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S is for the sun and stars this week as we continue our Letter of the Week Series with Letter S!
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 S Notebook
The Letter S Notebook includes:
- Uppercase & Lowercase Letter Mazes
- Dot-to-dots
- Circle the letter S’s page
- S is for Snake and Stars Crafts with cut out templates
- Coloring Pages
- Do-a-Dot Pages
- 3 Types of Puzzles
Letter S Book List
The Snowy Day by Ezra Jack Keats
This classic story by Keats told through the eyes of a little boy takes on a snowy day adventure. And, gets young kids thinking about the properties of snow as the little boy in the story wonders where the snowball in his pocket goes after coming inside.
Stone Soup by Marcia Brown
This story has been around for a long time and is still teaching lessons today. The townspeople are hoarding their food and don’t want to help the hungry soldiers who need a place to rest. But, the soldiers come up with a way to make them want to share and they all end up enjoying a great feast. This story addresses how easy it is to harden our hearts to others needs. There are always reasons, maybe even really good ones, not to help someone in need. But, this book helps kids to see the good that comes from sharing what we have with others.
The First Strawberries by Joseph Bruchac
This beautiful storybook tells a Cherokee legend about how strawberries came to be.
I Spy Shapes in Art by Lucy Micklethwait
This I Spy adventure is a perfect way to share great art with young kids. Children search to find shapes in famous works of art.
The Very Busy Spider by Eric Carle
The spider in this story works tirelessly at building her web as the other animals try to distract her.
My Five Senses by Aliki
Children can learn about and explore their 5 senses with this book.
Letter S Animals
Swan
Meet the Trumpeter Swan – Maryland Zoo
Seal
Harbor Seals arrive at Oregon Zoo Video
Gray Seal – Lincoln Park Zoo
Starfish
Starfish Walking on the Beach Video
Facts & Photos Starfish – NatGeoKids
Sloth
Southern Two-Toed Sloth – National Zoo
Spiders
San Diego Zoo Kids – Spider Facts & Photos
Snake
Snakes – San Diego Zoo
Letter S Play Ideas
Build a Spider Web
Building a spider web in the house is easy frugal fun. All you need is a ball of yarn or string. Start by tying the yarn to a chair, banister, or table leg. And, then crisscross the yarn and wrap it around other furniture legs. Extend this activity by providing your child with toy spiders to put into the web.
When my son was in preschool Spiderman was his favorite superhero so this was something he did often. I even let him tape the yarn to walls and furniture if he wasn’t able to easily wrap the yarn around a piece of furniture. I would hand him the yarn and a roll of scotch tape and let him go. He would work at it for quite a while and then play inside of it by stepping in and out of his web on his superhero adventures.
We have done this so many times as a fun indoor activity. But, you could also take it outside and wrap the yarn around trees or play structures. You may want to guide your kids so the “web” stays in one part of the house and can be easily avoided if needed. Let them play in it as long as they like and then simply cut the yarn apart with scissors and throw it away. I even let my son do this part. I’d hand him safety scissors and ask him to clean up.
Wrapping the yarn around and crisscrossing the web strands is a great fine motor activity. And, maneuvering the finished web is good for practicing coordination.
*Only do this activity with young kids if you’re going to be actively watching them. Kids can easily be “caught” in their own web. And, there is always the chance that they could wrap the string around their necks or another body part too tightly.
Sensory Play Ideas
For letter S sensory play explore any of the items below with your kiddo this week.
- Sand
- Kinetic Sand
- Seashells
- Snow
- Silly Putty
- Slime
- Alphabet “Soup” Sensory Bin with foam, paper, or pasta letters.
Have fun learning about Letter S this week!
Heidi
