The Letters Are Lost

The Letters Are Lost
by Lisa Campbell Ernst



This book reminds me of my house. We are always looking for some lost game piece. My children could relate to this book when they were younger.... and come to think of it, they can still relate.

When I first found this book, I wondered, "Why didn't I think of that?" It is a simple theme and a common every day activity - losing parts of toys. So young children can easily relate to the book. Further it provides excellent opportunities to teach letters in a variety of ways. Check my suggestions at the end of this dialogue and please feel free to add ideas for others.

The wooden blocks arrived neatly packed in their box. Somehow they have gotten lost so the reader must try to locate them. The A is in an airplane, the B has tumbled into the bath, and the L has landed in a pile of leaves. Each block is easily identifiable for young children who are learning their letters. Children love to "look" for the letters and then see that they are back together---- but "not for long. Just like my house!

ACTIVITIES:

Procedure:
1. Hide the 26 alphabet blocks around the classroom or on the playground so the children can find them easily the first time. (As they become more adept at the game, hide them in more obscure places.
2. The 26 alphabet blocks are hiding in the classroom or on the playground.
3. The children must very quietly creep up on the lost letters so they won’t be frightened.
4. The first time, allow the children to find the letters that they are able to find.
5. When they find a letter, they are to return to the carpet circle so others can find a letter. They may be given the opportunity to talk with another child on the carpet circle about the letter.
6. After all of the letters are found, have the children name the letter and show it to the other children.
7. Ask the children to name the letters in alphabetical order while the child holding that block places it in a line.

Variations:

After playing the game described above, try these variations:
Variation 1:
1. Hide the 26 alphabet blocks again. It may be fun to find a different location such as the playground (on a nice day.)
2. Turn the 26 cards with the alphabet printed on it face down.
3. Allow each child to select a card and name the letter on the card. Help the children who do not recognize the letter name.
4. Allow each child to look at his card and find only that block. After finding the block, he should sit on the carpet and place the block and letter together.
5. Ask the children to name the letters in alphabetical order.
6. Ask the child with the card that has the letter A on it to stand. Have him name the letter and then place it on the floor.
7. The child with the letter B should name his card and then place it next to the A card and continue this procedure until all of the letters have been positioned.
8. Next, have each child name the letter with the block on it on top of the letter card. The block with the letter A on it will be placed on top of the letter card.

Variation 2:
1. Hide the 26 alphabet blocks again.
2. Allow each child to select a picture card, which correlates to a letter.
3. Ask each child to name the object on the picture.
4. Ask each child to identify the letter that the object begins with.
5. Allow the children to find the letter that corresponds to the letter the that the picture begins with as listed on the card.

Variation 3:
Follow the similar procedure above, but provide the child a card that has the missing letter. For example,
A_C. The child finds the letter that is missing. Then returns to the carpet circle.

Variation 4:
After discussing the letters, begin discussing the sound each letter makes. (A says /a/ like ant) Follow the same procedure for the sound of each letter.

Variation 5:
After collecting the letters place them in the center of the carpet circle. Play Marching Around the Alphabet by Hap Palmer so the children follow the lyrics’ directions.

Variation 6:
Have the children hide the letters near, under or beside an object that begins with the same letter. That child selects another child to find the letter by giving clues.

Variation 7:
The children can do an art activity.
Materials:
•glue stick
•magazine or old workbook to cut
•construction paper

Procedure:
1. Each child selects a letter to focus on.
2. The child draws a letter block on a sheet of paper. Then he draws an “environment” surrounding the drawn block.
3. Children can then cut a picture from a magazine (or drawn an object) that begins with the same letter.
4. Glue the picture on a small piece of paper.
5. Show the children the way to cut a tab around the object and cut the picture from the paper and then fold the tab.
6. Glue the tab to the paper by covering the block to hide it.
7. Children show their pictures then asks a class member to identify the hidden letter The picture on the tab will give the clue.

Other interesting books from this author are:

Science Arts: Discovering Science Through Art Experiences

Science Arts: Discovering Science Through Art Activities
by MaryAnn Kohl and Jean Potter
Illustrator: K. Whalen Dery


Though I had written many books in my many jobs and positions, this was the first book formally published by a national publisher, Bright Ring. Mary Ann Kohl (publisher and author) and I wrote this book together and had a great time doing so. We wrote this book without ever meeting. (We met years later.)

Thinking of science ideas was easy. Science is everywhere so it was easy to think of questions about how things work or why things are. But, linking the questions to an art activity was a little more challenging. But, we created lots of really fun activities for kids t learn science concepts through art activities.

This book provides plenty of art activities that provide educators and parents with opportunities to teach an important science concept. Paint running down paper attached to an easel provides a great opportunity to teach gravity. Children will never forget the concept after watching the paint.

You may wish to purchase other art activity books from Mary Ann. Please visit her website at www.Brightring.com. We will be happy to autograph a copy of our books for a special treat.

Please take a look at the other books MaryAnn and I have written. They include.

There Was an Old Lady

There Was an Old Lady
by Simms Taback
illustrator Pam Adams



Certainly one of my all time favorites is this book! I like this book becasue it There are so many ways to tell the story and the repetition is something that children love. Allow the children to join in the repetitive parts.

The book begins with....There Was An Old Lady Who Swallowed A Fly (I don't know why she swallowed that fly) Children enjoy repeating the part in the parentheses. The story grows and grows with a variety of endings.

This story is so charming that other versions have been created. I love all of them.

ACTIVITIES:
1. Draw a large "Old lady" and make flannel board figures to use on the flannel board.

2. Add clear plastic pockets or add zip locking plastic bags to an old apron. Use small stuffed animals or make several from flannel to tell the story. Wear an old wig and glasses.

3. Ask the children to rewrite the story, using different things or animals. They might substitute food items, clothing, or any nouns that are part of a unit of study such as plant parts, for instance. Rewrite the ending to be more positive - instead of dying, she could "turn into" a plant.

4. Rewrite the story about the little old lady who ate too much. Use the Velcro dots glued on a jacket. Let the children select felt or small plastic objects with fruits and vegetables on the jacket. Use the activity as a math estimation. How many apples, how many oranges, etc.

5. This is an excellent activity to do outside, but be sure to use the animlas that are best to use with movements. Children can join in on the repetitive phrases using movements. They act as flies while flying around the designated area.

6. After telling the story, have picture cut outs. Use your copy machine to copy a set of the animals (or a coloring book.) Let them place the objects on a flannel board naming which came first, second, third, etc. Talk about the similarities and differences between the animals/insects. Have the children classify the pictures (insects vs. animals, walk on the ground vs. fly in the air, by number of legs, etc.)

7. Prepare spider cookies (oreo cookie with licorice legs, muffin decorated as a spider, etc.

8. Make little books for the children to create their own stories, There Was An Old Lady Who Swallowed a ______________ book.

9. Use small plastic dimensional objects to tell the story. Place these miniature animals in an opaque bag. Each child child reaches in the bag and feels the animal. Then he describes the animal. The other children guess the animal.

10. For a science activity, discuss the food chain. What animal might eat the fly, the spider, etc.

Additional books using the same theme:


If you are too busy to make the items I have listed, look at Alma's Designs.


Here are some DVD's that are fun to use as well:

Over in the Ocean

Over in the Ocean
Marianne Berkes



Jeannette Canyon is simply a delight when it comes to making picture books come alive. The seahorses on the cover of Over in the Ocean: In a Coral Reef just seem to pop off the page. Each page presents the wow factor when seeing the sea creatures.

Books always present opportunities to learn and discover. But Marianne Berkes offers so many more opportunities than just the rhythm, words and beat of the rhymes. It offers adults a way to introduce and discuss numbers and quantities. Children search the animals out on each page and then the surprise at the end allows them to hunt for the objects before closing the book.

I knew Marianne must be a teacher when I saw the last few pages offering extended activities to enhance the book. Thanks, Marianne for adding the additional pages of activities. Parents and teachers will make good use of your suggestions.

When I was a child, we never discussed the author. She was someone who was not really that important. Thank goodness times have changed. Author studies are a significant study in preschools and throughout every child schooling. Studying authors provide valuable information for children and make books seem more realistic. I liked the way Jeannette added a photo of her office. It gave me a feeling of peeking behind the scenes and knowing her just a little bit better.

The back of the book provides adults with some valuable information to present to the children. The song, Over the Ocean” provides children an opportunity to become more involved through music – just what great preschool and primary teachers always do! The added information describing each sea creature is inspiring and fascinating.


ACTIVITY:
After reading the book, I would get the play dough ready for some inspiring children who will want to make a favorite ocean creature. Jeannette provides a wonderful explanation of her work with polymer clay. I would love to see children experiment with the medium.

This book also provides an excellent opportunity to use flannel board figures when discussing numbers and quantities.