Free April and Spring Themed Lesson Plan Ideas
Fun, Easy, and Creative Holiday Writing Prompts and Ideas
Mar 17, 2009
Students always enjoy a break from the routine and April offers some excellent opportunities to do something a little different and, at the same time, provide them with practical learning opportunities.
National Poetry Month
National Poetry Month is a great time to introduce children to the world of poetry. By starting with simple and engaging poems, there is the greatest chance of lighting an interest in the students so choose carefully the poems to be read aloud in class.
- Keep a collection of age-appropriate poetry books in the classroom for students to read during quiet reading time, indoor recess or when they finish their work early.
- Highlight a different poet each day by reading aloud a poem to the class. If daily is too much, focus on a different poet each week and read a different poem by him/her each day that week.
- Have children write their own poems. Depending on their writing level, have them write their own poem or do something simpler like an acrostic poem.
National Lawn and Garden Month
When spring arrives, everyone is ready to be outdoors! Help students understand the importance of gardening and encourage them to consider how gardening can be both fun and beneficial.
- Grow something! Plant beans in the classroom in styrofoam cups. Other plants that can be grown include sweet potatoes and grass. Each one will sprout and grow quickly.
- Focus on flowers! Bring in a bouquet of flowers and discuss the various kinds of flowers, their unique characteristics, and how they are grown.
- Have students design their own backyard gardens with flowers, vegetables and fruits. Have them draw a diagram of what they would like to grow and where.
Arbor Day
While many teachers usually teach about trees in the fall, Arbor Day is a great time to get students thinking about the role trees play in the world.
- Celebrate the importance of trees! Make lapbooks about trees, highlighting their parts, how they grow, and the importance they play in the world.
- Coordinate with a local nursery for each child to receive a tree to take home and plant. Include a handout that explains how to plant and care for the tree.
- Create a "Trees are Important" bulletin board. Place a large trunk and branches on the board. Then have students write important tree facts on leaves that they then add to the tree.
Famous April Birthdays
Several important people were born in April. Take the opportunity to consider their contributions to the world.
Hans Christian Andersen (April 2)
- Select several books with stories and fairy tales by Andersen. Make them available to the students to peruse when they have time.
- Read aloud a few favorite stories. Have students illustrate their favorite.
Thomas Jefferson (April 13)
- Introduce students to Jefferson and Monticello. Using a book or the internet, explore the beauties of Jefferson’s home.
- Research Jefferson’s gravestone and what was engraved on there. Discuss why he wanted certain accomplishments on there and why others were left off.
William Shakespeare (April 23)
- Discuss plays and why Shakespeare is still so popular after many years.
- Show students a clip of a Shakespearean play so they can get a feel for the costumes and language.
- Have older students in the school prepare a short scene from one of Shakespeare’s works and perform it for the younger students.
John James Audubon (April 26)
- Using a book with Audubon’s illustrations (preferably Birds of America if it is available), discuss the importance of his accomplishments.
- Explore why Audubon was so popular in Europe and was nicknamed “the American woodsman”.
- Have students create a bird book of their own that features birds prominent in their area.
April offers many wonderful opportunities to celebrate in the classroom with unique spring activities and projects. After enjoying these creative ideas and topics, check out other spring themed ideas in Spring and Summer Writing Lesson Plan Ideas and Fun Spring Writing Project and Lesson Plan Ideas.
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