Notable Nature N - Nests, Nature, Noodles, and Night.

Day 1: N is for Nest

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

• Lesson: Introduce the letter N. It looks like two tall trees with a diagonal branch connecting them. Practice the /n/ sound—touch your tongue behind your top teeth and make a sound through your nose!

• Craft: Shredded Paper Nests. Glue brown shredded paper or dried grass from your yard onto a paper plate to form a nest. Add "N-N-Nine" small pom-pom "eggs" inside.

• Activity: The Nest Quest. Go on a nature walk in your backyard. Look high in the trees to see if you can spot any real bird Nests. Talk about what birds use to build them (Needles, twigs, mud).

• Books to Read:

  • The Best Nest by P.D. Eastman.

• Song: "The Nest Song."

  • Tune: The Wheels on the Bus

  • The birds in the yard build a nest, nest, nest,

  • Nest, nest, nest, nest, nest, nest.

  • (Cup your hands together to make a nest shape)

  • The birds in the yard build a nest, nest, nest,

  • High up in the tree. (Reach your arms up high)

  • The eggs in the nest stay warm and safe...

  • The babies in the nest go tweet, tweet, tweet...

• Snack: "Nest" Snacks (Chow mein noodles or pretzel sticks with round grapes for eggs).

Day 2: N is for Nature & Names

Focus: Observation and self-identity.

• Lesson: Talk about what Nature is (everything outside!). Practice spelling the children's Names.

• Craft: Nature Name Art. Write each child's name in large letters. Have them glue bits of Nature they found outside (leaves, petals, twigs) over the lines of their name.

• Activity: Nature I-Spy. Sit quietly in the grass. "I spy with my little eye, something in Nature that is [color]."

• Books to Read:

  • Nature Cat books

  • The Curious Garden.

• Song: "Nature's Quiet Sound."

  • Tune: Hush, Little Baby

  • Nature is quiet, Nature is still, (Put a finger to your lips)

  • From the tall green trees to the grassy hill.

  • Listen closely, what do you hear? (Cup your hand behind your ear)

  • Nature is whispering in your ear.

  • N-N-Nature, N-N-Nice,

  • Let’s go walk through it once or twice!

• Snack: Nectarines and Nuts (if no allergies) or No-bake energy bites.

Day 3: N is for Noodles & Numbers

Focus: Fine motor skills and counting.

• Lesson: Explore different types of Noodles. Practice counting from one to Nine.

• Craft: Noodle Necklaces. Use dyed penne or rigatoni noodles. Have the children string them onto yarn to practice their "pincher" grasp.

• Activity: Noodle Sensory Bin. Fill a bin with dry Noodles of all shapes and sizes. Hide plastic Numbers inside for the children to dig out and identify.

• Books to Read:

  • Strega Nona by Tomie dePaola.

• Song: "On Top of Spaghetti" (about a rolling Noodle!)

  • Tune: On Top of Old Smokey

  • On top of spaghetti, all covered with cheese,

  • I lost my poor meatball, when somebody sneezed.

  • (Make a big "A-choo!" sound)

  • It rolled off the table, and on to the floor,

  • And then my poor meatball, it rolled out the door.

  • (Roll your hands over each other)

  • It rolled in the garden, and under a bush,

  • And now my poor meatball, is nothing but mush!

• Snack: Noodle soup or pasta salad.

Day 4: N is for Night & Neighbors

Focus: Contrasts and community.

• Lesson: Discuss the difference between day and Night. Talk about the people who live next door—our Neighbors.

• Craft: Night Sky Painting. Use dark blue or black paper. Let the children use white chalk or "N-N-Neon" stars to create a Night sky.

• Activity: Won't You Be My Neighbor? Practice knocking on "imaginary doors" and saying, "Good morning, Neighbor! Would you like to play?"

• Books to Read:

  • The Napping House by Audrey Wood.

• Song: "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star" (A Night song).

• Snack: Nachos (mild cheese on chips) or Navy beans.

Day 5: N is for Nose & Noisy

Focus: Body parts and volume control.

• Lesson: Review all "N" words. Point to your Nose. Practice being very Noisy and then very quiet.

• Craft: Nose Puppet. Draw a face on a paper bag, but make the Nose extra large and funny using a pom-pom or a folded strip of paper.

• Activity: The Noisy Parade. Give the children "instruments" (pots and pans) and let them be as Noisy as they can while marching. When you say "No more Noise!", they must freeze.

• Books to Read:

  • The Nose Book by Al Perkins.

• Song: "The Noisy Song."

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

  • If you're noisy and you know it,

  • stomp your feet! (Stomp loudly)

  • If you're noisy and you know it, stomp your feet!

  • If you're noisy and you know it, and you really want to show it,

  • If you're noisy and you know it, stomp your feet!

  • If you're quiet and you know it, whisper "N-N-N"... (Whisper the /n/ sound)

• Snack: Nilla wafers and Nog (milk).