When I lead groups at the library, my primary focus is learning readiness skills. One of those skills is letter recognition. Sometimes we focus on a variety of letter, while other times we focus on a single letter.
S power: Superman logo (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
In a recent library session our focus was words that start with “S”. I hope you find a use for “S” powered music for children.
A wonderful music-based literacy resource is “The Sounds of Emerging Literacy”. (Not an affiliate link) The “Scarf Letter Writing” on pages 140-141 has become a standard. We have added making the sound of the letter as we draw it.
In the style of “Going on a Bear Hunt”, go on a letter hunt. Collect a group of images most that begin with “s” along with a few that don’t. Here’s what we do:
Going on a letter hunt. (echo)
Big “S”, small “s” (echo)
Looking for things that start with “s” (echo)
S-s-s— (echo)
(Group rumbles with leg patting ) I see this. What is it? (group answers)
Does ___ start with “s”
(Children to respond with) Oh no/yes.
(Repeat for each image.)
Sing favorite songs about things that start with us such as:
- The Eensy, Weensy Spider
- There’s a Spider on the Floor
- Skin-a-marink-e-dink-e-dink
- Silly Sam the Sneaky Snake
- Grey Squirrel
A new action favorite is from Susan Seale’s Make Me Musical – Mini Movement Kit: Kookaburra sits in the Old Gum Tree. We did actions that begin with “s”: sits, sleeps, snakes, slides, skates, sinks, stretches, swings and shakes. (If you work with children, I highly recommend Susan’s materials.)
The children had a lot of fun with the “s” powered music. Feel free to add to the power in the comments below.
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Love your post and didn’t even think about the fact that our best selling stretchy band start with ‘S’ until you tweeted about it! We love going on a bear hunt, and I’m going to use “going on a letter hunt” with my kiddos!
Love the idea of stretchy bands. (For those who haven’t seen them, you’ll find them here: http://bearpawcreek.com/) Not only does it start with “s”, it gets people working and creating together. Enjoy the letter hunt! Check back in and learn how it goes.
Hey, Joanne! Thanks for the shout-out:)
I’m so glad you + the children are enjoying the movement kit!
My pleasure, Susan. The Movement kit has been a big hit with the children in Hays!