Letter Detectives: Finding the Missing 'M'!

English Language Arts Grades Pre-K 3:41 Video
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Lesson Description

Let's become letter detectives and help find the missing letter 'M' using a fun video from Sesame Street!

Video Resource

Law and Order Special Letters Unit

RhymePhile

Duration: 3:41
Watch on YouTube

Key Concepts

  • Identifying the letter 'M' (uppercase and lowercase)
  • The sound the letter 'M' makes
  • Letter recognition and sounds
  • Problem-solving

Learning Objectives

  • Students will be able to identify the letter 'M' (uppercase and lowercase).
  • Students will be able to produce the sound of the letter 'M'.
  • Students will be able to participate in a discussion about the video and the missing letter.

Educator Instructions

  • Introduction (5 mins)
    Greet students and introduce the lesson. Ask if they know the letter 'M' and what sound it makes. Show them an uppercase and lowercase 'M' written on the board or a large piece of paper.
  • Video Viewing (5 mins)
    Play the 'Law and Order Special Letters Unit' video. Tell them to pay close attention to what letter is missing.
  • Discussion (5 mins)
    After the video, ask the students what letter the detectives were looking for. Review uppercase and lowercase M. Have students say words that begin with M (e.g., Mom, milk, monkey).
  • Activity: 'M' Detective Game (10 mins)
    Hide several uppercase and lowercase 'M' cutouts around the room. Have the students become 'Letter Detectives' and find all the missing 'M's. As they find them, have them say the letter and the sound it makes.
  • Wrap-up (5 mins)
    Review the letter 'M' and its sound one last time. Have each student draw a picture of something that starts with the letter 'M'.

Interactive Exercises

  • 'M' Sound Practice
    Have students practice making the 'M' sound (mmm). Use a mirror to show them how their lips come together.
  • 'M' Writing Practice
    Have students practice writing the uppercase and lowercase 'M' in sand, shaving cream, or on paper with crayons.

Discussion Questions

  • What letter were the detectives looking for?
  • Can you name something that starts with the letter 'M'?
  • What sound does the letter 'M' make?
  • Did you enjoy the video? What was your favorite part?

Skills Developed

  • Letter recognition
  • Phonological awareness
  • Listening comprehension
  • Fine motor skills (writing)

Multiple Choice Questions

Question 1:

What letter were the detectives looking for?

Correct Answer: M

Question 2:

Which of these is a big 'M'?

Correct Answer: M

Question 3:

What sound does 'M' make?

Correct Answer: /mmm/

Question 4:

Which animal starts with 'M'?

Correct Answer: Monkey

Question 5:

Is 'Mom' a word that starts with 'M'?

Correct Answer: Yes

Question 6:

Which one is a small 'm'?

Correct Answer: m

Question 7:

What is your mouth doing when you say 'mmm'?

Correct Answer: Closed

Question 8:

Which food starts with 'M'?

Correct Answer: Milk

Question 9:

What kind of 'tectives' were in the video?

Correct Answer: Letter

Question 10:

Can you move like a Monkey starting with letter 'M'?

Correct Answer: Yes

Fill in the Blank Questions

Question 1:

The detectives were looking for the letter ___.

Correct Answer: M

Question 2:

______ starts with the letter 'M'. (Think of your mother!)

Correct Answer: Mom

Question 3:

'M' makes the sound ______.

Correct Answer: mmm

Question 4:

______ is a drink that starts with 'M'.

Correct Answer: Milk

Question 5:

A ______ likes to swing in trees, and starts with the letter 'M'

Correct Answer: Monkey

Question 6:

Draw and write one of the letter _

Correct Answer: M

Question 7:

Can you show with your fingers how the letter __ can be drawn?

Correct Answer: M

Question 8:

____ is a word for many things

Correct Answer: More

Question 9:

A _____ is a map.

Correct Answer: Mark

Question 10:

I am ______ years old

Correct Answer: Many

Educational Standards

PK.2.PWS.2:Students will name a majority of uppercase and lowercase 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.3.R.3:Students will identify characters in a story with prompting. PK.1.S.3:Students will ask and answer questions with prompting.

Teaching Materials

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