Objective: Students will be able to create farm themed stories using proper handwriting techniques.

AK.W.1.1. Writing: The student writes about a topic by: (E.A.1, E.A.2, E.A.4)

AK.W.1.2. Writing: The student writes for a variety of purposes and audiences by: (E.A.4)

[K] 1.3.6. Approximating legible handwriting (i.e., correct spacing, letter formation, and pencil grip).

 

Assessments:

Creation of legible written short descriptions of farm animals and activities.

 

Materials Needed:

Old McDonald Action Song Video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A9QgjF2jq0s

Spaghetti and Meatball handwriting card

Farm animal cutouts

Farm writing pages

Whiteboard

Writing utensils

 

 

Plan of Attack (20-30 min lesson):

• Gather students on the rug, and watch the Old McDonald video while acting out the motions.

  Consider watching/acting out the video more than once depending on time

• After the video, have a seat on the carpet and brainstorm some of the animals from Old McDonald’s farm

• Write the names of these animals clearly on the board, have students read the letters in unison afterwards

• Place some examples of the animals mentioned on the board next to their word

  Consider writing other useful words on the board, like “farm” “mud” etc. (Student generated)

• Place the spaghetti and meatball diagram for writing on board/easel

  • Make sure to be clear that we do not have to draw actual meatballs on our papers. 

  • Hand out invisible meatballs and spaghetti to use when writing

• Write an example story, that is more than just “I like pigs” using the spaghetti system.

• Target writings should be about 2 sentences.

• Pass out writing papers, and animal cards

• Circle the room, helping with spelling

• When students finish early, they are allowed to create Farm animal puppets with the templates

  • Helpful hint when cutting out the eyes of the masks/puppets: Fold paper in halfthrough the eyes,           and then cut out the 1/2 circles