Materials Needed:
- Pictures or drawings of squirrels
- Pictures or drawings of acorns (or real acorns if available!)
- Pictures of a few other unrelated items (e.g., car, ball, flower)
- Construction paper or plain paper
- Crayons or markers
- Optional: A simple storybook about squirrels
Let's Talk About Scurrying Squirrels and Nutty Acorns!
Hello little learner! Do you like watching squirrels? They are so fast and fluffy! What do squirrels love to eat and hide? That's right, acorns! Today, we're going to learn special words for things like 'squirrel' and 'acorn'.
What Are Naming Words?
Everything around us has a name! The word we use to name a person, place, or thing is called a noun. That's a big word, but it just means a 'naming word'.
Look at this picture. What is it? (Show picture of squirrel). Right! It's a 'squirrel'. 'Squirrel' is a naming word, a noun!
Now look at this. What is it? (Show picture/real acorn). Yes! It's an 'acorn'. 'Acorn' is another naming word, a noun!
Fun Naming Game!
Let's play a little game. I'm going to show you some pictures. When you see a squirrel or an acorn, shout 'Naming Word!'
(Show pictures one by one: squirrel, car, acorn, ball, squirrel, flower, acorn. Encourage the child to identify the squirrels and acorns).
Squirrel and Acorn Art Time!
Let's draw our own squirrel friend! On your paper, draw a bushy-tailed squirrel. Now, draw some yummy acorns for your squirrel to find. Can you point to your 'squirrel' drawing? Can you point to your 'acorn' drawings? Great job using our naming words!
Story/Song Time (Optional)
Let's read a short story about a squirrel gathering acorns, or sing a little song:
(Tune: Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star)
Furry squirrel, scamper fast,
Find an acorn, make it last.
Hide it safe beneath the ground,
Best nut treat you've ever found.
Furry squirrel, scamper fast,
Find an acorn, make it last.
Wrap Up
Wow! You learned about special naming words today, called nouns. Can you remember our two special naming words? ('Squirrel' and 'Acorn'). Fantastic job! You're becoming a grammar superstar!