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J is for jellyfish, jellybean, and jump rope this week as we continue our Letter of the Week Series with Letter J!
Each week for 26 weeks I created a new printable activity pack all about the focus letter of the week. The corresponding posts include book lists, a list of animals that start with the letter of the week and play ideas or activities relating to each letter.
If you’re just joining us, make sure to check out the other posts in this series on our Letter of the Week Page.
Letter J Notebook
The Letter J Notebook includes:
- Uppercase & Lowercase Letter Mazes
- Dot-to-dots
- Circle the letter J’s page
- Jellyfish & jellybean Craft pages with cut out templates
- Coloring Pages
- Do-a-Dot Pages
- 3 Types of Puzzles
Letter J Book List
Jamberry by Bruce Degen
Jamberry was one of the first books I read to my son when he was a baby. And, we just kept reading it. It is full of fantastic rhyming and fun words like jamberry. Your kiddo will love this great book because it’s just so much fun.
Sheep in a Jeep by Nancy Shaw
Sheep in a jeep is one of my favorite books of all time. When I taught preschool it was one of those books that was asked for constantly when it was time for read alouds. Those crazy sheep driving a jeep are just hysterical and kids can’t help but laugh along with this fun rhyming story.
Peanut Butter and Jellyfish by Jarrett J. Krosoczka
What are you supposed to do when an unfriendly person needs help? Do we only help those who deserve it? Or, do we show kindness to everyone? This cute story about best friends Peanut Butter and Jellyfish will help your child contemplate questions like these and others about friendship and kindness.
The Jellybeans and the Big Art Adventure by Laura Numeroff
This is a series of books written by the author of the classic story If you Give a Mouse A Cookie. It is about a group of friends known as the jellybeans, who like jellybeans, are all different and have their own unique strengths and talents.
John Jacob Jingleheimer Schmidt by Steven Anderson
Do you remember the song about John Jacob Jingleheimer Schmidt? This song starts out with a shout and ends in a whisper. Kids love it and it’s a fun song for a Letter J week.
Jack and the Beanstalk by Steven Kellogg
Fe-Fi-Fo-Fum! Read about magic beans, a giant beanstalk, an ogre, golden eggs, and a magical harp this week. And, join Jack in this classic fairy tale adventure that kids will love to hear.
Fancy Nancy and the Dazzling Jewels by Jane O’Connor
Nancy gets even more fancy with dazzling jewels in this fancy word story. Nancy has decided to swap jewelry with a friend but now regrets the decision. Find out what happens in this cute story little girls who spend their days playing dress up will love.
Letter J Animals
Jellyfish
When we were roadschooling in California a few years ago we visited the Monterey Bay Aquarium and got to see some amazing jellyfish up close. I wrote about our Rainy Day in Monterey Bay and left links to fact pages on different types of jellies including some jellyfish cams.
Jellyfish Facts National Geographic Kids
Jaguar
San Diego Zoo Jaguar Facts & Photos
Jaguar Facts from National Geographic Kids
Milwaukee Zoo’s Jaguar Webcam
Jacana
San Diego Zoo Jacana Facts & Photos
Letter J Play Ideas
I love simple ways to add sensory play to preschool. A letter J week offers some ways to combine fun food and sensory activities.
Jellybean Sensory Play
Grab an inexpensive bag of jellybeans this week to do some fun and sweet learning activities. Here are a few ways you can play and learn with jellybeans:
- Sort by color
- Count them
- Roll them in jellybean races
- Graph colors
- See what happens when you put them in water for some easy jellybean science
Jello Sensory Play
Try making up some jello this week to use in a sensory bin. Let your child try cutting shapes out with a cookie cutter or just squeeze it in their hands as they pretend they’re playing with jellyfish in this edible sensory play!
Fine Motor Fun
Practice spreading jam or jelly on toast this week to add some fine motor fun. And if you don’t want to use real food, practice with playdough instead
J is for Jump Rope
Jump ropes are an inexpensive and fun way to play. Preschoolers probably won’t be ready to use a jump rope in the traditional sense, but that doesn’t mean you have to skip it. (Pun totally intended;) So, instead try these play ideas with a jump rope this week:
- Use it to form letters
- Form Numbers
- Form Shapes
- Lay it out and have your child jump from one side to the other
Have fun learning about Letter J this week!
Heidi
