Lesson 7: Word Awareness
Main Concept:·
Children will learn that sentences are made up of individual words.

Objectives:

• Develop an understanding that spoken sentences consist of separate words.
• Practice clapping or tapping to count words in a sentence.
• Strengthen fine motor skills using triangle-shaped strokes.

Warm-Up Activity: Longer or Shorter?

• Say two sentences aloud and ask, "Which one is longer?"
• Example:
  • "I see a cat." (3 words)
  • "The little cat runs fast." (5 words)
• Have the child point to or say which one is longer.
• Movement Examples
  • Stand on one foot for a short sentence.
  • Stretch arms wide for a long sentence.

Main Activity: Clap the Words

• Explain that sentences are made up of words, and we can count them.
• Say a short sentence and model clapping once for each word.
• Example: I like cats. (Clap, clap, clap.)
• Have the child repeat after you. 
• Try different sentences:
  • The dog is big. (4 claps)
  • I see a red ball. (5 claps)
• Make it active! Instead of clapping, they can:
  • Jump for each word.
  • Tap on their lap.
  • Use rhythm sticks or a drum.
• Just like in sequencing, you can use physical objects to help the child count the words
  • I *move forward first cube*
  • Like *move forward next cube*
  • Cats *move forward last cube*
• Silly Sentences: Take turns making up short, funny sentences. The child claps out the words and laughs at the silliness.

Story Time with Simple Sentences

• Recommended Book: Snowy Day by Ezra Jack Keats
• Read The Snowy Day aloud, emphasizing the short, simple sentences.
• Discuss the words in the sentences: How many words did you hear?
• Ask the child to point to the things in the illustrations as you say the words.

Prewriting: Triangles

• Activity: Practice drawing triangles
• Activity Options:
• Use chalk to draw big triangles outside.
• Trace triangles in sand or salt trays.
• Draw a “mountain” of triangles on paper

Extensions 

Prepositions with Shapes Extension Activity:

• Draw various shapes on a piece of paper (circle, square, triangle, etc.).
• Ask the child to follow directions to place additional shapes in relation to the original ones. Examples of prompts:
  • "Draw a triangle on top of the circle."
  • “Draw a circle above the rectangle” o "Draw a square next to the triangle."
  • "Place a rectangle under the circle."
  • "Draw a triangle in front of the square."
  • " Draw a circle below the square
• Variation: You can also use objects or toys (e.g., blocks, stuffed animals) and place them in different positions around a central shape to reinforce the concept of prepositions in a physical context.