Roaring into Reading: Learning the Letter R!

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

A fun and interactive lesson to introduce Pre-K students to the letter R, its sound, and how to write it, using the Jack Hartmann 'Learn the Letter R' video.

Video Resource

Learn The Letter R | 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

  • Letter Recognition (uppercase and lowercase R)
  • Phonological Awareness (the /r/ sound)
  • Letter Formation (writing the letter R)

Learning Objectives

  • Students will be able to identify the uppercase and lowercase letter R.
  • Students will be able to produce the /r/ sound.
  • Students will be able to trace the letter R in the air.
  • Students will be able to recognize words that begin or end with the letter R.

Educator Instructions

  • Introduction (5 mins)
    Begin by asking students if they know any words that start with the /r/ sound. Introduce the letter R and explain that today they will learn all about it.
  • Video Viewing (5 mins)
    Play the Jack Hartmann 'Learn the Letter R' video (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W5z941Xx2fM). Encourage students to sing along and follow the actions in the video.
  • Letter Formation Practice (5 mins)
    Following the video, practice writing the uppercase and lowercase R in the air. Guide students by saying, 'Big R, start at the top, down, around, and a leg! Little r, down and a little curve!'
  • Sound Recognition Activity (5 mins)
    Say a series of words, some starting with /r/ and some not. Ask students to raise their hands or say 'R!' when they hear a word that starts with the /r/ sound (e.g., 'run', 'cat', 'red', 'sun', 'rabbit').
  • Word Association Game (5 mins)
    Show pictures of objects and ask students if the word for the object starts with the letter R. For example, show a picture of a 'rose,' 'ring,' 'rat,' 'car,' etc. Have them say the word and identify whether it starts with the /r/ sound.

Interactive Exercises

  • Rhyming 'R' Words
    Find words that rhyme with words that start with R. For example, 'rat' and 'cat', 'read' and 'bed'.
  • R Object Hunt
    Have children search the classroom for objects that start with the letter 'R' (e.g., ruler, rug).

Discussion Questions

  • What are some words that start with the letter R?
  • Can you make the /r/ sound?
  • How do you write the letter R?

Skills Developed

  • Letter Recognition
  • Phonological Awareness
  • Fine Motor Skills (letter formation)
  • Vocabulary Building

Multiple Choice Questions

Question 1:

Which letter is this: R?

Correct Answer: R

Question 2:

What sound does the letter R make?

Correct Answer: /r/

Question 3:

Which one of these starts with R?

Correct Answer: Rat

Question 4:

Is 'R' a letter?

Correct Answer: Yes

Question 5:

What is this? (Picture of a Ring)

Correct Answer: Ring

Question 6:

Which letter comes after Q?

Correct Answer: R

Question 7:

Where do we write the big 'R'?

Correct Answer: In the air

Question 8:

Which animal is mentioned in the song?

Correct Answer: Rhino

Question 9:

What is in the water?

Correct Answer: Diver

Question 10:

What does the rhino like to do?

Correct Answer: Read

Fill in the Blank Questions

Question 1:

This is the letter ____.

Correct Answer: R

Question 2:

The /r/ sound is like a ____.

Correct Answer: roar

Question 3:

A ____ is in the water.

Correct Answer: diver

Question 4:

The rhino likes to ____.

Correct Answer: read

Question 5:

A word that starts with R is ____.

Correct Answer: rat

Question 6:

We can write 'R' in the ____.

Correct Answer: air

Question 7:

The diver found ____.

Correct Answer: treasure

Question 8:

River, ____, river

Correct Answer: river

Question 9:

A _____ helps us measure things.

Correct Answer: ruler

Question 10:

Rhino, _____ , rhino.

Correct Answer: rhino

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.1.L.1:Students will actively listen using agreed-upon rules with prompting.

Teaching Materials

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