Crazy Vowel A Adventure with Between The Lions!

English Language Arts Grades Pre-K 1:34 Video
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Lesson Description

Let's learn about the 'a' sound with a fun song from Between The Lions! We'll explore words with 'a' in the middle and practice listening and speaking.

Video Resource

Between The Lions-Crazy Vowel A

Christopher Grim 3rd Channel

Duration: 1:34
Watch on YouTube

Key Concepts

  • Short 'a' sound
  • Consonant-vowel-consonant (CVC) words
  • Rhyming words

Learning Objectives

  • Students will be able to identify the short 'a' sound in words.
  • Students will be able to recognize simple CVC words with the short 'a' sound.
  • Students will be able to participate in singing and rhyming activities.

Educator Instructions

  • Introduction (5 mins)
    Greet students and introduce the topic: learning about the 'a' sound! Ask if they know any words with the 'a' sound. Explain they will watch a video from Between the Lions about the 'a' sound.
  • Video Time (5 mins)
    Play the 'Between The Lions-Crazy Vowel A' video. Encourage students to sing along.
  • Word Exploration (10 mins)
    After the video, write the words 'mad', 'bad' on a whiteboard or large paper. Say each word clearly and have students repeat after you. Point out the 'a' in the middle. Ask students to think of other words with the same 'a' sound (e.g., 'cat', 'hat', 'dad'). Write these words down as well.
  • Rhyme Time (5 mins)
    Play a rhyming game. Say a word with the short 'a' sound (e.g., 'hat') and ask students to think of a word that rhymes (e.g., 'cat', 'bat').
  • Activity: 'A' is for... (5 mins)
    Provide students with paper and crayons. Have them draw a picture of something that starts with the letter 'a' (e.g., apple, ant). Help them write the letter 'a' next to their picture.

Interactive Exercises

  • 'A' Sound Clap
    Say a word. If the word has the short 'a' sound, students clap once. If it doesn't, they stay quiet. Example words: apple, sun, cat, dog, ant.
  • Word Building
    Use letter magnets or blocks to build simple CVC words with the 'a' sound (e.g., cat, hat, bat). Have students sound out the letters as they build the words.

Discussion Questions

  • What sound does the letter 'a' make in 'mad' and 'bad'?
  • Can you think of any other words that sound like 'mad' and 'bad'?

Skills Developed

  • Phonological awareness
  • Listening comprehension
  • Vocabulary building

Multiple Choice Questions

Question 1:

Which word has the 'a' sound like in 'cat'?

Correct Answer: Hat

Question 2:

What sound does 'a' make in 'apple'?

Correct Answer: /a/

Question 3:

Which of these things starts with the letter 'A'?

Correct Answer: Ant

Question 4:

Is 'mad' a happy word or a sad word?

Correct Answer: Sad

Question 5:

What animal is in the song?

Correct Answer: Lion

Question 6:

Which word rhymes with 'bad'?

Correct Answer: Sad

Question 7:

Which of these has an A in the middle?

Correct Answer: Bat

Question 8:

The song is about which letter?

Correct Answer: A

Question 9:

What is 'mad'?

Correct Answer: a feeling

Question 10:

Which word is like 'bad'?

Correct Answer: Sad

Fill in the Blank Questions

Question 1:

The song is about the vowel _.

Correct Answer: a

Question 2:

'Mad' and '_____' rhyme.

Correct Answer: bad

Question 3:

An ______ is a small insect.

Correct Answer: ant

Question 4:

You can wear a _______ on your head.

Correct Answer: hat

Question 5:

A _______ sleeps during the day.

Correct Answer: bat

Question 6:

Between the _______.

Correct Answer: lions

Question 7:

If you are not happy, you might be _______.

Correct Answer: mad

Question 8:

Apples are the color _________.

Correct Answer: red

Question 9:

The lion is in the ___________ patch.

Correct Answer: pepper

Question 10:

Name an animal that rhymes with 'hat'

Correct Answer: cat

Educational Standards

PK.1.L.1:Students will actively listen using agreed-upon rules with prompting. PK.2.PA.2:Students will recognize spoken words that rhyme (e.g., wall & fall). PK.3.R.2:Students will answer basic questions (e.g., who, what, where, and when) about texts, photographs, or illustrations during shared reading or other text experiences with prompting. PK.2.PWS.3:Students will produce some sounds represented by letters. PK.2.F.2:Students will chorally recite familiar texts (e.g., rhymes, songs, poetry, etc.).

Teaching Materials

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