Long, Little, Short, Small
Learning synonyms
Instructions
- Ask the child to fill a glass with a little amount of water. Place filled glass on counter
- Give the child a second glass and fill with a small amount of water. Place the filled glass on the counter.
- Chat about how much water is in each of the glasses. Are amounts similar?
- This is a beginning explanation that some words mean the same thing (synonyms)
- Little and small are words that can be used to mean the same thing
- Click here for a lesson about synonyms
Simplify
Write the word "synonym" on a sheet of paper. Count the number of letters in synonym - 7. Ask which letters are used twice in the word synonym (there are 2 y's and 2 n's) Explain that a synonym is a word that means exactly or nearly the same as another word. Say two words and ask the child if these two words are synonyms or mean almost the same thing. Encourage the child to say the word "synonym".
shut - close (Yes); sack - bag (Yes); big - little (No); angry - happy (No); small - tiny (Yes); fast - slow (No); beautiful - pretty (Yes);
Extend
Ask child to think of synonyms to these words: choose one of the words and see if child can say the synonym
infant/baby; fast/quick; large/big; ill/sick; funny/silly; shut/close; stone/rock; present/gift; father/dad; house/home; chef/cook; evil/bad; happy/glad
QUESTIONS FOR CHILD
Would you rather be the oldest or the youngest person in your family and why?
Would you rather have many good friends or one very best friend and why?
Curriculum Plan Resources
Skills Focus
- Shape - Review
- Color - Black
- Number - Seven, 7
- Alphabet Letters - J, I
- Sense - Smell
- Character Trait - Courage
- Target Words - Long, Little, Short, Small
Monthly Proverb
Chinese - If you get up one more time than you fall, you will make it through
Did You Know?
"Before children enter elementary school, they must develop many linguistic and cognitive skills that will make later academic learning possible. By the age of five, however, children differ markedly in their success in reaching these developmental goals." Entwisle & Alexander, 1993
Books to Read
"The Little Engine That Could"
by Watty Piper, Illustrator Loren Long (Activity 12) (audiobook available)
"My Very First Mother Goose"
with Ioa Opie Editor and Rosemary Wells Illustrator (Activity 26)
"The Color Monster, A Story About Emotions "
by Anna Lienas (Activity 8)
"The Color Monster, A Story About Emotions" VIDEO
by Anna Lienas (Activity 8)
"The Little Engine that Could" VIDEO
by Watty Piper (Activity 12)
"My Very First Mother Goose" VIDEO
with Ioa Opie Editor and Rosemary Wells Illustrator (Activity 26)
Music Playlist
"America (My Country Tis of Thee)" VIDEO
by the Hit Crew, Album: Drew’s Famous Music for Summer Games and Activities (Activity 13)
"Teeth" VIDEO
by Willa Brigham, Album: Healthy Happy Habits (Activity 25)
"Miss Mary Mack"
by Ella Jenkins, Album: You’ll Sing a Song and I’ll Sing a Song (Activity 9)
"My Country 'Tis of Thee" VIDEO
by Aretha Franklin (Activity 13)
"Miss Mary Mack" VIDEO
by Patty Shula (Activity 9)
"Teeth"
by Willa Brigham, Album: Healthy, Happy, Habits (Activity 25)
Monthly Materials List
Click Here to view the list!
Fingerplay / Poems / Songs
Jack and Jill
(Activity 19 Month 9)
Jack and Jill went up the hill to fetch a pail of water.
Jack fell down and broke his crown and Jill came tumbling after.