Going batty
In this lesson students will hear the story Stellaluna by Janell Cannon and then create a Venn Diagram comparing bats to birds.
A lesson plan for grade 1 English Language Arts, Information Skills, and Science
Learn more
- Bat Conservation International a bat conservation organization with materials for educators and kids
Related pages
- Animal slide shows!: This project is a culmination of a science unit on animals which integrates computer skills, language arts and art. After a study of animals which includes classification, basic needs of animals, animal adaptations, and animal behaviors, the students will use the computer to complete a slide show of one animal they have studied at length.
- DESTINY Traveling Science Learning Program: The DESTINY (Delivering Edge-Cutting Science Technology and Internet Across North Carolina for Years to Come) Traveling Science Learning Program is Morehead Planetarium and Science Center’s formal science education initiative serving pre-college teachers and students across North Carolina.
- HyperStudio animal project: Students will create a multimedia project on an animal of their choice using the HyperStudio program.
Related topics
- Learn more about biology and life science, computer/technology skills, education technology, and science.
Legal
This page copyright ©2008. Terms of use
Learning outcomes
After reading the book Stellaluna by Janell Cannon, students will use the software program Kid Pix to create a Venn diagram comparing birds and bats.
Teacher planning
Time required for lesson
45 minutes
Materials/resources
- pictures of bats
- fiction and nonfiction books about bats
- Stellaluna by Janell Cannon (Harcourt Brace; ISBN: 0152802177)
Technology resources
- computer with Kid Pix software loaded
- computer with The Graph Club software loaded
Activities
Day One
- Using the program The Graph Club, have each student take turns answering the question, “Are you afraid of bats?”
- KWL Chart: brainstorm things students know about bats and what they want to know about bats.
- Share pictures of bats from nonfiction books about bats.
Day Two
Brainstorm: what do bats eat? Divide the answers into two categories: a) fruit and b) meat. Discuss that there are two types of bats: megabats and microbats. Explain that megabats eat fruit and microbats eat meat, such as insects, frogs, or fish. Look again at pictures of both types of bats. Have students look for the differences between the two types. Direct them to notice that megabats (fruit eaters) have large eyes and small ears. Microbats (meat eaters) have small eyes and large ears.
Day Three
Read students the book Stellaluna by Janell Cannon. Discuss the differences between birds and bats. Have students create a Venn diagram comparing birds and bats using the software program Kid Pix.
Assessment
Completed Venn Diagram comparing bats and birds.
Supplemental information
The Educator’s Activity Book about Bats, available from Bat Conservation International, has games and other activities, which could be added to this lesson.
Comments
This lesson can be used as part of a unit on bats. See the second part of this lesson, Going Batty Part II, which is included on the LEARN NC lesson plan database.
North Carolina Curriculum Alignment
Information Skills (2000)
Grade 1
- Goal 2: The learner will IDENTIFY and USE criteria for excellence to evaluate information and formats.
- Objective 2.03: Recognize the diversity of ideas and thoughts by exploring a variety of resources (print, non-print, electronic) and formats (print, graphical, audio, video, multimedia, web-based).
- Goal 4: The learner will EXPLORE and USE research processes to meet information needs.
- Objective 4.07: Organize and use information.
Computer Technology Skills (2005)
Grade 1
- Goal 2: The learner will demonstrate knowledge and skills in the use of computer and other technologies.
- Objective 2.02: Observe, discuss, and use software to enter, calculate, display data, and interpret results as a class/group. Strand - Spreadsheet
- Objective 2.07: Use multimedia software to illustrate words/phrases/concepts. Strand - Multimedia/Presentation
English Language Arts (2004)
Grade 1
- Goal 4: The learner will apply strategies and skills to create oral, written, and visual texts.
- Objective 4.04: Extend skills in using oral and written language:
- clarifying purposes for engaging in communication.
- using clear and precise language to paraphrase messages.
- engaging in more extended oral discussions.
- producing written products.
- completing graphic organizers.
- Objective 4.04: Extend skills in using oral and written language:
Science (2005)
Grade 1
- Goal 1: The learner will conduct investigations and make observations to build an understanding of the needs of living organisms.
- Objective 1.02: Investigate the needs of a variety of different animals:
- Air.
- Water.
- Food.
- Shelter.
- Space.
- Objective 1.02: Investigate the needs of a variety of different animals:
