P.A.W.S. Parent Programs for Preschoolers
Bunny Cakes Lesson
Name Recognition, KidWriting and Math Sets
Name Recognition Objectives
Children will:
o identify name on name card.
o name/count individual letters in name.
o isolate beginning sound in name.
o match beginning letter/sound to names of other children.
Writing Objectives
Parents will encourage children to:
o understand that writing is used to communicate ideas and information.
o attempt to write a message.
o use known letters or approximations of letters to represent written language.
o begin to connect sounds in words with written form.
o dictate sentence/story to adults to write in order to read together.
o illustrate sentence/story.
Math Sets Objectives
Children will:
o count sets (1-10)
o identify numbers (1-10)
Materials Needed:
**Sign In Sheet and Name Tags
1. Hop 2 It! Jack Hartman CD Track # 21/22 and CD Player
2. Name Card for each child written “Kindergarten Style” (to take home)
3. Sticky Tack or Magnetic Tape
4. Alphabet Formation Page for each family (to take home)
5. Bunny Cakes by Rosemary Wells
6. Chart Tablet or White Board w/ markers
7. Large Blank Journals for each child (to take home)
8. Parent Letter with Stages of Writing for each family (to take home)
9. Jumbo Crayons for each child (to take home)
10. Math In Motion Jack Hartman CD Track # 10
11. Jellybeans as Counters,10 for each child (to eat or take home)
12. Number Cards 1-10 for each family (to take home)
13. Plastic Eggs 1 for each child (to take home)
14. Basket or Container for Eggs
15. Evaluation form and pencils
Preparation:
1. Staple blank paper (10 pages) together with “My First Journal” cover
2. Print first names of children onto name cards
3. Print first names of characters from story onto name cards (Max/Ruby)
4. Copy Stages of Writing letter to parents from Kid Writing by Eileen Feldgus
5. Copy ABC formation page onto card stock
6. Copy Number Cards onto card stock
7. Place 10 counters into a plastic egg (1 for each child) and put eggs into basket
8. Copy Evaluation page
9. Mini cupcakes with colored marshmallows/milk for snack
Instructional Activities
Remember to:
1. Maximize Engagement of Parent and Child
2. Tier Activities to Meet the Needs of All Students
3. Include Time Frame for each Instructional Activity
Note: One of the goals of the P.A.W.S. Parent Programs is to provide an opportunity for parents to work one-on-one with their pre-Kindergartner. Parent Actions are underlined within the lesson plan. Parents are encouraged to sit with and work with their child as instruction is modeled by the Kindergarten teachers.
Teacher Actions: Welcome and Introductions
5-10 minutes for name recognition activity: (depending on # of children) at circle
1. Transition children and parents to circle by singing Track #21 on Hop 2 It CD.
2. Encourage children to look for name cards which have been posted and have them “whisper” the letters in their name to parent until everyone is seated.
3. Form beginning sound of names aloud and have children come up to find their own name card. Emphasize that some names begin with the same letter. Have those students point to and match beginning letters of names. Send name cards home with children to practice printing name “Kindergarten Style.”
4. Count number of students with names beginning with the same letter.
Encourage parents to help students count the number of letters in their names.
10 minutes for story: at easel
5. Display name cards for Max and Ruby to introduce characters in story.
6. Model Concepts of Print as you read aloud Bunny Cakes.
(Title, Author/Illustrator, Title Page, Top to Bottom, Left to Right Progression of Text)
7. Encourage children to identify characters, make predictions and note problem and solution regarding Max’s writing within the story.
10 minutes for modeled writing: at easel
8. Explain purpose of writing and model “Scribble Writing” on chart paper or white board.
9. Relate “Scribble Writing” to story (Max’s visits to the Grocery Store)
10. Write a sentence with “Kid Writing” and encourage children to “Share the Pen” as appropriate.
11. Briefly discuss beginning stages of writing with parents. Remind parents that children are at different stages of writing. Distribute Stages of Writing and Letter Formation Aa to Zz.
10 minutes for journal writing: at tables
12. Distribute blank journals and crayons to parents and children.
13. Encourage them to “write” something about the story, Bunny Cakes. Ie. They might write about which cake they would like to bake. Share aloud at tables.
14. Encourage parents to continue to write in journal with children at home.
10 minutes for math activity: at circle
14. Moving to Math CD Track #10 “Counting to 10”
15. Remind children about Max’s problem with eggs in story.
16. Count eggs aloud as you distribute plastic eggs to children and encourage them to shake eggs to hear sound. Have the children shake the egg as they say the syllables in their names.
17. Have children open eggs and count the “jellybean counters” inside.
18. Ask children to sort the counters into sets as you call out/display numbers.
19. Distribute number cards to parents to continue one-to-one correspondence.
Snack: Provide mini cupcakes/milk for each participant to end the session.
Thank you and reminder for next session.
Other “Bunny Cakes” Activities You Might Like to Try:
*Model “I Am Going to the Grocery Store and I Am Going to Buy Something That Begins With the Letter (or Sound) …” Encourage parents to play that game with their children at home to reinforce beginning sounds.
*Discuss learning activities that can be done at the grocery store, like: “Find a yellow fruit.” “Get 3 cans of tomatoes off the shelf.” or “Look for something that rhymes with ‘fellow’ that we can make together at home for dessert.” Encourage parents to have children look for items on coupons (even better if the children cut out the coupons themselves at home!) by matching pictures and words. Ask parents to talk to their child about writing as they prepare a grocery list. Perhaps the child can help create the list before “shopping day!”
*Let the families ice and decorate their own “fancy” cupcakes for the evening snack. Provide a variety of sprinkles, candies, etc.
* Allow the families to make “Dirt Dessert” for the evening snack! Distribute the recipe for pudding covered with crushed chocolate wafers and a few gummy worms on top.
*Allow the children to “Finger Write” in flour on plastic plates or trays. Encourage them to practice proper letter formation, make shapes or write their name.
*Have “Egg Relay Races” with plastic eggs and large spoons. Encourage families to include other families on their teams.
*Create “Milk Paint” with the children and their parents. Mix powdered skim milk and water to the consistency of paint. Add food coloring and encourage the children to paint a beautiful picture!
*Have the parents and children practice cutting skills by making “Bunny Ear Headbands” to wear home. Sentence strips make great head bands and can provide a perfect spot for printing names “Kindergarten Style!”