Grow Up Great
Note: This lesson is best taught following the lesson, Chameleons in the Zoo, found on this website.
Animals move differently because they belong to different species. Some animals have no legs, like a worm; others have hundreds of legs, like a millipede. Animals that are closer to the ground usually move by crawling. These low-level animals include worms, insects, chameleons, and turtles. Mid-level animals, such as a fox or a dog, usually move on four legs. High-level animals sometimes have long legs—examples include a giraffe or a gazelle. Some animals can move in more than one way. A bird can hop on its legs at a low level or fly using its wings at a high level.
Movement is a motivational form of nonverbal communication. When children participate in movement activities, they are able to express their emotions and imaginations differently than they do with verbal communication. Movement allows children to develop social awareness as they become aware of their own space and the space of others. Exploring movement helps children gain confidence because they are solving problems as they are moving.
Animals move differently because they belong to different species. Some animals have no legs, like a worm; others have hundreds of legs, like a millipede. Animals that are closer to the ground usually move by crawling. These low-level animals include worms, insects, chameleons, and turtles. Mid-level animals, such as a fox or a dog, usually move on four legs. High-level animals sometimes have long legs—examples include a giraffe or a gazelle. Some animals can move in more than one way. A bird can hop on its legs at a low level or fly using its wings at a high level.
These lessons are aligned with the Common Core State Standards ("CCSS"). The CCSS provide a consistent, clear understanding of the concepts and skills children are expected to learn and guide teachers to provide their students with opportunities to gain these important skills and foundational knowledge.[2]
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There are currently no Common Core Standards for pre-k, but these lessons are aligned as closely as possible to capture the requirements and meet the goals of Common Core Standards. However, these lessons were neither reviewed or approved by the National Governors Association Center for Best Practices or the Council of Chief State School Officers, which together are the owners and developers of the Common Core State Standards.
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