Literacy, Numeracy, Science

Subjects Covered:

Activities:

Resources:

Differentiation:

Literacy
  • Reading a banana-themed story together as a class
  • Writing and illustrating a short story about bananas
  • Creating a banana-themed word wall with new vocabulary
  • Banana-themed storybooks
  • Pencils, crayons, and paper for writing and illustrating
  • Large paper or poster board for the word wall
  • Provide support for struggling readers through guided reading
  • Allow students to choose their own level of writing difficulty
  • Provide additional resources such as picture cards for vocabulary building

Numeracy
  • Counting and sorting banana-themed objects
  • Measuring and comparing the length of different bananas
  • Creating banana patterns using cut-out bananas
  • Banana-shaped counters or small plastic bananas
  • Rulers or measuring tapes
  • Scissors and colored paper for creating banana patterns
  • Provide different levels of difficulty for counting and sorting activities
  • Include visual aids or manipulatives for students who struggle with measuring
  • Encourage creativity and open-ended thinking in banana pattern creation

Science
  • Investigating the life cycle of a banana plant
  • Experimenting with different ways to ripen bananas
  • Exploring the nutritional benefits of bananas
  • Books or online resources about banana plants
  • Unripe and ripe bananas for the ripening experiment
  • Informational posters or handouts about the nutritional benefits of bananas
  • Provide different levels of complexity in the investigation of the banana plant life cycle
  • Encourage students to think critically and predict outcomes during the ripening experiment
  • Support understanding of nutritional benefits through visual aids or simplified explanations

Arts Subjects

Subjects covered:

Activities:

Resources:

Differentiation:

Visual Arts
  • Create banana-shaped collages using different colors of construction paper.
  • Observe and draw bananas using pencils or crayons.
  • Construction paper
  • Pencils or crayons

Provide different sizes and shapes of bananas for students to choose from.

Music
  • Sing the "Banana Song" and create simple movements to accompany it.
  • Play percussion instruments and create banana-themed rhythms.
  • "Banana Song" lyrics
  • Percussion instruments (e.g., shakers, drums)

Provide visual aids with movements for students who may struggle with remembering the song.

Drama
  • Act out the story of "The Banana Who Became King" using simple props and costumes.
  • Improvise a banana-themed puppet show.
  • Props and costumes (e.g., crowns, capes)
  • Puppet theater and puppets

Allow students to choose their roles and provide support for those who may need assistance with creativity or storytelling.

Dance
  • Create a simple dance routine inspired by the movements of peeling and eating a banana.
  • Explore different ways to move and portray the shape of a banana.
  • Open space for movement
  • Music or rhythmic beats

Provide visual cues and prompts for students who may need extra support in remembering the dance steps.

English
  • Read a story about bananas and discuss the characters and plot.
  • Practice writing and recognizing the word "banana" using tracing activities or word puzzles.
  • Storybook about bananas
  • Tracing activities or word puzzles

Provide additional support in the form of visual aids or word cards for students who may need help with letter recognition or writing.

Station Ideas

Bananas Theme Stations

  • 1. Banana Tasting
  • 2. Banana Sorting
  • 3. Banana Art
  • 4. Banana Storytelling
  • 5. Banana Counting
  • 6. Banana Puzzles
  • 7. Banana Sensory Play
  • 8. Banana Writing
  • 9. Banana Science
  • 10. Banana Music

Story Time

Once upon a time, in a big green jungle, there was a little monkey named Max. Max loved bananas more than anything in the whole wide world. He loved eating them, playing with them, and even wearing them as hats!

One sunny morning, Max woke up feeling very hungry. He rubbed his tummy and said, "Oh, I could really use a yummy banana for breakfast!" So, he swung from tree to tree, searching for the perfect banana.

As Max swung through the jungle, he heard a rustling sound coming from a nearby bush. He stopped and listened carefully. It was his friend Mia, the wise old elephant.

Mia said, "Max, I have a secret to tell you. There is a magical banana tree deep in the heart of the jungle. Legend has it that it grows the sweetest bananas you've ever tasted!"

Max's eyes widened with excitement. He asked Mia, "Can you show me the way to this magical banana tree?" Mia nodded and together they set off on an adventure.

They journeyed through tall grasses, crossed sparkling rivers, and climbed steep hills. Max was determined to find the magical banana tree. After a long and tiring journey, they finally arrived.

The magical banana tree was unlike anything Max had ever seen before. It stood tall and proud, with golden bananas hanging from its branches. Max couldn't believe his eyes! He quickly reached up and plucked a banana from the tree.

But just as Max was about to take a bite, the tree started to talk. It said, "Wait, little monkey! Before you eat me, you must answer a riddle. If you solve it, you can have as many bananas as you like."

Max was up for the challenge. He listened carefully as the tree asked, "I am yellow and curved. Monkeys love me, and I make a great smoothie. What am I?"

Max thought for a moment and then exclaimed, "Bananas!" The magical tree smiled and said, "Well done, Max! You have solved the riddle. Help yourself to as many bananas as your heart desires."

Max was overjoyed! He filled his arms with bananas and shared them with all his friends in the jungle. They all had a big banana party, laughing and dancing under the shade of the magical banana tree.

From that day on, Max became known as the Banana King of the jungle. He would always remember his adventure and the magical banana tree that brought joy to everyone.

And so, dear children, the next time you see a banana, remember Max's story and enjoy every delicious bite!