Introduction
What is a calendar? What are calendars used for?
A calendar is used to show days, weeks and months of the year. Calendars can be used as a way of scheduling activities, holidays, events.
Have the students locate where the calendar is located in the classroom. Once the students have located the calendar have them point out characteristics of a calendar such as the name of the month, the number of days, the days in a week (Monday, Tuesday, etc.)
Task
The first task is to teach the students the days of the week. Once the students know the names of the days of the week, have them place the days of the week in order. Then the students should learn how many weeks are in a month, how many months are in a year, and that the names of each month is.
Process
To teach the students the days of the week by either reading the novel the "Very Hungry Caterpillar" by Eric Carle or "Today is Monday" by Eric Carle. Then as a class create a calendar of what was eaten on what day. If the students are still struggling with the names of days of the week, teach them the days of the week song. If there is time use poster that allows the days of weeks to be rearranged and have the students correctly put the days of the week in order. Then teach the students should learn how many days are in a week and how many weeks are in a month. This can be by using the days of the week song, while the teacher is singing the song have the students count out each day of the week on their fingers. Then sing the song again as a class while the teacher points out every day of the week on the calendar. When point out to that there are multiple Mondays, Tuesday, etc. to the students and explain this is why. Then read the novel "A Child's Calendar" by John Updike to teach the students about the different months. The teacher should create a handout that has the names of the months and space below for the students to draw a description of the month. Once all the months have a description have the students cut each name out and have them place the months in order. Once the students are done have them switch places with another student to check one another's work, then have them switch back. Then as a class go over the order that the months should be in. If the students are still struggling create a months of the year song as a class.
Evaluation
Grading scale: 4 3 2 1
Task:
Student participated ask and only helped/ Didn't ask or
answer cooperated others answer questions and
questions OR didn't help/ cooperate
and helped/ only asked or with others
cooperate others questions
Conclusion
The students have worked hard and now should know the days of the week, the number of days in a week (7), the number of weeks in a month (4), and the names of each month.
Credits
Carle, E. (1979). The very hungry caterpillar. New York, New York: Collins.
Carle, E. (1997). Today is Monday. New York, New York: PaperStar.
Updike, J., & Hyman, T. (2004). A child's calendar. New York, New York: Holiday House.