The Cat Sat: Exploring the -at Word Family!

English Language Arts Grades Pre-K 3:19 Video
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Lesson Description

Let's learn about words that rhyme and end with '-at' using a fun story about a cat, a rat, a mat, and a hat!

Video Resource

Word Family _at | Word Families 1 | The Cat Sat | Phonics | Little Fox | Animated Stories for Kids

Little Fox - Kids Stories and Songs

Duration: 3:19
Watch on YouTube

Key Concepts

  • Rhyming words
  • Word families (-at)
  • Beginning sounds
  • Simple sentences

Learning Objectives

  • Students will be able to identify words that belong to the -at word family.
  • Students will be able to recognize rhyming words.
  • Students will be able to repeat simple sentences using the -at words.
  • Students will identify the characters in the story.

Educator Instructions

  • Introduction (5 mins)
    Greet the students and introduce the topic: learning about words that rhyme! Ask if they know any words that sound alike. Introduce the video: 'The Cat Sat'.
  • Video Viewing (3 mins)
    Play the 'The Cat Sat' video from Little Fox. Encourage students to watch and listen carefully to the words.
  • Word Family Exploration (7 mins)
    After the video, write the '-at' on the board or use flashcards. Pronounce it clearly. Then, introduce each word from the video: cat, rat, hat, mat. Say each word slowly and have the students repeat after you. Emphasize the rhyming sound.
  • Sentence Practice (5 mins)
    Write simple sentences from the video on the board or use sentence strips: 'The cat sat.' 'The rat sat on the mat.' Read each sentence together, pointing to each word. Have students repeat the sentences. Focus on pronunciation.
  • Interactive Activity: Picture Matching (5 mins)
    Show pictures of a cat, rat, hat, and mat. Ask students to name each picture. Then, say the words and have them point to the corresponding picture. Repeat several times.
  • Wrap-up (5 mins)
    Review the -at words and sentences one last time. Ask students what they learned today. Praise their efforts and enthusiasm.

Interactive Exercises

  • Rhyme Time!
    Say a word (e.g., bat, sat). Ask students to say a word that rhymes with it. Provide hints if needed. This activity reinforces the concept of rhyming.
  • Picture This!
    Show pictures of different items, some that rhyme with '-at' words and some that don't. Have the children identify the pictures and then sort them into 'rhymes with at' and 'doesn't rhyme with at' piles.

Discussion Questions

  • What sound do all the words we learned today have in common?
  • Can you think of any other words that rhyme with cat, rat, hat, or mat?
  • Who were the characters in the story?

Skills Developed

  • Phonological awareness
  • Vocabulary building
  • Listening comprehension
  • Speaking skills

Multiple Choice Questions

Question 1:

Which of these words rhymes with 'cat'?

Correct Answer: Hat

Question 2:

What animal sat on the mat in the video?

Correct Answer: Rat

Question 3:

Which of these is something you can wear on your head?

Correct Answer: Hat

Question 4:

What word family did we learn about today?

Correct Answer: -at

Question 5:

Which of these rhymes with 'rat'?

Correct Answer: Bat

Question 6:

What is a 'mat'?

Correct Answer: Something you sit on

Question 7:

In the video, where did the cat sit?

Correct Answer: On the hat

Question 8:

Which one is NOT in the '-at' family?

Correct Answer: Dog

Question 9:

What sound do the words 'cat', 'rat' and 'hat' end with?

Correct Answer: -at

Question 10:

Which is a small animal?

Correct Answer: Rat

Fill in the Blank Questions

Question 1:

A _______ sat on the mat.

Correct Answer: rat

Question 2:

The _______ is on my head.

Correct Answer: hat

Question 3:

I have a pet ____.

Correct Answer: cat

Question 4:

Wipe your feet on the ____.

Correct Answer: mat

Question 5:

A _____ rhymes with sat.

Correct Answer: rat

Question 6:

Put on your ____ before going outside.

Correct Answer: hat

Question 7:

The opposite of standing is ____.

Correct Answer: sat

Question 8:

The animal that meows is the _____.

Correct Answer: cat

Question 9:

I sit on the ____.

Correct Answer: mat

Question 10:

A ___ has whiskers.

Correct Answer: cat

Educational Standards

PK.2.PA.2:Students will recognize spoken words that rhyme (e.g., wall & fall). 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.). PK.3.R.3:Students will identify characters in a story with prompting.

Teaching Materials

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