I'm Batty for Bats!

SO excited! This week we will be learning all about Bats! Those small, flying mammals (that honestly, if I saw one flying in my home I would probably shriek like a banshee!!) that kids are fascinated by! I love learning about bats and it never ceases to amaze me the kids and their love of them. We are also doing our study of nocturnal animals as well and I have some resources for you! 

I always start our study with the beloved tale of Stellaluna!

I know that there are TONS of resources (just look on TpT!!) to help you on your way! One of the centers I use is a Stellaluna retelling center. I don't know about you, but retelling is so tricky for 1st graders! They truly have a hard time with that one-- even if it is a high interest book. 

One area that I focus on is non-fiction and bats. We do a lot of non-fiction work with bat books: working with key ideas and details, compare and contrasting, and expository/persuasive writing. To help with that this week, I created a new set

Click on this picture to take you to my store! 

It is jam-packed with non-fiction elements for bats! I also shared a video on echolocation that I found on youtube. Click here to read about that post an a freebie attached to it! It's a great video and you will find yourself singing, too!

We are also learning about nocturnal animals, specifically owls,  this week since bats are nocturnal! I like to show them how owls are truly spectacular hunters.

We discuss their habitats, the different species, their diets, and all things owl! I end our study with a dissection of an owl pellet! Have you ever done one? Well, honestly, it can be fascinating yet disgusting BUT the kids LOVE IT!

Owl Brand Discovery is the procurer of these little bundles and they are fabulous to work with! Click on the pic to take you there and learn more about it! 

And of course, I have to put a little fiction spin into it...

Owl Babies by Martin Waddell is one of the sweetest stories ever!!! I LOVE that story!!! The kids and I just love little Percy, Sarah, and Bill! We do a painting similar to the cover with marshmallows! It turns out so cute and write about a time we were scared and then got brave! Good stuff! 

So, a little batty treat for you all! A Batty for Words Freebie!!

Click on the picture to grab it for your kiddos!! 

Well, it has been a long day for me! I'd like to leave you with a giveaway! Make sure you are following my blog, leave a comment letting me know you are a follower with your e-mail address and I will pick 2 winners for my Bats pack Tuesday night at 9:00 p.m. eastern time. Good Luck!