This "Jolly Joyful J" - Jumping, Jungles, and Jars of Jam.

Day 1: J is for Jump & Jiggle

Focus: Physical movement and the /j/ sound.

• Lesson: Introduce the letter J. It looks like a fishhook! Practice the "j-j-j" sound.

• Craft: Jiggling Jellyfish. Use a paper bowl turned upside down as the body. Attach long "tentacles" made of ribbon or crepe paper. Hang them up so they jiggle when the children walk by.

• Activity: The Jump-a-thon. Head to the backyard and set up a "jumping" course. Can they jump like a Jackrabbit? Can they do Jumping Jacks?

• Books to Read:

  • Jump, Frog, Jump! by Robert Kalan.

• Song: "The Jumping Song."

  • Tune: The Wheels on the Bus

  • The children in the class go jump, jump, jump, Jump, jump, jump, jump, jump, jump.

  • (Children jump as high as they can)

  • The children in the class go jump, jump, jump, All around the room!

  • The jackrabbits in the yard go hop, hop, hop...

  • The jellyfish in the sea go jiggle, jiggle, jiggle...

• Snack: Jello jigglers or Juice boxes.

Day 2: J is for Jungle

Focus: Animal habitats and imagination.

• Lesson: Talk about the Jungle. What animals live there? (Jaguar, Jackal).

• Craft: Binocular Journey. Tape two toilet paper rolls together and add a string. Decorate with "J"s and green leaves.

• Activity: Jungle Trek. Use your binoculars to go on a "safari" in the backyard. Look for the "wild animals" (plastic toys) you’ve hidden in the grass.

• Books to Read:

  • Walking Through the Jungle by Stella Blackstone.

• Song: "Deep in the Jungle."

  • Tune: Down by the Station

  • Deep in the jungle, early in the morning,

  • See the little jaguars all in a row. (Crawl on all fours like a cat)

  • See the jungle explorer with his binoculars, (Make circles with your hands over your eyes)

  • Chug, chug, puff, puff, off we go!

• Snack: "Jungle Vines" (Green bean sticks or pretzel rods).

Day 3: J is for Jar & Jam

Focus: Fine motor skills and kitchen science.

• Lesson: Look at different types of Jars. Discuss how we use them to store things like Jelly and Jam.

• Craft: Jam Jar Painting. Cut out jar shapes from cardstock. Let children "paint" them with berry-scented playdough or real berry juice for a sensory experience.

• Activity: The Jar Guess. Fill a jar with Jellybeans or buttons. Have the children guess how many are inside.

• Books to Read:

  • Jamberry by Bruce Degen.

• Song: "The Jamberry Jig."

  • Tune: Original / Folk Rhythm

  • One berry, two berry, pick me a jamberry!

  • (Pretend to pick berries from a bush)

  • Under the bridge and over the hill,

  • Looking for a jar that we can fill!

  • (Make a "jar" shape with your hands)

  • Hatberry, shoeberry, in-my-canoe-berry,

  • We're all doing the Jamberry Jig! (Do a silly dance)

• Snack: Toast with Jelly or Jam.

Day 4: J is for Jacket & Jeans

Focus: Self-help skills and weather.

• Lesson: Since April weather can be tricky, talk about wearing a Jacket and Jeans. Practice zipping and buttoning.

• Craft: Decorate a Denim Patch. Give each child a scrap of denim fabric. Let them decorate it with fabric markers or "J" stickers.

• Activity: Jacket Relay. Line up and see who can put on their Jacket, zip it up, and take it off the fastest to "pass" to the next friend.

• Books to Read:

  • A Pocket for Corduroy (focusing on the denim overalls).

• Song: "Put on Your Jacket."

  • Tune: The Hokey Pokey

  • You put your right arm in,

  • You put your right arm out.

  • You put your right arm in,

  • And you shake it all about! (Helping them learn to find the sleeve)

  • You do the Jacket-Pokey and you zip yourself up, (Pretend to pull up a zipper)

  • That's what it's all about!

  • If it is too warm for jackets, you could sing "Put on Your Jeans" and put your right leg in....
    

• Snack: Jicama sticks with lime and a tiny bit of salt.

Day 5: J is for Joke & Joy

Focus: Social-emotional learning and review.

• Lesson: Review all "J" words. Talk about how a Joke can bring Joy. Share simple "Knock-Knock" jokes.

• Craft: Joyful Journals. Give each child a small notebook. Let them draw things that make them feel Joyful.

• Activity: The Jellybean Hunt. Hide paper Jellybeans around the yard. Each one has a "J" word or letter on it for them to find.

• Books to Read:

  • The Book of Joy (Children’s version).

• Song: "If You're Joyful and You Know It."

  • Tune: If You're Happy and You Know It

  • If you're joyful and you know it, shout "J-J-J!"

  • If you're joyful and you know it, shout "J-J-J!"

  • If you're joyful and you know it, then your face will surely show it, (Point to a big smile)

  • If you're joyful and you know it, shout "J-J-J!"

• Snack: Jellybeans (just a few!) and Juice.