Literacy
-
Cookie Jar Syllable Game
This Cookie Jar Syllable Sort game from Fairy Poppins for Playdough to Plato was a HUGE hit in our class! Our pre-k kiddos not only loved it, but many seemed to grasp the concept of syllables after one time playing.
The set features labeled “cookie jars” in which preschool kiddos sort the adorable cookies, which feature one-, two- or three-syllable images. This is a set you’ll want to laminate before you cut it out, because it will get some use!
We used this in small groups with about 3-4 kiddos at a time. We handed out one one-syllable cookie first to each child to get a feel for the game. For subsequent rounds we got a little harder with two- and three-syllable words, then we mixed them up randomly.
The kiddos turned it into a guessing game on their own, and that created anticipation as the rounds went by and kept their attention on what their peers were doing, The “oooh, what are you gonna get — one, two or three?” increased the appeal of this game beyond our expectations.
- Blog, Book Lesson Plans, Books About Animals, Books About Colors, Books About Emotions, Circle, Colors, Literacy, Reading
Book Review & Lesson Plan: Pete the Cat I Love My White Shoes
(This post contains affiliate links. A purchase through these links supports Preschooligans at no additional cost to you and helps us continue to provide free educational resources. Thank you!) Oh Pete the Cat, don’t we all just love him to bits? In this first installment of the Pete saga, Pete the Cat: I Love My White Shoes, (find at your local library or purchase from Amazon) written by Eric Litwin and illustrated by James Dean, our favorite cool cat is walking along in his fancy white shoes, singing a groovy song, and feeling all good.
But then, oh no, Pete steps in a pile of strawberries! Now what color are those white shoes? Does Pete cry? Goodness, no! Pete doesn’t cry over the fact his once-white shoes are now red, he embraces the change — and alters his song to match. “I love my red shoes, I love my red shoes.”
Pete’s adventure leads him to step in a number of colorful items, until he washes clean his shoes at the end.
We love this story for 3s and older 2s
Watch Litwin and Dean read the story and sing Pete’s groovy song in this Youtube video.
*Downloadable/printable copy of lesson plan below
(Below please find a list of reading comprehension questions and vocabulary words. This list is not exhaustive, and it may spark additional questions from your kiddos. As always, we recommend that you scaffold based on your age group and the wigglies of your kiddos.)
Reading comprehension questions:
Before reading: Show the cover. What do you think this story is about? Pete the Cat is the main character of our story. What is a “character” in a story? How about a “main character”? What is Pete the Cat wearing? Do cats usually wear shoes? What color are his shoes?
After reading title: Have you ever had white shoes? Do white shoes usually stay nice and white? What usually happens to white shoes? How do you think Pete feels about his white shoes?
As you read: Allow time for the children to answer the questions that are posed as part of the story. Soon they will be answering and singing along with Pete.
After reading: Why don’t you think Pete cried about his shoes changing colors? What do you think Pete is trying to tell us with this story?
Vocabulary:
- character
- main character
- brand new
- cool
- puddle
- moral
Enrichment Activities:
Small Group/Large Group: Prekinders offers this free Pete the Cat I Love My White Shoes color and matching activity.
Art: Books And Giggles features a tutorial of how to make Pete the Cat button slime.
-
Spring Has Sprung: Learning All About Plants
Spring is right around the corner, and we’ve banished all visions, mentions or even thoughts of winter from our classroom! We’re launching our “Nature All Around Us” unit and today’s free printable fits right in as it teaches all about plants.
We LOVE Pocket of Preschool’s topic investigations, and this freebie is a mini version that explores plant needs, plant parts and plant lifecycles. It also includes a cut-and-paste sequencing activity.
-
Uh Oh! What Did Pete the Cat Step In?
Like most preschool teachers, we love us some Pete the Cat. Pete with his white shoes, Pete with a new friend, Pete losing his buttons … you name it. We love Pete. So, naturally, we also love this adorable printable color and matching activity from Prekinders. This printable is a fun way to extend learning after reading Pete the Cat: I Love My White Shoes.
In the story, Pete’s white shoes turn different colors as he steps in assorted items. This free activity, great for large or small group learning with 3s and older 2s, works on color identification and matching. In addition to the printable, Prekinders offers directions on multiple ways to play the game.
For preschool vocabulary and reading comprehension questions, visit our Pete the Cat: I Love My White Shoes book review.
- Blog, Book Lesson Plans, Books About Animals, Books About Construction, Books About Counting, Counting, Literacy, Reading
Book Review & Lesson Plan: Frankie Works the Night Shift
(This post contains affiliate links. A purchase through these links supports Preschooligans at no additional cost to you and helps us continue to provide free educational resources. Thank you!) Oh the giggles we get when we read about Frankie, a mischievous cat who lives in hardware store, in Frankie Works the Night Shift, (find at your local library or purchase from Amazon) written by Lisa Westburg Peters and illustrated by Jennifer Taylor.
As the title indicates, Frankie works the “the night shift,” meaning he’s up when his owners are sleeping. In this sweet 1-10 counting tale, Frankie wreaks havoc all night long, knocking over wastebaskets (in the name of emptying trash), and turning loose the garden hose in the backyard (he’s watering the geraniums, of course!).
Halfway through the night, he discovers a tiny four-legged “intruder,” and the chaos that follows provides even more hilarity.
We like this story as part of lesson plans in counting, animals and construction for 3s and Pre-K (4s and 5s)
Watch Angel Gantnier read Frankie Works the Nightshift on Youtube.
(Below please find a list of reading comprehension questions and vocabulary words. This list is not exhaustive, and it may spark additional questions from your kiddos. As always, we recommend that you scaffold based on your age group and the wigglies of your kiddos.)
Reading comprehension questions:
Before reading: Looking at the cover, what is Frankie wearing? What do you see the title letters are made out of? Where might you find these items? What do you think the tools that make up the letters have to do with the story?
After reading title: What is the “night shift”? What do you think Frankie’s job is at night?
As you read: After Frankie discovers the mouse, challenge children to find it on each page.
After reading: Do you think Frankie was really working? What was he actually doing all night (creating more work and waking up his owners). Why do you think Frankie is so tired in the daytime? Do you think he ever caught the mouse?
Vocabulary:
- wastebasket
- geraniums
- inspects
- intruder
- ignores
- duct tape
