Integrating the internet into the Curriculum: Eric Carle author study

Eleven different activities focusing on books by author/illustrator Eric Carle will be used to integrate the curriculum. Each activity will take about 30 minutes with a class multimedia presentation created at the conclusion.

A lesson plan for grade K Computer/Technology Skills, English Language Arts, and Information Skills

By Barb Thorson

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Related topics

• Learn more about Eric Carle, author study, authors, email, language arts, and technology skills.

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Learning outcomes

Eric Carle’s books will be used to integrate English Language Arts, Art, Science, Social Studies, Technology, and Physical Education.

Students will create a class multimedia presentation.

Teacher planning

Time required for lesson

5 hours

Materials/resources

• Art materials
• Map of United States
• Books and materials by Eric Carle and Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See? by Bill Martin, Jr.

Technology resources

• Access to the internet
• Multimedia software (eg. HyperStudio, PowerPoint, Kids Pix Slide Show)
• Projection device to connect computer to large screen television or project image on screen

Activities

1. At Eric Carle’s web page click on “About Eric Carle.” This link gives biographical information about the author and displays a picture. Discussion can include Carle as an author (writes the story) and illustrator (draws the pictures). His books reflect his love of nature. Read a book written by Carle and the book Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See? illustrated by Carle.
2. At web site click on Guestbook to send a class email message to Carle. Also write down the snail mail address. Following internet search, activities can include:
   • discuss the difference between email and snail mail.
   • the class can write a snail mail message and mail to Carle.
3. On a map look at the town and state where you live. Locate Northampton, Massachusetts where Carle lives. Use the legend mileage scale to get approximate miles between locations. At Carle’s web page, click on Carle’s hometown, Northampton, Mass. Notice the picture of the town changes. At this site you can click on the weather to find the forecast for that area. (Actually the forecast is for Springfield which is just south of Northampton.) Activities could include discussing the weather outside the school compared to the weather forecast in Carle’s hometown.
4. At the Northampton web site, click on Pets of Northampton. Click on Dogs and Cats to view pictures and captions of pets in the town. Read about the cat that has saved many other cats.
5. Physical Education/Movement: use Carle’s book, From Head to Toe, to introduce basic body parts and simple body movements. Students will learn important skills of listening, focusing attention, and following instructions. Children can act out the animals’ movements while reading the book to the class.
6. Science: The Tiny Seed follows a seed from birth to a flower to a seed again. Plant a seed in a glass or plastic container, water, nurture, and watch it grow.
7. Art: Read The Very Lonely Firefly and talk about Carle’s art style. Allow students to create a collage.
8. Character Education: Read The Mixed up Chameleon followed by a discussion on why the chameleon tried to be many animals but finally found being a chameleon is the best animal to be.
9. Today is Monday can introduce or reinforce learning the days of the week.
10. 1, 2, 3 to the Zoo and Rooster’s Off to See the World are counting books. Use to introduce or reinforce numbers.
11. Use one of the activities above to create a class multimedia presentation using a multimedia software program. An example might be to create a multimedia presentation about the cycle of a seed or an introduction with brief summaries of the different books read.

Assessment

Students will be assessed by participation in activities and work produced.

Supplemental information

Comments

At the web site click on Caterpillar Exchange to visit the bulletin board. You can post and receive ideas and activities to use with Carle’s books.