Domain:
Language & Communication
Competency:
Decode and comprehend words and texts
🎂
2-3 year olds
⏰
10 to 15 minutes min
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Learning Objective
Children will identify and name at least 5 uppercase and lowercase letters from the book using letter magnets during play.
Learning Resource Synopsis
In 'Chicka Chicka ABC' by Bill Martin Jr, young readers are introduced to the alphabet through a lively and rhythmic story. The narrative Tells the story of letters as they climb up a coconut tree, only to tumble down in a playful sequence. This engaging story uses repetition and vibrant illustrations to help children recognize letter shapes and sounds. The book is designed to build phonemic awareness, making it an educational tool for teaching the alphabet. The abridged version includes colorful letter magnets to enhance interactive learning.
Extended Learning Resources
| Resource & Author | Publication Info | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Eating the Alphabet: Fruits & Vegetables from A to Z | Written by Lois Ehlert, published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt | This beautifully illustrated book introduces children to a variety of fruits and vegetables while reinforcing letter recognition. |
| The Alphabet Book | Written by P.D. Eastman, published by Random House Books for Young Readers | A classic beginner book that presents the letters of the alphabet with simple text and illustrations. |
| Alphabet Tracing Workbook | Created by Highlights Learning, published by Highlights Press | This engaging workbook features tracing activities and fun puzzles to help young learners practice writing and recognizing letters. |
Vocabulary List
| Word | Definition | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Tree | Big green thing with leaves. | Look, a tree. Just like in the book. |
| Up | Go high, high. | The letters go up the tree. |
| Fall | Uh-oh, down. | The letters fall down from the tree. |
Prompt
Essential Question: "What letter do you like?"
Today, we are going to have fun with letters. Let's explore the alphabet together and discover which letters we like the most using our hands and voices.
Anticipatory Set
- Look at the colorful letter magnets. Can you see all the different shapes?
- Touch a letter with your finger and say its name out loud.
- Hold up a letter you like and show it to a friend. Can they say it too?
Teacher Tips
- Encourage children to touch and hold the magnets, allowing them to feel the shapes of the letters.
- Model saying the letter names clearly and encourage the children to repeat them.
- Create a friendly environment where each child feels comfortable sharing their chosen letter.
Learn
Let's climb up the coconut tree with the letters in 'Chicka Chicka ABC' by Bill Martin Jr. Get ready to see which letters can make it to the top.
Interactive Engagement
- Point to the letter A.
- Can you say 'bump' when they fall?
- Show a big smile like the letters.
- Tap your knees when you hear 'coconut'.
- Where is the letter B? Point to it.
Teacher Tips
- Use big facial expressions and gestures to show excitement.
- Encourage children to mimic the sounds of the letters falling.
- Pause often to let children point or move, making reading fun and active.
Ask
Let's think about our favorite parts of the letter adventure.
Discussion Questions
- What letter was your favorite friend?
- How did the letters feel when they climbed?
- Can you show how a letter falls down?
Teacher Tips
- Encourage children to point to letters they like on the magnets.
- Use facial expressions to show how the letters might feel.
- Invite children to gently move their hands like letters falling.
Navigate
Coconut Tree Letter Climb
Inspired by 'Chicka Chicka ABC', this activity invites children to engage in a playful and tactile exploration of letters, mirroring the letters' adventurous climb up the coconut tree. Through sorting and naming letter magnets, children will cultivate their curiosity and excitement for alphabet recognition, echoing the book's lively and rhythmic spirit.
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Teacher Tips
- Use enthusiasm to engage children, modeling excitement when finding and naming letters.
- Allow children to help each other, fostering teamwork and communication skills.
- Celebrate each child's contribution to the 'letter climb' and praise their efforts in recognizing letters.
Share
Let's remember our fun time with the letters climbing up and down the coconut tree. We'll think about the letters we played with and how we felt when we saw them fall.
Reflection Questions
- Can you show me how you jump like the letters?
- Let's clap our hands if we liked the letters climbing.
- Point to your favorite letter on the board.
Teacher Tips
- Encourage children to use their bodies to express feelings about the story, like jumping or clapping.
- Model joyful reactions to each prompt to help children feel comfortable sharing.
- Acknowledge every child's participation with a smile or gentle cheer to build their confidence.
UDL Strategies
Representation
- Visual Approach: Use a coconut tree cutout with colorful branches and leaves, on which children can place the letter magnets. Include images of familiar objects next to the letters on the magnets to aid recognition.
- Auditory Approach: Play an audio recording of 'Chicka Chicka ABC' during the activity to reinforce the story's rhythm and encourage children to associate the sound of the letters with the activity.
- Tactile/Kinesthetic Approach: Provide large, foam letter magnets that are easy to grasp and manipulate, allowing children to feel the letter shapes as they place them on the tree.
- Scaffolding Suggestion: Start the activity by focusing on a few letters that are mentioned frequently in the book. Use positive reinforcement to encourage recognition and naming.
- Comprehension Levels: Offer a variety of letter magnets in different colors and sizes to allow children to select the ones they are most comfortable with, enhancing their confidence in recognition.
Action & Expression
- Verbal Modality: Host a 'letter show and tell' where each child presents their chosen letters and shares what they know about them, encouraging storytelling.
- Artistic Modality: Provide crayons and paper for children to draw a picture of their favorite letter climbing the coconut tree, expressing their understanding through art.
- Physical Modality: Organize a group activity where children form a circle and shape the letters with their bodies, promoting physical engagement and collaboration.
- Communication Preferences: Use a recording device to allow children to narrate their letter choices and reasons, which can be played back during reflection time for shared listening.
- Ability Levels: Create small groups with mixed abilities to encourage peer teaching, where more knowledgeable peers can assist others in recognizing and naming letters.
Engagement
- Initial Attention: Begin the session by reading a short excerpt from 'Chicka Chicka ABC' while showing the illustrations, setting a playful and familiar tone.
- Maintain Engagement: Introduce a 'letter captain' role where each child gets to lead a round of placing letters on the tree, fostering a sense of responsibility and excitement.
- Motivation Preferences: Allow children to choose from a selection of colorful baskets to pick their letters from, and let them decide on the order of placing letters on the tree, catering to their individual preferences.
Assessment Criteria
Formative Assessment
- Observe the children as they choose and place letter magnets on the coconut tree, noting their ability to correctly name each letter. Look for children who can identify at least 5 uppercase and lowercase letters confidently, and provide support to those who hesitate or incorrectly name letters by gently guiding or modeling the correct names.
- Facilitate peer interactions by encouraging children to ask each other for help with identifying or placing letters. Listen for discussions where children correctly identify letters for each other and offer assistance. Note if children can articulate why they chose specific letters, indicating their engagement and understanding.
Summative Assessment
- Conduct a simple letter identification game where children are given a set of letter magnets and asked to name and sort them into uppercase and lowercase categories. Success is demonstrated when children correctly identify and sort at least 5 letters, showing their understanding of letter recognition.
- Ask children to create and present a mini 'letter story' using their letter magnets, where they name each letter and share a brief reason why they like it or how it relates to them (e.G., it's in their name). Assess their ability to accurately name each letter and express a connection, demonstrating their comfort and familiarity with the alphabet.
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