Why Mosquitoes Buzz in People’s Ears is an adapted African tale about a mosquito that brings utter disaster on a jungle. The tale sets the stage for a careful examination of cause and effect. While teaching readers about mosquitoes and what we can do to repel them, students apply problem-solving skills, like those of Rube Goldberg, to solve problems (big and small). This module invites students to dance and design and demonstrate the art of storytelling as they tell their own tales.
Before you begin...
Each Artful Reading Module is flexibly designed for a 2-3 week duration. Lessons are marked for Before-, During-, or After-Reading to guide your planning. We have added a sample of a During Reading lesson entitled I Heard a Buzz in My Ear for you to preview. Each lesson is designed in an easy to read format, with standards, materials needed, and step-by-step directions to ensure you are fully prepared when it’s time to deliver.
This module contains the following lessons:
- Are Mosquitoes Related to Vampires?
- Buzz! Over Here!
- Mosquito Repellant
- Life Cycle of a Mosquito
- Swat a Word
- I Heard a Buzz in My Ear
- Dance Collage
- Just Like Rube Goldberg
- Just Like Dominoes
- Tales to Tell
optional extensions that can stretch the module further.
Standards Matrix
For your reference, we have added images of the literacy standards matrix for this module.
Key Vocabulary
Onomatopoeia, Harmony, Unified, Cause and Effect, Tale, Conscience, Personification
Note: This module is part of 4th Grade: Series 2. The four modules in Series 2 collectively address all National ELA and Core Arts Standards.