Shows empathy
and concern for dogs as pets.
Understands how to care for pet dogs.
Understands how to interact with strange dogs.
materials list/Resources:
Unit Books(book links available in
right sidebar menu):
Surprise Puppy, Dogs, Just Dog, Clifford the Small Red
Puppy (or any other Clifford book),
Additional Themed Books:
B-I-N-G-O or any of the numerous, wonderful dog books out there!
Social/Emotional Development: Show & Tell Thursdays:Bring a picture/drawing of your dog (if you have one)
and something that you use to take care of him/her (dog
bowl, brush, etc.). (If child doesn't have a dog,
child can bring picture of any dog or a stuffed animal dog
and something he/she would use to care for it (blanket,
small brush, etc.).
Morning Meeting/Circle Time (daily skill work including:
weather, calendar, counting, ABCs, patterning, colors,
shapes, songs, music, finger plays, rhymes, creative
Movement)
(outside links):
Do Your Ears Hang Low?,
Where, Oh Where has My Little Dog Gone?,
How Much is the Doggie
in the Window?, Who Let the Dogs Out?,
I Want a Dog,
Six Little Dogs
Creative Activities/Art/Music/Drama/Aesthetic Learning
(including Fine / Large Motor Activities):
I've been creating playlists on my iPod with my thousands of
songs. I'm not affiliated in any way with iPod, Apple,
etc. I'm just a happy customer that highly advises
creating a playlist!
I'm trying to figure out how to share the playlists that I
create with you (if you are of the iPod mentality!).
Dogs & the Letter Dd Playlist Theme Center:
Dog Care:
Stuffed animal dogs, various care items (dog bowl, dog
brush, pretend food/food box, leash, collar, blanket, pillow
for bed, treat box)
Cognitive/Intellectual Learning:
Language Arts/Literacy Activities/Social Studies:
Science/Math/Social Studies:
Field Trip Ideas:
Have a dog?
Schedule a trip to the vet this week. Even if you
don't have a dog, visit the vet for a tour (call first).
Visit your
local humane society. (Bring along some treats to
share with the homeless pets.)
Visit a neighbor or friend with dogs. Have them show
your child how they feed, brush, play with, etc. the dog.
Take your dog to a
local dog park or go on a walk in a new area.
Internet Links - supplementary
(outside links - These links have not been
extensively checked for appropriateness for your child.
Please monitor your child anytime he/she uses the internet.):
Depending on your child(ren), consider creating a favorites
folder based on patriotism so you can find the sites quickly
for your child to peruse.
Like what you see? Support
MommyNature.com by buying your books through Amazon.com!
* Mix and match activities to your
child(ren)'s interest(s) offering a balance throughout each day. Use your
child's favorite books as the basis for learning.
Introduce new books for interest. Choose active and quiet activities each
day and be sure to read daily! Tailor activities to
your child's abilities.
Motivation/Introduction ~ First Day of Theme:
Intro -
Bring in a dog or stuffed animal dog. Let the
children's natural interest and remarks lead conversation
into facts about the dog, who has a dog, how to care for a
dog. This is building basic background information and
interest so it's safe to follow the children's lead.
Lessons (one main lesson a day which can be broken
into parts as needed throughout the day):
1. Story:
(Sing both of these songs at the beginning of each day's
Morning Meeting.) I
like/use the alphabet songs in the book in "Sing and Read" Alphabet Little
Books by Frog Street Press (Use any /d/ word books).
Find all of the /d/ (sound) words in the book.
Show how to make the d sign.
Also, My Dog Dingo song/poem from
My Dog Collage: Using a
pet care catalog, like Petsmart, Petco, etc., cut out
several larger dog pictures for each child to choose from as
their dog, as well as care items needed (bottles of shampoo,
dog bowls, dog food, leash, collar, toys, treats, etc.).
Glue the dog picture in the middle of a sheet of paper.
Have the children name their dogs. Put pictures into
groups (shampoos, dog bowls, etc.) for ease of finding them.
Ask children what items are needed for dog care. Allow
children to pick one item from each group to glue onto their
papers. Label each item with word name.
Alternately, write a sentence for each item by filling in
the blanks. ex.: My dog needs water and
food bowls.
Donuts
for snack! Before each child receives his donut,
sign "Dd" with them as you chant (and they'll probably join
in after a couple of times), "Dd says /d/. Dd says
/d/. Every letter makes a sound and Dd says /d/.
Dog Bone Patterns: Using this template, print
about 3 pages and color the bones on each page one color. (I
chose brown, black and gray since they are not widely used
colors and they can illustrate colors of dogs.) Begin
a pattern (AB: brown, black, brown, black orABC: gray, brown, black, gray, brown, black, or etc.)
and have the children decide which color comes next.
Add the correct bones on until no more are left. Be
creative with your patterns and challenge the children if
the AB ones are too easy!)
Dog Sort: Print out paw
prints or dog shapes in several "dog colors" and three
sizes.Read Shaggy, Waggy Dogs again.
This time have the children pull out the corresponding paw
print to go with the dog pictured. Next, have children
sort the prints according to color, then size, then color
and size (if they're ready).
Dog Face: Create dog face
puppets or just funny faces with these dog facial features
clip art page. (You may want to have them pre-cut.)
Let children color features any color and glue onto a
paper bag, a blank piece of paper or the capital letter D.
Play Dd-I-N-G-O: First, read and sing
B-i-n-g-o!. Pull out the
Dd-I-N-G-O game boards and teach the children how to
play. (There are 4 game cards. Print as many as
needed. Give each child one card. Children put a
marker, bean, bottle cap, etc. on one space when "capital
D", "lowercase d", or "picture of a dog" is called out.
When the card is filled, child yells, "Dd-I-N-G-O!"
This is more about letter recognition and children helping
each other, so it doesn't matter that they each have the
same number of each object. They can all win!)
Make Dog Tags: Let children decorate one side
of the metal circles from cardboard juice cans with
stickers, foam shapes, etc. On the back, use a thin,
permanent marker to write the child's name and address &/or
phone number. Help the children practice "reading" the
information to memorize it. Use caution when attaching
a string for a necklace. Consider just tying one long
enough (a couple of inches or so) to attach to a backpack,
suitcase, etc.
Dog Walk: 2
versions (choose one):
~ If you have a dog, take him/her on a walk around the
schoolyard, neighborhood, etc. Be sure to let each
child hold the leash at some point.
~ If you don't have a dog, take a walk and listen / look for
dogs. Keep a count of how many you find, their colors,
sizes, the sound of their barks, etc.
Make Dog Bones (for dogs or
children!) (check for
allergies): Have children help you follow
any favorite sugar cookie recipe. Use cookie cutter to
cut out cookies in
shape of dog bones.
There are many benchmarks that
will be taught nearly every day, like "Demonstrates willingness to
try new things" or "Shows enjoyment of books and stories and
discussion of them". Throughout the range of activities
offered here, there will be a focus on one or two, although there
are usually many covered in one simple activity. Repetition is
the key with learning - especially in early childhood.
However, even though you may do the same basic activity, it can be
adapted to your child's level, interests, and theme..
!
by
Judith Hodge. 
. Pull out the
