Five Lesson Plans
Generally, it must be pointed out that teachers of elementary school should combine different learning styles. Auditory, visual, and kinesthetic learning styles are of particular attention, as they are recognized to be the basic learning methods children’s ability to process and evaluate information depends upon. Other important learning styles teachers are to rely on include social and logical styles.
Kindergarten
The specific learning goal (objective):
Develop a child’s attention span – The objective can be achieved while discussing children’s picture books. Teachers can use Lauren Child’s book I Am Too Absolutely Small for School, or Kane Miller’s book Little School. A teacher’s task is to give children an opportunity to analyze images and develop imagination.
Children should work in small groups and answer the teacher’s questions concerning the plot of the book. Of course, children’s answers are to be based on pictures. A teacher is to ask children about the association’s images cause. Thus, a teacher can observe the peculiarities of the ways children accept reality.
So, it becomes obvious that it is not only a child’s attention span, which can be developed, but children’s ability to concentrate on an object (a picture) can be also increased.
The first grade
The specific learning goal (objective):
Cognitive development – To help children get ready for reading, math, penmanship, art, music, science, and social interaction, a teacher is to pay attention to different activities. The books, which are to be used to develop love for learning, and a sense of the beginning, middle, and end of a story include Frog and Toad Are Friends by Arnold Lobel, Ivy and Bean by Annie Barrows, etc. The books will help teachers in developing children’s phonemic awareness. Moreover, children’s ability to decode words will be also increased. It should be pointed out that Lobel’s books influence children’s ability to distinguish between bad and good.
Teachers are to develop children’s ability to think broadly. For this reason, puzzles can be used. Calendar activities are to be used to develop children’s math awareness. Writing and coloring are recognized to be the so-called constant activities. They help develop some physical skills.
The second grade
The specific learning goal (objective):
Independence development – As far as second graders can take care of their daily routines, a teacher’s task is to increase a child’s desire to make more decisions. Margaret Wise Brown’s book Sneakers, the Seaside Cat influences children’s desire to make more choices for themselves.
On the other hand, it is also necessary to develop children’s logical thinking. For this reason, some mysteries can be used. The most appropriate sources include Ann Cameron’s Julian, Secret Agent, or The Seven Treasure Hunts written by Betsy Byars.
The third grade
The specific learning goal (objective):
Physical and emotional growth development – A teacher’s task is to influence a child’s physical development. It is necessary to encourage children to feel successful. Children can become more aware of special pictures (the appearance of sportsmen and other body images). The books, which can be studied, include Matt Christopher’s The Dog That Stole Home, Lensey Namioka’s Yang the Youngest and His Terrible Ear.
When speaking about children’s emotional development, there is a need to point out that a teacher’s primary task is to develop a child’s self-confidence. Generally, third graders can be a study in quick-changing emotions. To influence a child’s emotional growth, third-graders should read books with positive messages, i.e. Alison Lester’s Are We There Yet? Kate DiCamillo’s Because of Winn-Dixie.
Additionally, teachers are to involve parents into the process of education. Thus, most of third-graders have an increased desire for privacy. Parents are to respect the desire; however, if their children have some problems with communication (certain conflicts with classmates), parents are to help resolve certain contradictions. The book, which parents can read and discuss with a child, is Judy Moody by Megan McDonald.
The fourth grade
The specific learning goal (objective):
Social development – As far as fourth-graders care more about what others think about them, a teacher’s task is to help children keep the lines of communication open. Children should be involved into group activities. Thus, a teacher can offer them to make a common project or encourage them playing on a team. Fourth-graders are usually interested in particular issues; so, a teacher can help them to know more about the environment. It is necessary to encourage graders to help others. The book 2030: A Day in the Life of Tomorrow’s Kids written by Amy Zuckerman and Jim Daly will give children an opportunity to become familiar with some social changes.
The fifth grade
The specific learning goal (objective):
General knowledge development – A teacher’s main task is to influence a child’s general worldview. Children are to become familiar with realism issues. Watt Key’s Alabama Moon is recommended for fifth-graders. On the other hand, teachers can also use The Homeless Bird by Gloria Whelan and No Talking by Andrew Clements. The book, which is recommended for home reading, is Do Not Open: An Encyclopedia of the World’s Best-Kept Secrets by John Farndon.