ALEX Resources

Title: Lesson 2- If We Ran the Zoo: How Do Animals Impact Our Environment? Research/Zoo Book
Description: The lesson will begin by reviewing the groups and animals assigned to each group. Students will begin working in their Zoo Booklets by discussing vocabulary that is associated with their animal. Students will use various types of text and other resources to find the information needed to learn more about their animal. Students will work cooperatively in groups to complete their animal research and complete their final project.  This lesson was created as part of the ALEX Interdisciplinary Resource Development Summit.
Standard(s):
[ELA2015] (2) 18: Compare and contrast the most important points presented by two texts on the same topic. [RI.2.9]

Title: Lesson 1  If We Ran the Zoo:  How Do Animals Impact Our Environment?
Description: A brainstorming activity and class discussion will begin the lesson and provide the background knowledge students have regarding zoos and how the animals in zoos impact our environment. Students will select an animal for further research using an online survey created by the teacher to determine their research group. Afterward, students will view an informational video pertaining to the origin and purpose of zoos, and complete an exit slip stating new learning that has been added to their background knowledge. This lesson was created as part of the ALEX Interdisciplinary Resource Development Summit.
Standard(s):
[ELA2015] (2) 17: Describe how reasons support specific points the author makes in a text. [RI.2.8]

Title: Going Batty
Description: In this lesson, students will learn characteristics of bats. The students will be able to see that different texts can present points in different ways. The introduction to the lesson will begin with a video clip of bats. They will listen to two stories one fiction and the other nonfiction. They will listen to learn characteristics of bats from both stories. Students will turn and talk with a partner after each book to discuss characteristics they learned about bats. Once they have heard both stories they will complete a Venn Diagram comparing and contrasting the two books. Students will use Edmodo as a means to publish their writing and share with their classmates. They will have the chance to read other students' posts and reply back with meaningful text connections.This lesson would work well around Halloween.
Standard(s):
[ELA2015] (2) 18: Compare and contrast the most important points presented by two texts on the same topic. [RI.2.9]

Title: Building a Matrix for Leo Lionni Books: An Author Study
Description: In this author study, students listen to and discuss four books by Leo Lionni. They identify similarities and differences in the stories and then compare two stories of their choice.
Standard(s):
[ELA2015] (2) 18: Compare and contrast the most important points presented by two texts on the same topic. [RI.2.9]

Title: From Little House to My House: Exploring History and Family Roles
Description: Blaze a trail to new perspectives on home and family through historical fiction read-alouds. Students compare an episode from one of the Little House books by Laura Ingalls Wilder (in picture book format) with the author's life and with their own experiences.
Standard(s):
[ELA2015] (2) 18: Compare and contrast the most important points presented by two texts on the same topic. [RI.2.9]

Title: Let's Build a Snowman
Description: In this lesson, students use both fiction and nonfiction texts, the Internet, and a K-W-L chart to learn about how animals survive the winter.
Standard(s):
[ELA2015] (2) 37: Use knowledge of language and its conventions when writing, speaking, reading, or listening. [L.2.3]