Quick and Easy Scaredy Squirrel Lesson Plans
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Scaredy Squirrel Lesson Plans!
This hilarious book by Melanie Watt is featured in this week’s plans. See how we use this read aloud book to teach students how to think deeply about the texts they read… plus a few fun activities!
Scaredy Squirrel Read Aloud Activities
As you may know, we start each week with a new book. Scaredy Squirrel should not be missed. It is such a fun book that your kindergarten and first-grade students will love.
How would you describe a Scaredy Squirrel?
Scaredy Squirrel changes in the text. He finds a wee bit of courage. It is a subtle AND precious shift in his character. In our lessons, we want to plan on highlighting how his character traits change over time. So we describe Scaredy Squirrel at the beginning, middle, and end of the book.
Then students responded independently to the same prompt.
HINT: If you have been doing these types of lessons for a while and find that students are copying the anchor chart without really knowing what they are writing, flip the chart over and remove the temptation. If you are noticing that students need this chart for support, it is great time to be reflective. I usually ask myself, “Do the students know what to do? How does this chart help them? Is there another way I could support them during their writing time? Do I need to teach another lesson here?”
Scaredy Squirrel Lesson Plan: Character and Setting
We also ask students to reflect on the characters and setting in Scaredy Squirrel. This is a chance to embed that literacy vocabulary into your lessons. Most students at this point of the year already have a solid understanding of character and setting, so this lesson is breeze.
It is during these less challenging lessons when you have the opportunity to elevate the conversations that take place. Most students will not have a hard time identifying the setting or the character, but you will want to invite them to use rich descriptive words as they talk to their partner.
Scaredy Squirrel – Making Comparisons
Here are a few of the student responses for making comparisons.
Scaredy Squirrel Grammar Study
Each week, we also focus on grammar during our read aloud time. It is a great way to integrate our learning.
These are 1st grade examples, but your kindergarten students can also do these with support.
These students are working on proper nouns.
Scaredy Squirrel Lesson Plans
You can find all of these lessons (including the cute craft below) in our Engaging Readers units or by clicking:
Scaredy Squirrel Read Aloud Video
We love Awnie’s House videos! I, myself, love to read Scaredy Squirrel, but it is nice to have another example of reading fluency.
The Author’s Website
You can also check out Melanie Watt’s Website!
Melanie Watt is also the author of another fun book, Chester. You can read that blog post:
Scaredy Squirrel Free Lesson Plan Template
You can download this free template by clicking HERE.
Do you need help in editing these visual lesson plans? Click: Tech Support for Teachers
Want to see other lesson plans like this?
To see additional Lesson Plan Posts like this, click HERE.
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- Organizing for Instruction (click HERE to view)
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Deedee Wills
My teaching career allowed me to experience teaching in different classroom environments and grades. My heart belongs to early childhood education. My job is to make teaching FUN, ENGAGING, and EASIER. Welcome!
Hi, I'm DeedeE.
My teaching career allowed me to experience teaching in different classroom environments and grades. My heart belongs to early childhood education. My job is to make teaching FUN, ENGAGING, and EASIER. Welcome!
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3 Responses
I am being observed while using this unit this week. I have a couple questions that maybe you could help me with.
1. For day 2, what are the essential questions?
2. What is the Unit Essential question?
For Day 2: How does noticing the way characters act and think help us to understand the story better?
How can talking about important parts of the story help us understand the books we read?
I hope that helps! Good luck
Thank you so much…That is definitely the route I was headed, but I thought who better to ask than the professional 🙂 I really appreciate you getting back to me!