Unit 7: Watch It Grow

Model how to use the materials to shape the letter “Kk.” Note the differences between the uppercase “K” and the lowercase “k.”

Use the Letter Sort Routine to help children distinguish letter shapes and recognize the shape of the target letter, “Kk.”

Have children draw a picture from The Little Red Hen to help them recall and retell the story.

Have children create collages using drawing materials and plant objects they collected from outside.

Discuss community helpers and vehicles they use to do their job. Focus on people who take care of parks and community gardens. Have children build a neighborhood park or community garden with roads for vehicles used to maintain the area.

Encourage children to select books that interest them and to look at the words and pictures on their own or with other children.

Read aloud The Little Red Hen to individuals or small groups. Discuss what children have learned about planting.

Help children set up a garden center shop. Have children take turns role-playing as a gardner, a clerk, and a customer.

Have children continue to measure their plants. Provide various nonstandard measurement tools.

Have children press uppercase and lowercase “Kk” molds into the sand. Encourage them to make the letters with their fingers in the sand.

Provide some artificial plants and real plants for children to compare with their senses.

Help children trace their handprints and have each child draw, dictate, or write on way he or she helps takes care of plants during the day. 

Have children draw, dictate, or write a letter to someone who helps the class. Talk about the parts of a letter.