Emergent Literacy Lesson
Kiri McFarland

Blowing Bubbles
 

bubble

 Rationale: This lesson is designed to teach children the phoneme /b/. It is important for children to understand that words are made of phonemes, and that the phonemes can all go together in different orders to make these words. This lesson will help children with their beginning reading.

Materials: A picture of the letter "b", primary writing paper and pencil for each child, chart with "Bad Bobby blows bubbles beside busy Betsy", The Butter Battle Book by Dr. Seuss, picture page with pictures such as bug, boat, bat, baseball, baby, bird, cub, tree, cat, glasses, hat, desk, and car.

Procedure:
1.   Introduce the lesson by explaining that our written language is a secret code.  The
      tricky part is learning what a letter stands for and the mouth moves we make as we say that letter.
2.   Introduce the letter b to the children by showing them a large picture of the letter. Tell the children that the letter b makes a sound that sounds like bubbles. Ask the children, "Have you ever blown bubbles before? The beginning sound of bubbles is /b/. We make this sound by pressing our lips together and then letting air out quickly. We call this a short breath sound. Let's all see if we can blow bubbles. B_B_B_B. Good. Now let's use the /b/ sound to say, 'Blowing Bubbles'". The teacher will emphasize the /b/ sound while the students practice. "Who can tell me some words that have the /b/ sound in them?"
3.    "Now let's do a tongue twister that has the /b/ sound in it." Show children the chart. "Bad Bobby blows bubbles beside busy Betsy. Good let's say it two more times." Repeat chant. "Okay, this time let's stretch out the /b/ sound. It will sound like this, 'BBBad BBBobby'. Okay are you ready to try? BBBad BBBobby bbblows bbbubbles bbbeside bbbusy BBBetsy. Good! Let's do it again." Repeat. "Now let's break away the /b/ sound from the word. It will sound like this, '/B/ ad /B/ obby'. Now let's try it together. /B/ ad  /B/ obby  /b/ lows  /b/ ubbles  /b/ eside  /b/ usy  /B/ etsy."
4.    "Now let's learn how to write /b/. Take out your paper and pencils. First you draw a straight line down to the sidewalk. On the right side of the line, you start at the fence and curve back down around to the sidewalk. I'm going to come around and look at everyone's /b/." Look at letters. "Okay, now practice writing the letter /b/. Remember that when you see a b in a word, you say /p/.
5.    Read The Butter Battle Book by Dr. Seuss. Talk about the story and then reread the book. On the second time through, have children raise their hands when they hear the /b/ in a word. Keep a list of all of the words they found.
6.    Use the picture page for assessment of the children. Help them figure out the words for each picture and then have them color the pictures with the /b/ sound.

References: Modern Curriculum Press.(1998) Teacher Resource Guide: Level A; page a 78 ­ 80.
                      http://www.auburn.edu/rdggenie/breakthroughs

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