Preschool/KG
FromMore Than Letters, Sally Moomaw and Brenda Hieronymus
What to have - white construction paper, 12 by 18 inches (one sheet per child), with the words to the song clearly printed on each sheet and blanks left for the name of each child and what he or she built - divided tray containing construction paper collage pieces cut in the shapes and colors of table blocks - glue containers
What to do This big book is based on a repetitive song. It allows children to include their names in the song and tell what they like to build with blocks. Children use paper collage pieces cut into the shapes and colors of small wooden blocks to illustrate the pages of the book. Each child can contribute a page. Children are eager to read this class big book again and again. As they listen to the changes made to the text by each child, they increasingly focus on the written words. Helpful Hints Trace around table blocks to produce patterns for the collage pieces. You can print the words on a computer and then adhere them to the construction paper, or simply hand-print them directly onto the paper.
Why Children will quickly memorize the words to the song and follow along as they listen to the big book. Many children will learn to read the names of all of the children in the class. Some children will begin to read words from the book in other contexts. Children will begin to construct voice-print pairing and left-to-right orientation.
For more activities check out More Than Letters: Preschool, Kindergarten, and First Grade Literacy Activities
By Sally Moomaw and Brenda Hieronymus Copyright 2001 Preschool/KG