Oh, the weather outside is frightful. But these resources are so delightful! Cox Campus has made it easy for you to create your lesson plans this January. We’ve collected all of our favorite Winter related “START” story guides, “Real Time” non-fiction guides, and extension activities that extend and build upon each read aloud! Utilizing brain science research, Cox Campus created “START” and “Real Time” that give teachers a guide to implement best practices for read alouds in Preschool, Pre-K, and Kindergarten classrooms. If you want to learn more information about these practices, you can visit the Cox Campus and take the “Transforming Story Time” and “Building World Knowledge” courses.
Below are 9 story guides, and 26 activities from our favorite Winter books for your January lesson plans!
Main Idea: “We can make friends by sharing what we have.”
Focus Tier 2 Vocabulary: attract, attention, lonely and excited.
REAL Time guide and “informational text” that pairs well with this story is, Igloos and Inuit Life.
START guide for Annie and the Wild Animals
Main Idea: Pets can be good company for some people, but some animals are better pets than others.
Focus Tier 2 Vocabulary: determined, concerned, overwhelmed, season and delighted.
Real Time guide and “informational text” that pairs well with this 
story is, Watching the Seasons.
BONUS: Here are 9 FREE activities that accompany the focus book, Annie and the Wild Animals, for your lesson plans!
Main Idea: Sometimes good things come to an end.
Focus Tier 2 Vocabulary: surprised, curious, disappointed, disappeared and eager.
Real Time guide and “informational text” that pairs well with the story is, Snow.
BONUS: Here are 9 FREE activities to build upon and extend the focus book, The Snowy Day, for your lesson plans!
START guide for Owl Moon
Main Idea: When you show you are responsible, sometimes you get to do very special things.
Focus Tier 2 Vocabulary: patient, responsible, determined and proud.
START guide for A Hat for Minerva Louise
Main Idea: If we want something badly enough, we will keep trying until we find it.
Focus Tier 2 Vocabulary: determined, proud, discover, confused and frustrated.
BONUS: Here are 8 FREE Activities to build upon and extend the focus book, A Hat for Minerva Louise – including four songs and fingerplays for your lesson plans!
START guide for The Mitten
Main Idea: People and animals need to stay warm and comfortable when it’s cold outside.
Focus Tier 2 Vocabulary: crowded, difficult, protect, annoyed and determined.
Recommended Resources in the Cox Campus Library:
