LEARN NC

K–12 teaching and learning · from the UNC School of Education

Here comes the circus

Boys and girls of all ages love the Circus. This is a lesson from an integrated unit. In this lesson, students will be introduced to the Kindergarten level words from the Dolch Word List.

A lesson plan for grade K English Language Arts

By Penny Stafford

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Learning outcomes

The students will learn the basic sight words.

Teacher planning

Time required for lesson

4 hours

Materials/resources

  • Flashcards
  • Pocket card
  • Word Ladder
  • Pictures of circus animals and performers
  • Individual word cards to send home with a letter of explanation for parents to use

Technology resources

Computer with internet connection

Pre-activities

  • Have students tell what they would expect to see at the circus.
  • Record their responses on two charts - Animals or People.
  • Read books about the circus.
  • Introduce sight words using a simple sentence - I see a clown.

Activities

  1. Using a pocket chart, display the sentence, “I see a clown.” Use a clown picture on the clown card to help students.
  2. Show the students how to expand the sentence using the color words: “I see a red clown.” Continue to expand the sentence by changing the color word.
  3. After students have had time to practice using these words, introduce them to other words and sentence patterns.
  4. Using the following sentences and the Kindergarten level Dolch words, students can learn to read. Sentences used:
    • I see a _______ clown.
    • The clown is ______.
    • Look at the ______ clown.
    • The clown can ______.

Assessment

  • Have students manipulate the words on the pocket chart and read their sentence to the class.
  • Make a Word Ladder and have the students read the words up the ladder.

Supplemental information

Dolch words used:

a at big black blue brown can brown
can funny go green help I
is jump little look one orange
play purple red run see
the three two work yellow

Comments

This activity can be altered to work with other units by substituting a new subject word such as bear, bunny, etc.

North Carolina curriculum alignment

English Language Arts (2004)

Kindergarten

  • Goal 3: The learner will make connections through the use of oral language, written language, and media and technology.
    • Objective 3.02: Discuss concepts and information in a text to clarify and extend knowledge.
    • Objective 3.03: Associate target words with prior knowledge and explore an author's choice of words.

  • Common Core State Standards

    • English Language Arts (2010)

      • Language

        • Kindergarten
          • K.L.5 With guidance and support from adults, explore word relationships and nuances in word meanings. K.L.5.1 Sort common objects into categories (e.g., shapes, foods) to gain a sense of the concepts the categories represent. K.L.5.2 Demonstrate understanding...
          • K.L.6 Use words and phrases acquired through conversations, reading and being read to, and responding to texts.