Grown-Up Goals. Kid-Sized Joy.
Learning in disguise.
"Super, Sun-Shiny S" - Squirrels, Sunshine, Snakes, and Seeds.
Day 1: S is for Squirrel
Focus: Introducing the letter shape and the hissing /s/ sound.
Lesson: Introduce the letter S. It looks like a curvy snake or a winding slide! Practice the /s/ sound—make a long "sssss" sound like air leaking out of a tire.
Craft: Squirrel Tail. Use a large cutout of a Squirrel. Have children glue crumpled brown paper or faux fur onto the tail to make it Super Soft and bushy.
Activity: Squirrel Scramble. Hide acorns or "pretend nuts" (pinecones) around your large backyard. Have the children Scurry around to collect them in their "winter nests."
Books to Read: The Busy Little Squirrel by Nancy Tafuri.
Song: "The Squirrel Song."
Tune: Original / Simple Rhythm
Frisky, frisky, hippity-hop,
Up he goes to the tree-top!
(Reach high above your head)
Whirly, twirly, round and round, (
Spin in a circle)
Down he scampers to the ground.
(Crouch down low)
Furly, curly, what a tail!
(Wiggle your hips)
Tall as a feather, broad as a sail.
Snack: Sunflower seeds (shelled) or Sliced Strawberries.
Day 2: S is for Sunshine & Shadows
Focus: Light and weather.
Lesson: Discuss the Sun. It’s a giant Star that gives us light. Look for your Shadows on the grass.
Craft: Sun Catchers. Use yellow and orange tissue paper on contact paper to make bright Sun shapes to hang in your windows.
Activity: Shadow Tag. Run around the backyard and try to step on a friend's Shadow to "tag" them.
Books to Read:
Sun! One in a Billion by Stacy McAnulty.
Song: "You Are My Sunshine."
Tune: Traditional
You are my sunshine,
my only sunshine, Y
ou make me happy when skies are grey.
(Make a big circle with your arms over your head)
You’ll never know, dear, how much I love you,
Please don’t take my sunshine away.
Snack: Sunny-side-up eggs or Star-shaped cheese slices.
Day 3: S is for Snake & Snail
Focus: Curvy lines and slow/fast movement.
Lesson: Compare a Snake (which moves Swiftly) to a Snail (which is Slow).
Craft: Spiral Snails. Use a paper plate and draw a large Spiral. Let children paint the spiral and add goopy "slime" (glitter glue) along the trail.
Activity: The Slither Slide. Have children lie on their tummies and Slither across the grass like Snakes, then get up and move as Slowly as a Snail.
Books to Read:
The Biggest House in the World by Leo Lionni.
Song: "I'm a Slippery Snake."
Tune: The Hokey Pokey
You put your tongue out far,
You pull your tongue back in.
(Make a quick /s/ sound)
You slither to the left,
And you slither to the right.
You do the Slippery-Snake and you turn yourself around,
That's what it's all about!
Snack: String cheese or Smoothies.
Day 4: S is for Seeds & Soil
Focus: Nature and growth.
Lesson: Talk about how Small Seeds grow into Strong plants in the Spring.
Craft: Seed Collages. Use a variety of Seeds (sunflower, pumpkin, bean) and glue them onto a large letter S.
Activity: Digging in the Soil. Use your outdoor play area to let children use Spades to dig in the dirt. Look for Slug or worm "surprises"!
Books to Read: The Tiny Seed by Eric Carle.
Song: "The Seed Song."
Tune: The Farmer in the Dell
The seed is in the soil,
The seed is in the soil.
(Point to the ground)
Heigh-ho, the derry-o,
The seed is in the soil.
Continue with...
The sun begins to shine...
(Open your arms to make sun rays)
The rain begins to fall...
(Wiggle your fingers to show rain falling)
The plant begins to sprout!
(Slowly stand up and stretch arms out)
Snack: Sugar snap peas or Sweet potato fries (a favorite of yours!)
Day 5: S is for Space & Stars
Focus: Review and the night sky.
Lesson: Review all "S" words. Talk about Space and the Stars we see at night.
Craft: Starry Night. Use dark blue paper and Silver Star stickers to create a galaxy.
Activity: Space Ship Launch. Use a cardboard box as a Space ship. Count down: "5, 4, 3, 2, 1... Slast off!"
Books to Read: How to Catch a Star by Oliver Jeffers.
Song: "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star."
Snack: Sandwiches cut into Star shapes.