Short Description
In this lesson plan we use the book Otters at home by Alex Lane as a basis for the reading activities. The pupils will practice reading and writing, watch videos about otters, use common verbs in a different context, discuss similarities in vocabulary between Norwegian and English, practice following instructions, etc.
Competence Aims in K06
Language learning
- find words and phrases that are common to English and one’s native language
- use digital resources in experiencing the language
Oral communication
- listen for and use English phonemes through practical-aesthetic forms of expression
- listen to and understand basic instructions in English
- listen to and understand words and expressions in English nursery rhymes, word games, songs, fairy tales and stories
Written communication
- recognize the relation between some English phonemes and spelling patterns
- experiment with reading and writing English words, expressions and basic sentences related to local surroundings and own interests
Culture, society and literature
- express own experiences from English nursery rhymes, word games, songs, fairy tales and stories
Teaching Objectives
The plan should enable the pupils to
- practice and improve reading and writing skills
- use common verbs in a different context
- practise simple language patterns: “This is a/an ….” and “It can …”
- discuss similarities in vocabulary between Norwegian and English
- practice following instructions
- practice exchanging information
Resources
- Book: Otters at Home by Alex Lane can be bought from The Book Depository.co.uk
- Videos (National Geographic): An overview of different animal videos
- Activities (National Geographic): The River Otter
Preparations
- Decide upon the activities from the suggestions or use other sources
- Prepare/collect the materials for the selected activities
- Check the websites and select the most suitable
- Book the computer room and set up links to the selected websites
Plan of Lessons
Pre-reading
- Activity 1: Introduction - Sing the alphabet song. This links what they are going to do to something they are familiar with.
- Activity 2: Alphabet - Show the class the letter ‘O’ and have them say it and do the letter search activity. Ask if they know the names of the animals at the side of the word search.
- Activity 3: Otter puzzle. They can work in pairs or groups to put together the puzzle. This is an online activity, which can later be used for other letters of the alphabet. Such activities will be familiar to most pupils and they can be grouped so as to encourage peer teaching.
- Activity 4: Answer questions – It is important to determine the existing knowledge of the pupils by asking questions. These should be asked in simple English, using body language to make the meaning clear: Has anyone (gesture to include the class) ever seen (hold up hands to eyes to indicate looking) an otter (point to picture)? If the answer is yes, the pupil could tell the class about otters (in Norwegian).
Reading
- Activity 1: Pictures. Gather the children around and show them the pictures. Instead of reading the text immediately, ask the children to say (in English if possible) what the otter is doing in each picture. Write the words on the board or a flip chart as the pupils say them – both Norwegian and English. Stress that some of the words sound similar but are spelled differently (swim / fish), while others are very different (run / play).
- Activity 2: Reading aloud. The teacher can then read the book to the pupils, asking if they can translate each statement into Norwegian to check that they have understood the meaning. This is also a good opportunity to practice pronouncing the /ð/ sound in ‘This’ by repeating the statements.
- Activity 3: Individual and pair reading. The pupils can then read the story themselves, first alone, then to a partner.
Post-reading
- Activity 1: Grammar. It is then possible to practice the grammar structures in the book: ‘This is…’ and ‘… can.’ Link this grammar practice to a revision of previously learned animal names by showing the pupils pictures of the familiar animals (1). A set of cards can be produced with the pictures (2) and, playing in groups, pupils can draw cards and practice e.g. “This is a dog. Dogs can run and play”.
- Activity 2: Memory game. The pupils can play a card game that will teach them the vocabulary for other sea creatures that otters eat. A template with pictures and names of these creatures and instructions for playing the games are available at the Monterey Bay Aquarium website. Since the level of vocabulary is too high for pupils at this level, the names on the cards should be replaced by simpler and more transparent terms and only the most familiar creatures included: crabs, snails, shellfish, star fish.
Follow- up
Otter crafts – The ability to read and follow instructions is also an important skill, and pupils can practice this by making a model of an otter. Since there may be unfamiliar vocabulary here, for example ‘glue’, it may be necessary to go through the instructions orally with the class, indicating what is expected. An alternative activity would be to make an otter puppet. The puppet can then be used in a puppet show either based on the initial sentences learned or using the otter food cards and the statements such as: “Otters like to eat …”.
Writing – The template for a “Wild about Otters” book is available on the Monterey Bay Aquarium website. While the activities suggested for this book are rather advanced for pupils at this level, the book format may nevertheless be useful for a writing activity. Pupils can colour and paste in the otter stickers and perhaps copy or write a word/sentence about otters.
Comments
Differentiation: More advanced pupils may also benefit from additional reading; for example, the online multimodal text on the Monterey Bay Aquarium website. Much of the vocabulary will be unfamiliar, but the written text is supplemented by the storyteller and the pictures. The aquarium also has a live web cam site.
More advanced readers can enjoy reading the picture book Never Lonely Again by Hans Wilhelm about the friendship between a squirrel and an otter. The book can be read online from the International Children's Digital Library
These lessons can develop into a larger project incorporating several subjects: Music, Arts and Crafts, Social Studies, and Natural Science. Otters can be a good starting point to talk about taking care of the enviroment.
Sources
This storybook belongs to stage 1+ in Aschehoug’s reading series: Project X. Project X is a unique reading series in English that consists of level-differentiated small books designed for children on the 1st to 7th. step. In the series you will find both fiction and non-fiction titles. The small books are organized into eight themes, with five books for each theme. Project X has been developed in collaboration with Oxford University Press.
Developed by
Barbara Blair, Bergen University College
Revised by Fremmedspråksenteret 2019.