th grade (Ages 9/10)
Reading
· Read a newspaper or grade-level book
· Produce projects demonstrating reading comprehension (for example, a book report, poster, diorama, skit, mobile, or book jacket)
· Differentiate between fiction and nonfiction
· Ask and answer critical questions about characters and plot that explore similarities, contrasts, and hypothetical scenarios
· Integrate reading skills with science, social studies, and math
· Read aloud in order to improve vocabulary, comprehension, and fluency
Writing and Verbal Communication
· Refine cursive handwriting (longhand)
· Take notes from reference materials and organize them
· Complete longer research assignments, ranging from 3 to 4 pages, supplemented by illustrations (such as graphs or pictures) and at least three outside sources (for example, books, newspapers, and encyclopedias)
· Use higher-level vocabulary words, including synonyms and antonyms
· Write for a purpose: to explain, to describe, to persuade, to entertain, to list, to express an opinion, etc.
· Polish written assignments through revision; correct grammar, punctuation, and spelling mistakes
· Participate in group or team projects
· Present oral reports
Math
· Practice long division with double-digit divisors
· Practice multiplication with two- and three-digit numbers
· Begin work with fractions and decimals
· Calculate perimeter and averages
· Use a calculator
· Know when and how to incorporate various mathematical operations during problem solving
· Understand that there is more than one way to solve a math problem
· Become more proficient at “mental math” (doing calculations in her head)
Science
· Explore why something happens — for example, why do planets revolve around the sun, or why do plants grow when they are watered?
· Analyze, predict, observe, and think scientifically
· Explain how an answer to a scientific question is found
History and Social Studies
· Know home state history, from learning the state motto to understanding what life was like for the state’s founding settlers
· Identify branches of the U.S. government
· Know key events and dates studied in American history
· Be proficient in United States geography
· Read nonfiction books, such as biographies of historical figures, to enhance knowledge
Other Subjects
· Maintain healthy habits developed in Health and Physical Education; learn about peer pressure
· Learn history and theory in Fine Arts
· Your child may begin study of a Foreign Language (varies by school district): vocabulary, reading, and pronunciation as well as the history, culture, and traditions of that particular country

Animal Observation

You can find the ideas including pictures in the resource section of the task!

 

Age:	5-9
Subject:	Science
Length of Time:	2 – 3 hours
Description:	In this lesson, you will give students the option to observe pets at home or a pet that they know, a wild animal, a zoo animal, or animals on the Web.
Goals:	Students will learn: * To identify the different animals * Students will recognize various wildlife that lives in their neighborhood or backyard. * Students will learn how the needs of wild animals differ from pets or zoo animals. * Students will learn that animals sense the world differently.
Materials Needed:	* Books about animals that you can read to the children * Observation journal for each child *Access to the Internet to research animals
Procedure:	It is very important to discuss proper observation techniques with students. Observing means no touching or disturbing the animal in any way. Students should answer the following questions to prepare for classroom discussion: * What kind of animal is this? * Describe the animal. * What is the animal doing? * Ask students to observe what senses the animal is using: · How does the animal use his sight? Do you think he is able to see in the dark? Do you think he sees color etc. · How does the animal use her sense of smell? Does she appear to smell to learn about other animals, to seek out other animals, etc. · How does the animal use his sense of touch? Does the animal use touch to communicate with other animals? · How well does the animal hear? What is the animal’s reaction to noise? · How does the animal express himself when he is happy, scared, or pain. (For example, how he reacts with his body language). 1. Have students draw the animal they have chosen to observe. Instruct them to include details about the animal’s surroundings. 2. Once students have completed their observations, they can research fun facts, characteristics, habitat or appropriate care of the animal. 3. Organize a field trip to a nature preserve, the neighborhood park or the schoolyard. Setup a birdfeeder outside your window and observe the behavior of birds from the classroom.
Tracking	Observation notes and activity sheets.

Animal Observation

Dog and Cat Breed Geography

Below are six dog breeds.  The map above (see full document in resources) identifies six regions of the world.  Can you identify the region where each do breed originated? The same is suggested for cats (see document).

 

 

 

 

AkitaA native of the rugged northern mountains of ______, the Akita is considered a national monument by the people of its native land. Small statues of this dog are typically given at the birth of a child to ensure health, happiness and a long life.

BasenjiThe basenji, known as the "barkless dog," was breed in ______ for hunting, approximately 8,000 B.C. Through paintings and hieroglyphics, we know that the basenji existed in the early days of the pharaohs and, in fact, is older than the pyramids themselves.

Malamute The Malamute breed evolved over thousands of years from the ancient dogs that accompanied prehistoric man in his migrations from Asia across the Bering Sea. It is named after the "Mahlemut" Inuit tribe who inhabited the upper part of the Anvik River in ______.

RottweilerThese mastiff-type dogs accompanied the Roman legions across the Alps, herding their cattle and guarding their camps. One such camp, on the banks of the Neckar River in what is now southern ______, was the origin of the town of Rottweil (named for the red tile roofs of the villas built by the Romans).

Lhasa ApsoKnown as a bringer of good luck, the Lhasa apso is said to have originated in ______ about 800 B.C., making it one of the most ancient of breeds. There, it is recognized as "Abso Seng Kye," the "Bark Lion Sentinel Dog," because it guarded the monasteries and homes of high ranking officials.

CollieIn the 18th century, the collie’s natural home was in the highlands of ______, where it had been used for centuries as a sheepdog. The collie’s popularity skyrocketed when Queen Victoria took two puppies from her highland palace as pets.

Human Animal Bond Word Search

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Do you have a tough time finding the words to describe how you feel about your best animal friend?  Try your hand at this word search and you’ll never have trouble telling people how much you love playing with your friend’s dog, cuddling with your rabbit or listening to music with your grandmother’s cat.

 

See how many of these words you can find in this word search.  These words are written every which way--backwards, diagonally, forwards, up and down.  All of these words are related to you and your relationship with your special animal:

 

ACCEPT         COMPANIONSHIP              INTERDEPENDENCE          RESPECT

BUDDY          CONFIDE                              RESPONSIBILITY                LOVE

CARE             ENJOY                                   MUTUAL                               REST

COMFORT     EXERCISE                             PLAY                                     TRAIN

FRIEND          COMMITMENT                    PROTECTION                       TRUST

 

 

 

You find the word search grid in the full file under resources.

 

 

 

Help Me Find a Home

Match the animal to the home so that the two numbers sum to 20.

 

Bat Cave Cyberhunt

Strolling through the park on a moonlit night, you look up to the sky…It’s a bird! It’s a plane! No, it’s a bat?" Learn more about these mysterious creatures of the night by completing the following cyberhunt.

1. How many types of bats are there in the world?

2. What is the biggest bat in the world? What is the smallest bat?

3. Are bats blind?

4. What is echolocation?

5. In the United States, how many kinds of bats are endangered?

6. Are bats related to rodents? (Click on Myths and Facts)

7.Bats belong to which scientific order?

8. What do bats feed on the most?

9. Why are bat droppings important?

10. Do all bats suck blood? Do vampire bats drink human blood?

 

Answers are also provided in the full document

 

Polar Bear Cyberhunt

Bundle up and take a trip to the cyber arctic, where the cold ice and snow are plenty and polar bears roam free. It might get a little chilly, so keep your nose warm! If you see an asterisk (*) before the web address, type in the keyword: polar bear.

 

1.Where are polar bears found?

2. How many polar bears exist today? (Click on "Family")

3. Are polar bears protected in the United States?

4. What is the average lifespan of polar bears?

5. How fast can polar bears swim and how deep can they dive?

6. What color is the fur of polar bears?

7. How many pounds of food do polar bears eat in a day?

8. Is the fur of a polar bear really white?

9. The polar bear is classified as Ursus maritimus, what does that mean?

10. Do polar bears hibernate?

 

Answers are also provided in the full document

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