Page 2 - Kind News, Jr. Teacher Guide, Nov/Dec 2022

COMMON CORE, NEXT GENERATION SCIENCE STANDARDS (NGSS), AND CASEL-ALIGNED ACTIVITIES

Kindergarten: NGSS K-LS1-1. Use observations to describe patterns of what plants and animals
(including humans) need to survive. CASEL Core Competency: Self-Awareness

To go with Pet Corner and Curiosity Corner: After reading the articles, ask students if they have ever seen a
rabbit. Was the rabbit a pet rabbit or a wild one? How could they tell? What did the animal look like? How did
they behave? Ask students what animals need to survive. Discuss characteristics of pets and of wild animals.
What are some reasons why pet rabbits could not live in the wild? Can they think of another animal that can be
both wild and a pet? To extend the activity, play a game to see if the students can tell pets from wild animals.
“Pet or Wild?” game ideas:

• Write characteristics of wild animals on a set of cards. • Show videos of wild animals and pets, and see if
Do the same for pets on another set. Mix them up, students can guess what type of animal they are.
draw cards, and have students tell you “Pet” or
“Wild” for each card (or display visually on a physical
board or Smart Board).

First grade: CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.1.1 Ask and answer questions
about key details in a text. CASEL Core Competencies:
Self-Awareness, Social Awareness
To go with “Day of the Dog”: After reading the story, ask students to think
of the holidays they celebrate. What is their favorite holiday? Why does that
holiday mean so much to them? Then ask students if they have seen the
movie Coco. What is the Día de Muertos/Day of the Dead? Do they think it
sounds fun to celebrate? Why or why not? Can they think of any similarities
between Día de Muertos and their favorite holiday? To extend the activity,
ask students to share about a special holiday or celebration they have with
their family. Students can bring in pictures or write a short summary of what the
holiday is and what it means to them. To extend the activity, have the whole class
participate in a day where students share about their cultures
and family traditions.

Second grade: CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.2.1 Participate in collaborative conversations with diverse
partners about grade two topics and texts with peers and adults in small and larger groups.
CASEL Core Competencies: Responsible Decision-Making, Social Awareness
To go with DIY: “Thank your local shelter, humane society, or sponsor!” and the Animal Shelter Appreciation
Month crossword: After completing the crossword and reading the DIY, discuss the role of animal shelters in the
community with students. Why are the shelters there? What animals do they help? Why? Then, lead students in
writing thank-you notes to their local animal shelter. After completing the letters, brainstorm some other ways
they can help shelters in their area. Ideas might include:
• Conduct a drive for pet food and/or other supplies
• Make toys for dogs and cats to donate to the shelter
• Draw pictures or create fliers directing people who are looking for a pet
to adopt from the shelter

To extend the activity, contact your local shelter to determine their needs and
organize a class service-learning project. You might encourage families to
help individually as well, and ask those students to share what they are doing
with their classmates.
Where’s Raja?
RAJA IS HIDING ON PAGE 8!