Months of the Year Lesson Plan
There are two months of the year lesson plans below, one is for using with an interactive whiteboard and the other is for using with iPads and individual computers or within a computer suite. Both lesson plans are targeted at using with KS1 learners.
There are more versions of this game on Club Roy that cover a wide range of high frequency words.
Interactive Whiteboard Lesson
Overview
Please see the following points for a quick overview of using the game with our months of the year lesson plan.
- Read the months of the year words at the bottom of the reading game
- Click or touch and drag the words into chronological order
- Answers are automatically marked
- Click and drag a ‘bedtime bit’ to Tom or try again
- Repeat until game is completed and all twelve months are in the right order
Context of Lesson
To recognise and read the months of the year, and click and drag them into chronological order.
Resources Required
Our months of the year lesson plan requires the following resources. Months of the year game, interactive whiteboard, one set of small cards showing months.
Learning Objectives
The lesson plan aims to meet the following objectives.
- To read on sight high frequency words such as months of the year
- To be able to put the months into the correct chronological order
Using the Reading Game
- Teacher to start the lesson by asking selected pupils when they have their birthday.
- Teacher to scribe the names of each birthday month on to the board.
- Ask pupils if they can read through the months that are there. Are there any months missing?
- Using the small cards teacher to put up the months in the correct order and ask the class to read them out.
- Teacher to load ‘High Frequency Words - Months of the Year’ game on to the interactive whiteboard and to explain to pupils that they can help Tom gather all his ‘bedtime bits’ by putting the jumbled up months into the box in the right chronological order.
- Teacher to start game and ask pupils to read the months at the bottom of the game. Teacher can model clicking and dragging and then dropping words into the box.
- Continue the game to the end, selecting different pupils from the class to come and drag and drop months into the correct order.
- Choose other pupils to click and drag ‘bedtime bits’ up to Tom. If time allows play the game again, choosing different pupils to drag words and ‘bedtime bits’.
PLENARY
This months of the year lesson plan recommends that the lesson ends with a plenary session to support the consolidation of learning. Show the months toolbar at the top of the game to pupils and explain that sometimes we have to shorten or abbreviate names of the month. Get the class to read through the months using the toolbar as a cue, then close eyes and say all the months again.
Literacy Homework
The lesson can be extended or the following task set as homework. Ask if pupils can write the date of their birthday in words, including the month, and draw a picture of them celebrating.
Individual Computer or iPad / Computer Suite Lesson
Overview
Please see the following points as a quick over of using the game within this lesson plan.
- Read the month words at the bottom of the game
- Click and drag the words into the correct order
- Answers are automatically marked
- Click and drag a ‘bedtime bit’ to Tom or try again
- Repeat until game is completed and all twelve months are in the right order
Context of Lesson
To recognise and read the months of the year, and click and drag them into chronological order.
Resources Required
Our months of the year lesson plan requires the following resources. Months of the year reading game, interactive whiteboard, individual computers or iPads, one set of small cards showing months of the year.
Learning Objectives
The lesson plan aims to achieve the following learning objectives.
- To read on sight high frequency words such as months of the year
- To be able to put the months into the correct chronological order
Using the Reading Game
- Teacher begins the lesson by explaining that the class is going to be learning how to say all the months of the year in the right order.
- Teacher gives out small cards with months on to selected pupils, and asks the class to help the pupils to stand with their card in the correct order, saying the months as they go.
- When this is done, teacher collects all small cards and display them on the board.
- Teacher loads ‘High Frequency Words - Months of the Year’ game on to the interactive whiteboard and to explain to pupils that they can help Tom gather all his ‘bedtime bits’ by putting the jumbled up months into the box in the correct order.
- Teacher starts game and asks if the pupils can read the months at the bottom of the game. Teacher to model clicking and dragging words into the box. Then choose one pupil to click and drag one of Tom’s ‘bedtime bits’.
- Teacher explains that the class will be working in pairs and using their computers to complete the game.
- Teacher and teaching assistant to ensure that the ‘High Frequency Words - Months of the Year’ game is ready to play on the pupils’ computers or iPads. Pupils to take turns to control the mouse.
- When each pair has completed all the months, they should move on to a word processing programme and type all the months in chronological order.
- Teacher and teaching assistant to move around the computers giving support where necessary, and ensuring correct use of the mouse and co-operative work.
PLENARY
We recommend a plenary session as part of this lesson plan. Using the small cards, teacher to hold up a card. If a pupil’s birthday is in that month they stand up and take a bow. Class to chant through the months.
Literacy Homework
Ask if pupils can draw a picture of their favourite month, and give a reason (e.g. December is my favourite month because it is when we have Christmas).