Herbivores, Carnivores, and Omnivores (Thursday)

This morning we discussed the names animals are called because of the things they eat. Many of the students struggled with the large words. We brainstormed the names of the dinosaurs they know, then looked up online a picture of that dinosaur and if it was a herbivore, a carnivore, or an omnivore. Some of the students were very interested to know which dinosaur was like them- an omnivore. I explained that because dinosaurs lived so long ago that it is hard for us to know now what they were like. I did pull up one dinosaur and explained how the dinosaurs teeth were a bit like ours and how scientists believe they ate both plants and animals. The dino is called a Heterodonotosaurus. This was the database we used: http://www.kidsdinos.com/dinosaurs-for-children.php?dinosaur=Heterodontosaurus

The students then completed a letter H maze where they colored the big letter H one color and the little letter h a different color. We have done these mazes in the past but I try to put a different twist on them to work on patterns, colors, numbers, etc. as well.

We then worked on our pattern skills by cutting and pasting on the next dinosaur in a pattern. I enjoyed this worksheet because it was more than just the ABAB pattern and it let them think about variances in a pattern a little more. Some of the students finished faster that others so they got to choose between lacing boards or pattern sticks with me. These are two of the different activities I have for students during transition times/waiting periods for other kids to finish up. 

After snack and outside time we once again discussed biggest and smallest. We reenacted the activity where the students sorted who was biggest (tallest) or smallest (shortest). We had a good time laughing at each other trying to be one or the other. (At one point I tried being the smallest but I'll spare you that picture!) In this picture one of the girls rolled into a ball so she could be the smallest in the class. 

Yesterday I introduced a favorite song of mine- The Dinosaur Dance. The kids love acting out the words to the song, especially when it comes time to ROAR and then stop and freeze. I got some fun pictures of them all dancing around- some of them blurry, I wonder why?! :)