Author Overview: Eric Carle Duration: 6-8 lessons Grade: K

CORE COMPETENCIES

LANGUAGE ARTS BIG IDEAS

1: Language and stories can be a source of creativity and joy.

2: God’s Word helps us learn about ourselves and our

families.

3: Stories can be told through pictures and words.

4: Everyone can be a reader

and can create stories.

5: God’s Word is the Ultimate Love Story.

Everyone has a unique story.

6: Playing with language helps us discover how language works.

7: Listening and speaking builds our understanding and helps us learn.

Language Arts Curricular Competencies

Comprehend and connect (reading, listening, viewing):● Use sources of information and prior knowledge to make meaning● Use developmentally appropriate reading, listening, and viewing strategies to make meaning● Explore foundational concepts of print, oral, and visual texts● Engage actively as listeners, viewers, and readers, as appropriate, to develop understanding of self, identity, and community● Recognize the importance of story in personal, family, and community identity● Use personal experience and knowledge to connect to stories and other texts to make meaning● Recognize the structure of storyCreate and communicate (writing, speaking, representing):● Exchange ideas and perspectives to build shared understanding● Use language to identify, create, and share ideas, feelings, opinions, and preferences● Create stories and other texts to deepen awareness of self, family, and community● Plan and create stories and other texts for different purposes and audience● Explore oral storytelling processes

Cross-Curricular (BC) Competencies Links

Science:● Demonstrate curiosity and a sense of wonder about the world● Observe objects and events in familiar contexts● Ask simple questions about familiar objects and events● Experience and interpret the local environment● Represent observations and ideas by drawing charts and simple pictographs● Share observations and ideas orally

Arts:● Explore elements, processes, materials, movements, technologies, tools, and techniques of the arts● Create artistic works collaboratively and as an individual, using ideas inspired by imagination, inquiry, experimentation, and purposeful play● Explore artistic expressions of themselves and community through creative processes● Develop processes and technical skills in a variety of art forms to nurture motivation, development, and imagination● Express feelings, ideas, stories, observations, and experiences through the arts● Experience, document and share creative works in a variety of ways

Math:● Use reasoning to explore and make connections

● Model mathematics in contextualized experiences● Develop, demonstrate, and apply mathematical understanding through play, inquiry, and problem solving● Visualize to explore mathematical concepts● Use mathematical vocabulary and language to contribute to mathematical discussions● Represent mathematical ideas in concrete, pictorial, and symbolic forms● Connect mathematical concepts to each other and to other areas and personal interests

Career:● Identify and appreciate their personal attributes, skills, interests, and accomplishment● Recognize the importance of positive relationships in their lives● Share ideas, information, personal feelings, and knowledge with others● Work respectfully and constructively with others to achieve common goals

Title Teaching Strategies/Methods Assessment Strategies/Methods

The Very Mixed Up Chameleon ● Make a flip book as a class (draw a head, body and legs of different animals or use a photo of each child for the head). Another option:take full-length photos of each child; divide into head/body/legs

● Think of words that combine one animal with another

(eg. elegator or hippoion).● Paint a mixed – up picture● Class book or journal: “I’m as ____ as a _____.”

Brainstorm ideas, illustrate● Make a transparency of the chameleon. Cut out

chameleon and staple onto a popsicle stick. Blend in with clothes, the wall, books, desks, shoes, hair, puzzles etc…

● Tissue paper art - see illustration

The Very Hungry Caterpillar ● Learn the days of the week.

● Great sequencing and counting.

● Make caterpillars, cocoons and butterflies. ● board game - The Very Hungry Caterpillar● watch“You Tube” versions● butterfly colouring pages - try different mediums such as

pastels or finger paint● Cumulative activity - Very Hungry Caterpillar Party-invite

parents to help mann different stations. Each child bring a sample of food found in the book. Start with taste test, encouraging students to try a “new” food. Different stations could include book corner, caterpillar/butterfly crafts, games

The Very Grouchy Ladybug ● craft - paper plates, black/white paper cutouts, paint● “Write-around-the-room” - look for book

characters/names posted on class walls; copy words on paper (clip boards work well)

● See link for printable worksheets

http://www.dltk-teach.com/p.asp?p=http://www.dltk-teach.com/books/eric-carle/grouchyladybug/preadandtrace.asp

The Tiny Seed ● Create a poster of a large flower - teach parts of a plant- (roots (crayon), stem (green paper), leaves (green paper), flower (muffin cups). Can add details to show plant

needs: sun, rain ● discuss what causes the demise of each seed. (Ex. bird

needing food, child picking the flower, no longer getting what it needs to survive, etc.) Pretend to be the seed and write the adventure from seed to plant. Use sunflower

seeds to illustrate story (beg/middle/end).● Plant a “mystery” flower seed. Predict what kind of

flower will grow. Observe daily and keep a simple picture

chart to show changes on day 5, 10, 15 etc. Ten Little Rubber Ducks ● Make a counting book

● Matching - numbered ducks to sets (see illustration)● Cut and paste - glue numbered ducks in a row

● Brainstorm: Ducks can / have / are /eat

Walter the Baker● Roll out play-dough to create own letter/design ● Make a chef’s hat (see link)● Journals - What can a pretzel shape become in a picture?

● https://education.scholastic.co.uk/content/4859

The Very Quiet Cricket ● tissue paper art - use glitter glue for legs/antennae● Journals - What can you do now that you couldn’t do

when you were little?

● Sequencing (see illustration)

Papa, Please Get the Moon for Me ● Art project with reading buddies or parental help:Day 1 - paint streaks of 2 tones of blue across a large sheet of

paper. Cut out back portrait of self and crescent moon.Day 2 - use popsicle sticks to make ladder. Add moon and

body. Add sticker stars.

Author Biography: List of Books:

http://www.eric-carle.com/bio.html

Biographical Notes for Eric CarleEric Carle is acclaimed and beloved as the creator of brilliantly

illustrated and innovatively designed picture books for very young

children. His best-known work, The Very Hungry Caterpillar, has

eaten its way into the hearts of literally millions of children all over

the world and has been translated into 62 languages and sold over 44

million copies. Since the Caterpillar was published in 1969, Eric Carle

has illustrated more than seventy books, many best sellers, most of

which he also wrote, and more than 139 million copies of his books

have sold around the world.

Born in Syracuse, New York, in 1929, Eric Carle moved with his

parents to Germany when he was six years old; he was educated

there, and graduated from the prestigious art school, the Akademie

der bildenden Künste, in Stuttgart. But his dream was always to

return to America, the land of his happiest childhood memories. So,

in 1952, with a fine portfolio in hand and forty dollars in his pocket,

he arrived in New York. Soon he found a job as a graphic designer in

the promotion department of The New York Times. Later, he was

the art director of an advertising agency for many years.

One day, respected educator and author, Bill Martin Jr, called to ask

Carle to illustrate a story he had written. Martin’s eye had been

caught by a striking picture of a red lobster that Carle had created for

an advertisement. Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See? was

the result of their collaboration. It is still a favorite with children

everywhere. This was the beginning of Eric Carle’s true career. Soon

Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What do you see?1 2 3 To the ZooThe Very Hungry CaterpillarPancakes, PancakesThe Very Tiny SeedDo you Want to be my Friend?Rooster’s off to See the WorldThe Very Long TailThe Secret Birthday MessageWalter the BakerHave you seen my Cat?I See a SongMy Very First Book of Numbers (Colours, Shapes, Words)All About ArthurThe Mixed-up ChameleonEric Carle story book: Seven Tales by the Brothers GrimmThe Grouchy LadybugWatch out! A Giant!Seven Stories by Hans Christian AndersonTwelve Tales from AesopThe HoneyBee and the RobberCatch the Ball!What’s for Lunch?The Very Busy SpiderAll Around UsPapa, Please Get the Moon for MeAll in a DayA House for Hermit CrabThe Very Quiet CricketDraw Me a StarToday is MondayMy ApronThe Very Lonely FireflyLittle CloudFrom Head to Toe

Carle was writing his own stories, too. His first wholly original book

was 1,2,3 to the Zoo, followed soon afterward by the celebrated

classic, The Very Hungry Caterpillar.

Eric Carle’s art is distinctive and instantly recognizable. His artwork

is created in collage technique, using hand-painted papers, which he

cuts and layers to form bright and cheerful images. Many of his books

have an added dimension—die-cut pages, twinkling lights as in The

Very Lonely Firefly, even the lifelike sound of a cricket’s song as in

The Very Quiet Cricket - giving them a playful quality: a toy that can

be read, a book that can be touched. Children also enjoy working in

collage and many send him pictures they have made themselves,

inspired by his illustrations. He receives hundreds of letters each

week from his young admirers.

The secret of Eric Carle’s books’ appeal lies in his intuitive

understanding of and respect for children, who sense in him

instinctively someone who shares their most cherished thoughts and

emotions.

The themes of his stories are usually drawn from his extensive

knowledge and love of nature—an interest shared by most small

children. Besides being beautiful and entertaining, his books always

offer the child the opportunity to learn something about the world

around them. It is his concern for children, for their feelings and their

inquisitiveness, for their creativity and their intellectual growth that,

in addition to his beautiful artwork, makes the reading of his books

such a stimulating and lasting experience.

Carle says: “With many of my books I attempt to bridge the gap

Hello Red FoxThe Very Clumsy Click BeetleDoes a Kangaroo have a Mother too?Dream SnowSlowly, Slowly Slowly said the SlothWhere are you going? To see my Friend!Mr SeahorseTen Little Rubber DucksThe Rabbit and the TurtleThe Artist who Painted a Blue HorseFriendsWhat’s your favorite Animal?The Nonsense Show

between the home and school. To me home represents, or should

represent; warmth, security, toys, holding hands, being held. School

is a strange and new place for a child. Will it be a happy place? There

are new people, a teacher, classmates—will they be friendly?

I believe the passage from home to school is the second biggest

trauma of childhood; the first is, of course, being born. Indeed, in both

cases we leave a place of warmth and protection for one that is

unknown. The unknown often brings fear with it. In my books I try to

counteract this fear, to replace it with a positive message. I believe

that children are naturally creative and eager to learn. I want to show

them that learning is really both fascinating and fun.”

Eric Carle has two grown-up children, a son and a daughter. He

divides his time between the Florida Keys and the hills of North

Carolina.

Click here for a list of Awards Eric Carle has won for his work

(If you are interested in more complete biography of Eric, please

refer to the autobiography section of The Art of Eric Carle published

by Philomel Books.)

Photo credit: Paul Shoul