Match Written Words to Pictures

• Children finger-paint lines connecting words with the same endings -- such as "hat," "bat" and "cat" -- to pictures of the specified items. Repeat the activity with sight words and the corresponding pictures. For example, the child might pair the numerals from 1 to 5 written as words with the corresponding number of hatch marks; the words "red," "blue," "yellow" and "green" with squares in each color; and the first names of children in the class with their pictures.
  
  

Missing Letters and Word Recognition

• Assemble a short list of common words from a children's story. Using a computer and a large font, type each word on a label with the initial or ending sounds replaced by underlined blank spaces. Print enough copies of each sheet of labels so every child can have a sheet. Have the children attach each label to a filing card. After reading each word, have the children find the omitted letter in a group of commercial letter stamps, cover the correct stamp with paint and stamp the underlined blank. Read the story to the children. Ask the children to hold up the appropriate card whenever you say one of the words on the list.
  
  

"No," "Yes" and Word Recognition

• Using a computer and a large font, type the names of common animals on labels. Use enough animals so each child in the class can have a unique animal. Attach each label to the back of a paper plate; glue an outline of the named animal to the front of the plate. Give each child a plate. Have each child trace his animal's name in paint, and then paint the outlined animal. Read the "Little Red Hen," making the following modifications: Sometime during the story, ask each child if his animal will help make the bread; and following each request, hold up a card with the word "no" or "yes" written on it. As each child listens to the story, he should hold up his plate whenever his animal is addressed, and he should respond "No, I won't help you" or "Yes, I will help you" in accord with the "no" or "yes" card help up by the teacher. At the end of the story, only those animals that helped make the bread get to eat some of it.
  
  

Create and Illustrate a Story

• Have the children paint a person of any age and either sex; an animal of any kind; clothing of any kind; and their favorite place, food and toy. After the children have painted all six items, have them create and tell a story involving all of the items they painted. As children mention each item, they should hold up the picture they drew of that item.