Craft Lesson #3

For: 2nd or 3rd graders


Materials: The Giving Tree by: Shel Silverstein, 5 sets of alphabet letters (these can be magnetic, foam, or paper), 5 writing pads (one per table or group)

DISCUSSION

As children learn to read and write many times they can read more words than they can spell. It is our job as teachers to ensure that our students are also focusing on their writing ability and not just their reading. Spelling words helps children learn to sound out words, and also helps them become better readers as well. Many times when these taught teachers tend to focus most of their class time on reading. This craft lesson is a great way to mesh reading and writing together to help strengthen both skills.

HOW TO TEACH IT

Today, we are going to read a book called The Giving Tree. This story describes the importance of a tree to a young boy as he grows up. He visits the tree many times throughout his life and the tree is always giving him something to make the boy’s life better. Now I am going to read The Giving Tree.

Read the whole story to the class.

Now, I am going to break you up into five different groups. (You can number the children off or let them pick their own groups. Try to have about the same number of kids in each group). I want each group to go sit at a table together. On your table you will find a bag of alphabet letters, and a writing pad. In just a second I am going to call out a word and I want you to work with your table and spell the word using the alphabet letters that I have given you. Once you are done raise your hand and I will come check your answer. Once I have checked your answer, each of you needs to write the word once on your writing pad.

The first word is “branches.” (You can choose whatever word you would like from the book).

(Go around to each table as they raise their hands and check their answer. Make sure that each of them is writing the word once on their writing pad.)

The next word is “carried.” (Again, you may choose whatever word you would like).

(Go around to each table as they raise their hands and check their answer. Make sure that each of them is writing the word once on their writing pad.)(Continue this same process for the next 3 words. If you want to do more than 5 words you can. This lesson is flexible and totally up to you. The next 3 words that I chose were: gather, climb, and forest).