Sequencing Snowpeople Lesson Plan: Teaching First, Next, and Last

Submitted by: Mrs. Anne Potteiger, Teacher

Grade Levels: 3-5, K-3

In this lesson plan, which is adaptable for grades K-5, students use BrainPOP Jr. and/or BrainPOP resources to explore sequencing vocabulary (i.e. first, last, next, then, finally, and after that.) Students will work in groups to design a multi-step “snowperson” and write a paragraph sequencing the steps taken to create their snowperson.

Lesson Plan Common Core State Standards Alignments

Students will:

  1. Define sequencing vocabulary (i.e. first, last, next, then, finally, after that)
  2. Work in groups to design a multi-step "snowperson"
  3. Write a paragraph sequencing the steps taken to create their groups' "snowperson"

Materials:

  • Access to BrainPOP
  • Interactive Whiteboard
  • Cottonballs
  • Foam
  • Glue
  • Scissors
  • Construction paper
  • Googley eyes
  • Lined writing paper

Vocabulary:

sequencing, first, last, finally, next, then, after that, time order words, procedure

Preparation:

Choose which of the BrainPOP and/or BrainPOP Jr. movies you would like to use for this lesson: Writing in Sequence for grades 3+, and/or Sequence and How-To Essay for grades K-3. Get the craft materials organized and easily accessible. Divide students into groups.

Lesson Procedure:

  1. Discuss sequencing words and make a chart on paper or an interactive board to review. If using a BrainPOP Jr. movie, the Word Wall is a great tool for interactive vocabulary practice before and after the movie.
  2. Watch the movie and pause to discuss throughout.
  3. Go back to the chart, and add any words that were reviewed in the movie.
  4. Explain that students will be working in groups to build a snowperson (which is similar to how Tim and Moby built their airplane in the 'Writing in Sequence' movie.) Have them write directions using sequencing words.
  5. Explain how groups should think about their snowperson's personality and design them to represent those characteristics (this helps make every groups' snowperson look different.)
  6. Put students in groups of 2-3. Students can be assigned tasks to do in their group (writer, craft retriever, snowperson assembler, etc.) Have students work together to create a snowperson and write about the procedure they used.
  7. When students finish the assignment, they may take turns exploring the BrainPOP resources associated with the movie topic.
  8. Have students share their snowpeople and read their paragraphs to the class.
  9. Publish by displaying in hallway, classroom, or on a class website/blog.
  10. Use the additional fun, interactive features to reinforce the concept of sequencing over the next few days.

Related:

    Filed as:  3-5, CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RI.1.8, CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RI.2.8, CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RI.K.8, CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.1.3, CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.2.3, CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.3.3, CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.K.3, Comprehension, English, K-3, Sequence, Writing, Writing In Sequence