Sesame Street: The Letter Y Adventure with Norah Jones

English Language Arts Grades Pre-K 3:10 Video
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Lesson Description

A fun and engaging lesson using a Sesame Street video to introduce and reinforce the letter 'Y' through music, storytelling, and interactive activities.

Video Resource

Sesame Street: Norah Jones Sings Don't Know Y

Sesame Street

Duration: 3:10
Watch on YouTube

Key Concepts

  • Letter recognition (Y)
  • Phonological awareness (initial sound of Y)
  • Vocabulary building (yarn, yogurt, yodel)
  • Storytelling and character identification

Learning Objectives

  • Students will be able to identify the letter 'Y' (uppercase and lowercase).
  • Students will be able to produce the sound associated with the letter 'Y'.
  • Students will be able to name words that start with the letter 'Y'.
  • Students will be able to retell the main events of the video's story.

Educator Instructions

  • Introduction (5 mins)
    Greet students and introduce the topic: the letter 'Y'. Ask if anyone knows the letter 'Y' and what sounds it makes. Show a picture of the uppercase and lowercase 'Y'.
  • Video Viewing (5 mins)
    Play the Sesame Street video "Sesame Street: Norah Jones Sings Don't Know Y". Tell students to watch for the letter 'Y' and listen to the words that start with it.
  • Discussion (5 mins)
    After the video, ask students about what they saw and heard. Focus on the letter 'Y' and the words associated with it. Use discussion questions (see below).
  • Interactive Activity: 'Y' Brainstorm (10 mins)
    As a class, brainstorm words that start with the letter 'Y'. Write these words on a whiteboard or chart paper. If students struggle, prompt them with examples from the video (yarn, yogurt, yodel).
  • Craft Activity: Yarn Y (10 mins)
    Provide each student with a pre-cut letter 'Y' shape (cardstock or construction paper). Have them glue pieces of yarn onto the 'Y' to create a textured 'Y' craft. This reinforces the connection between the letter and the word 'yarn'.
  • Wrap-up (5 mins)
    Review the letter 'Y', its sound, and the words learned. Sing the "Don't Know Y" song again as a class.

Interactive Exercises

  • 'Y' Sound Search
    Show pictures of different objects. Ask students to identify which objects start with the letter 'Y' sound (e.g., yarn, yak, house, car). Have students raise their hands or say "Yes!" when they hear a word that starts with 'Y'.
  • Yogurt Taste Test
    If possible and allergies are taken into account, offer students a small sample of yogurt. Connect the taste test to the letter 'Y' and discuss the color and texture of the yogurt.

Discussion Questions

  • What letter was Norah Jones missing?
  • Can you name some words that start with the letter 'Y'?
  • What did Norah Jones and Elmo do with the letter 'Y'?
  • How did Norah Jones feel when the letter Y didn't come at first?

Skills Developed

  • Letter recognition
  • Phonological awareness
  • Vocabulary development
  • Listening comprehension
  • Fine motor skills

Multiple Choice Questions

Question 1:

What letter was Norah Jones looking for in the video?

Correct Answer: Letter Y

Question 2:

What is one thing that starts with the letter 'Y'?

Correct Answer: Yarn

Question 3:

Who was singing with Elmo?

Correct Answer: Norah Jones

Question 4:

In the video, what did they spell with the letter Y?

Correct Answer: Yogurt

Question 5:

What sound does the letter 'Y' usually make at the beginning of a word?

Correct Answer: /y/

Question 6:

What is a long string you can use to knit?

Correct Answer: Yarn

Question 7:

What food starts with the letter Y?

Correct Answer: Yogurt

Question 8:

What letter is a friend of Norah Jones and Elmo?

Correct Answer: Letter Y

Question 9:

How did Norah Jones feel when she couldn't find the letter Y?

Correct Answer: Sad

Question 10:

The letter Y helps us spell what?

Correct Answer: Words

Fill in the Blank Questions

Question 1:

Norah Jones was missing the letter ____.

Correct Answer: Y

Question 2:

_______ is something we eat that starts with Y.

Correct Answer: Yogurt

Question 3:

You can knit with ______.

Correct Answer: Yarn

Question 4:

The letter ____ sounds like /y/.

Correct Answer: Y

Question 5:

In the song, Norah Jones and Elmo ____ together at the end.

Correct Answer: Yodel

Question 6:

Y is a ________.

Correct Answer: Letter

Question 7:

Elmo is a red __________.

Correct Answer: Monster

Question 8:

We can make a craft using _________.

Correct Answer: Yarn

Question 9:

Norah Jones sings a __________.

Correct Answer: Song

Question 10:

Y is the last letter in the word _______.

Correct Answer: Why

Educational Standards

PK.2.PWS.2:Students will name a majority of uppercase and lowercase letters. PK.2.PA.2:Students will recognize spoken words that rhyme (e.g., wall & fall). PK.3.R.3:Students will identify characters in a story with prompting. PK.1.S.3:Students will ask and answer questions with prompting. PK.2.F.2:Students will chorally recite familiar texts (e.g., rhymes, songs, poetry, etc.).

Teaching Materials

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