Grown-Up Goals. Kid-Sized Joy.
Learning in disguise.
"Dazzling D"
This week we explore the deep /d/ sound with a focus on Dinosaurs, Dogs, and Digging.
Day 1: D is for Dinosaur
Focus: Introducing the letter shape and the /d/ sound.
Lesson: Introduce the letter D. Explain that uppercase D has one big "door" or "drum" belly. Practice the "d-d-d" sound like a drumbeat.
Craft: Paper Plate Dinosaur. Cut a paper plate in half for the body. Use the other half to cut out a long neck, head, and tail. Paint it green and add "D" scales.
Activity: Dinosaur Stomp. Put on music and have the children stomp around the room with heavy "Dino" feet. When the music stops, they must "freeze" like a fossil.
Books to Read:
How Do Dinosaurs Say Goodnight? by Jane Yolen.
Song:
"The Dinosaurs Went Marching" (Tune: The Ants Go Marching)
The dinosaurs went marching one by one, Roar! Roar!
(Stomp one foot, then the other, and pump your fist for the "Roars")
The dinosaurs went marching one by one, Roar! Roar!
The dinosaurs went marching one by one,
The little one stopped to have some fun.
(Spin around once in a circle)
And they all went marching down,
to the ground, To take a nap... BOOM! BOOM! BOOM! (
Stomp three times loudly or jump and land on the "Booms")
Additional Verses
You can keep the counting going by changing the "fun" rhyming line for each number:
Two by two: The little one stopped to tie his shoe.
Three by three: The little one stopped to climb a tree.
Four by four: The little one stopped to shut the door.
Five by five: The little one stopped to take a dive.
Classroom Game: "Dino-Leader"
To go along with this song during your D-D-Dinosaur day:
Have the children line up behind you (the "Lead Dino").
As you march, call out different "D" actions.
"Dinos, let's D-D-Dance!" or "Dinos, let's D-D-Dig!"
The children have to switch their movements while continuing to march to the beat of the song.
This is a great way to burn off energy before transitioning to a quieter activity like your "Dino Claws" snack!
Snack: "Dino Claws" (Bugles corn snacks or triangular pieces of pita bread with hummus).
Day 2: D is for Dog
Focus: Empathy and animal sounds.
Lesson: Talk about how dogs are "man's best friend." Discuss the different jobs dogs have (helping, herding, or just being a pet).
Craft: Spotted D-Dog. Cut a large letter D out of white paper. Let children use black paint or markers to give the dog "D-spots." Add a floppy ear made of felt or construction paper.
Activity: Doggy, Doggy, Where’s Your Bone? One child hides their eyes while another "steals" a toy bone. The first child has to guess who has it.
Books to Read:
Harry the Dirty Dog by Gene Zion
Go, Dog. Go! by P.D. Eastman.
Song: "B-I-N-G-O" (The classic dog song).
Snack: "Puppy Chow" (A mix of square cereal, pretzels, and dried fruit) served in small, clean bowls.
Day 3: D is for Digging & Dirt
Focus: Sensory play and discovery.
Lesson: Talk about what we find under the ground. Practice the /d/ sound while pretending to shovel dirt.
Craft: Mud Painting. Mix a little dirt with water and brown paint. Let the children use old toothbrushes or sticks to "paint" on thick cardstock.
Activity: The Big Dig. Fill a sensory bin or an outdoor patch of soil with buried "treasures" (plastic dinosaurs, "D" blocks, or smooth stones). Give children shovels and brushes to discover them.
Books to Read:
Dig Dig Digging by Margaret Mayo.
Song: "Digging in the Dirt" (Tune: The Farmer in the Dell)
This is a great high-energy chant for your "D is for Digging" day. It’s perfect for transitions when you are heading out to your sensory bin or backyard.
Digging in the Dirt
We’re digging in the dirt, (Mimic a shoveling motion with your arms)
We’re digging in the dirt. Heigh-ho, the derry-o, We’re digging in the dirt!
We’re looking for a [Dinosaur], (Shade your eyes with one hand like you are searching)
We’re looking for a [Dinosaur]. Heigh-ho, the derry-o, We’re looking for a [Dinosaur]!
Verses for "D Week"
You can swap out the object in the second verse to reinforce other "D" words you’ve been learning:
"We’re looking for a Doggy bone..."
"We’re looking for a Diamond stone..."
"We’re looking for a Dusty Duck..."
Sensory Activity Idea
While singing this, give each child a small plastic shovel or a sturdy spoon. If you are doing this indoors, you can use a "D-Box" filled with brown shredded paper or dried black beans to represent the dirt.
Teaching Tip: To make it even more interactive, have a child name something they want to find in the "dirt" before each new verse. It’s a fun way to check their understanding of the /d/ sound—if they suggest something like an "Apple," you can gently remind them, "That starts with A! Let's find something that starts with D, like a Drum!"
Snack: "Dirt Cups" (Chocolate pudding topped with crushed chocolate cookies and a gummy worm).
Day 4: D is for Ducks & Drifting
Focus: Water play and nature sounds.
Lesson: Talk about ducks and how they "drift" on the water. Practice the "Quack-quack" and "D-D-Duck" sounds.
Craft: Feathered Duck. Draw a large "D" and have children glue yellow feathers or yellow torn paper inside the shape to make a duck.
Activity: Duck, Duck, Goose. A classic game to practice gross motor skills and waiting for a turn.
Books to Read:
Make Way for Ducklings by Robert McCloskey.
Song: "Five Little Ducks Went Out One Day."
Five little ducks went out one day, (Hold up five fingers)
Over the hill and far away. (Move your hand in a waving motion over an imaginary hill)
Mother duck said, "Quack, quack, quack, quack," (Make a "beak" with your hand and snap it shut)
But only four little ducks came back. (Hold up four fingers)
Four little ducks went out one day,
Over the hill and far away.
Mother duck said, "Quack, quack, quack, quack,"
But only three little ducks came back. (Hold up three fingers)
Three little ducks went out one day,
Over the hill and far away.
Mother duck said, "Quack, quack, quack, quack,"
But only two little ducks came back. (Hold up two fingers)
Two little ducks went out one day,
Over the hill and far away.
Mother duck said, "Quack, quack, quack, quack,"
But only one little duck came back. (Hold up one finger)
One little duck went out one day,
Over the hill and far away.
Mother duck said, "Quack, quack, quack, quack,"
But none of the five little ducks came back. (Hold up a fist for zero)
Sad mother duck went out one day,
Over the hill and far away.
The mother duck said, "Quack, quack, quack, quack,"
And all of the five little ducks came back! (Wiggle all five fingers excitedly)
Alternate Ending (The "D" Version) (This is the version that I learned so many years ago!)
Sometimes teachers like to switch the "Mother" to "Daddy" during D week to emphasize the /d/ sound even more:
"Daddy duck said, 'QUACK, QUACK, QUACK, QUACK!'" (Use a deep, loud voice for Daddy Duck)
Classroom Activity
If you have an outside play area, you can bring this song to life outside:
Designate a "hill" (a porch step or a mound of grass).
Have five children be the ducks and "drift" away over the hill.
The children love the suspense of waiting to see if they get to "come back" at the end of the song!
Snack: "Ducks in a Pond" (Blue gelatin or yogurt with a small piece of apricot or a round cracker on top).
Day 5: D is for Dots & Dancing
Focus: Review and celebration.
Lesson: Review all the D words: Dinosaur, Dog, Dig, and Duck. Talk about the "D-D-Dots" on a ladybug or a dice.
Craft: Dot Art. Use "Do-A-Dot" markers or bingo daubers to fill in a large letter D outline.
Activity: Disco Dance Party. Turn on the music and have a D-D-Dance party! Every time you yell "D!", the kids have to drop to the floor.
Books to Read:
The Dot by Peter H. Reynolds.
Song: "The Dancing Song" (Tune: Hokey Pokey)
This variation of the "Hokey Pokey" is a fantastic way to end your Letter D week with a high-energy "Disco" or "Dance" party. It focuses on physical coordination and the stuttered "D-D-D" sound.
The Dancing Song
You put your right foot in,
You take your right foot out.
You put your right foot in,
And you do the D-D-Dance! (Everyone does a silly, high-energy dance move)
You shake your body all around,
You stomp your feet upon the ground.
That’s what it’s all about! (Clap twice)
You put your left hand in,
You take your left hand out.
You put your left hand in,
And you do the D-D-Dance!
You shake your body all around,
You stomp your feet upon the ground.
That’s what it’s all about! (Clap twice)
Additional Verses
You can keep the song going by adding different body parts or even "D" items:
"You put your whole self in..."
"You put your Dinosaur tail in..." (Wiggle your hips!)
"You put your Doggy ears in..." (Flap your hands by your head!)
Classroom Tip: The "Freeze" Game
Since this is a "Dance Party" activity, you can add a challenge. When the music stops or you shout "D-D-D-DROP!", every child has to drop to the floor as fast as they can. This helps with listening skills and adds a bit of extra laughter to the lesson.
Reviewing the "D" Week
As you finish the song, you can have a quick "D-Talk" where each child shouts out their favorite "D" thing they learned about this week (Dinosaurs, Dogs, Ducks, or Digging) before heading to their final Dot snack.
Snack: "Dot Snacks" (Blueberries, peas, or round cereal).
Outdoor Nature Activity: The "D" Detective
Take the children outside with "detective" badges. Look for:
Dandelion "wishes" (the white fluffy ones).
Dew on the grass (if it's morning).
Dry leaves vs. Damp leaves.
Doves or other birds in the trees.