Letter I Theme
Below you will find projects and activities that will help you and your child explore the letter I. Keep in mind that this theme page is really aimed at younger children, up to about age 5. Don't be fooled into thinking that these projects and activities are too simple for this age group. Young children thrive on simplicity - it gives them the opportunity to work independently, to understand the task at hand, and to "own" their work. Immersing them in projects and activities that center around a particular theme (in this case the letter "I") allows them to gain a greater understanding of the theme and internalize it.
There are plans for many projects and activites for this theme. Additional crafts, projects, printables, recipes, music, and more will be added to this page in the coming months. I've decided to put the theme pages up as a work in progress. In truth, even when I think that I've completed a theme page, I think of other things that I should have added.
Words Beginning With "I"
Talk with your child about the letter "I", the sound it makes, and words that start with this letter. If you are using some kind of phonics program with your child, this would be the time to work on "I" within the program.
NOTE: If you are considering a phonics program to help your child learn to recognize letters, learn their sounds, and eventually read, then I can personally recommend Frontline Phonics
. It is an excellent program for younger children and blends nicely with this theme approach to crafting.
infant
ice
iron
insect
|
iguana
igloo
inch
island
|
invitation
ice cream
ivy
imitate
|
instrument
interesting
icicle
indoor
|
"I" Projects
Icicle Painting
Draw a thick line of glue across the top of a black piece of construction paper (with the paper turned landscape style). Pick the paper up and let the glue run down the page. Sprinkle with irredescent glitter. Let dry.
Paper Ice Cream Cones
Cut a long triange out of brown construction paper to be the cone. Cut a couple of circles of different colors of construction paper to be the ice cream. Cut a small red circle to make a cherry. Glue your ice cream cone together: triangle, circle, circle, cherry.
Sugar Cube Igloo
Cut the top of a styrofoam cup off and hot glue the bottom to a paper plate. Cut the upper part of the cup in half to make 2 U's. Hot glue one of the U's onto the cup to make the igloo's entrance. Spread glue over the cup and entrance. Glue sugar cubes around the base and over the top of the entrance. Build up your igloo from there until you cover the entire cup. If sugar cubes prove too difficult, you could try this same project with mini marshmallows. You can also cover the plate with snow (shaving cream and glue mixture makes snow that dries puffy) to complete the winter scene.
Printable I
Use this template to make other letter crafts or simply use it to color.
Alphabet Books
EVERYONE has some type of ABC book out on the market, but these are the tried and true books that my kids like.
Chicka Chicka Boom Boom - I believe that this story was single handedly responsible for teaching my son his letters. He was hooked on this book the first time I read it to him and he never gets tired of it. I started out by pointing to the letters as I read it to him, now he points them out to me!
My First Phonics Book - My daughter loves to read this book before bed. It has helped her to get excited about words and their beginning letters.
Dr. Seuss' A B C - I love Dr. Seuss books because they keep the kid's attention. Not always an easy task!
My First ABC Book - My two year old son has this book and absolutely loves it! He makes me read it to him over and over and over and over!
Great "I" Books
I'm Gonna Like Me: Letting Off a Little Self-Esteem - by Jamie Lee Curtis
If You Take A Mouse Book Set - by Laura Numeroff
Inch by Inch by Leo Lionni
Today I Feel Silly: And Other Moods That Make My Day - by Jamie Lee Curtis
Or Search Amazon for More Resources...
