For this lesson you will need:
Speaker Bear
Sticker Basket
Construction Paper
Markers/Crayons
Stick (1 ½-2 feet) or broom stick
Yarn
Magnet
Paper clips or safety pins
Paper fish (see example)
Basket
Paper lunch sack (or other container)
Several pictures of family you grew up with
Tape
Bingo Card (see example)
Books: This is My Family by Mercer Mayer,
OR Who’s in a Family? By Robert Skutch
Hole puncher
Scissors
Hanger
Items for Trail Mix
Welcome Song: (To tune of Old MacDonald):
Welcome, welcome everyone
So glad that you are here.
Today we’re gonna have some fun
So let’s give out a cheer
Woo hoo!!
Clap clap clap clap
Slap(legs) slap slap slap
Clap clap clap let’s go! (when you shout “let’s go!”, do a group high five in the center)
Question of the Day: What is one of your favorite things to do with your family? Pass the speaking bear around allowing each child to answer. Share your answer with the children as well.
Number of the Day ‘6’: Display the #6 on white board or piece of paper and draw six musical notes next to it. Have children count the musical notes aloud as you point. Ask:
“Have you ever wanted to play in a band? I am very interested to see what we would sound like playing music together. Shall we give it a try?”
Assign each child a different instrument to play (clapping hands, slapping legs, clicking tongue, snapping fingers, popping lips, etc.) Tell each child to make their sound six times, and then stop. Have all children make their sounds simultaneously, while you count aloud to six. Then start all over again. After a few practices you should be able to stop counting altogether and just play the music. You may add to the rhythmn when they're comfortable, or switch the 'instruments' around. You can even try making up words to your song.
Congratulate them on their fantastic musical abilities. Pass around the sticker basket and have each of them pull out six stickers while counting aloud and put them on the sticker chart.
Letter of the day ‘F’: Go Fishin’ for the letter F. Tie some yarn around the end of a stick and attach a magnet to the end of the yarn. Cut several fishes out of paper and write a different word on the back of each fish. Most of these words should begin with the letter F, but some should start with other letters. Lay the fish down, so the words are facing the floor, and have each child take a turn fishing. When they catch a fish, hold it up so that they are able to see the word. Read the word aloud and ask them if this word starts with the letter F. If it does, put it into a basket to be kept. If it does not begin with the letter F, throw the fish back with the others. Have them continue fishing until all ‘F’ fish have been caught.
Demonstrate how the letter F is written, and allow children to practice in their writing notebooks.
Show children the ASL sign and sound for the letter F and ask if they can think of other words that start with that letter. Teach the ASL signs for Food, Fun, and Family.
Introduction of Topic: From a small, paper lunch sack, pull out pictures one at a time of each member of your family (the family you grew up in). Show children the pictures and tell a little bit about each one (include their names, hobbies, nicknames, funny stories, and one thing you love about them.) Tape the pictures to a window, or other surface so the children can look at them. After all pictures have been displayed, show them a picture of your whole family together and say “This is my family and I love them very much. I would love to learn about your families too!”
Activity: Have children take turns holding the ‘speaker bear’ and ask them several questions about their families (How many siblings do you have? What does your family like to do together? What trips have you taken together? What kind of food does your family like to eat? Do you have any family rules? What’s one thing you love about your Mom, Dad, sibling, Gma, Gpa, etc.)
Emphasize that all families are different (sizes, ages, some have just a mom raising the children, some have just a dad, and some have grandparents or aunts and uncles taking care of the children.) All are different and all are very important.
Ask “Why do you think we have families?”
To help us learn how to be kind, how to help each other, how to work, how to have manners and have FUN
To take care of us when we’re hurt, or sick, and to comfort us when we’re feeling sad or scared.
To love us ALWAYS, even when we have bad days or make mistakes. Our families love us no matter what.
Activity: Explain that one way we can strengthen our families is by spending time together doing fun activities. Lead them in a game of Family Fun Bingo. You may use the example bingo board below (copy into Word, adjust size, and print) or you may create your own. Be sure to make an extra copy for yourself, the bingo caller. For game pieces, simply cut a piece of construction paper into small squares and use to place over the pictures on the bingo card. As each activity is called, have children find the picture on their own board and discuss how each activity can be a great way to spend time together as a family.
When the children get a bingo, have them count the number of pictures that are covered on their card aloud. Continue playing until all spaces have been covered and have them yell BLACKOUT!!
Emphasize the importance of always treating the members of our family with kindness, and showing them love, because family is one of the most wonderful gifts we've been given.
Story: This is My Family by Mercer Mayer,
Who’s in a Family? By Robert Skutch
Discuss story with children, ask questions about characters, etc. Ask if children have any questions.
Share a story from your own family about a fun vacation, an embarrassing moment, or an exciting event that occurred. If its just you and your children present, share the special stories of the days they were born.
Art: Create a Family Mobile: On white or construction paper, have children draw and color the faces of each member of their family. Cut out each face individually (allowing an extra ½” all the way around )and with a hole punch, make a hole in the top. String yarn through the hole, and hang from a hanger.
Service: Tell each child to think of a secret act of service they can perform for a member of their own family (make sibling’s bed, clean up their room, set the table for mom, etc.) They need to be sneaky and not tell the person what they are going to do.
Tell them you will ask them about it the next time you meet.
Snack: Trail Mix (cereal, choc. chips, raisins, nuts, pretzels) Discuss how the various ingredients are like members of a family. Each one is very different, but they all come together to make a something great.
Activity: If there's time, introduce one game or activity that your family enjoys doing together (example: Family Olympics, going for walks, playing hide and seek, etc). Explain the rules to the children and try it out.
Good bye song: To the tune of “If You’re Happy and you Know it”
If you’ve learned a lot today, clap your hands (clap clap)
Here’s the letter of the day (sign the letter F), clap your hands (clap clap)
Oh, we’ve had a lot of fun,
Now our preschool time is done (tap index finger to wrist)
See you next time (wave) and we’ll do it all again! (Clap clap.)
