Trapped!
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Everyone loves mysteries. In this Minute, Wildlife Storyteller Aline Alexander Newman shares a mystery featuring a usually silent, backyard animal. Bet your students will be surprised at the end! |
English/Language Arts
Synonyms
One way of making writing more interesting is to use synonyms to avoid repeating the same word over and over. Ask students to list the synonyms the author used for the word “chipmunk.” What other chipmunk synonyms can they think of? Extend the lesson by discussing the difference between a synonym and an antonym.
Writing
Ask your students to write a true story about an experience they have had with an animal. Incorporate Art into the lesson by having them to draw a picture to illustrate their experience.
STEM
Biology—Explore Animal Behavior
Scientists classify animals into groups. Chipmunks belong to the group known as “Rodents.” Help your class generate a list of rodents and ask each student to select one to write a report on. Their reports should include a picture of the animal along with facts about its diet, habitat, and behavior.
Life Skills
Listen up!
Listening is a very important observation skill. The chipmunk was saved because we noticed a strange sound. Use this Minute to alert students to the importance of paying attention to their environment. Let them practice this skill by having them spend the first five minutes of class sitting still. Instead of ignoring new sounds, ask them to write down everything that they hear. Do they hear a knocking noise? If so, how many knocks? How loud? Where did the knocks seem to be coming from? Have them try to identify the sound or what it means. Have them try this same exercise at home or on the playground. Do this every day for a few weeks and watch their powers of observation improve.
Research Skills
Searching online
The author refers to a National Geographic YouTube video of chipmunk sounds: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ESJaPmfbius. Ask students to find and play it. If they can all search at once, hold a contest to see who locates the video first.
Synonyms
One way of making writing more interesting is to use synonyms to avoid repeating the same word over and over. Ask students to list the synonyms the author used for the word “chipmunk.” What other chipmunk synonyms can they think of? Extend the lesson by discussing the difference between a synonym and an antonym.
Writing
Ask your students to write a true story about an experience they have had with an animal. Incorporate Art into the lesson by having them to draw a picture to illustrate their experience.
STEM
Biology—Explore Animal Behavior
Scientists classify animals into groups. Chipmunks belong to the group known as “Rodents.” Help your class generate a list of rodents and ask each student to select one to write a report on. Their reports should include a picture of the animal along with facts about its diet, habitat, and behavior.
Life Skills
Listen up!
Listening is a very important observation skill. The chipmunk was saved because we noticed a strange sound. Use this Minute to alert students to the importance of paying attention to their environment. Let them practice this skill by having them spend the first five minutes of class sitting still. Instead of ignoring new sounds, ask them to write down everything that they hear. Do they hear a knocking noise? If so, how many knocks? How loud? Where did the knocks seem to be coming from? Have them try to identify the sound or what it means. Have them try this same exercise at home or on the playground. Do this every day for a few weeks and watch their powers of observation improve.
Research Skills
Searching online
The author refers to a National Geographic YouTube video of chipmunk sounds: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ESJaPmfbius. Ask students to find and play it. If they can all search at once, hold a contest to see who locates the video first.
©Aline Alexander Newman 2019- May be used for educational purposes without written permission
