Hank the Hungry Hippo

Allison Miller

Emergent Literacy

Rationale:

In order for children to be able to read and write, they must be able to distinguish the individual sounds in words.  These sounds are called phonemes.  Phonemes are the basic vocal gestures from which the spoken words of language are constructed.  It is essential that children learn these sounds while they are learning to read.  They need to be able to distinguish separate phonemes in words.  This lesson will help children master the /h/ in spoken words by participating in activities using /h/.

Materials:

• Hippo cut out of gray poster board with a clear plastic bag for the belly. 
• Various vegetable cut outs.  On the vegetable, these words will be written:  hot, sea, hat, hop, my, hug, hog, cat, had, how, apple, hand, bird. (These will be for Hank to eat the correct letter/word which is the sound /h/.
• The book, ‘ Horton Hatches an Egg.’
• Chart with the tongue twister on it:  ‘Hank the hungry hippo hugs hogs.
• Picture cards for assessment (hog, hippo, hand, hammer, hotdog, head, apple, bear, ball, fish, etc…)
• Chalk, chalkboard, pencils, primary paper, and assessment worksheet.

Procedures:

1. An introduction of the lesson will be made by the teacher, who will explain that words are made up of letters that represent different sounds.  It is very important to know what sounds the letters stand for when learning to read.  Another this that is very important is being able to identify the sounds in words.  Today we are going to work on the letter h = /h/.  That sound is in many words and once we learn it, you will notice it in many words.
2. The first thing we are going to do is to make the letter h sound.  The letter h makes the /h/ sound.  I want everyone to put their hand in front of their mouth and make a sound like me./h/.. Do you feel the air blowing on your hand? Now put your hand on your jaw ... make the /h/ sound again... do you feel your jaw move down when you make the sound?
3. Now lets look at this tongue twister: Read it to students Hank the Hungry Hippo Hugs Hogs’.. I want all of us to read it together 4 times.. Ready GO...
   Now Read it saying the /h/ REALLY loud... ready.. GO... now lets try saying it but stop right after the /h/ sound.. let me show you /h/ ank  the /h/ungry   /h/ippo  /h/ugs  /h/ogs... Great job with the tongue twister.
4. Lets try to write the letter that makes the /h/ sound. Take out paper and pencils. Start at the top and go straight down to the road. Now head up half way to your friends house and make a turn around because you forgot your favorite toy.
5. Children will then receive a vegetable with a word written on them.  If the word begins with the sound /h/ they are to come feed the veggie to Hank, by placing the vegetable in the plastic bag designated for the tummy on the hippo.  Hank the Hippo does not receive a vegetable if the word does not begin with the sound /h/. 
6. Read the book, ‘Horton Hatches an Egg.’             
7. Lets practice writing /h/ sounds… write on the board: hat, hog, hop, hand, hot, hammer... Now students I want you to write these words on your paper. After students are finished have students read the words out loud.
8. For assessment, take out the picture cards and show them to the students asking which ones have the /h/? ... How do you know?

Reference: Murray, Dr. Bruce.  2001. The Reading Genie Website. www.auburn.edu/rdggenie
 

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For further information send an email to Allison Miller