M is for Monkey: Exploring the Letter M with Jack Hartmann!

English Language Arts Grades Pre-K 3:59 Video
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Lesson Description

Let's learn all about the letter M with a fun song and activities! We'll discover how to write it, what sound it makes, and words that start or end with M.

Video Resource

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

Jack Hartmann Kids Music Channel

Duration: 3:59
Watch on YouTube

Key Concepts

  • The letter M (uppercase and lowercase)
  • The /m/ sound
  • Words that start with the /m/ sound
  • Words that end with the /m/ sound

Learning Objectives

  • Students will be able to identify the uppercase and lowercase letter M.
  • Students will be able to produce the /m/ sound.
  • Students will be able to identify words that begin with the /m/ sound (e.g., monkey, mud, mess, mother).
  • Students will be able to identify words that end with the /m/ sound (e.g., arm, worm, farm, dream).
  • Students will practice writing the letter M.

Educator Instructions

  • Introduction (5 mins)
    Greet students and introduce the letter of the day: M. Ask if anyone knows any words that start with M. Show a picture of a monkey to get them thinking.
  • Watch the Jack Hartmann Video (5 mins)
    Play the "Learn The Letter M" video by Jack Hartmann. Encourage students to sing along and do the actions.
  • Letter M Tracing (5 mins)
    Provide students with worksheets with dotted lines for tracing uppercase and lowercase M. Guide them as they practice writing the letter.
  • M Sound Word Hunt (5 mins)
    Show pictures of objects. Ask students to identify the objects that start with the /m/ sound (e.g., monkey, moon, mouse, milk). Repeat with ending /m/ sound (e.g., gum, drum).
  • Monkey Movement (5 mins)
    Lead students in a simple movement activity mimicking a monkey. Encourage them to say 'M' while making monkey sounds.

Interactive Exercises

  • Letter M Sensory Bin
    Fill a bin with sand or rice. Hide uppercase and lowercase letter M magnets or plastic letters. Have students find the letter M and say the /m/ sound each time they find one.
  • M is for Monkey Craft
    Provide students with construction paper, glue, and googly eyes to create a simple monkey craft. Encourage them to say 'M' for monkey while they create.

Discussion Questions

  • What sound does the letter M make?
  • Can you think of any other words that start with M?
  • Can you think of any other words that end with M?
  • What is your favorite word that starts with M?

Skills Developed

  • Letter recognition
  • Phonological awareness (identifying sounds in words)
  • Fine motor skills (tracing and crafting)
  • Vocabulary development

Multiple Choice Questions

Question 1:

What letter are we learning about today?

Correct Answer: M

Question 2:

What sound does the letter M make?

Correct Answer: /m/

Question 3:

Which picture shows a monkey?

Correct Answer: (Picture of a monkey)

Question 4:

Is 'mother' a word that starts with M?

Correct Answer: Yes

Question 5:

Is this a big (uppercase) M?

Correct Answer: M

Question 6:

Which one is a word that ends with the /m/ sound?

Correct Answer: Arm

Question 7:

Does mud start with the /m/ sound?

Correct Answer: Yes

Question 8:

What animal plays in the mud in the song?

Correct Answer: Monkey

Question 9:

Is this a little (lowercase) m?

Correct Answer: m

Question 10:

Can you write the letter M?

Correct Answer: Yes

Fill in the Blank Questions

Question 1:

M is for _______.

Correct Answer: Monkey

Question 2:

The letter M makes the /___/ sound.

Correct Answer: m

Question 3:

Uppercase M looks like: ___.

Correct Answer: M

Question 4:

Lowercase m looks like: ___.

Correct Answer: m

Question 5:

In the song, the monkey plays in the ____.

Correct Answer: mud

Question 6:

My _________ loves me.

Correct Answer: mother

Question 7:

We throw with our ____.

Correct Answer: arm

Question 8:

I fish with a ____.

Correct Answer: worm

Question 9:

Cows live on a ____.

Correct Answer: farm

Question 10:

I like to _______ and dream.

Correct Answer: sleep

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.PA.4:Students will isolate the common initial sound when given a set of alliterative spoken words (e.g., the puppy pounces). 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.1.L.1:Students will actively listen using agreed-upon rules with prompting.

Teaching Materials

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