Are dolphins scheduled to be a part of your Pre-K lesson plans? Is your classroom’s library up to par when it comes to books about the delightful creatures? If not, you may want to think about picking up one of these:
“National Geographic Readers: Dolphins”
Melissa Stewart’s “National Geographic Readers: Dolphins” would make a suitable, introductory read aloud. It contains simple, informative text and full color photos that will help to provide the foundation for a science and language arts lesson. Topics touched upon in the text include the dolphin’s physical features and its basic behaviors. Some of the vocabulary words found in the book are calf, mammal, prey and predator.
“Dolphins”
Sylvia M. James’ “Dolphins” is another book with classroom value. Like Stewart’s tome, it provides rudimentary information and clear, color photographs. What it also has going for it is that the text includes references to multiple species of dolphins. Thus, you could utilize it to show the children the depth and breadth of the dolphin family. Some of the species mentioned within the text are Hawaiian spinners, rough-toothed and bottlenose. In addition, the book contains a full color diagram highlighting the dolphin’s basic anatomy. Vocabulary words utilized in the diagram include flukes, flippers and fins.
“Dolphin Talk: Whistles, Clicks, and Clapping Jaws”
Do you plan on mentioning how dolphins communicate? If so, I would definitely recommend checking out Wendy Pfeffer’s tome “Dolphin Talk: Whistles, Clicks, and Clapping Jaws.” It may end up being exactly what you need. The book’s text provides an informative, albeit basic, description of the creature’s communication methods. I would suggest pairing it with an audio CD like “Sounds of Nature: Sounds of the Dolphin” or “Animal World: Dolphin Song.”
“John Denver’s Ancient Rhymes: A Dolphin Lullaby”
If writing an acrostic or ciniquin poem is scheduled to be part of your lesson plan too, you may want to grab a copy of “John Denver’s Ancient Rhymes: A Dolphin Lullaby.” Your students are apt to feel inspired after listening to it. The book contains gorgeous illustrations and the lyrics to a song that the talented artist wrote about the mammals. The lyrics focus on a dolphin’s birth. As such, you could include it as part of a discussion about the creature’s life cycle.
“Story of a Dolphin”
Katherine Orr’s book “Story of a Dolphin” is worth a look as well. Its storyline is based on fact and focuses on a dolphin’s relationship with humans. In my opinion, reading it aloud would be a good way to spur conversations about how the world’s occupants are connected to one another. It could also be used to spark conversations about how creatures communicate. I would suggest pairing it with Jim Arnosky’s book “Dolphins on the Sand.” Its storyline touches upon man’s relationship with the mammals too.
Source: Personal Experience
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Top 5 Places to Swim with the Dolphins in Florida
5 Ways to Keep Kids Safe around Swimming Pools
Hyena Lesson Plan Ideas for Pre-K Teachers
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