¡Hola, Puerto Rico! A Reading Adventure

Introduction (5 minutes):

"Hi! Today we're going on an imaginary trip to a beautiful island called Puerto Rico! Have you ever heard of an island? It's land with water all around it! Puerto Rico is warm and sunny. Look at these pictures! (Show pictures of beaches, El Morro, rainforest). Puerto Rico is special because it's home to a tiny little frog with a big voice. It's called a coqui! Can you say 'co-kee'? (Show picture of coqui). This little frog sings 'Co-qui! Co-qui!' all night long. Let's listen! (Optional: play coqui sound)."

Reading Time (10 minutes):

"Now, let's read a story about Puerto Rico/the coqui. Let's snuggle up and listen carefully. I want you to listen for the sound the little frog makes!" (Read the chosen picture book slowly, pointing to pictures and emphasizing key words like 'island', 'Puerto Rico', 'coqui', and the 'co-qui' sound. Ask simple questions during reading, like "What color is the frog?" or "Where does the coqui live?"). After reading: "What sound did the coqui make in our story? That's right, 'Co-qui!' Where does the coqui live? Yes, in Puerto Rico!"

Activity: Make a Coqui! (10-15 minutes):

"Let's make our own little coqui frog! We'll need our green paper."

1. Help the child trace their hand on the green paper.
2. Assist the child (or adult cuts) cut out the handprint.
3. Turn the handprint upside down (fingers pointing down). The thumb becomes one leg, the fingers the other legs, and the palm is the body.
4. Help the child draw two eyes on the palm area with the marker/crayon.
5. "Look! You made a coqui frog! Where should we pretend our coqui lives? Maybe on this green leaf (piece of paper) in the rainforest?" Let the child glue their coqui onto another paper if desired. Optional: Color a small Puerto Rican flag.

Wrap-up (5 minutes):

"Great job today! We learned about a beautiful island called Puerto Rico and its special little frog, the coqui. What sound does the coqui make? ('Co-qui!'). Let's sing a little song: (Tune: Twinkle Twinkle Little Star) Coqui, coqui, little frog, Singing nightly in your log. High up in the leafy trees, Singing sweetly in the breeze. Coqui, coqui little frog, Singing nightly in your log. Adiós! See you next time!"