ALEX Learning Activity

The teacher will begin the activity with a read-aloud of A House for Hermit Crab by Eric Carle. Next, the teacher will allow students to use the text features, specifically illustrations, in the picture book to describe the plot of the story. Then, the teacher will lead students on a "nature walk" around the school to collect items to create an imaginary house. Lastly, the students will design an imaginary home using the natural objects found on their walk while individually following sequential steps.

This activity was created as a result of the Arts COS Resource Development Summit.

The students will identify text features (illustrations) in a picture book.

Students will use text features (illustrations) to locate details about the plot of the story.

The students will follow sequential steps to create works of art to create an imaginary home. 

The students will create artwork using found objects. 

1. The teacher should perform a read-aloud of A House for Hermit Crab by Eric Carle. The teacher can also use an online read-aloud, such as the digital tool provided. 

2. After reading the story one time, the teacher should read the story again, stopping after each page to create a sequential list of objects Hermit Crab added to his home. The teacher should ask for student volunteers to help create the list. For example: First, Hermit Crab added a sea anemone to his house. Second, Hermit Crab added a sea star to his house. 

3. After creating the list, the teacher should group students into pairs. The partners should take turns retelling the plot of the story to their partner using the teacher's chart to help guide their retelling. 

4. The teacher should explain to students that they will be creating an imaginary home using objects they find around their school. The teacher should take the students on a "nature walk" around the school grounds to collect objects. Note: The teacher should set behavior expectations for the nature walk prior to beginning the activity. The teacher may wish to arrange for additional adults to supervise during the nature walk. The teacher could set parameters for the objects students are allowed to collect, such as "You may only collect objects that are smaller than your hand" and "You may only collect five items".  

5. After returning from the nature walk, the students should create a sequential list of the items they will add to their imaginary home artwork using the Creating a House Guide Sheet. This sheet will require students to make a list of the items they will use to create their imaginary home.

6. The students should then create their imaginary home using the objects found on the nature walk. 

To ensure students have met the stated learning objectives the teacher should:

• listen to student conversations while retelling the story to ensure students comprehended the details of the plot of A House for Hermit Crab and referred to illustrations in the text to support their explanations.
• review each student's Creating a House Guide Sheet to check for student understanding of sequential steps. 
• examine each student's imaginary house created from the materials found on the nature walk. 

The teacher will need access to the picture book A House for Hermit Crab by Eric Carle (available on Amazon or at other retailers). Alternatively, the teacher can use an online read-aloud, like the digital tool provided.

The teacher will need access to an interactive whiteboard, a traditional whiteboard, or chart paper. The teacher should make a copy of the Creating a House Guide Sheet for each student.

The teacher should ensure there is an area close to the school grounds for a nature walk.