Literacy Themes: Elephants

 

We had a school wide field trip to the zoo this year (see 07/08 link for more details), so we had a big animal focus this year. I got on an elephant kick with my kids and got a bit carried away! They were VERY interested in it, so it was hard to leave the subject. I thought I would assemble some of the things we did on this page for others to see and perhaps take some ideas.


First, we read Uncle Elephant, by Arnold Lobel. We spent quite a long time on this book and got to know Uncle Elephant and his nephew quite well.



Vocab and Spelling


Comprehension


Assessment


  




While reading this book, we studied real elephants. Through non-fiction books from the library, movies, and other materials, we compiled a Venn Diagram together that compared African and Asian Elephants. Then we used the Venn Diagram to write about the two animals.






We also read Malawi, Keeper of the Trees and Rashee and the Seven Elephants, two more fiction stories about elephants that were leveled books I found hanging around my school (Little Celebrations). It was really amazing how long we continued with this subject - the kids never lost interest!


Rashee and the Seven Elephants Materials:


Vocab and Spelling


Comprehension


Assessment




Malawi, Keeper of the Trees Materials:


Vocab and Spelling


Comprehension


Assessment


Here are some other items we used throughout our study of elephants (and to prepare for our trip to the zoo):


  1. •Learning Page's Zoo Theme Worksheets

  2. •Elephants on Enchanted Learning

  3. •Zoo and Safari Themes on ABC Teach

  4. •Animals, Animals Sample Unit from Science A to Z


Related 2nd grade leveled books on Reading A to Z:


   
   
   




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