Amazing Armadillos! | Book Reading And Animal Facts for Kids | Circle Time with Khan Academy Kids

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In today’s Circle Time, Caroline and Sophie shared two engaging stories about armadillos. The first story, “On a Roll,” teaches the importance of perseverance and problem-solving through the journey of an armadillo who learns to roll into a ball despite initial challenges. The second segment provided fascinating facts about real armadillos, highlighting their unique characteristics and behaviors, followed by a fun clapping and counting game to reinforce the lesson of persistence and enjoyment in learning.
  1. What did Armadillo do when he couldn’t roll into a ball?
  2. How did Armadillo feel when he finally succeeded?
  3. Can you think of something you learned by trying hard, just like Armadillo?

Welcome to Circle Time with Caroline and Sophie!

Hello, friends! It’s so nice to see you all. Welcome to Circle Time! I’m Caroline from the Khan Academy Kids team, and I’m here with my friend Sophie. Today, we have a special Circle Time with two exciting books to share!

Our First Story: “On a Roll” by Cynthia Platt

Our first story is about an armadillo who has a problem. It’s not about how strong his armor is or how fast he can run. His problem is that he can’t roll into a ball like other armadillos. He tries really hard, but it just doesn’t work out.

Armadillo’s mom shows him how to curl up into a ball, but when he tries, it doesn’t go as planned. His dad tells him to think of round things like the moon and his favorite rock, but that doesn’t help either. Armadillo feels frustrated and disappointed.

Then, Armadillo has an idea! He decides to roll down a hill to help him get into a ball. He thinks about what he needs to do: duck his head, tuck his legs, and chuck his tail in. He takes a deep breath and tries again. This time, he does it! His parents are so proud, and Armadillo feels happy because he didn’t give up.

Learning from Armadillo’s Story

Armadillo’s story teaches us that sometimes things are hard at first, but if we keep trying and don’t give up, we can succeed. Just like Armadillo, we might need to practice and try different ways to solve a problem.

Have you ever tried something that was hard at first, like riding a bike or drawing a picture? Remember, it’s okay to find things tricky at first. With practice, you can do it!

Our Second Book: Learning About Real Armadillos

Our second book is a non-fiction book about armadillos in the real world. Did you know that armadillos have long, pointed snouts and hard shells on their backs? Their bellies are covered with skin and hair.

Armadillos live in grasslands and forests, making homes in logs or burrows. They dig with their strong legs and sharp claws. Armadillos can sink in water but can hold their breath for six minutes! They can also fill their bellies with air to float.

These amazing animals eat ants, termites, and other insects using their long, sticky tongues. They run from predators like coyotes and bears, and their shells protect them. Armadillos can even jump up to four feet in the air when scared!

Fun and Games

After learning about armadillos, Caroline and Sophie played a fun clapping and counting game. They tried to clap and count in a pattern, and even when they made mistakes, they kept trying. Maybe you can try this game with your family or friends!

Goodbye for Now!

That’s all for today’s Circle Time. We hope you enjoyed the stories and learned something new. Remember, keep trying and have fun learning! See you next time!

  • Can you think of a time when you tried something new that was difficult at first, like Armadillo trying to roll into a ball? What did you do to keep trying, and how did it feel when you finally succeeded?
  • Armadillos have special features like hard shells and long snouts. What are some special things about you or your favorite animal that help you or them do something well?
  • In the story, Armadillo’s parents helped him by giving advice and cheering him on. Can you share a time when someone helped you learn something new? How did their support make you feel?
  1. Armadillo Roll Experiment: Find a small hill or a gentle slope in your backyard or a nearby park. Pretend to be an armadillo and try to roll down the hill safely. Think about how you can tuck your arms and legs to roll smoothly. Afterward, talk about how it felt and what you learned about rolling like an armadillo.

  2. Round Things Hunt: Go on a hunt around your house or outside to find objects that are round, just like the moon or a favorite rock. Make a list or draw pictures of the round things you find. Discuss how these objects are similar to the shapes armadillos might think about when trying to roll into a ball.

  3. Practice Makes Perfect: Think of something you find challenging, like tying your shoes or drawing a picture. Spend a little time each day practicing it. Keep a journal or draw a picture of your progress. After a week, share what you have learned and how you feel about your improvement, just like Armadillo did when he kept trying to roll into a ball.

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