Activity: Dinosaur Word Hunt
Desired Outcome: I explore sounds, letters, and words, discovering how they work together, and I can use what I learn to help me as I read and write.
Curriculum Area: Literacy
Curriculum Level: Early Level
Focus: Dinosaurs
Materials Needed: - Dinosaur-themed books or printed pictures of dinosaurs - Large paper or whiteboard - Marker pens - Sticky notes or small pieces of paper - Scissors - Glue or tape
Instructions:
- Introduction (5 minutes):
- Gather the children in a circle and introduce the topic of dinosaurs.
- Show them a few dinosaur pictures or books and ask if they know any dinosaur names.
- Discuss how we can learn more about dinosaurs by reading books or looking at pictures.
- Word Wall Creation (10 minutes):
- Explain that you will create a word wall with dinosaur-related words.
- Write the word “Dinosaurs” on a large paper or whiteboard.
- Ask the children to brainstorm and suggest dinosaur names they know.
- Write down their suggestions around the word “Dinosaurs.”
- Encourage the children to sound out the words and help them if needed.
- Dinosaur Word Hunt (15 minutes):
- Prepare sticky notes or small pieces of paper with dinosaur names written on them.
- Hide the sticky notes around the classroom or outdoor area.
- Divide the children into small groups and explain that they will go on a dinosaur word hunt.
- Instruct each group to find as many dinosaur word notes as they can within a given time limit (e.g., 5 minutes).
- Encourage the children to read the words aloud as they find them.
- Word Sorting (10 minutes):
- Gather the children back together and provide each group with a pile of dinosaur word notes.
- Explain that they will now sort the words based on their beginning sounds.
- Model sorting a few words and ask the children to help you.
- Let the children work in their groups to sort the remaining words.
- Walk around and support them as needed.
- Word Collage (15 minutes):
- Give each group a large sheet of paper and some glue or tape.
- Instruct them to create a word collage using the sorted dinosaur words.
- They can arrange the words in any way they like, gluing or taping them onto the paper.
- Encourage the children to read the words aloud as they work.
- Sharing and Reflection (5 minutes):
- Ask each group to share their word collages with the rest of the class.
- Discuss the different dinosaur names and the sounds they begin with.
- Reflect on how exploring sounds, letters, and words helped them in this activity.
- Emphasize the importance of reading and how it can help us learn about dinosaurs and other topics.
Extension: - Encourage the children to write a short sentence or story using some of the dinosaur words they found. - Provide dinosaur-themed books for independent reading or reading aloud sessions. - Create a dinosaur-themed writing center where children can write and illustrate their own dinosaur stories.
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