Dust Bunnies

Week one of two:

Practice writing letters of the child's name and identify how many parts are in his/her name. Teach syllabication in group by saying the child's name, clapping out the syllables and then blending the name together again by clapping and saying the whole name.

Listen to the book, Rhyming Dust Bunnies, by Jan Thomas in which dust bunnies make rhymes together until being swept up by a broom. While reading the story, the children will

repeat and make up new rhyming words. The rhyme patterns are "ar," "ug,"

"og" and "at." Even making up nonsense rhyming words is fun as

it teaches the children that the ending sound pattern is what makes.

Teach the game of "Rhyme Away." The teachers read a story and have the students fill in the missing rhymes and then erase the corresponding portions of the picture. For example,

"He can't smell a rose, you erase his nose.

He can't play in a band, you erase his hand, etc." a rhyme.

Week two of two:

*Each day at preschool, the children practice finding their name on

the "question of the day" chart and writing their names

on a play plan, etc. Literacy research has proven that children have

a high interest in learning the letters of his/her last name. In addition

to learning letters, it is key that children identify how many parts

are in a word, syllabication. We will teach syllabication in group

by saying the child's name, clapping out the syllables and then

blending the name together again by clapping and saying the

whole name.

*Children will listen to the book, Mean Dust Bunnies, by Jan

Thomas in which a mean dust bunny who's gray, sharp-toothed,

and very grumpy interacts with other dust bunnies. When they

invite him to rhyme a word with “fit,” he volunteers “sit” and

flattens them. Next, the meanie takes a turn, demanding,

“What rhymes with face?” The apprehensive bunnies learn he

has “chase” in mind. All is finally set right with a hug.

*Children learn concepts best when paired with movement and

when they are relaxed and having fun. Therefore, the teachers

will teach the game of "Add a Rhyme." The teachers read a

story and have the students fill in the missing rhymes to create

a picture. For example, "When you draw a monster, it is said,

You always begin with his head, etc."