Academic Standards
Learning Objective:
Children will examine how a pika’s behavior in autumn helps it survive the winter.
Science Focus:
animal behavior and characteristics, animal adaptations
Page 4 Skill:
read a map
Vocabulary:
dens, survive
CCSS:
RI.2.1 key details; RI.2.2 identify the main topic; RI.2.4 determine meanings of words; RI.2.5 text features; RI.2.10 read informational texts; RF.2.3 decode words; RF.2.4 read on-level texts; W.2.2 writing; SL.2.1 collaborative conversations; SL.2.3 ask and answer questions
Watch the video
Watch the video
Build background knowledge about winter adaptations by watching “The Coolest Winter Adaptations.” When you’re done, ask: What are some adaptations that help animals survive the winter?
Preview new vocabulary words
Preview new vocabulary words
Project the online vocabulary slideshow and introduce this issue’s featured words.
Set a purpose for reading
Set a purpose for reading
- Have students do a picture walk through the issue, then read and discuss the cover. Ask students what they see happening on the cover. What are students’ predictions?
- Then before turning to page 2, say, “As we read the article, think about what the pika does in the fall to survive the winter."
- Use the Read and Think skill sheet to check comprehension as you read the issue as a class. At each stopping point on the sheet, pause to discuss the questions. Students can fill out the sheet as you go along.
- Then complete the page 4 activity as a group or individually.
- When you’re done reading, do the Dance Break!
- Reading Quiz (skill: comprehension)
- A Letter from Norbert Know-It-All (skill: text evidence/writing)
- Return your letters to [email protected].
- Text-Feature Hunt (skill: nonfiction text features)
- Word Work (skill: vocabulary)
Play the online game: Help the Pika Pick Flowers
(skill: decoding)
Read a paired text: Pikas by Lindsay Shaffer
Grow your Pika knowledge with Pikas by Lindsay Shaffer and learn more about these miniature, mountain-based mammals.
Read an issue from the archive: “Do Foxes Wear Scarves?” (Nov. 2024)
How do other animals survive in winter? Use the issue “Do Foxes Wear Scarves?” (Nov. 2024) to analyze three animals’ body parts and discover how they help them survive the season.