Cracking the 'C' Sound with Cats and Cars!

Materials Needed:

• Cat puppet or stuffed animal (Let's call him Cory!)
• Toy car(s)
• A small bag or basket
• Picture cards or small, safe objects starting with the hard 'C' sound (/k/): e.g., cup, cookie (real or toy), corn, cone, cap
• Large paper or cardboard cutout of the letter 'C'
• Construction paper scraps or pictures of 'C' items cut from magazines
• Child-safe glue sticks
• Crayons or washable markers

Lesson Activities:

1. Warm-Up: The 'C' Sound Song (3-5 minutes)

Sing a simple song about the letter 'C' making the /k/ sound. Tune: "The Wheels on the Bus"

"The 'C' sound says /k/, /k/, /k/,
/k/, /k/, /k/,
/k/, /k/, /k/.
The 'C' sound says /k/, /k/, /k/,
Like cat and car!"

Clap or make a clicking sound with your tongue for the /k/ sound. Encourage Emma and Benjamin to join in.

2. Meet Cory the Cat! (5 minutes)

Bring out the cat puppet, Cory. "Look, Emma and Benjamin! It's Cory the /k/ /k/ Cat!" Make the puppet move and 'talk', emphasizing the /k/ sound in 'cat' and 'Cory'. "Cory the /k/at says /k/ /k/ /k/. Can you say /k/ /k/ /k/ like Cory the /k/at?" Let them pet the cat puppet.

3. 'C' Sound Surprise Bag (5-7 minutes)

"Cory the /k/at has a surprise bag! Let's see what's inside." Pull out one 'C' object/picture at a time from the bag (car, cup, cookie, corn, etc.). Name each item clearly, exaggerating the initial /k/ sound. "Wow! A /k/ /k/ car! Vroom!" "Mmm, a /k/ /k/ cookie!" "This is a /k/ /k/ cup." Let Emma and Benjamin hold and explore each object briefly. Encourage them to repeat the sound or word, but don't force it.

4. Creative 'C' Collage (10 minutes)

Place the large letter 'C' cutout on the floor or table. Give Emma and Benjamin glue sticks and the construction paper scraps or 'C' pictures. "Let's decorate the big letter 'C'! What sound does 'C' make? /k/ /k/ /k/!" Help them glue the items onto the 'C'. You can also let them use crayons or markers to color directly on the 'C'. Talk about the /k/ sound as they create. "You're putting glue on the /k/ /k/ C!"

5. Cool Down: Car Cruising & Cat Crawling (3-5 minutes)

Let's move like things that start with /k/! "Can you crawl like a /k/ /k/ cat? Meow! /k/ /k/ /k/!" Crawl around together. "Now let's be /k/ /k/ cars! Beep beep! Vroom! Drive your /k/ar! /k/ /k/ /k/!" Encourage them to make the sound while moving.

6. Wrap-up (2 minutes)

Gather together. "We learned a new sound today! The letter 'C' says /k/ /k/ /k/! Like Cory the /k/at and the fast /k/ar!" Sing the 'C' Sound Song one more time. Give lots of praise for participating!