phonics

X is for X Ray Craft | Unique Crayon Resist Skeleton

January 14, 2024 | Leave a Comment
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X is for X Ray craft and this is a wonderful way to introduce a doctor’s office, doctors, hospitals and other workers in the medical field. Also, I have more alphabet letter fun on my page How to Homeschool Preschool.

And introduce your preschooler to concepts like X-rays and what to expect if they ever need one.

It lends itself nicely to many subjects and subtopics to create a rich and well-balanced unit for preschoolers.

X is for X Ray Craft | Unique Crayon Resist Skeleton

I have found that many children already begin preschool lessons identifying this letter right off the bat from X marks the spot in books and TV shows.

So, your focus can just be heavy on the fun theme and more of a review of the letter itself.

There are no shortage of ideas around the x-ray theme and you can keep it simple or expand on it as much as you like.

More How to Homeschool Preschool Letter of the Week Activities

Language Arts Focus Day 1

I try not to incorporate much writing in preschool.

But in my opinion, as x is so easily identifiable by young children it becomes a somewhat easy one to recreate.

Let your child practice making Xs with crayons on scrap paper.

Letter/Sound Recognition- X is a fun one because it is so easy to make and can be practiced with any kind of lines, even your arms.

Practice making Xs with your arms and repeating the sound it makes together.

Book- X-Ray Me! Is a cute board book showing a wonderful example of X-rays, inside the human body.

It helps create a simple connection between concepts like the skull and skeleton.

Craft/Activity- This Preschool Alphabet X-Ray Game is just darling! I was so excited when I found it for you.

It goes along perfectly with our theme and can be used as a learning tool as well as part of their dramatic play (which is still good for social-emotional learning)

Song/Fingerplay- Do You Know The X-Ray Man? (Tune of Do you know the muffin man?)

Snack- Ease into your unit and use whatever stick-shaped snack foods you have on hand to practice making X’s .

And enjoy them as a treat. Use pretzel sticks, carrot or celery sticks, breadsticks, line raisins up in an X shape, cut-out strips of tortillas and have them create X’s. No need for special ingredients.

Science Focus Day 2

X is for x-ray is the perfect setup for an all-about-my-body study.

Children are fascinated with skeletons and the fact that they are inside their skin giving everything its shape and protecting more delicate organs.

Letter/Sound Recognition- Create Touch & Feel Letter X for your child to practice. Too, use it as a review of letters he is already familiar with.

Add to it as you cover each letter in the alphabet and you will have a full set in no time.

This type of multi-sensory activity is phenomenal for letter recognition.

Book- Andy’s X-Ray talks about what happens when a bone breaks, who takes care of it, and how it is taken care of.

Craft/Activity- Grab an empty roll from recycling and create this Toilet Paper Roll X-Ray Fish Craft.

Song/Fingerplay- I like to throw in a Jack Hartmann Letter X song every time because it is just good stuff for learning letter sounds, recognition, and teaching words that begin with the letter.

His songs are always danceable, catchy, and repetitive fun.

Snack- Here are ideas for 5 snacks that start with the letter x to choose from.

Math Focus Day 3

What is your preschooler learning for math? Recognizing and applying numbers? Basic addition and subtraction? More or fewer? Start there with simple activities and build on those skills as they learn.

Letter/Sound Recognition- This X is for X-Ray activity is low prep but high impact and reuses items that we are using for other activities in a different way so you get the most bang for your buck and time.

Book- Check out X is for X-Ray Fish that will give your child a whole new look on x-ray images and a few other words that start with X.

Craft/Activity- X-Ray Math.

For this activity, you only need a black sheet of construction paper, a white crayon, a handful of cotton swabs, and a couple of dice.

Make a + and = sign on one side and a – and = sign on the other with a white crayon leaving plenty of space for cotton swabs.

Have your child roll two dice and work on one side at a time using the cotton swab bones as counters/manipulatives.

Song/Fingerplay- Where is X ? (Tune of Thumbkin)

Where is X? Where is X?
Here I am. Here I am. (make an x with pointer fingers)
How are you today, sir? Very well, I thank you. (wiggle fingers)
Run away. Run away. (hide fingers behind the back)

Snack- Reinforce learning about different X sounds with this How to Make a Musical Xylophone Snack in Five Minutes! Not only is it cute but healthy too.

History/Geography Focus Day 4

For social studies learn about doctors, nurses, and even specialists like surgeons and x-ray technicians.

Grab a set of these true-life X-rays for dramatic play and learning.

Letter/Sound Recognition- Make an X-ray with those sweet tiny hands and forearms painted white and demonstrate the shape uniquely.

Book- Going To The Doctor is a great opportunity to talk about the real-world experience of visiting a doctor and what to expect.

Even though at this age your child is familiar with doctor visits you can go a little more in-depth about what happens there, what tools they use (including an x-ray machine), and the names of the different people there- receptionist, doctor, nurse, etc.

Craft/Activity-Put together the items for this easy peasy X-Ray Playdough to teach simple bones and where they are located in the body.

Song/Fingerplay- The Be a Doctor Song is just right for today’s focus on doctors and is fun to move to.

Snack- Here is a Berenstain Bears Go to The Doctor Unit Study Snack plus a whole list of more fun doctor-themed snack ideas that you could use to fit perfectly in with the theme

X is for X Ray Craft Books & Resources for Preschoolers

Have fun with your preschool theme X is for x-ray and grab some of these resources.

True to Life Human X-Rays

Hold these life-size human x-rays up to the light or use them on a light table (sold separately) and see details of a real skeleton. Arrange them together to reproduce the entire body of a 5' Adult.

X-Ray Me!: Look Inside Your Body

“X-ray” the inside of your body from head to toe with this irresistible, interactive, large-format board book!

Two die-cut handles allow readers to hold the book up to their bodies and visualize various body parts and organs—including bones, the brain, lungs, heart, and many more. This unique book is perfect for sharing with friends and sharing in the classroom!

The bright, bold illustrations are clearly labeled and offer an introduction to the way the body works. The unique format encourages interaction, both in the classroom and at home. A great choice for learning together. X-Ray Me! features ten images of what’s inside your body and includes basic information about organs, systems, and your skeleton.

Andy's X-ray: Mediwonderland

Find out what happens when Andy isn’t careful whilst cycling and ends up in the hospital with a broken leg. Andy’s X-ray is a book in a series of children’s books designed to make medical procedures less frightening by presenting them through enjoyable stories with brightly colored illustrations. The evolving series covers common medical procedures from minor ones like blood tests to serious ones such as major surgery and chemotherapy. Inspiration to write it came from my own experience with a sick young child and being unable to find anything to help make the procedures less daunting or answer all the “how” and “why” questions. Happily, after two surgeries and a year in and out of hospital, my daughter is now in remission.I hope these books can help many children and their families all over the world.

X is for X-Ray Fish (The Animal Alphabet Library)

Introduce your little one to the exciting lives of x-ray fishes! This gorgeously illustrated children’s book teaches kids x-ray fish-related first words beginning with the letter X.Explore with x-ray fishes! The friendly, read-aloud text and exciting illustrations will capture the attention of young nature-lovers in no time. Babies and toddlers will love learning new words about x-ray fishes while practicing their X letter sound. This baby book is ideal for promoting early learning and language development.X is for xylophone! Did you know that x-ray fishes live in rivers in South America? Packed with bright pictures and short text, this engaging animal book provides curious kids with lots to talk about and look at!

Going to the Doctor: A Toddler Prep Book

A simple and effective approach to preparing your child for a visit to the doctor Going to the doctor can be stressful for anyone – especially young children
who don’t know what to expect. Help your little one learn what they’ll actually see, hear, and experience with Going to the Doctor, a Toddler Prep Book featuring actual photos and simple, easy-to-understand language.

Inside Your Outside: All About the Human Body

Join the Cat in the Hat, Sally and Dick for a ride through the human body where they visit the right and left sides of the brain, meet the Feletons from far off Fadin (when they stand in the sun you can see through their skin), scuba dive through the blood system, follow food and water through the digestive tract, and a whole lot more! Perfect for readers who are curious about the body and for any kid who loves learning and science.Featuring beloved characters from Dr. Seuss's The Cat in the Hat, the Learning Library are unjacketed hardcover picture books that explore a range of nonfiction topics about the world we live in and include an index, glossary, and suggestions for further reading.

Language Arts Focus Day 5

Today’s craft incorporates a surprise reveal of an x-ray as well as the letter X, naturally building letter recognition into a nifty activity.

Letter/Sound Recognition- Create a very easy x-ray-themed letter writing tray by placing a piece of white paper in the bottom of a shallow container.

Cover with a very thin layer of black sand or dyed rice, or I used these tiny little black aquarium pebbles for the child to run their finger through to practice.

Book- Classic Dr. Seuss, Inside Your Outside and learn all about the insides and outsides bout the amazing human body.

Craft/Activity- Crayon Resist Skeleton- See Below for instructions

Song/Fingerplay- This version of the Letter X Song is definitely a dance-worthy song and teaches X is a consonant, the sound, and lots of words that make the x sound, in the beginning, middle, and ending sound.

While this is a trickier concept to teach it doesn’t hurt to introduce it to your child.

Snack-What an adorable way to finish off your unit and (possibly) get your child to eat their veggies.

Look at this X Is for X-citing X-ray Skeleton made of fresh sliced veggies.

X is for X Ray Craft Crayon Resist Skeleton

You will need:

Cardstock/watercolor paper
White crayon
Black watercolor paint
Paintbrush
A cup of water

First, use a white crayon to draw a simple skeleton shape on a piece of white paper. If it helps you can very lightly trace one first with a pencil.

Make an upper and lowercase x in the corner as well to reinforce the letter knowledge.

Next. set your child up with watercolor paint, a paintbrush, and a clean cup of water.

Have your child cover the entire page in black watercolor to create a look like that of an x-ray.

Allow it to dry.

B is for Bird Craft | Free Preschool Bluebird Study

January 13, 2024 | 1 Comment
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I have a B is for bird craft, a tutorial for a toilet paper roll bluebird and resources for an entire bird-themed preschool study. Also, I have more alphabet letter fun on my page How to Homeschool Preschool.

What a fun nature topic for littles!

Backyard birds are plentiful almost anywhere and you can even double up on the B’s and cover blue jays, blue-footed boobies, bald eagles, or bluebirds like we are today.

B is for Bird Craft | Free Preschool Bluebird Study

There are a lot of topics to choose from when doing a bird unit study.

Focus on birds in your area, nests, eggs, feathers, bird calls, or birds’ life cycles.

Whatever you want to concentrate on, hands-on fun activities are best with preschoolers and help them learn while having a blast.

Use these bird figures throughout your study with playdough, in sensory bins, create nests for them made from sticks gathered from the yard.

Place one in front of your child to inspire them to draw their version, and try to find each one in the books you read throughout the week.

More How to Homeschool Preschool Letter of the Week Activities

Language Arts Focus Day 1

I like to start a new letter unit by grabbing whatever letter tiles we have for that letter, letter magnets, and flashcards and putting them out for a child to investigate and study.

They can be used throughout the week for any language arts activity.

Letter/Sound Recognition- Place a white sheet of paper in the bottom of a shallow container. Then cover it with a thin layer of bird seed and provide your child with a few flashcards with letters and numbers.

Make them yourself, or just let them practice freely with this simple letter-writing tray.

Book- An Egg is Quiet has wonderful illustrations and simple language. It teaches about different eggs- from birds to sea turtles. This series also contains a Nest is Noisy.

Craft/Activity- Try this printable for Bird Letter Recognition. It’ so much fun for your child to feed crackers with letters on them as they say the sound to the bird.

Song/Fingerplay- Start off practicing the sound of the letter B. Learn what upper and lowercase look like, words that start with b, and even the sign for B. Letter B | Sing and Learn the Letters of the Alphabet.

Snack- The early bird gets the worm or so they say. So, start your b is for bird craft unit with a healthier version of dirt and worms that is delicious to eat.

Science Focus Day 2

Science can focus heavily on the life cycle or the different species, the parts of a bird, or feathers. Or whatever you want to talk about with your child.

Letter/Sound Recognition- Print this fun Letter B boo k for kids to flip through, color, or trace words and letters as they like and they can reference tit throughout the week.

Book- For a beautiful reference that covers a wide variety of birds from backyard birds to flightless birds, swans, nests, eggs and everything in between The Big Book of Birds is the one.

It is an oversized book perfect for little hands with charming illustrations they will love.

Craft/Activity- Make a toilet roll bluebird. See below for instructions on making this bird, then when it is done use a reference book to help identify the different parts of a bird.

Song/Fingerplay-Learn all about different birds and some of their characteristics in the catchy Birds Song.

Snack-Wow what a fun idea this Robin Bread–aka PB and J Shaped Like a Bird big visual impact with little effort is my kind of treat!

Math Focus Day 3

Count feathers, and eggs in the refrigerator, count how many robins you see in the backyard today. Simple preschool math is all around you and it is so easy to incorporate the bird theme.

Letter/Sound Recognition- I don’t always encourage technology but it also has its place even in preschool. This is one of my favorite products for teaching in preschool.

It comes with the entire alphabet in magnets in the base.

When the letter is placed in the base it tells the child the name of the letter as well as the sound that it makes.

I think this is a great independent practice activity and can be used throughout learning the entire alphabet.

Book- Incorporate another activity into math focus through reading Counting is For The Birds where your child gets to count backyard birds as they come to eat at the feeder.

Craft/Activity- Grab an inexpensive pack of colorful feathers, you can even find them at Dollar Tree and use them to sort by color.

Arrange them from shortest to longest.

Or simply for counting and basic addition and subtraction.

Song/Finger Play- Here you will find the words and hand motions for the simple rhyme Little Robin Redbreast.

Snack- This quick video shows you how to make an Apple Bird Snack full of healthy fruits in a fun design your child will love.

History/Geography Focus Day 4

What better topic to focus on today for geography than learning about your own state’s bird?

If you don’t already know, find out what your state bird is, and do a little research on it. If you want to expand on that look into other states around you or maybe the state where Grandma lives.

Grab a map and look for the states that you’re going to be researching, it’s never too early to introduce simple math skills.

Letter/Sound Recognition- Grab a brown paper lunch bag and right lower and uppercase B on it, go around the house and find as many objects as you can that start with the letter b and place them in the bag.

Have your child draw out the objects one by one and practice the beginning sound before the word like a bird.

Some ideas are a piece of paper in the color blue, a butterfly, birds, a ball, a bow, and letter b tiles.

Book- Since we are learning about state birds today, I found this cute book- United Tweets of America.

Song/Fingerplay- Sing a Song of Sixpence

Sing a song of sixpence,
A pocketful of rye.
Four and twenty blackbirds
Baked in a pie.
When the pie was opened,
The birds began to sing.
Wasn’t that a dainty dish
To sit before the king?
The king was in his counting house,
Counting out his money.
The queen was in the parlor,
Eating bread and honey.
The maid was in the garden,
Hanging out the clothes,
When down came a blackbird
And pecked off her nose.
They sent for the king’s doctor,
Who sewed it on again?
He sewed it on so neatly,
The seam was never seen.

Snack- Owl Rice Cakes are relatively healthy and are a great way to talk about the parts of a bird as you build his wings, eyes, and beak.

B is For Bird Craft Preschool Theme

While you teach your preschooler about the letter sound of B, add some of these fun books and resources to your unit study.

Birds Figurines, 23pcs Realistic Eagle Parrot Robin Owl

Early Educational Toys - These Parrot Birds Figures Set Are Great For Education Purposes. It Will Help To Improve Children's Concentration And Outsight, Develop And Train Their Imagination And Creativity.

An Egg Is Quiet:

This stunningly beautiful and wonderfully informative book from award-winning artist Sylvia Long and author Dianna Hutts Aston makes for a fascinating introduction to the vast and amazing world of eggs. Featuring poetic text and an elegant design, this acclaimed book teaches children countless interesting facts about eggs. Full of wit and charm, An Egg Is Quiet will at once spark the imagination and cultivate a love of science.

The Big Book of Birds (The Big Book Series)

Following up the hugely successful The Big Book of Bugs, The Big Book of Beasts, and The Big Book of the Blue, The Big Book of Birds is a fact-filled tour of the world’s most wonderful winged creatures. Yuval Zommer’s distinctive illustrations show off some of the most colorful, flamboyant, impressive, and wacky birds of the sky. Picture-book charm pairs with informative nonfiction to make a beautiful, large-format title for parents to share with young children and for older children to read by themselves.

LeapFrog Tad's Fridge Phonics Magnetic Letter Set Small

Choose a level and push the letter tiles into the letter slot to reinforce letter names, phonics and word skills . Magnetic back makes it great for fridge play in the kitchen

Counting Is for the Birds

Count up to twenty colorful backyard birds as they gather to crack seeds at the feeder while a cunning cat lurks below! What will be the fate of these colorful birds? The surprise ending will delight readers of all ages.Frank Mazzola's striking digital paintings, coupled with his lighthearted verse and engaging facts, will make bird lovers out of young and old alike.

United Tweets of America: 50 State Birds Their Stories, Their Glories

Welcome to the United Tweets Pageant! This colorful parade of state birds competing to be Top Tweet will have readers of all ages laughing aloud. From Alabama's Yellowhammer to Wyoming's Western Meadowlark, each bird is a winner, and each bird loves to show off the state it calls home. Hudson Talbott has created an inspired introduction to states and their birds. His vibrant, detailed illustrations infuse the birds' interactions with energy and humor, making this a great way to spark kids' interest in United States history, geography, and, of course, wildlife!

A Bird Is a Bird

What is a bird? And how is it different from a mammal or a reptile?Some birds are huge and some are tiny. Some birds are fantastically colorful and some are plain. But what do all birds share? Early nonfiction expert Lizzy Rockwell explains that birds have beaks, wings, and feathers, and hatch from eggs. Other animals might have some of these features in common, but only a bird has them all. Only a bird is a bird! A clear text and beautiful illustrations cover dozens of different birds and their shared characteristics, as well as the unique qualities of unusual birds, such as penguins and peacocks.

Language Arts Focus Day 5

Three basic foundations for language arts in preschool are:

Letter recognition,
Learning letter sounds, and
Learning to form letters.

Choose fun hands-on activities to teach these to your child and use repetition as well.

Book –Only A Bird is a Bird and this book teaches children all about what makes a bird as well as some of the differences with splashy colorful illustrations and language. It is perfect for early years without talking down to them.

Craft/Activity- Grab your letter tiles and spell out a few bird-related words like bird, egg, nest, and feather. Remove the beginning letter, set it near the words in a pile and read each of the words to your child without the beginning sound.

Help your child determine which letter makes the beginning sound for that word. It is not important that they can read the word itself.

This is simply helping them to make a connection and understand that letters put together to make words and reinforce the beginning letter sound with the actual image of the letter.

Song/Fingerplay- Two Little Blackbirds has cute hand motions that are fun and easy to learn, this will be a very popular chant for weeks to come.

Snack- These Crow-eos are too cute but are very easy to make for a quick and simple bird-themed snack.

Toilet Paper Roll Bluebird

You will need:

Empty toilet paper roll
Blue construction paper or craft foam
Yellow construction paper or craft foam
Rusty red craft paint
Black pipe cleaner
Google eyes
Gluestick
Scissors

First, cut your blue craft foam just under 4” tall by 5 ¾” around and glue it to the empty toilet paper roll.

At the same time cut a small tail and a pair of wings out of the same color.

To give a little texture to the feathers you can make little snips along the edge of each.

Then cut a small triangle of yellow for the beak.

And to give your child a little more Independence you can either allow them to cut it out completely independently or trace the shape and let them practice using scissors by cutting it out themselves.

Now paint the belly of the bluebird with rusty red paint.

If you don’t want to use paint you could also just have them glue red paper to the bird.

Mixed media projects are a great way to introduce your preschooler to new art mediums.

Twist two little bird feet out of black pipe cleaners and hot glue them inside the toilet paper roll so they just peek out.

Once the glue on the belly has dried your child can begin assembling the bluebird by attaching the wings, beak, and google eyes.

For a more secure hold, you can use hot glue but if you want to let your child do it they can use regular school glue and pin them into place with either tape or clothes pins until the glue dries.

You can either stop here if you’re happy with your bluebird or place a scrap piece of the blue on top and around the circle shape to finish off his head, secure in place with glue

Letter E Is For Eagle Easy Preschool Eagle Study

January 11, 2024 | Leave a Comment
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E is for eagle, and you can take this high-flying preschool letter E unit in several different directions. Also, I have more alphabet letter fun on my page How to Homeschool Preschool.

You can focus just on eagles, cover birds of prey, and talk about the eagle as a symbol of America, or birds in general.

These amazing birds deserve a special unit study, and they work out perfectly when you are focusing on the letter E.

Letter E Is For Eagle Easy Preschool Eagle Study

Whether you gather your books from a visit to the library or on Amazon I have some great suggestions for you as well as crafts and activities that don’t require very many specific supplies.

For the most part, you can do these lessons with what you likely already have on hand.

Adding a few videos and a couple of printouts makes it a very low stress but highly educational preschool study.

It’s worth investing in fantastic plastic figurines with this as they will find their use through the years in small-world play, sensory bins, and even dioramas as your child gets older.

More How to Homeschool Preschool Letter of the Week Activities

Language Arts Focus Day 1

E-E- E is for Eagle, don’t forget to practice that sound throughout the day as you play in sensory bins, make crafts, and yummy snacks.

Letter/Sound Recognition – Create a sensory bin with any base you have on hand -beads, rice, or shredded paper. Place items in the bin that start with Ee including letter tiles as well.

Raid the toy box or print items from free images. Have your child roll the die and count out the number of items that start with e or the letter e that matches. This also helps with beginning math skills.

Book- Is a Bald Eagle Really Bald focuses on the Bald Eagle as the national symbol, its meaning on our Great seal, as well as facts about how eagles live in the wild.

Craft/Activity- Create this cute E is for Eagle Handprint Craft, I just love sweet little handprint keepsake crafts to remember how small they were.

Song/Fingerplay- This Powerful Bald Eagle song is not your typical catchy children’s song (it is catchy though).

But I think it’s fantastic that it focuses on teaching about the bald eagle from the colors to their unique characteristics.

Snack- These Bald Eagle Snacks are so cute and look like a lot of fun to make, they look complicated but it’s really just coating marshmallows in melted chocolate and adding a few items.

Science Focus Day 2

Zoology is one of the first sciences children learn.

Today focuses on what habitat eagles live in (around lakes and reservoirs with lots of fish and forests around).

And they learn what eagles eat (fish, rabbits, waterfowl, rodents, and other small creatures), and their life cycle.

You could also research and see what other types of eagles beyond the well-known bald eagle like the golden eagle, black eagle, and harpy eagle.

Letter/Sound Recognition- Go on a letter E hunt, finding objects that start with the letter E around the house or in books. Here is a list of 50 items to help give you ideas. Remember to make the sound each time you find something!

Book- Bailey the Bald Eagle and the Great Flight centers around fears and how to face and overcome them.

Reading stories like this helps to teach your child how to verbalize feelings, encourages empathy, and is healthy for social-emotional growth.

Craft/Activity- How about some Life Cycle of an Eagle Coloring Pages, while I prefer hands-on activities to worksheets they are great occasionally like this one that demonstrates the life cycle and coloring pages are great if your child enjoys them.

Song/Fingerplay- A funny little rap The Bald Eagle hip hops its way through facts about the eagle, sounds, and how they build their giant nests, and is perfect for a little dancing.

Snack- Create your mix of “eagle food”.

Toss together fish (Swedish fish candy or goldfish), snakes (gummy worms), and rabbits (Annie’s Organic grahams or fruit snacks) as you talk about the things that eagles eat.

Math Focus Day 3

Count eggs, count bald eagle toys, or any other small items you have on hand.

Use a tape measure to measure how large an eagle nest is (up to 9 feet wide) and their wingspan to introduce your child to using new math tools.

Count eggs, count bald eagle toys, or any other small items you have on hand.

Letter/Sound Recognition- As I said, I like hands-on activities for preschoolers, but worksheets can have their place from time to time. This Find the Letter E Worksheet can be circled, marked with a dot marker, or colored over.

It doesn’t require a lot of writing that little hands are not ready to do just yet, just a simple seek-and-find.

Book- A great science reference series is “The Big Book of’ Series”.

Look at this gorgeous large layout on Bald Eagles in The Big Book of Birds.

This volume will get lots of use even when class is not in session because the illustrations are bright and pretty, also there is so much to look at for littles.

Craft/Activity- Grab these free Eagle Number Puzzles print and laminate and let your child match the number, the number of eagles, and if they are ready for it the third part with the number written out as a word.

Song/Fingerplay- This Letter E Song by ABC Mouse lists many words that start with E and the images that go with them to help commit the words to memory in a fun melody.

Snack- Take your pick of either an Eagle Marshmallow Pop or Eagle Quesadilla for a fun on-theme treat to enjoy together.

History/Geography Focus Day 4

The bald eagle is the national symbol for the U.S. Help your child locate Washington DC on a map and where it is to wherever you are.

Letter/Sound Recognition- Most of us have a basket of those oversized LEGOs for preschoolers in the house already, print a few letters and let your child work on building the Letter E with a familiar toy.

Book- The Bald Eagle American Symbols is another good book to have at hand that focuses on the bald eagle as our national symbol through the eyes of Bill the bird keeper.

Craft/Activity- Make a Paper Plate Bald Eagle for your preschooler to fly around, see the directions below.

Song/Fingerplay- I love the idea of learning signs for words that begin with the Letter E E.

Not only is it great for building finger muscles as they form the words and learn sign language, but using a multi-sensory approach when learning is very successful.

Check out this Letter E Signing f or Babies (great for preschool).

Snack- You have to enjoy a deviled egg or whatever your preschooler’s favorite choice of egg is for a snack or breakfast.

Not only can you practice making the e-e-e-egg sound but you can talk about how eagles lay eggs like other birds.

Books about E is for Eagle

14 Fun Resources for Studying about Eagles

Add some of these fun activities, books and resources to learn about eagles.

1. Eagle and Birds of Prey: Discover the World of Birds of Prey―How They Grow, Fly, Live, and Hunt

Eyewitness: Eagles and Birds of Prey is a guide to birds of prey of all shapes and sizes. From majestic falcons to soaring vultures, you'll get a bird's eye view of their amazing world. Learn about their styles of flight and their hunting techniques. Explore the preying and feeding habits, from specialist feeders to scavengers.

2. Science Comics: Birds of Prey: Terrifying Talons

Every volume of Science Comics offers a complete introduction to a particular topic―dinosaurs, the solar system, volcanoes, bats, robots, and more. Whether you're a fourth grader doing a natural science unit at school or a thirty-year-old with a secret passion for airplanes, these graphic novels are for you!

3. Big Book of Birds (The Big Book Series)

4. EAGLE 300 Piece Jigsaw Puzzle

HIGH-QUALITY JIGSAW PUZZLE: The stunning, lifelike image is mounted on premium chipboard. Random cut pieces are thick and sturdy – they come fully separated with cleanly cut edges (dust-free!) that fit together snugly and hold up to repetitive use.

Makes amazing wall décor. Glue it, then mount the masterpiece!

5 PCS Birds of Prey Figurines

This set brings you some of the most amazing birds of prey from around the world!

5 Piece Set includes Bald Eagle, Falcon, Hawk, Owl, and Vulture.

6. Supertoob: USA,Figure Playsets

Use birds of prey figurines including a Bald Eagle to make a diorama or sensory bin, they are also great used for art inspiration. My eagle came from the USA Safari Toob.

7. Thunder Birds: Nature’s Flying Predators

Acclaimed naturalist and illustrator Jim Arnosky helps birds and imaginations take glorious flight in this breathtaking nonfiction picture book with six giant gatefolds.
Arnosky will draw out kids' inner explorer as he explains why there are no feathers on a vulture's head, which bird is the deep-diving champ, what makes an owls's wings perfectly silent in flight, and much more.
Readers can use this gorgeously illustrated book to bring the wilderness right into their rooms-or as a guide on their next expedition.

8. 100 Facts Birds of Prey- Hawks, Eagles, Ornithology, Educational Projects, Fun Activities, Quizzes and More!

Flip through 100 fascinating facts covering everything from hunting prey to patrolling airports, then test your knowledge with fun quizzes. Each page is packed with activities, projects and mind-blowing facts for a truly engaging experience. With stunning photographs and beautiful illustrations, this fun-filled book is sure to challenge young readers and prepare them for academic success.

Simulated Bald Eagle Figurines Plastic Eagle

Your child will love these to use in sensory bins or dioramas or just as a model to paint or play with.

Is a Bald Eagle Really Bald?

A bald eagle doesn't sound like an attractive bird. But it's pictured on the Great Seal of the United States and on the dollar bill. Why was this bird chosen as a national symbol?

Bailey the Bald Eagle and the Great Flight

Bailey is a bald eagle who comes from a long lineage of high flyers, with her grandfather even holding the world record for being the highest flyer. So, it comes as a bit of a surprise to her family when she is scared of heights. This fear keeps her down every day, literally, but it also helps her meet some amazing friends she never would have otherwise. This story is about how we are all afraid of something, but it's how we overcome those fears that matters most.

My Little Book of Bald Eagles

This is a delightful story about a new family of bald eagles. From newborn's first lessons in life to the first solo flight, this beautifully illustrated book is ideal for introducing young children to the wonders of nature.

Harpy Eagle (Apex Predators of the Amazon Rain Forest)

It's early morning in the Amazon rain forest. A large monkey is climbing through the branches of a tall tree. Suddenly, there's a flash of white and black feathers. An enormous harpy eagle swoops between the leafy branches and snatches the monkey from the tree. Then the giant predator carries its prey high into the treetops and begins to eat. Filled with information perfectly suited to the abilities and interests of its primary-grade audience, this colorful, fact-filled book gives readers a chance not only to learn all about harpy eagles and their Amazon rain forest home, but also to develop their powers of observation and critical thinking. Built-in activities, such as figuring out how the bird's body is adapted for hunting, and investigating how much weight the eagle can carry in its talons, give readers a chance to gain insights beyond the facts and figures.

Wild Life Realistic Harpy Eagle Figurine -

This Harpy Eagle Figurine would make an amazing addition to your dioramas, sensory bins, trays

Language Arts Focus Day 5

Letter/Sound Recognition- Place Post-it notes with lowercase and uppercase e’s all over the floor. Include a few others with different letters.

Have your child hop on all the E and make the sound as they do.

Book- My Little Book of Bald Eagles is a great book for 3-5-year-olds. It tells the story of a newborn eaglet through his very first solo flight.

Craft/Activity- Watch this short video All About Bald Eagles for Kids. They will learn all kinds of fascinating facts and see real videos of them in action.

Song/Fingerplay–This song heavily focuses on the letter sound. The repetitiveness will help it stick in your child’s mind- Letter E.

Snack- Sometimes you just need a quick and easy snack without a lot of prep. Make this Bacon and Egg Treat in the microwave quickly with just 3 items to reinforce e is for egg.

Finally, look how to make this adorable eagle craft.

Paper Plate Bald Eagle

You will need:

3 paper plates
Brown craft paint
Yellow craft paint
Scissors
Glue
Google Eye

First, cut one paper plate in half to create two wings.

Cut a thin bell shape with a flared-out tail at the end of the second one using the majority of the plate.

Also, the ruffled edge of the plate as the tail to give it a little extra fun texture.

Use the third plate to cut out a head with a beak.

Or if you prefer you can cut the beak out separately and have your child glue it on later.

Now to get the look of the bald eagle. Have your child paint just the ruffled part of the head brown.

And the same for the body with the tail.

It will be the reverse. Have them paint the smooth part of the plate brown and leave the ruffled part white. They will then paint the wing entirely brown except for just the tips.

Paint the beak yellow and glue on a googly eye.

Glue the wings together in the center and spread them out in any formation you like.

Glue the head to the body.

Now attach the two parts.

You may want to use hot glue for this final part so it will dry faster and stay together better. A glue stick may not hold all the weight together.

Alphabet Letter G is for Gorilla Fun Paper Plate Preschool Mask

January 9, 2024 | Leave a Comment
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

G is for Gorilla is a fun opportunity to learn not only the letter sound but incorporate a fun much loved zoo animal unit. Also, I have more alphabet letter fun on my page How to Homeschool Preschool and my page Free Africa Unit Study for Kids Who Love Hands-on Learning | Free Continent & Country Reports.

While this can be a heavy zoology-based unit study there are still plenty of great ideas for math, art, geography, language arts, and more.

Throughout I have bundled it all here for you to make it easy to pick and choose your favorite activities.

Alphabet Letter G is for Gorilla Fun Paper Plate Preschool Mask

Gorillas are exclusively native to Africa.

This provides a solid lesson in geography where you can search the map for Africa, locate the Congo on the map, and locate where each of the two different species of gorilla call home.

For your lessons you might want to invest in a fun set of figures if you don’t already have some.

This adorable little gorilla family can be used in many ways, dramatic play, sensory bins, with playdough, and more.

More How to Homeschool Preschool Letter of the Week Activities

Language Arts Focus Day 1

Letter/Sound Recognition- Fill in this cute Letter G Animal Alphabet Dots Printable with do a dot markers or round stickers.

Book- Gorilla does a great job introducing the concept of empathy and sorting out feelings in a cute story about a gorilla and a little girl who dreams of seeing gorillas in real life.

Craft/Activity- Dramatic play is an important part of a child’s social and emotional development, this activity Zoo Animals – Dramatic Play Activity allow them to become zookeepers, create cages, and care for animals through pretend play.

Song/Fingerplay- ABC Mouse does letter songs and learning so well, I found this very catchy little song on YouTube to go over letter sounds and recognition The Letter G Song.

Snack- Keep it simple with single ingredients snacks that start with G, here are ideas for 5 Snacks For Kids That Start With G.

Science Focus Day 2

Science comes into play learning about gorillas, rain forests, and even other zoo creatures your child might spot there.

As a matter of fact, if you are able this would be a great time for a field trip to the zoo to see these animals in person.

Letter/Sound Recognition- Grab whatever letter tiles you have and spell out gorilla. At the top of a piece of construction paper write out G-O-R-I-L-L-A, spreading it out so there is enough space for the tiles to fit under each letter.

Give your child the pile of letters and let them match it below your written example. As they match each one, tell them the name of the letter if they don’t already know it.

This is not about learning to spell a big word like gorilla but more about learning to recognize letters and that letters put together create a word.

Book- Goodnight Gorilla is a classic sweet board book centered around a sneaky gorilla and an unsuspecting zookeeper.

While it doesn’t have a lot of words it tells a silly story through very expressive illustrations.

Craft/Activity- This Goodnight Gorilla: A STEAM Activity for Preschoolers was too good to pass up for our science activity, especially since it went so well with our book choice today.

Song/Fingerplay- Raffi songs are fantastic for kids with his warm voice and simple folk lyrics that tell stories, check out The Gorilla Song.

Snack- These Chocolate Banana Oat Pancakes look delicious and are a great portrayal of the key figure in our lessons.

Math Focus Day 3

You need not overthink math at this age, it is simply recognizing numbers and learning to add and subtract small amounts.

Grab items from around your house and count, like the gorillas in their plastic toys or banana bunches at the grocery store. Gather leaves into two piles and introduce concepts like more/fewer.

Letter/Sound Recognition- Shaving Cream Writing- Yep, it is as simple as it sounds.

Spread a thin layer of unscented shaving cream on a shallow tray and let your little one write with their finger.

I recommend printing and laminating your letters so they can be used over and over.

Remember to practice the sound the letter makes as they draw it with their finger.

Book- One Gorilla A Counting Book, I think the illustrations here are just darling and are perfect for simple math.

Craft/Activity- For preschool I especially like to avoid worksheets, but they also have their place.

I think a color by number like this is great for building fine motor skills and in preschool it is phenomenal for number recognition as they find and color a1-6 repeatedly. Repetition is a great teaching tool in preschool.

Song/Fingerplay- Cute and catchy you might have the Baby Gorilla Song stuck in your head before the week is out, it is to the tune of a familiar favorite-Baby Shark.

Snack- Make ‘Gorilla Goodies’ by creating a trail mix of whatever dry ingredients you have on hand, no need to run to the store for special ingredients.

Mix up pretzels, marshmallows, raisins, dry cereal, nuts, cookie pieces, candy, etc.

History/Geography Focus Day 4

Take a look at a map and find Africa, locate where gorillas live around the Congo. Incorporate social studies by talking about zoos and zookeepers and what they provide to communities.

Letter/Sound Recognition- Reinforce the letter sound and name by pre-writing with their finger on a salt tray. If you have a preschooler who loves to lick their finger, use vanilla or chocolate pudding.

Book- Ivan: A Gorilla’s True Story

Craft/Activity- This Simple and Fun Wildlife Craft Mountain Gorilla Layered Art Project may just need a little extra help from you but is completely doable by a preschooler.

Song/Fingerplay- I found The Mountain Gorilla Song that sings about a specific type of gorilla and can be used to talk about the two different species, eastern and western.

Snack-Simply because kids find poop so funny, Gorilla Poops, would make a nice addition to your study. Make them in different sizes and turn it into a lesson on larger/smaller.

Books for Learning About G is for Gorilla

G is for Gorilla Preschool Unit Study Theme

Bring learning to life for your preschooler with these G is for Gorilla books and resources.

4 Pcs Realistic Gorilla Figurines

Gorilla Family: Set of four gorilla animal toys with two adults and two kids.

Gorilla

Hannah loves gorillas and longs to see a real one. Unfortunately, her father is always too busy — or too tired — to take her to the zoo.

Photo Credit: www.youtube.com

"The Letter G Song" by ABCmouse.com

"The Letter G Song"

Good Night, Gorilla

Good night, Gorilla. Good night, Elephant. It's bedtime at the zoo, and all the animals are going to sleep. Or are they? Who's that short, furry guy with the key in his hand and the mischievous grin? Good night, Giraffe. Good night, Hyena. Sneak along behind the zookeeper's back, and see who gets the last laugh in this riotous good-night romp.

One Gorilla: A Counting Book

Here is a list of the things I love.One gorilla.Two butterflies among my flowers--and one gorilla.Tree budgerigars in my house--and one gorilla.

Gorillas

All the wild gorillas live in Africa. They are peaceful and intelligent, and live in family groups called troops. Here are descriptions of the physical characteristics of these primates as well as information about how they live, including how they eat, raise their young, and adapt to their environment. Gibbons's trademark style features kid-friendly explanations and visually presented facts.

Ivan: A Gorilla's True Story

The real-life inspiration for The One and Only Ivan. A gorilla captured as a baby, Ivan was brought to a Tacoma, Washington mall to attract shoppers. Gradually, public pressure built until a better way of life for Ivan was found at Zoo Atlanta. From the Congo to America, and from a local business attraction to a national symbol of animal welfare, Ivan the Shopping Mall Gorilla traveled an astonishing distance in miles and in impact. In a spare, powerful text and evocative illustrations, Newbery medalist Katherine Applegate and artist G. Brian Karas present the extraordinary real story of this special gorilla.

Little Gorilla

As beloved Little Gorilla grows up, he discovers that love grows with him. Perfect for bedtime or snuggle-time, this warm and timeless classic reassures readers that as they grow and change, they are always loved. Just about everybody in the great green forest loves Little Gorilla. His mother loves him. His father loves him. Even Big Boa Constrictor loves him. But Little Gorilla begins to grow . . . and Grow . . . and GROW. And then, when Little Gorilla isn’t so little anymore—everyone still loves him! A soothing, rhythmic text and expressive illustration create a heartwarming story about the security and constancy of love.

Gorilla mysteries

Discusses the habits of gorillas, giant apes of frightening appearance but gentle behavior, long misunderstood by their human close relatives.

Photo Credit: blog.allaboutlearningpress.com

G Is for Gorilla Gulp (With Teaching Tips for Letter G)

What goes together better than peanut butter, cocoa, and bananas? We can’t think of a better combination—and we think your little monkeys will be nodding between gulps of chocolatey goodness!

Language Arts Focus Day 5

Letter/Sound Recognition- Take a small gorilla toy or something like a pencil to use as a pointer and go through books, newspapers, pictures on the wall or anywhere else and locate all the Gg’s that you can.

Place the toy or pointer over it

Book- Gorillas by Gail Gibbons is great as a science reference because her books are so engaging for younger (and older children as well) with bright photographs and plenty of information to take in.

Craft/Activity- Make our fun Gorilla Mask while you talk about the characteristics of the gorilla, it’s fun for dramatic play and pretend.

Song/Fingerplay- Another fun and catchy song that is fun to dance too is The Letter G, Gimme G song, introducing movement adds another layer of fun making what they learn stick.

Snack- G is for Gorilla Gulp Shake is a great snack to practice letter sounds as you pronounce g-g-gorilla and g-g-g-gulp.

Fun Paper Plate Preschool Mask

You will need:

3 paper plates
Black craft paint
Grey craft paint
Ribbon or yarn
Scissors
Glue sticks
Paint brushes
Black marker

First, flip one plate upside down and let your child paint the entire backside of the plate black, set aside to dry.

Flip a second plate and paint the center a gray color, let it dry.

Take the third plate and paint the center black.

Once all the paint is dry cut ears and a little lock of hair from the center of the black plate.

And cut a gorilla face from the gray, the center of their face is kind of a squished heart shape.

You want the gray portion to be just a little smaller than the center of the main black plate.

Measure/Eyeball the eye holes with your child’s head.

Make it about 1 ½” apart should be great for a preschooler’s face.

And make them a little oversized to give them plenty of visibility.

Cut out of the whole black plate.

Lay the gray face under the eye holes and trace with a pencil then cut them out.

Draw features on the face like nostrils, mouth, and some little wrinkles.

Glue the gray face piece to the black plate and then the ears and hair tuft.

Finally punch holes on either side of the mask.

And tie the ribbon or yarn through to create a tie to hold on the mask.

Alphabet Letter M is for Monkey Handprint Preschool Fun Monkey Study

January 8, 2024 | Leave a Comment
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

M is for monkey is a lovely theme that can be stretched out to include zoos, rainforests, bananas, trees, or any other direction you would like to go with it. Also, I have more alphabet letter fun on my page How to Homeschool Preschool.

It naturally includes science as you learn about different species.

Alphabet Letter M is for Monkey Handprint Preschool Fun Monkey Study

And you can work in geography by locating places on a map or globe where different monkeys are native.

Use banana manipulatives for simple math, and introduce geography/history concepts like teaching about people in the community such as zookeepers.

I found great ideas to cover all subjects to make your M is for monkey study fun, easy, and a great learning experience.

More How to Homeschool Preschool Letter of the Week Activities

Language Arts Focus Day 1

Letter M Song -I like to begin with a song that builds on letter recognition, the sound, and words that begin with that letter and it can be repeated throughout the week to reinforce it.

Letter/Sound Recognition- Cut banana shapes out of cardstock or construction paper.

Use a marker to write letters in upper and lowercase letters, or even numbers.

Mix up a few at a time and let your child match the letters.

For children who already know all their letters, you can write out the whole alphabet and let them place the letters in the correct order in a line.

Book- A Book of Monkeys- I just love the illustrations of this book that covers not only monkeys but all other primates breaking each one down with their characteristics.

This is a great opportunity to teach comparison of differences as well as similarities.

Craft/Activity- Start off the week with this Monkey Ears Headband so they can wear them all week as you learn about M and of course monkeys.

Song/Fingerplay- Let’s jump right into the obvious song for this theme-5 Little Monkeys Jumping on the Bed, it’s classic and fun.

Snack-Bake some cupcakes and then decorate them together using this Monkey Cupcake Tutorial, enjoy them with a glass of milk.

Science Focus Day 2

Letter/Sound Recognition- Take this Monkey Sensory Bin activity and add lower and uppercase M’s to it,

You can use magnet letters, letter tiles, flashcards, letters cut from magazines, or whatever you have on hand. These magnetic letters will get a lot of use for all your preschool years.

Book- Use today to learn what a monkey is, before they are ready for more complicated taxonomy preschoolers can still learn to sort and classify.

Primates cover a wide variety of creatures but are not all monkeys.

The easiest way to learn and remember is that everything that is not an ape is a monkey and monkeys have tails while apes do not.

Chimpanzees, gorillas, orangutans, and gibbons all do not have tails, so they are apes.

Wildlife Anatomy contains so much information on different monkeys.

For example, it has Howler Monkey, Squirrel Monkeys, Capuchin, Baboons, and Mandrills, and the illustrations are outstanding you will use this book again and again for different zoology topics.

Here is a great video that teaches different Monkey species.

Craft/Activity- Barrel of Monkeys is a great addition to your homeschool supplies, these monkeys can be used as manipulatives for math, in a sensory bin, or as the game is meant to be played for fine motor work.

Song/Finger Play- Three Little Monkeys Sitting in a Tree with finger motions.

Snack- We are going to keep it simple today with this free Printable Monkeys for Banana Treats all you need is a printer and a banana for this treat.

Math Focus Day 3

Letter/Sound Recognition – These Monkey and Banana Counting cards are a great thematic way to practice number recognition, counting, and sequencing.

I highly suggest laminating them, so they last throughout your unit.

Book- Sometimes the best way to open a dialogue about feelings and how to handle them is through a silly book like Grumpy Monkey.

Emotional intelligence is a very important part of preschool learning.

Craft/Activity- While the Smart Bananas Math Activities may seem simple but children will be getting so much natural math exposure through addition and subtraction, comparison, measuring, weighing, and counting.

Song/Fingerplay– 5 Little Monkeys Swinging in a Tree, oh those little monkeys were teasing Mr. Alligator, and this song and fingerplay is really easy to learn and so much fun to act out, teaching through Makaton Signing.

Snack- Kids will go bananas over these adorable Monkey Sandwiches and they are pretty simple to make if you buy premade PBJ sandwiches.

History/Geography/ Day 4

Learn about zookeepers as a simple social studies lesson and what it takes to care for the animals.

In addition, look at my Rainforest Unit Study and Free Lapbook.

Kids Learn About Zookeepers and Taking Care of Animals is a short 3-minute video set to music to keep it engaging.

Letter/Sound Recognition – Use Wikki Stix to create upper and lower case m’s, remember to repeat the /m/ sound often.

Book- How could we do a preschool monkey unit without the classic Curious George?

Craft/Activity- Create a Paper Bag Monkey Craft or create an entire troop of unique monkey puppets.

Song/Finger Play- Itsy Bitsy Monkey – (Sung to the tune of The Itsy Bitsy Spider)

The Itsy Bitsy monkey climbed up the coconut tree.

(“Climb” up the tree, alternating cupped hands one on top of the other in the air.)

Down came a coconut & hit him on his knee—OWWW!!!!

(Make a double fist above your head & hit your knee)

Out came a lion a-shaking’ his mighty mane—AND—

(Frame your face with your hands, fanning fingers out for mane.

Shake head & hands.

The Itsy Bitsy monkey climbed up the tree again!

Repeat motions.

Snack- Make a Monkey Rice Cake Curious George Snack to go along with today’s book selection and it is a relatively healthy snack to boot.

Books for Learning About M is for Monkey

11 M is for Monkey Preschool Books & Resources

Add these fun books and resources about monkey to your preschool theme.

A Book of Monkeys (and other Primates)

Can you tell a slow loris from a slender loris? Did you know that when it rains orangutans make umbrellas using leaves? What's the difference between a monkey and an ape? Discover all of this (and many more monkey facts!) in Kate Viggers' humorous, illustrated guide to monkeys and other primates.

Caps for Sale: A Tale of a Peddler Some Monkeys and Their Monkey Business

Children will delight in following the peddler’s efforts to outwit the monkeys and will ask to read it again and again. Caps for Sale is an excellent easy-to-read book that includes repetition, patterns, and colors, perfect for early readers.

This tale of a peddler and a band of mischievous monkeys is filled with warmth,
humor, and simplicity and also teaches children about problem and resolution.

Magnetic Alphabet Letters

Suitable for preschoolers and young children：EVA foam magnetic letters are an innovative early education toy suitable for preschoolers and young children. They can help children learn English letters, improve spelling abilities, and enhance their oral expression skills.

Winning Moves Games Classic Barrel of Monkeys

Classic Skill Game

Squirrel Monkey Plush

These realistic stuffed animals are created with high-quality materials and are surface washable in case you get its luscious fur coat dirty.

Grumpy Monkey

Jim the chimpanzee is in a terrible mood for no good reason. His friends can't understand it--how can he be in a bad mood when it's SUCH a beautiful day? They have lots of suggestions for how to make him feel better. But Jim can't take all the advice...and has a BIT of a meltdown. Could it be that he just needs a day to feel grumpy?

Fidget Toy Plus Arts & Crafts for Kids; Non Reusable Hands-on

Calming Sensory Fidget Toy: Soft And Pliable, Easy To Have On Hand To Help Tame Those Fidgety Fingers

Curious George

In this book, George meets his friend, the man with the yellow hat, and begins the life of mischief and adventure so beloved by generations of readers. The inspiration for television, films, and hundreds of books, Curious George is a mainstay of children's picture books

Monkey Puzzle

"I've lost my mum!" It's not too much fun being lost in the jungle, and little monkey wants his mummy. A kindly butterfly is keen to help, but they don't seem to be having much luck as the well-meaning butterfly misunderstands monkey's descriptions and leads him to all sorts of unsuitable animals! But eventually, they find... Dad! It's just as well that he knows exactly where mum is, and she's waiting with a well-deserved cuddle.

Hanging Stuffed Monkeys

Soft and Quality: monkey stuffed animals are made of plush, with evenly and full filling, which are skin friendly and comfortable to touch, not easy to deform; They have exquisite workmanship, are sturdy enough for long term use.

Wildlife Anatomy: The Curious Lives & Features of Wild Animals around the World

Julia Rothman's series of Anatomy books are beloved by children and adults alike. In Wildlife Anatomy, Rothman captures the excitement and distinctive attributes of wild animals around the world. The book is packed with hundreds of her charming, original illustrations, detailing the unique features of animals of the rainforest, desert, grasslands, oceans, and much more. From lions, bears, and zebras to monkeys, mongoose, bats, elephants, giraffes, hippos, and much more, Rothman's visual guide covers all the key features, right down to the anatomy of a lion's claw and a wild horse's hoof. All the illustrations are accompanied by labels, intriguing facts, and identifying details, such as: When is a Panther Not a Panther? and What Makes Aardvarks So Odd? Rothman's characteristic combination of curiosity and an artist's eye makes this wildlife treasury rich and full, and promises new discoveries every time it's opened.

Also, add day 5.

Language Arts Focus Day 5

Learning letter recognition and phonics are key facets for a foundation of language arts in the early years. I think that hands-on fun and repetition are key for the mastery of these skills.

Letter/Sound Recognition-I found this cute song- M Monkey, and it’s a cute repetitive song covering many of the simple words that start with M.

Book- Monkey Puzzle is a sweet little book about a little monkey who is missing his mom written by Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler, creators of The Gruffalo.

Craft/Activity- Gather up some old magazines and go on a Magazine Letter Hunt and Sort Activity for the letter M not only is it good for letter recognition but cutting and pasting help those fine motor skills by building up hand muscles.

Song/Fingerplay- Try out the Letter M song by ABCmouse.com, the tune is so much fun even for grown-ups.

Snack- Make this cute little Banana Sushi treat to finish off your week, after all little monkeys love those tasty bananas.

M is for Monkey Handprint

You will need:

Blue construction paper
Brown construction paper
Google eyes
Green craft paint
Brown craft paint
Paintbrush

First, let your child paint green vines wherever they like on the blue construction paper. Allow to dry.

Paint your child’s hand brown.

Stamp it down over the vines with the thumb pointing upward. Be sure to press down firmly over the whole hand.

Paint a circle of brown over the thumb to create the monkey’s head and give him a curling little tail as well.

Paint your child brown and use it like a stamp to create two round ears.

While the paint is drying, cut out a small brown oval for the mouth and two smaller ones for the inside of the ears.

After the paint has dried your child can glue on the mouth, inner ears, and some googly eyes with a glue stick.

Finally, use a pen to add a little more detail like a mouth and nostrils.

I like to also write down the upper and lowercase letters on the paper to reinforce what they are learning.

phonics

More How to Homeschool Preschool Letter of the Week Activities

Language Arts Focus Day 1

Science Focus Day 2

Math Focus Day 3

History/Geography Focus Day 4

Language Arts Focus Day 5

X is for X Ray Craft Crayon Resist Skeleton

More How to Homeschool Preschool Letter of the Week Activities

Language Arts Focus Day 1

Science Focus Day 2

Math Focus Day 3

History/Geography Focus Day 4

Language Arts Focus Day 5

Toilet Paper Roll Bluebird

More How to Homeschool Preschool Letter of the Week Activities

Language Arts Focus Day 1

Science Focus Day 2

Math Focus Day 3

History/Geography Focus Day 4

Books about E is for Eagle

Language Arts Focus Day 5

Paper Plate Bald Eagle

More How to Homeschool Preschool Letter of the Week Activities

Language Arts Focus Day 1

Science Focus Day 2

Math Focus Day 3

History/Geography Focus Day 4

Books for Learning About G is for Gorilla

Language Arts Focus Day 5

Fun Paper Plate Preschool Mask

More How to Homeschool Preschool Letter of the Week Activities

Language Arts Focus Day 1

Science Focus Day 2

Math Focus Day 3

History/Geography/ Day 4

Books for Learning About M is for Monkey

Language Arts Focus Day 5

M is for Monkey Handprint

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