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."