5 Fun Teaching Ideas for a Squirrel Theme

With fall coming, it’s the perfect time for teaching with a squirrel theme. During the fall, one thing that I find just fascinating is to watch squirrels flit around collecting nuts. This fascination with squirrels kind of started with our dog, Shadow, a golden retriever we had up until three years ago.  You see, Shadow was determined to catch one of those little furry beasts, but he was just too slow. He’d chase them right up the tree and then just turn and look at me as if to say, “Do something!” Anyway, kids love watching them too, and as fall comes, a squirrel week might be lots of fun.

book recommendations for a squirrel Theme

Of course, when I think about squirrels, my favorite series by far is the Scaredy Squirrel series. Who wouldn’t love scaredy squirrel?  The vocabulary is rich. The plot is entertaining, and the character development??  Well, scaredy squirrel is scared of EVERYTHING.  If you love scaredy squirrel, you might check out these resources to go with it. Just click the images below to download the activities.

nuts to You by lois ehlert:

Another favorite from this list is Nuts to You. Lois Ehlert is a wonderful author to study in the fall, and Nuts to You shares how and why squirrels gather nuts. These books are best for late first grade to early second grade level. The unit to the right is free for Thursday only. The Lois Ehlert Author Study I have includes Nuts to You, Growing Vegetable Soup, Waiting on Wings, and Feathers for Lunch. [HERE] is the link for it.

aCTIVITY IDEAS FOR A SQUIRREL THEME:

Kids really do love watching squirrels, and there are many activities that you can enjoy whether you spend a full week or just a few days. Here are a few resources you might check out.

I love these squirrely story starters.  They can be used with journals for all ages. I think they can be used as a stand alone or as a book companion. As you work with the Nuts to You unit, you will also research squirrels as part of the unit, and I’d encourage an equal amount of nonfiction and fiction as well as poetry.  [HERE] is the link to squirrel poetry on Can Teach Songs and Poems.

Tech Ideas with a squirrel theme:

Teaching kids about squirrels habits and what they eat are important. Below, you’ll find a few video clips you might share with your kids.

what squirrels eat and their habits

Where squirrels live and species

other thematic posts you might like;

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5 fun teaching ideas for a squirrel theme

Carla

Carla is a licensed reading specialist with 27 years of experience in the regular classroom (grades 1, 4, and 5), in Title 1 reading, as a tech specialists, and a literacy coach. She has a passion for literacy instruction and meeting the needs of the individual learner.

This Post Has 2 Comments

  1. I love Scaredy Squirrel! Your Pinterest board of supplemental resources and craftivities is awesome too!
    Thanks for a one-stop spot for lesson planning every Thursday! Your hard work and pulling together of such a nice variety of resources is truly appreciated, and such a time-saver!
    ~Jennifer

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