"Kind and Kinetic K"

Day 1: K is for Kite

Focus: Introducing the letter shape and the /k/ sound.

• Lesson: Introduce the letter K. It looks like a tall person kicking a ball! Practice the "k-k-k" sound (a short, sharp sound in the back of your throat).

• Craft: Paper Plate Kites. Decorate paper plates with streamers for "tails." Attach a string and let the children run with them in the backyard to see them "fly."

• Activity: Wind Runners. Head outside and talk about how the wind helps a Kite fly. Have the children run Kite-fast from one side of the yard to the other.

• Books to Read:

  • Stuck by Oliver Jeffers.

• Song: "Let’s Go Fly a Kite."

  • Tune: Original / Mary Poppins

  • With paper and string, you can do anything! Let's go fly a kite, up to the highest height!

  • (Reach your arms up high and sway them)

  • Up through the atmosphere, up where the air is clear, Oh, let's go fly a kite!

  • (Spin in a circle as if running with a kite)

  • (Chorus) Let's go fly a kite, up to the highest height! (Reach your arms as high as they can go)

  • Let's go fly a kite and send it soaring! (Sway your arms back and forth like a kite in the wind)

  • Up through the atmosphere, up where the air is clear, Oh, let's go fly a kite!

    When you send it up high, it will dance in the sky, Like a bird on a wing, that is tied to a string.

  • Oh, let’s go fly a kite!

    (Chorus) Let's go fly a kite, up to the highest height! Let's go fly a kite and send it soaring! Up through the atmosphere, up where the air is clear, Oh, let's go fly a kite!

    Classroom Movements

    • The Launch: Have the children crouch down low on "With paper and string" and slowly "rise up" as the kite goes higher.

    • The Run: During the chorus, have the kids run in a circle or across the grass (if you're outside) while looking over their shoulders to see their "imaginary" kite.

    • The Tail: Wiggle your hips or wave a colorful scarf behind you to represent the kite's tail.

• Snack: Kiwi slices and Knot pretzels.

Day 2: K is for Kangaroo

Focus: Jumping and "pockets."

• Lesson: Discuss Kangaroos. They are "K-K-Kings" of jumping! Talk about how a baby kangaroo (a joey) stays in a pocket.

• Craft: Kangaroo Pouches. Tape a paper "pocket" onto the front of the children's shirts. Let them find "K" objects (like a toy Key or Kitten) to keep in their pouch.

• Activity: The Kangaroo Hop. Use hula hoops as "pockets" on the grass. Have the children hop from one hoop to another without stopping.

• Books to Read:

  • Does a Kangaroo Have a Mother, Too? by Eric Carle.

• Song: "The Kangaroo Jump."

  • Tune: The Hokey Pokey

  • You put your two feet in, You put your two feet out.

  • You put your two feet in, And you jump, jump, jump about! (Do big kangaroo hops)

  • You do the K-K-Kangaroo and you turn yourself around, That's what it's all about! (Clap twice)

• Snack: "Kangaroo Pockets" (Pita bread halves filled with turkey or hummus).

Day 3: K is for King & Kingdom

Focus: Imagination and leadership.

• Lesson: Discuss what a King or Queen does. Talk about being the "King of Kindness" in your classroom.

• Craft: Golden Crowns. Use yellow construction paper and "K" stickers or Kaleidoscopic glitter to make crowns.

• Activity: King of the Castle. Use your outdoor play structure as the "Castle." The children have to give a "Kind Command" (like "Give a high five!") to enter.

• Books to Read:

  • Where the Wild Things Are (Max is the King of all Wild Things!).

• Song: "The King is in the Kitchen."

  • Tune: The Farmer in the Dell

    The king is in the kitchen, The king is in the kitchen. (Pretend to stir a big pot)

  • Heigh-ho, the derry-o, The king is in the kitchen.

    He’s making k-k-ketchup... He’s making k-k-kettle corn... He’s making k-k-kiwi pie...

• Snack: Kettle corn and Kobobs (fruit on a blunt skewer).

Day 4: K is for Keyboard & Keys

Focus: Fine motor skills and music.

• Lesson: Look at a computer Keyboard or a piano. Talk about how Keys unlock doors.

• Craft: Key Rubbings. Place various metal keys under paper and rub with crayons to see the different shapes.

• Activity: The Key Hunt. Hide a set of "magic" keys in the sensory bin or backyard. The child who finds them gets to choose the next "K" song.

• Books to Read: The Key to My Heart or a book about musical instruments.

• Song: "K-K-K-Keys."

  • Tune: Jingle Bells

  • K-K-Keys, K-K-Keys, Jingle all the way! (Pretend to shake a keyring)

  • Oh what fun it is to lock The door at end of day! (Make a turning motion with your hand)

  • K-K-Keys, K-K-Keys, Unlock every door.

  • One for the house and one for the car, And then I have some more!

• Snack: Kefir or Kale chips (baked in the oven until they are Krunchy!).

Day 5: K is for Kindness & Keep-Sakes

Focus: Social-emotional learning and review.

• Lesson: Review all "K" words. Talk about how to Keep our friends happy by being Kind.

• Craft: Kindness Stones. Paint small rocks (keepsakes) with bright colors to give to a friend or family member.

• Activity: Kick-ball. A simple game of kick-ball in the backyard to practice coordination and cheering for friends.

• Books to Read: The Kindness Book by Todd Parr.

• Song: "The Kindness Song."

  • Tune: Twinkle Twinkle Little Star

  • Kindness, kindness, all around, In our hearts and with our sounds.

  • (Place hands over heart, then point to the floor)

  • I’ll be kind to you today, (Point to a friend)

  • In the things I do and say. Kindness, kindness, all around, In our hearts and with our sounds.

  • Talk about how words and sounds can be kind vs. unkind.

    • Kindness Discussions:

    1. Introduce a "Peace Rose" or "Talking Stick"
    When two children have a conflict, they can sit together with a special object like a "Peace Rose" (even a plastic one) or a decorated "Talking Stick."

    • The rule is simple: only the person holding the object can speak.

    • The first child says, "I didn't like it when you..." or "It made me feel sad when..."

    • Then, they hand the object to the second child, who gets their turn to express their feelings. This teaches them to listen and wait their turn, which are crucial first steps in resolving any argument.

    2. Read Stories About Conflict and Resolution
    There are many wonderful books that explore disagreement in a way that is perfect for preschoolers. Reading these can help normalize the fact that everyone gets angry and has arguments.

    • "Llama Llama Mad at Mama" by Anna Dewdney: Explores frustration and how to handle big feelings.

    • "When Sophie Gets Angry - Really, Really Angry..." by Molly Bang: A great story for talking about what to do when your anger feels out of control.

    • "A Weekend with Wendell" by Kevin Henkes: Shows two friends with very different ideas on how to play and how they eventually find a compromise.

    • As you read, you can ask the children, "What do you think they should do to solve their problem?

    3. Role-Play with Puppets
    During a circle time, you can use two puppets to act out a common classroom disagreement.

    • Puppet 1: "That's my truck!"

    • Puppet 2: "No, I had it first!"

    • Teacher: "Oh my, looks like our puppet friends have a problem. How can we help them solve it?"

    • This allows the children to observe the conflict from a safe distance and practice offering solutions. They will learn that their ideas and words have the power to create a positive resolution.

    4. Create a "Calm-Down Corner"
    Sometimes an argument escalates simply because a child is overwhelmed. A "Calm-Down Corner" can be a small, cozy space with a few quiet sensory items.
    This isn't a place for a "time-out" but rather a place for a child to go voluntarily for a few minutes to breathe and reset before they can come back and use their "Peace Rose" to solve the problem.
    By focusing on these positive skills, you’re not just stopping an argument; you’re giving your students the emotional tools they’ll need for the rest of their lives.

• Snack: Kidney beans (in a mild chili) or Kumquats.