I is for Ice Cream! Learning the Letter I with Jack Hartmann

English Language Arts Grades Pre-K 5:04 Video
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Lesson Description

A fun and engaging lesson to learn the letter I, its sounds, and how to write it using the Jack Hartmann video.

Video Resource

Learn The Letter I | Let's Learn About The Alphabet | Phonics Song for Kids | Jack Hartmann

Jack Hartmann Kids Music Channel

Duration: 5:04
Watch on YouTube

Key Concepts

  • Identification of the letter I (uppercase and lowercase)
  • Pronunciation of the short and long vowel sounds of I
  • Writing the letter I (uppercase and lowercase)
  • Vocabulary words starting with the letter I

Learning Objectives

  • Students will be able to identify the uppercase and lowercase letter I.
  • Students will be able to pronounce the short and long vowel sounds of I.
  • Students will be able to trace and attempt to write the letter I.
  • Students will be able to recall words that begin with the letter I.

Educator Instructions

  • Introduction (5 mins)
    Begin by asking students if they know any letters of the alphabet. Introduce the letter I and tell them they're going to learn all about it today! Show them a picture of a capital 'I' and a lowercase 'i'.
  • Video Time! (5 mins)
    Play the Jack Hartmann video 'Learn The Letter I'. Encourage students to sing along and follow the actions.
  • Letter I Identification (5 mins)
    After the video, show the letter I (both uppercase and lowercase) on a whiteboard or large paper. Ask students to point to the letter I when you say 'uppercase I' or 'lowercase i'. Play a game of 'I Spy' using the letter I within classroom materials.
  • Sound Practice (5 mins)
    Practice the short and long 'I' sounds. Say '/i/ as in insect' and '/i/ as in ice'. Have the children repeat after you. Use hand gestures to represent the short and long sounds (e.g., short sound: quick tap, long sound: long stretch of arm).
  • Writing Practice (5 mins)
    Guide students to write the letter I in the air using their fingers, following the video's instructions. Then, provide worksheets with dotted lines for uppercase and lowercase I for them to trace. Offer individual assistance as needed.
  • Vocabulary Words (5 mins)
    Review vocabulary words from the video: insect, iguana, ice, Iris. Show pictures of each and have the children repeat the words. Ask if they can think of any other words that start with 'I'.
  • Wrap-up (5 mins)
    Review the letter I, its sounds, and a few vocabulary words. Sing the chorus of the Jack Hartmann song one last time. Praise the students for their hard work!

Interactive Exercises

  • I Spy with Letter I
    Play a game of I Spy, focusing on objects that start with the letter I or that have the letter I somewhere in the word.
  • Letter I Scavenger Hunt
    Hide letter I cutouts around the room. Have students find them.
  • I is for Ice Cream Art
    Provide each student with a sheet of paper and crayons. Have them draw and color an ice cream cone and label it with the letter 'I'.

Discussion Questions

  • What does the letter 'I' look like?
  • What sound does the letter 'I' make? Can you say it?
  • Can you think of anything that starts with the letter 'I'?
  • Do you know someone whose name starts with the letter 'I'?

Skills Developed

  • Letter recognition
  • Phonological awareness
  • Fine motor skills (writing)
  • Vocabulary building

Multiple Choice Questions

Question 1:

Which letter is this: I?

Correct Answer: I

Question 2:

What sound does the letter I make, like in 'insect'?

Correct Answer: /i/

Question 3:

Is this a big I or a little i?

Correct Answer: Big I

Question 4:

Which picture starts with the letter I?

Correct Answer: Insect

Question 5:

Which one is a little 'i'?

Correct Answer: i

Question 6:

What is something cold that starts with the letter 'I'?

Correct Answer: Ice

Question 7:

Which animal starts with the letter 'I'?

Correct Answer: Iguana

Question 8:

What is the short sound of 'I'?

Correct Answer: /ih/

Question 9:

What is the long sound of 'I'?

Correct Answer: /eye/

Question 10:

Which of these words has 'I' in the middle?

Correct Answer: Fish

Fill in the Blank Questions

Question 1:

I is for ________ cream.

Correct Answer: Ice

Question 2:

A little i looks like this: _

Correct Answer: i

Question 3:

An __________ is a small bug.

Correct Answer: insect

Question 4:

The letter I is a ________.

Correct Answer: vowel

Question 5:

________ is frozen water.

Correct Answer: Ice

Question 6:

We can use the __________ to look up information.

Correct Answer: internet

Question 7:

A green lizard called an __________.

Correct Answer: iguana

Question 8:

The uppercase letter is _.

Correct Answer: I

Question 9:

A __________ has fins to swim.

Correct Answer: fish

Question 10:

The spider climbed up a __________.

Correct Answer: vine

Educational Standards

PK.2.PWS.2:Students will name a majority of uppercase and lowercase letters. PK.2.PWS.3:Students will produce some sounds represented by letters. PK.2.PC.6:Students will begin to write some uppercase and lowercase letters including the majority of the letters in their first name with prompting. PK.4.R.3:Students will begin to acquire new vocabulary and relate new words to prior knowledge. PK.2.F.2:Students will chorally recite familiar texts (e.g., rhymes, songs, poetry, etc.).

Teaching Materials

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