Lesson Plan

Cuckoo Lesson Plan

  • Grades: PreK–K, 1–2

About this book

Grade Level Equivalent: 3.2
Lexile Measure: 290L
Guided Reading Level: M
Age: Age 6, Age 7, Age 5
Genre: Fables, Folk Tales and Myths
Subject: Birds, Cooperation and Teamwork, Animals, Courage, Bravery, Heroism, Friends and Friendship

Overview

Lois Ehlert's illustrations are visually pleasing to children, and Cuckoo is no exception. The bright colors and animals make Cuckoo irresistable. Students enjoying creating their own patterns on the bird wings.

Objective

Students will "identify, reproduce, describe, extend, and create color, rhythmic, shape, number, and letter repeating patterns with simple attributes" --Massachusetts Mathematics Curriculum Framework

Materials

  • Cuckoo by Lois Ehlert
  • assorted construction paper, bright colors
  • scissors
  • paper punches
  • paper fasteners (4 per student)
  • oak tag or thin cardboard
  • pencils
  • glue

Set Up and Prepare
Using the book as a guide, cut out oak tag templates of the various bird parts (wings, body, tail, head, and beak) from the beginning of the book. (The bird is on the page that begins "Cuckoo was beautiful. Trouble was, she knew it.") You will need multiple sets of the templates if you plan on working with more than one student at a time.When creating templates for students to trace, I like to use the cardboard from the back of pads of chart paper. It's thin enough for students to manipulate, but sturdy enough to last. With young students, it's helpful to have them work in pairs. While one student holds the template in place, the other student can trace it. 

Directions

Have students trace and cut out the bird parts. They can then use construction paper to create patterns to cut out and glue to the wings. The paper punches can be used to create "punched" pattern designs.

Once students are done creating and gluing their patterns, they can use the fasteners to attach their bird pieces.

Lesson Extensions

Have students create other animals with interesting patterns.

Related Resources
www.rif.org/art/illustrators/ehlert.mspx
http://www2.jsonline.com/lifestyle/parenting/mar03/ehlert0307.asp

  • Subjects:
    Birds, Arts and Crafts, Following Directions, Motor Skills
  • Skills:
    Listening Comprehension
  • Duration:
    60 Mins
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