A guide for using our resources

Students will identify ways that elephants use their body to stay safe under the hot sun and compare this with how people stay safe from the sun.

Vocabulary: trunk, hydrate, molt

Science Focus: animal adaptations

CCSS (and states that have similar standards): RI.1.1 key details; RI.1.2 identify main topic; RF.1.2 phonological awareness; RF.1.3 digraphs; SL.1.1 collaborative conversations; L.1.6 use new vocabulary; W.1.8 recall information

Simple, spectacular ideas to boost your lessons.

• Jabari is determined and prepared to jump off the diving board—until he gets to the very top! Students will relate to the main character as he attempts to overcome his fear.

• Draw a Venn diagram and label the circles: elephants and people. As you read, think about how elephants stay cool and safe in the heat. Do people do that too? Write down ideas in the Venn diagram to show similarities and diff erences.

• Find and highlight words that begin with the tr- sound. Use a different color to highlight all the words that begin with th-.

Skill: predicting, observing

Materials: dark construction paper, sunscreen, paintbrush, Sunscreen Observations skill sheet, pencil

• Observe the effectiveness of sunscreen with this activity!
• Give each student a piece of dark construction paper and ask them to fold it in half. Students can label one half “with sunscreen” and the other half “no sunscreen.”
• Provide students with some sunscreen in a dish or plate. Have them use their paintbrush to paint a picture on the “with sunscreen” side of their construction paper. Be sure to remind students to not add any sunscreen to the other half!
• Place the paper in direct sunlight for at least two hours.
• Give students their Sunscreen Observations skill sheet and answer the first two questions.
• After at least two hours, bring the paintings back and have students answer the last two questions.
• Students may notice that their painting is still dark and the rest of the paper is faded!