"Happy Heart H" - Homes, Horses, Hats, and Helping.

Day 1: H is for Home & House

Focus: Introducing the letter shape and the breathy sound of /h/ sound.

• Lesson: Introduce the letter H. It looks like two tall towers with a bridge connecting them. Practice the /h/ sound—it’s like a tired breath after running.

• Craft: Shape Houses. Use a large square for the house and a triangle for the roof. Let children glue on rectangular doors and square windows.

• Activity: Backyard "Home" Build. Use large cardboard boxes or outdoor play equipment to build a "neighborhood." Practice going in and out of the House.

• Books to Read: The Little House by Virginia Lee Burton.

• Song: "Building a House."

  • Tune: The Farmer in the Dell

  • We’re building up a house, We’re building up a house. (Pretend to hammer)

  • Heigh-ho, the derry-o, We’re building up a house.

  • The roof goes on the top, The roof goes on the top. (Make a point with your hands over your head)

  • Heigh-ho, the derry-o, The roof goes on the top.

  • The door goes open wide, The door goes open wide. (Swing arms out)

  • Heigh-ho, the derry-o, Step inside the house! (Take a big step forward)

• Snack: "House" Crackers (square graham crackers with a triangular cheese slice on top).

Day 2: H is for Horse

Focus: Rhythm and movement.

• Lesson: Discuss horses and how they live in a Hay barn. Practice "galloping."

• Craft: Paper Plate Horse. Paint a plate brown, add yarn for a mane, and two pointed paper ears.

• Activity: Horse Races. Have the children gallop across the grass. Use the phrase "Hurry, Hurry, Horses!" to practice the /h/ sound.

• Books to Read:

  • Hello, Horse by Vivian French.

• Song: "The Horse Galloped Over the Hill."

  • Tune: The Bear Went Over the Mountain

  • The horse galloped over the hill, The horse galloped over the hill, The horse galloped over the hill,

  • To see what he could see! (Gallop in place or around the room)

  • And all that he could see, And all that he could see,

  • Was a big pile of H-H-Hay! A big pile of H-H-Hay! (Pretend to munch on hay)

  • The horse galloped over the hill, To see what he could see!

• Snack: Haystacks (pretzel sticks) and Honey crisp apple slices.

Day 3: H is for Hat & Hair

Focus: Self-expression and body parts.

• Lesson: Look at different types of Hats (sun hats, hard hats, party hats). Talk about different colors of Hair.

• Craft: Silly Hat Day. Provide streamers, stickers, and paper bowls to create the silliest hats possible.

• Activity: Hat Toss. Try to toss beanbags or soft balls into a large overturned Hat.

• Books to Read:

  • Caps for Sale by Esphyr Slobodkina.

• Song: "The Hat Song" (Tune: The Hokey Pokey).

• Snack: Hummus with carrot "hair" on top.

Day 4: H is for Helping Hands

Focus: Social-emotional learning and kindness.

• Lesson: Discuss how we can use our Hands to be Helpers. Ask: "How can you Help at Home?"

• Craft: Helping Hand Tree. Trace the children's hands on colorful paper, cut them out, and glue them to a "trunk" on the wall to make a tree of kindness.

• Activity: Heavy Haulers. Have children work in pairs to carry a "heavy" basket of toys together to practice teamwork.

• Books to Read:

  • The Little Red Hen.

• Song: "Helping Hands."

  • Tune: Twinkle Twinkle Little Star

  • Helping hands are kind and true, Helping me and helping you. (Hold out hands, palms up)

  • I can help to pick up toys, (Pretend to pick up toys) For all the little girls and boys.

  • Helping hands are kind and true, Helping me and helping you.

• Snack: Heart-shaped sandwiches or Honeydew melon.

Day 5: H is for Hippo & Hop

Focus: Review and gross motor skills.

• Lesson: Review all "H" words. Introduce the Hungry Hippo.

• Craft: Heart Hippo. Use a large paper heart (turned upside down) as the face of a hippo. Add two smaller hearts for ears.

• Activity: The H-H-Hop-a-thon. See how many times the children can Hop on one foot, then the other.

• Books to Read:

  • Hippos Are Huge! by Jonathan London.

• Song: "Hippity Hop."

  • Tune: Original / Chant with a Simple Beat

    Hippity hop, hippity hop, Jump so high you never stop! (Jump up and down)

  • H-H-High and H-H-Low, (Reach high, then crouch low)

  • Watch the happy hippo go! Hippity hop, hippity hop,

  • Jump so high 'til the music stops... FREEZE! (Stand perfectly still)

• Snack: Hard-boiled eggs or Hot cross buns.