Use a School Readiness Activity to provide early language thinking experiences for preschool children that will prepare them to do well in the early grades.
Grades:
Subjects:
Making a Card
Purpose/Skills- To follow directions
- To demonstrate understanding through action
- To build vocabulary; to practice fine motor skills
Materials
8"x11" paper, crayons or markers, an assortment of greeting cards (optional)
| card | draw |
| write | |
| envelope | address |
Literature Suggestion
Read Milly and Tilly, The Story of a Town Mouse and a Country Mouse by Kate Summers, or another book in which someone sends or receives a note.
Warm-Up
Look at the note in the book and talk about it. Discuss why people send cards to each other.
Examples: friendship cards, thank-you cards, birthday cards, holiday cards, and get-well cards.
Procedure
- Announce that the group is going to make greeting cards. If possible, show children some examples of greeting cards. Have children tell you the steps they would follow to make their own cards.
- Ask children to think of someone they'd like to send a card to. Encourage each child to name his or her choice aloud.
- Give each child a sheet of paper. Demonstrate how to fold the paper in half. Ask the children to fold their papers, and help any who have difficulty.
- Then give a multi-step direction, such as: Decorate the front of the card, write a message inside, and then sign your name with letters or scribbles.
Enrichment
Set up a classroom mailbox. Place paper, envelopes, pencils, and crayons beside the mailbox for continuing classroom use.
Observation Assessment
- Proficient - Child follows multi-step directions and can describe some of the steps in a process.
- In Process - Child needs help to follow the directions and to identify the steps
- in a process.
- Not Yet Ready - Child does not yet follow directions or contribute to the discussion.
