3-5 Resources for Teachers - Manny the Mastodon

Science

My Friend Manny Website Scavenger Hunt
- Description: For this activity, students will be prompted to fill out a worksheet on the history of Manny and the scientific research that went into creating the My Friend Manny book. Students will be provided with a link to the Rutgers Geological Museum website, where they will search for information about Manny in accordance with the website’s sections.
  - Before completing this activity, ensure students understand how to use a computer and how to explore websites. When this activity is completed, it will fill the following curriculum standards for science education, as well as help students advance their technical literary skills.

Reading

Science Meets Poetry Challenge
- Description: Students will be asked to write a poem inspired by the vocabulary they interacted with in the My Friend Manny text. In this exercise, they will practice rhyme, metaphor/simile, and the poetic form. The goal of this activity is to encourage students to see overlap with reading/writing in other content areas, such as science, and to challenge themselves to work with new vocabulary.
  - There is also an additional worksheet with poetic vocabulary and its accompanying simple definitions for students to review

NJ State Curriculum and Learning Standards for English Language Arts

When this activity is completed, it will fulfill the following curriculum standards for English Language Arts:
- 3rd Grade
  - L.WF.3.2. Demonstrate command of the conventions of encoding and spelling.
  - L.WF.3.3. Demonstrate command of the conventions of writing including those listed under grade two foundational skills.
  - L.KL.3.1. Use knowledge of language and its conventions when writing, speaking, reading, or listening.
  - L.VL.3.2. Determine or clarify the meaning of unknown and multiple-meaning academic and domain-specific words and phrases based on grade 3 reading and content, choosing flexibly from a range of strategies.
  - L.VI.3.3. Demonstrate understanding of figurative language, word relationships and nuances in word meanings.
  - W.WP.3.4. With guidance and support from peers and adults, develop and strengthen writing as needed by planning, revising, and editing.
  - W.RW.3.7. Engage in independent and task-based writing for both short and extended periods of time, producing written work routinely.
- 4th Grade
  - L.WF.4.2. Demonstrate command of the conventions of encoding and spelling.
  - L.KL.4.1. Use knowledge of language and its conventions when writing, speaking, reading, or listening.
  - L.VL.4.2. Determine or clarify the meaning of unknown and multiple-meaning academic and domain-specific words and phrases based on grade 4 reading and content, choosing flexibly from a range of strategies.
  - L.VI.4.3. Demonstrate understanding of figurative language, word relationships, and nuances in word meanings.
  - W.WP.4.4. With guidance and support from peers and adults, develop and strengthen writing as needed by planning, revising, and editing.
- 5th Grade
  - L.KL.5.1. Use knowledge of language and its conventions when writing, speaking, reading, or listening.
  - L.VL.5.2. Determine or clarify the meaning of unknown and multiple-meaning academic and domain-specific words and phrases based on grade 5 reading and content, choosing flexibly from a range of strategies.
  - L.VI.5.3. Demonstrate understanding of figurative language, word relationships, and nuances in word meanings.
  - W.WP.5.4. With guidance and support from peers and adults, develop and strengthen writing as needed by planning, revising, editing, rewriting, or trying a new approach

Manny Arts & Crafts

Visit our collection of mastodon-themed activities here.