Introducing the Letter D
Here are lots of good ideas from all over the place for introducing the letter D. Most of these activities use the across-the-curriculum approach. These ideas are not just for preschoolers, but can be used remedially for any level, and for teaching students whose first language is not English.
Lesson Ideas & Activities:
Play Hide the D. Cut a large, capital or lower case letter D out of poster board or construction paper. Hide the letter somewhere, either in the open and slightly camouflaged or near an object that would begin with the letter D. Let the child(ren) look for the letter. You can say getting warm as they get closer to finding the letter or you can clap faster or slower depending on how close they are to the letter.
Think of all the names that start with the letter D: David, Delores, Donna, Donald, Daniel, Darla, etc.
Pretend you are on a treasure hunt. Find things around the house that start with the letter D that could be the treasure.
Learn about dogs, either domesticated or wild. You could get a book(s) from the library or watch a Natural Geographic video.
Create your own book. You could make a picture book by letting them cut pictures of things that start with D out of magazines or they could draw their own pictures.
Go on a make believe trip to cities, countries or continents that begin with the letter D. Some examples could be Denmark, Dominican Republic, Delaware, Denver (Colorado in the USA), Denali National Park (in Alaska, USA), Durango (Texas, USA), District of Columbia (capital of USA), etc. You could find these on a globe or map, pretend to take an airplane trip there and then sample foods from that area or learn something new about that geographic area. This would be a great way to introduce geography and map skills. You could also watch a video or tv broadcast about that area. Check your local library for what’s available.
The the sign for the letter D in the American Sign Language. Here is a helpful site:
American Sign Language
a printable page for ASL
Make different kinds of homemade modeling clays and actually shape the letter Dd with it. Some of these “clays” are edible and add even more fun to this activity. Some examples are:
Marzipan Clay
Frosting Clay
Sand Clay
Cheese Clay
Chocolate Fudge Clay
At this website there are so many activities that they are hard to keep track of. Mrs. Alphabet also has a newsletter that you can subscribe to. Mrs. Alphabet
You can doodle (abstract designs).
Draw a giant D and then decorate it with dots.
Learn how to play dominoes.
Make daisy rings using fresh or artificial daisies; or, you can draw pictures of daisies.
For physical education, you can dance.
Make dot-to-dot pictures, original ones or from a coloring book.
Talk about a visit to the dentist.
Draw dinosaurs.
Letter Dd
Dd Theme
Day & Night Theme
Dental Hygiene Theme
Doctor Theme
Dr. Seuss Theme
Dinosaur Theme
Dog Theme
Dragon Theme
Ducks Theme
Desert Theme
Coloring Pages for Dd:
http://www.pbs.org/kids/sesame/html/d.html
http://www.dltk-kids.com/alphabuddies/letter-d.html
http://worksheets01.tripod.com/Color_D.html
http://www.searsportrait.com/images/color_pages/color_letters/d.gif
http://learningpage.com/free_pages/menu_basics/alpha_zaner.html
http://www.learningplanet.com/parents/alphabet/c.gif
http://www.alphabet-soup.net/dir6/c.jpg
http://www.childfun.com/color/alpha/d.shtml
http://www.clubhouse24.com/dhb.htm
http://freeworksheets.com/fws/sub_cat2.asp?cat=Ages3to6&sub_cat1=Letters
http://www.angelfire.com/mn/cozycottage/signlang.html
http://www.beginningreading.com/Flashcard_Dd.gif
http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/6459/abcbookbonus.html
http://freeworksheets.com/fws/listfiles.asp?cat=Ages3to6&sub_cat1=Letters&sub_cat2=abchats
Prepared Lesson Plans:
Alphabet Quilt
Alphabet Theme
Teach-nology’s Alphabet Theme
Animal Alphabet
Yummy ABC
Phonics
Cozy Cottage
Preschool Alphabet Games
Funzone
Cc Theme
Song:
This is an original song taken from the book Alphabet Puppets by Jill M. Coudron (p. 25). Sing to the tune of Camptown Races.
Oh, Ditto is a dirty dog,
Dee dee, dee dee,
Ditto is a dirty dog,
Oh, dee dee day.
Chorus:
Ditto is a dog.
Ditto is a dog.
I’d give a dime
To dig with that dog.
Oh, dee dee day.
Other verses:
Substitute dotty, dizzy, doodling, digging, doggone, etc.
Check here for another song:
http://www.stairway.bc.ca/alphasongs/d.html
Snacks or Treats:
Doughnuts
Dirt Dessert: Give each child a small paper cup with 1/2 cup VanillaYogurt. Let them measure and crush 1/2 cup of Granola and sprinkle on top for "dirt". (Idea from ChildFun.com)
Literature:
Dr. Suess’s A B C
Dreams by Ezra Keats
Any book from the library on a Dd theme listed above would be a good addition.
Words: Check the ideas above for Dd words.
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