Here you’ll find a variety of lesson plans, with one for each age group. Feel free to mix and match the activities that work best for your students. There’s also an alternative lesson plan at the end for even more flexibility.
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Pre-K Lesson Plan (Ages 3-4)
Learning Objectives
Identify characters and animals within a story
Practice new vocabulary through storytelling
Use creative movement to express pretend scenarios
Materials
Procedure (40 minutes)
(10 mins) Introduction: Gather children on the carpet and introduce the concept of imagination. Use general questions to connect the theme to their lives: What does it feel like to play pretend? If you could travel anywhere right now just by closing your eyes, where would you go? What kind of animals would you want to meet on an adventure?
(10 mins) Watch the read along video: Play the Rynnie Roo read along video. Encourage students to hop like a kangaroo every time they hear Rynnie's name and to point to the screen when they see a new discovery.
(10 mins) Creative Discovery Activity: Provide paper and markers. Ask students to draw one 'imaginary discovery' that they would find if they were exploring with Rynnie Roo. This could be a colorful tree, a funny dinosaur, or a new fruit.
(10 mins) Circle Discussion: Have students sit together and share their drawings. Prompt them with these story-based questions: What was your favorite discovery in the story? How did Rynnie Roo use her imagination to have fun? If you were a kangaroo for a day, what would you do first?
Kindergarten Lesson Plan - Age 5
Learning Objectives
Recognize how vocabulary helps describe the world
Describe the sequence of events in an adventure
Collaborate with peers to share creative ideas
Materials
Procedure (50 minutes + 20 minutes optional Q&A)
(10 mins) Introduction: Lead a group discussion about discovery. Use these thematic questions: What is a discovery? Have you ever found something new or special while playing outside? How do you feel when you learn a new word?
(10 mins) Watch the read along video: Watch the story together. Ask students to listen for words they have never heard before and try to guess what they mean based on the pictures.
(20 mins) Adventure Collage: Give students scraps of paper and glue. Have them create a collage of a place they want to explore. Tell them to include at least two 'new friends' in their collage, just like Rynnie Roo meets in the book.
(10 mins) Reflection Discussion: Gather the class to talk about Rynnie's journey. Ask: Who was your favorite friend that Rynnie met? What are some of the 'big' words you remember from the story? How did Rynnie feel at the end of her adventure?
(20 mins) Watch the author's Q&A interview video. Lead a discussion prompting students to come up with new questions they would like to ask the author. Example questions to start: 'What inspired you to write this?', 'How did you choose the characters?'
1st Grade Lesson Plan - Age 6
Learning Objectives
Identify story elements including setting and characters
Compare real world animals with those found in Rynnie's imagination
Demonstrate understanding of new vocabulary words
Materials
Procedure (50 minutes + 20 minutes optional Q&A)
(10 mins) Introduction: Discuss the idea of traveling to new places. Ask: If you had a magic map, where would it take you? What are some things you need to bring when you go on an adventure? How can books help us travel to places we have never been?
(10 mins) Watch the read along video: Play the video. After it finishes, ask students to identify the different places Rynnie visited and the friends she made along the way.
(20 mins) Story Mapping: Have students fold their paper into three sections. In the first section, draw where Rynnie started; in the second, draw a discovery she made; in the third, draw where she went next. Label each section with a descriptive word.
(10 mins) Group Discussion: Encourage deeper thinking with these questions: Why is Rynnie a good explorer? How does Rynnie use her vocabulary to explain her world? Which discovery from the book would you most like to see in real life?
(20 mins) Watch the author's Q&A interview video. Lead a discussion prompting students to come up with new questions they would like to ask the author. Example questions to start: 'What inspired you to write this?', 'How did you choose the characters?'
2nd Grade Lesson Plan - Age 7
Learning Objectives
Analyze character traits through dialogue and actions
Use descriptive language to create an original short story
Evaluate how imagination contributes to problem solving
Materials
Procedure (55 minutes + 20 minutes optional Q&A)
(10 mins) Introduction: Open with a discussion on the importance of vocabulary in storytelling. Ask: How do descriptive words make a story more exciting? What does it mean to have a vivid imagination? Can you think of a time your imagination helped you solve a problem?
(10 mins) Watch the read along video: Pay close attention to the vocabulary Rynnie uses. Discuss how the author uses these words to paint a picture of the adventure.
(25 mins) Creative Writing Quest: Ask students to write a short paragraph describing a brand new chapter for Rynnie Roo. They must use at least three 'discovery words' (like explore, find, or ancient) and draw an illustration to go with their text.
(10 mins) Peer Share and Discussion: Have students read their chapters to a partner. Then ask the class: How did your Rynnie Roo adventure end? What new vocabulary did you use to describe her discoveries? Why is it important for Rynnie to make new friends on her journey?
(20 mins) Watch the author's Q&A interview video. Lead a discussion prompting students to come up with new questions they would like to ask the author. Example questions to start: 'What inspired you to write this?', 'How did you choose the characters?'
Alternative Lesson Plan - Ages 3 - 7
Learning Objectives
Engage in dramatic play and role-playing activities
Communicate sensory details about an imaginary environment
Apply themes of friendship and exploration to group activities
Materials
Procedure (55 minutes + 20 minutes optional Q&A)
(10 mins) Introduction: Set the stage for an adventure inside the classroom. Ask: If our classroom turned into a jungle, what sounds would we hear? How can we be kind friends to the animals we meet? What is the most important thing for an explorer to have with them?
(10 mins) Watch the read along video: Watch the story and observe Rynnie's attitude toward learning and discovery.
(25 mins) Explorer Pack Activity: Using paper bags and crayons, have students create their own 'explorer packs.' They can draw tools, snacks, and maps on the outside of the bag and then use their imagination to 'fill' the bag with things they need to find dinosaurs and new friends.
(10 mins) Adventure Reflection: Sit in a circle and ask: What was the most surprising discovery we 'found' in our classroom jungle today? How did Rynnie Roo inspire your imagination? What is one new word you learned from Rynnie today?
(20 mins) Watch the author's Q&A interview video. Lead a discussion prompting students to come up with new questions they would like to ask the author. Example questions to start: 'What inspired you to write this?', 'How did you choose the characters?'