Do you want a fun way to teach the letter i pre-k level? Also, look at my page How to Homeschool Preschool for more ideas.
Jump into this multi-sensory lesson that is part early literacy, part math, part science, and all fun just like preschool should be.
The “i” in “inch” makes a short “i” sound, like in the word ‘bit’ and ‘hit’.
Typically, it is recommended that you begin teaching your child the short vowel sounds first because they are easier for them to master.
Next, once your child can identify the numbers 1-12, they can be casually introduced to a ruler and the concepts of measurement.
We are going to explain a ruler over all but for now just focus on measuring 1 inch.
MATH BOOKS FOR KIDS
Also, look at these math books to add to your reading day.
Books About Math Concepts Measuring, Counting
Add these fun books to help kids learn about standard and non-standard ways to learn about measurement.
A small green inchworm is proud of his skill at measuring anything—a robin’s tail, a flamingo’s neck, a toucan’s beak. Then one day a nightingale threatens to eat him if he cannot measure his song. Children will enjoy the clever inchworm’s solution and delight in finding the tiny hero on every page.
Pictures, puzzles, games, and simple activities introduce the mathematical concepts of counting, comparison, and measurement
This Sir Cumference Series 12 Books Set includes: 1. Sir Cumference and the First Round Table 9781570911521 2. Sir Cumference and the Dragon of Pi 9781570911644 3. Sir Cumference and the Great Knight of Angleland 9781570911699 4. Sir Cumference and the Sword in the Cone 9781570916014 5. Sir Cumference and the Isle of Immeter 9780439025805 6. Sir Cumference and All the King's Tens 9781570917288 7. Sir Cumference and the Viking's Map 9781570917929 8. Sir Cumference and the Off-the-Charts Dessert 9781570911996 9. Sir Cumference and the Roundabout Battle 9781570917660 10. Sir Cumference and the Fracton Faire 9781570917721 11. Sir Cumference Gets Decima's Point 9781570918452 12. Sir Cumference and the 100 PerCent Goose Chase 9781623543211
Penrose, a cat with a knack for math, takes children on an adventurous tour of mathematical concepts from fractals to infinity.
Join Zero on his math adventure as he discovers his place through multiplication. Zero is lonely in Digitaria. He can't play Addemup with the other numbers because he has nothing to add. All the other numbers seem to belong and they all have a place, but when zero discovers multiplication he thinks he might have a place there. He sets out to find King Multiplus who also is curious about what will happen when Zero gets thrown in the mix. With math and wordplay A Place for Zero is the perfect introduction to multiplication and number placement. A playful way to make math less intimidating and more fun to explore.
Most people think of mathematicians as solitary, working away in isolation. And, it's true, many of them do. But Paul Erdos never followed the usual path. At the age of four, he could ask you when you were born and then calculate the number of seconds you had been alive in his head. But he didn't learn to butter his own bread until he turned twenty. Instead, he traveled around the world, from one mathematician to the next, collaborating on an astonishing number of publications. With a simple, lyrical text and richly layered illustrations, this is a beautiful introduction to the world of math and a fascinating look at the unique character traits that made "Uncle Paul" a great man.
Mouse and her friends want to play tug-of-war, but they’ll need to use some everyday math to figure out how to make teams that are equal. As Mouse looks at various solutions she is not sure what it means to be equal. Nothing works until Mouse starts to think about it mathematically
and divides the teams based on weight. Wonderful illustrations capture
Mouse and her animal friends from whiskers to tails as they work to measure and equalize their teams based on size, weight, and effort. A
perfect addition to any STEM/STEAM collection that shows readers how
math can be used in everyday problem solving.
Count the mice from 1 to 10 and back again as they outsmart a hungry snake! A companion to Mouse Paint and Mouse Shapes. This suspenseful story features bold collage art and a touch of mischief that's sure to appeal to preschoolers who have mastered counting from 1 to 10 and causing some mischief of their own.
Next, let’s wiggle into learning about the adorable inchworm with a little science lesson on the creature itself.
After you have introduced the letter ‘I’ and its sounds to your child you go further in by talking about things that start with the letter I like inch and inchworm of course.
If your child is not yet ready to write with a pencil and paper they can practice copying your I/i.
For instance they can use their finger to write in shaving cream, sand, finger paints, or even bubbles in the bathtub.
ALL ABOUT INCHWORMS
Inch worms are typically about 1 inch long, but the exact size depends on the species and how mature they are.
They are also called measuring worms or loopers and are the larvae of certain species of moths.
They are called inchworms because of their unique way of moving, which involves arching their body and then bringing their rear end forward to meet their front end. This creates a looping motion that gives them their name.
Inchworms have long, slender bodies that are typically green or brown in color. They have six pairs of legs, with the first three pairs located near the front of their body and the last three pairs located near the rear.
They also have a pair of prolegs, which are fleshy appendages that help them grip onto surfaces.
Inchworms eat a variety of plants, including leaves, flowers, and fruits. They can be a nuisance in gardens and orchards, as they can cause significant damage to plants.
When an inchworm is ready to pupate, it will spin a cocoon around itself. Inside the cocoon, the inchworm will transform into a moth. The moth will then emerge from the cocoon and fly away.
Make this adorable Inchworm Easy Paper Plate as you learn about its characteristics.
Let this video teach them How to Do an Inchworm For Kids to get some gross motor movements in for the day through simple yoga.
INTRODUCING INCHES
Introduce the concept of a ruler and measurement to a preschooler first.
Start with a simple ruler– because it is the one most used and seen I would start with a standard 12” ruler. Compare different rulers if you have them to show whether they are wood, plastic, pink or green the standard measurement stays the same.
Show your preschooler how to hold the ruler– The ruler should be held with the zero end at the bottom and the numbers increasing as you move up the ruler.
Explain the numbers and markings on the ruler- Tell them that each number and longer line represents an inch and there are 12 inches in a 1 foot ruler.
Each short line is showing part of an inch, have them count each of the 16 lines in an inch.
Don’t worry about them memorizing all of the measurement words, this is just a gentle introduction to measurement so that when you teach it more in depth later, they are already familiar with it.
Help your preschooler measure objects around the house- Choose objects that are different sizes and shapes.
MORE LETTER ACTIVITIES
- A is for Apple Craft | Apple Study
- B is for Bird Craft | Bluebird Study
- Quick And Inexpensive Letter C Handprint Craft – Crafty Crab Fun
- E is For Easy Eagle Study
- How to Make a Fun Paper Plate Fish | F is for Fish
- G is for Gorilla Mask | Africa Study
- H Horse Handprint | Horse Study
- K is for Kangaroo| Australia Theme
- M is for Monkey Handprint | Monkey Study
- N Is For Nest Handprint | Nests Study
- O is for Owl | Great Horned Owl Study
- P Is For Pineapple Craft | How To Make A Fun Handprint Pineapple
- R is for Rainbow | Rain Mobile
- How To Create A Sweet Strawberry Letter S Handprint Craft
- T is for Teeth | Dental Unit
- How to Make A Letter V For Volcano Handprint Craft
- W Is For Winter | Snowman Oobleck Activity
- How To Make A Letter Y Handprint Craft Featuring A Yak
- X is for X Ray | Crayon Resist Skeleton
Now let’s focus on learning about an inch.
LETTER I PRE-K MEASURING INCHES IN A FUN WAY
You will need:
- A ruler
- Sturdy cardstock
- Ink pad
- Fine line pen
- Scissors
First, use the ruler to help your child draw a one inch line on sturdy paper, draw a line along both sides of the ruler.
Change the direction of the ruler and draw lines down both ends to create a 1 inch rectangle.
Cut it out of the paper and again demonstrate that what you made is 1 inch long.
Press your child’s finger into ink.
Then press it onto the paper a few times. Fill in the length of your little handmade 1 inch ruler.
Use a fine line marker to add eyes and antennae. Let dry for a few minutes until it no longer smears.
Challenge your child to go around the house and measure things that are shorter, longer, and equal to one inch.
This is a great time to introduce these concepts to your child if they don’t already know them.
For example, use toys, fruits, vegetables, manipulatives and cabinet knobs.
Everything can be used to identify things that are bigger or smaller than 1 inch.
