Quirky Q - Quacks, Quilts, and Questions.

Day 1: Q is for Quack

Focus: Introducing the letter shape and the /kw/ sound. Q is always followed with it's friend "u"

• Lesson: Introduce the letter Q. It’s a round circle with a little kickstand! Practice the /kw/ sound—it’s like a "k" and a "w" hugging together.

• Craft: Handprint Ducks. Paint the palm yellow and the fingers orange (for the beak). Once dry, add a "Q" on the duck's belly.

• Activity: The Duck Walk. Have the children waddle around the backyard like ducks. Every time you say "Q-Q-Quack!", they have to squat down low.

• Books to Read: Make Way for Ducklings by Robert McCloskey.

• Song: "Five Little Ducks."

  • Tune: Traditional

  • Five little ducks went out one day,

  • Over the hill and far away.

  • (Hold up five fingers and wave them like a hill)

  • Mother duck said, "Quack, quack, quack, quack!" (

  • Make a beak with your hand)

  • But only four little ducks came back....

  • (See curriculum for letter D)

• Snack: Quack-ers (duck-shaped crackers) or Quesadillas.

Day 2: Q is for Quilt

Focus: Patterns, textures, and comfort.

• Lesson: Discuss what a Quilt is—many different pieces of fabric sewn together to keep us warm. Show real quilts or pictures of quilts.

• Craft: Paper Patchwork Quilt. Give each child a square of paper to decorate with "Q" patterns. Tape all the squares together on your classroom wall to make one giant "Joyful Chapters Quilt."

• Activity: Under the Quilt. Use a large blanket or parachute. Have the children sit Quietly underneath and tell a "Q" story.

• Books to Read:

  • The Quiltmaker's Gift by Jeff Brumbeau.

• Song: "The Quilt Song."

  • Tune: The Wheels on the Bus

  • For squares on a quilt we go stitch, stitch, stitch,

  • Stitch, stitch, stitch, stitch, stitch, stitch.

  • (Pretend to sew with a needle)

  • For squares on a quilt we go stitch, stitch, stitch,

  • Quilts keep us warm and cozy. (

  • Hug yourself)

• Snack: Quiche (mini versions) or square Queen cakes.

Day 3: Q is for Quiet & Quick

Focus: Volume control and speed.

• Lesson: Practice being Quiet (whispering) and being Quick (moving fast).

• Craft: Quiet Shakers. Fill plastic bottles with soft items like cotton balls or pom-poms. They make a very Quiet sound when shaken.

• Activity: The Quick/Quiet Game. When you shout "Quick!", the children run in place. When you whisper "Quiet...", they must tiptoe as softly as possible.

• Books to Read:

  • The Quiet Book by Deborah Underwood.

    Song: "The Quietest Song in the World."

  • Tune: Twinkle Twinkle Little Star

  • Quiet, quiet, nary a sound,

  • Softly, softly, on the ground.

  • (Tiptoe in place)

  • Like a queen within her hall,

  • We are quiet, one and all.

  • (Put a finger to your lips)

  • Shh... q-q-quiet.

• Snack: Quinoa salad with sweet potatoes

Day 4: Q is for Queen & Question

Focus: Social skills and curiosity.

• Lesson: Talk about how a Queen wears a crown. Discuss how to ask a Question when we want to learn something.

• Craft: Q-Tip Painting. Use Q-tips dipped in paint to make "dot" art of a crown or a giant letter Q.

• Activity: The Question Box. Put a "mystery object" in a box. The children have to ask "Q"uestions to guess what it is (e.g., "Is it Quick?", "Is it a Quilt?").

• Books to Read: The Queen's Hat by Steve Antony.

• Song: "If You Have a Question."

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

  • If you have a question, raise your hand!

  • (Raise hand high)

  • If you have a question, raise your hand!

  • If you want to know a thing,

  • like why the birds all sing,

  • If you have a question, raise your hand!

• Snack: Quartered apples or Quarter-sized pancakes.

Day 5: Q is for Quests & Review

Focus: Review and adventure.

• Lesson: Review all "Q" words. Explain that a Quest is a big adventure or a search.

• Craft: Quest Maps. Draw a map of your backyard. Mark a big X where the "Q" treasure is hidden.

• Activity: The Backyard Quest. Use the maps to find hidden "Q" cards around the yard.

• Books to Read:

  • Quackers by Liz Wong.

• Song: "Going on a Quest."

  • "Going on a Quest" song is a playful adventure chant! It follows the rhythm of the classic "Going on a Bear Hunt," which makes it very easy for the children at your daycare to follow along with the "call and response" style and the matching movements.

    Since we are on Letter Q week, you can lead them through your backyard as if you are looking for a royal treasure or a hidden quilt!

  • Style: Call and Response (Teacher says a line, kids repeat it while patting their knees to the beat)

  • (All): Going on a quest!

  • (Kids): Going on a quest!

  • (All): Looking for a Queen!

  • (Kids): Looking for a Queen!

  • (All): It’s a beautiful day!

  • (Kids): It’s a beautiful day!

  • (All): We’re not quiet! (Kids):

  • We’re not quiet!

  • Teacher: Oh-oh! A giant mud puddle.

  • Kids: A giant mud puddle.

  • Teacher: Can’t go over it.

  • Teacher: Can’t go under it.

  • Teacher: Gotta go through it!

  • (Make squishing sounds with your hands: "Squish, squash, squish, squash!")

  • Teacher: Oh-oh! A tall, tall hill.

  • Kids: A tall, tall hill.

  • Teacher: Gotta go Quickly! (Pat knees very fast: "Quick-quick-quick-quick!")

    Teacher: Oh-oh! A dark, dark cave.

  • Kids: A dark, dark cave.

  • Teacher: Gotta be Quiet... (Tiptoe silently and whisper: "Shhh, shhh, shhh...")

  • Teacher: I see a crown! I see a Quilt! I see a Quail!

  • Teacher: It's the end of our Quest!

  • RUN HOME! (Pat knees fast and pretend to run back through the cave, the hill, and the puddle!)

  • The "Q-U" Connection: Remind the kids that Q is never lonely on a quest because U is always following right behind!

• Snack: Quick oats (oatmeal) with berries.