Christmas Owls: One-Class Research Activities & Read-aloud Lesson

This holiday-themed activity goes along with a read-aloud about Rockefeller (or Rocky) the owl. Rocky was found in the Rockefeller Center Christmas tree in 2020, and her rehabilitation and release inspired several picture books. One-Class Research activities are a no-pressure way for young elementary students to explore and begin using the library’s online resources.

After listening to the book, students learn more about owls using Pebble Go, World Book Kids, Britannica Kids (free or paid version), or the National Geographic Kids website. This is not a complete research lesson, but a very first introduction and exploration for kindergarten through 3rd grade students to the library resources. Keywords to type in the search bar are provided and pre-researched, so students are guaranteed to find what they are looking for.

Please note: This activity is a secular Christmas activity. There is no mention of religious celebrations or traditions, and there are no other December holidays discussed.

Recommended books: “The Christmas Owl” by Ellen Kalish and Gideon Sterer, or
“The Little Owl and the Big Tree” by Jonah and Jeannette Winters are high-quality picture books to read aloud with this lesson.

This research lesson has 26 total pages & slides, and includes:

• Five (5) Printable One-Class Research Activities
  • Editable in Microsoft PowerPoint
  • 4 different versions for students to use a single online resource – PebbleGo, World Book Kids online encyclopedia, Britannica Kids online encyclopedia, and National Geographic Kids website.
  • 1 version lets students choose from all 4 resources listed above
  • Includes space for students to write a new fact they learned.
  • Printed 2 per sheet of 8.5″ x 11″ letter-size paper.
  • Full color and black & white versions
• Five (5) Digital One-Class Research Activities
  • Editable in Google Slides
  • 4 different versions that use a single online resource, just like the printable version
  • 1 version lets students choose from all 4 resources, like in the printable version
  • Additional resource graphics are included to customize the activity to what you have access to. (e.g. BrainPOP, Wonderopolis, DK Find Out, ebooks, etc.)
• Comprehensive, Editable Lesson Plan in Google Docs for kindergarten, 1st grade, 2nd grade, and 3rd grade, including:
  • 2018 AASL National School Library Standards for Learners, and
  • National Common Core ELA Standards,
  • Objectives or learning targets,
  • Essential questions,
  • Assessment,
  • Materials & preparation,
  • Lesson procedure, and
  • Reflection.
• Teacher Notes and Video Directions to show you how to use this activity in an online learning platform, such as Google Classroom or SeeSaw.

Nonfiction books can be used instead of online resources if your students don’t have 1:1 devices or reliable Internet access.

VIEW THE PREVIEW for more details and screenshots of the product contents.

Standards Addressed:

AASL National School Library Standards – See the AASL Standards Framework for Learners to view full text.

• Inquire – C.1 – D.1.
• Collaborate – A.1. – A.2. – B.1. – D.1.
• Curate – C.1.
• Explore – A.1. – A.3. – C.1.

Common Core English Language Arts Standards –
© Copyright 2010 National Governors Association Center for Best Practices and Council of Chief State School Officers. All rights reserved.

• CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RF.K.4 – CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RF.1.4 – CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RF.2.4 – CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RF.3.4
• CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RI.K.10 – CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RI.1.10 – CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RI.2.10 – CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RI.3.10
• CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RI.1.5 – CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RI.2.5 – CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RI.3.5
• CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.K.10 – CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.1.10 – CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.2.10 – CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.3.10
• CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.K.7 – CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.1.7 – CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.2.7 –  CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.3.7
• CCSS.ELA-Literacy.SL.K.1 – CCSS.ELA-Literacy.SL.1.1 – CCSS.ELA-Literacy.SL.2.1

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