Written as an accompaniment to In My National Park Backyard, students in grades 2 through 5 are engaged in lessons and activities written in a “gradual release” format (“I Do, We Do, Do Together, Do Alone”).  Students develop the concept of feelings, traits and motives for themselves through hands-on activities, like "Feeling & Trait Introductory Sort."  Independent practice is provided for students using the "Feelings Reference Card" and "Trait Cluster Cards" with graphic organizers and intentionally planned, stopping pages in the text.  Although written for In My National Park Backyard, lessons and activities can be easily adapted to be used with other fiction texts.  

Common Core Standards Aligned: 

Speaking and Listening: SL.2.1, SL.2.2, SL.2.3, SL.3.1, SL.3.2, SL.3.3, SL.4.1, SL.4.2, SL.4.3, SL.5.1, SL.5.2, SL.5.3

Reading Literature: RL.2.1, RL.2.2, RL.2.3, RL.2.5, RL.2.6, RL.2.7, RL.3.1, RL.3.2, RL.3.3, RL.3.4, RL.3.5, RL.3.6, RL.3.7, RL.4.1, RL.4.2, RL.4.3, RL.4.4, RL.4.6, RL.4.7, RL.5.1, RL.5.4, RL.5.7