Lesson: Dinosaur Tag & Read Aloud

Objective:

• To introduce young learners to basic locomotor skills.
• To teach them about dinosaurs and what paleontologists do in a fun and interactive way.

Grades: K-2

Lesson plan adapted from Tweet by Coach Cooper

Our K-2 dinosaur tag was so fun! 🦖🦕 We talked about—
•Dino moves (locomotor skills)
•What Paleontologists are & what they do

🦕Dino taggers
🪨Become a fossil when tagged
🔎 Paleontologist dig you up to enter back

We ended with a 🦕🦖 read allowed for our cool down!📖 pic.twitter.com/or99jAMcS7

— Coach Cooper (@coachcooper33) October 8, 2023

Materials:

• Open play area (like a gym or playground).
• Marking cones or boundaries.
• Soft objects (to represent fossils).
• A picture or model of a dinosaur.
• A children’s book about dinosaurs.

Duration:
Approximately 30 minutes.

Introduction (5 minutes):

• Begin with a short discussion about dinosaurs. Show the children a picture or model of a dinosaur.
• Explain that today, they will learn about dinosaurs and play a fun game called “Dinosaur Tag.”

Warm-Up (5 minutes):

• Lead the children in a simple warm-up exercise to prepare for the game (e.g., stretching, jumping jacks, or a quick run).

Dinosaur Tag Game (15 minutes):

• Define the rules of the game:
• Designate some children as “Dino taggers.” They will wear a dinosaur hat or a small dino picture.
• Other children will be “dino runners.”
• Use cones or boundaries to create a play area.
• When a dino tagger tags a dino runner, the runner becomes a “fossil” by lying down on the ground.
• The “paleontologist” (teacher or another student) will pretend to “dig up” the fossils and bring them back into the game.

Discussion (5 minutes):

• After the game, gather the children and have a discussion about the game and what they’ve learned.
• Discuss locomotor skills and how they used them during the game.

Cool Down (5 minutes):

• Finish with a cool-down activity. This is also a great time for a story.
• Read a dinosaur-themed children’s book to the children.

Conclusion:

• Recap what they’ve learned about dinosaurs and paleontologists during the lesson.
• Encourage questions and discussion.

Extension Activity:

• As an optional extension, you can provide coloring sheets or worksheets related to dinosaurs for the children to complete.

This lesson plan combines physical activity with learning and is designed to keep young children engaged while teaching them about dinosaurs and the basics of paleontology. It’s essential to keep the activities age-appropriate and fun to make learning enjoyable for the K-2 age group.

Adaptation Considerations

In order to adapt the dinosaur-themed lesson for kids with special needs, consider individualized instruction, such as using visual supports like visual schedules and cues. Be mindful of sensory sensitivities, provide simplified language, offer choices and flexibility within activities, and use assistive technology if applicable. Additionally, ensure communication with parents or caregivers to understand each child’s specific needs and promote an inclusive atmosphere by encouraging all students to use inclusive language.