5 ideas for Language Arts unit

Option 1
I'm thinking of doing a unit with my kindergarteners for the literacy unit surrounding the ocean. Students can learn about the many creatures in the ocean. They then can use a paint program and draw pictures of the many animals. Then saving the pictures that class can create a video. They can each do voiceovers for their pictures telling the story of that animal. We can then publish the video onto a site such as youtube. The students will be able to share their knowledge with others while having a ton of fun in all the work they have accomplished to do this project.

Option 2
Another option is for students when they are studying the weather. Student can first be exposed to different books about many different kinds of weather. Then students can take trips to the computer lab and using kids inspiration create a web using pictures of the many weather conditions and how they are related. This will probably be a bit tricky for kindergarteners so it will take a few sessions to exposed students to the program. Then I would probably have students make a hard copy of the web before starting the project.

Option 3
Another option is students can work in small groups each reading a simple story. They can act out that story while being recorded. Students could work on simple fairy tales and stories like Mrs. Wishy Washy and the Three Billy Goats Gruff. They can make sets and get costumes together. After we have recorded their show they can add music for the introduction and conclusion. To display their work we can publish the movie online and or have a neighboring class come into the classroom to watch the finished product with their fellow peers. I have never done this before and I think it would be a fantastic experience for me to learn how to do. Since I am very involved in theatre and music it would be a great way to connect my interests into the classroom.

Option 4
When students are studying dinosaurs I feel that students can read short stories about dinosaurs. After they have a basic idea about what a dinosaur is and a few types I hope to have them use their creativity. I think a great was for them to continue their writing is to have students write their own little short story about a dinosaur. They can write about how dinosaurs died, or a day in the life of a dinosaur. After students have written their story we cold travel to the computer center and have student type their stories. The typing may take a little time. After typing their story students can wither print their story and hand draw pictures or find pictures and paste them to tell the story of their dinosaur.

Option 5
Lastly when students learn about plants and spring I have a project planed. It will probably take a longer time than 2 weeks. I remember being in elementary school and growing plants. It was an amazing feeling to take care of a living thing. For this project I was thinking students could plant flowers. Everyday students will take photos for their plant. After the plants have grown students can take their photos we will create a mini movie of the growth of a plant. Along with the plant students can also read books about plants. I think what would be really interesting for this project would be to give students a variety of plants flowers and vegetables. Students can write a little story about how they took care of their plant. I really think this would be a fun project because I have always wanted to watch plants grow and by taking photos students will really be able to see the process the plant made over the amount of time.