Resources for Teachers & Parents
Free lesson plans for preschool, pre-k, kindergarten, and 1st grade
Lesson 1: Understanding the Story and Problem/Solution
Grade Level: Kindergarten / 1st Grade
Focus: Reading comprehension and story elements
Standards
- CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.K.3 / RL.1.3: Identify characters, settings, and major events in a story.
- CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.K.2 / RL.1.2: Retell familiar stories, including key details, and demonstrate understanding of their central message.
Objectives
Students will:
- Identify main characters, setting, and the problem/solution in Crocodile Parade.
- Retell the story using sequencing words (first, next, then, last).
- Discuss how characters solve problems peacefully.
Materials
- Crocodile Parade by Amy Ajax
- Chart paper and markers
- Story sequencing cards (characters, parade, argument, sharing day)
- Sticky notes
Activity
1. Before Reading:
- Show the book cover and ask: “What do you think this story might be about?”
- Introduce key vocabulary: parade, share, argue, celebrate.
2. During Reading:
- Stop at the conflict part—ask: “What is the problem between the crocodiles and bears?”
- Predict how they might solve it.
3. After Reading:
- Work as a class to fill out a chart:
- Characters: crocodiles, bears, children
- Setting: the parade day
- Problem: two parades are scheduled for the same day
- Solution: they decide to their two parades into one huge parade
- Students retell the story using sequencing words.
Accommodations
- ELLs: Use picture cards and gestures when introducing vocabulary.
- Students with fine motor needs: Allow use of sequencing cards instead of writing.
- Advanced learners: Write a sentence describing how the young animals helped solve the problem.
Lesson 2: Writing About Friendship and Cooperation
Grade Level: Kindergarten / 1st Grade
Focus: Writing about story themes
Standards
- CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.K.1 / W.1.1: Use a combination of drawing, dictating, and writing to compose opinion pieces or informative texts.
- CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.K.2 / RL.1.2: Retell familiar stories and identify the lesson or moral.
Objectives
Students will:
- Identify the story’s moral about sharing and cooperation.
- Write or dictate a response explaining how they can share or solve a problem like the characters.
Materials
- Chart paper
- Writing journals or half-sheet story paper
- Crayons, pencils
- Anchor chart titled “Ways to Cooperate”
Activity
1. Discussion:
- Review the story: “How did the crocodiles and bears fix their problem?”
- Create a class list of ways to share and work together.
2. Writing Activity:
- Students write or draw an answer to: “I can share with others by…” or “When I have a problem, I can…”
- Encourage details or a drawing that matches their sentence.
3. Sharing:
- Have students share their writing with a partner or small group.
- Create a “We Can Work Together!” class book from their pages.
Accommodations
- ELLs: Provide sentence stems: “I can share by ___.” “I help others when ___.”
- Students needing support: Allow oral dictation or drawing instead of writing.
- Advanced learners: Write two sentences explaining a real-life example of teamwork.
Lesson 3: Character Puppet Parade
Grade Level: Preschool/ Pre-K/ Kindergarten/ 1st Grade
Focus: Retelling through art and performance
Standards
- CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.K.9 / RL.1.9: Compare and contrast characters’ experiences and responses to events.
- CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.K.4 / SL.1.4: Describe familiar people, places, and things with detail.
Objectives
Students will:
- Create crocodile and bear puppets representing the main characters.
- Use puppets to retell and act out Crocodile Parade, showing how the characters solved their problem.
Materials
- Crocodile Parade by Amy Ajax
- Brown paper lunch bags or craft sticks
- Construction paper, glue, crayons, scissors
- Yarn, googly eyes, and scrap fabric (optional)
- Space for a “Puppet Parade Stage” (desk or table)
Activity
1. Review:
- Discuss how the crocodiles and bears changed from arguing to sharing.
- Show examples of simple paper-bag or stick puppets.
2. Puppet Creation:
- Students choose to make a crocodile, bear, or one of the children.
- Decorate the puppet with craft materials and add name tags.
3. Puppet Parade Performance:
- In groups, students retell the story using their puppets.
- Encourage them to include the problem, what the children said, and how they solved it together.
- End with a “shared parade” of all the puppets walking together.
Accommodations
- Students with fine motor needs: Provide pre-cut shapes or help with gluing.
- ELLs: Practice puppet lines with visuals and teacher modeling.
- Advanced learners: Add dialogue or write short scripts for their puppet play.
