If You Meet a Dinosaur Book (Adapted from If You Meet a Dragon by Joy Cowley)
- Grades: PreK–K
- Unit Plan:
- Make a dinosaur using a template.
- Decorate a dinosaur using dot art paint.
- Read and track text of "If You Meet a Dinosaur."
- Black 12" X 18" construction paper
- Variety of brightly colored 12" X 18" construction paper
- Dot art paint (various colors)
- Large feather, small feathers for students
- 3" X 3" square of any color paper. This will be used to make a pocket for the feather.
- Wiggly eyes
- Dinosaur templates made out of file folders to be used to trace on
- 12" X 18" sheets. (Templates should be 9" X 11")
- Teacher-made triplex of black 12" X 18" construction paper. This is made by laying the three pieces of construction paper end to end like train cars. This will make a 12" X 54" line of paper. Leaving a little space between the papers for a hinge, Scotch tape along the seam the 12" edge of the first paper to the second. Now tape the free 12" edge of the second paper to the third. Turn your long paper over and tape the same seams on the front. Using the Scotch tape seam as the bend point, fold the right hand piece over the center piece. Then fold the left hand piece over the center piece. The result is a closed triplex that is 12" X 18".
The 3" X 3" pocket will go in the center of the front cover. The following sentences can be typed in a large font and run off on a copy machine. Cut out the sentences individually and paste the first four sentences on the inside front cover. Open the right hand page. The dinosaur picture will go on the center piece and the last three sentences will go on the inside of the right hand piece. When the triplex is totally open, it will show the first four sentences, the dinosaur, and the last three sentences.
- If you meet a dinosaur .
- Tickle his back.
- Tickle his nose.
- Tickle his legs.
- Tickle his toes.
- Tickle his tail.
- Tickle his chin and that will be the end of him.
Set Up and Prepare
Arrange each working table with these materials to share: dinosaur templates, colored construction paper 12" X 18", dot art paint, wiggly eyes, and glue.
Step 1: Read sample books to your class using a feather to tickle the body parts depicted in the text.
Step 2: Have students pick the template of the dinosaur they would like to make.
Step 3: Trace the template on the desired color of construction paper.
Step 4: Cut out the dinosaur. Paint it with dot art.
Step 5: Glue on wiggly eye and let dry.
Day 2 (Teacher Prep)
Mount finished dinosaurs onto black 12" x 18" construction paper.
Day 2 (Students)
Step 1: Show students their dinosaurs, which should be waiting for them to finish the sentences for the triplex book.
Step 2: Have students cut out and paste down the first four sentences on black 12" X 18" construction paper.
Step 3: Have the students cut and paste down the next three sentences on another 12" X 18" piece of black construction paper.
Step 4: As students work, chant the sentences.
Step 5: Send students who have finished their sentences to another table to have the three pieces (sentences, dinosaur, sentences) taped together. Leave the triplex flat to dry.
Day 3 (Teacher Prep)
Fold the triplex for each student. On the front cover, glue the 3" x 3" square on three sides to make a pocket. Make sure the opening faces up.
Day 3: (Students)
Step 1: Pass out the students' triplex books and give each student a feather to put in the pocket.
Step 2: Have students read their book using the feather to track the words. Ask decoding questions and have the students tickle the answer.
- Have one student pretend to be the dinosaur and have another student be the tickler with a giant feather. The rest of the class will read the text out loud and the tickler and the dinosaur will act it out. The tickler will pick the next tickler by passing on the feather. The dinosaur will pick the next dinosaur and repeat the process.
- Change the text using specific names of dinosaurs.
Read your" If You Meet a Dinosaur" tickle book to three people at school or at home.
- How many students can re-read the text?
- Are students proud of their books?
- Were students able to use the dinosaur template?
- Were students able to track the text in the story?
- Were students able to dramatize the story?