Sun Catchers & Letter S

Level 3 promotes critical thinking and structured expression.

Objectives

Instructions

Materials

- Clear contact paper cut into large letter S shapes

- Pre-cut tissue paper squares in warm summer colors like yellow, orange, and red

- Black construction paper strips for outlining

- Yarn or ribbon for hanging

- Scissors and masking tape

- Permanent markers for labeling

Learning Objectives

- Identify the uppercase and lowercase letter S by sight and sound.

- Demonstrate fine motor control by placing tissue paper within defined boundaries.

- Articulate words that begin with the /s/ sound during a group discussion.

- Follow multi-step directions to complete a visual art project.

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Gather the children in a circle and introduce the letter S by tracing its shape in the air with your finger.

2. Lead a brief brainstorming session where students name summer items starting with the letter S, such as sun, sand, sea, and swimming.

3. Tape a piece of contact paper to each desk with the sticky side facing upward.

4. Demonstrate how to peel the backing off the contact paper and secure it to the table using small pieces of masking tape at the corners.

5. Show the children how to place the tissue paper squares onto the sticky surface to fill the letter S shape.

6. Encourage students to overlap the tissue paper to create new color blends while keeping the paper within the S boundary.

7. Once the shape is filled, help students press a black construction paper outline over the edges to define the letter clearly.

8. Assist students in punching a hole at the top of their work and threading a piece of yarn through for hanging.

9. Hang the finished sun catchers in a sunny window to observe how light passes through the colors.

Educator Tip

To support students who struggle with letter formation, provide a printed template of the letter S underneath the contact paper as a visual guide. If a student finishes early, ask them to write three words starting with S on a separate index card to attach to their sun catcher.

Assessment

- Observe if the student correctly identifies the letter S among other letters during the brainstorming session.

- Evaluate the student's ability to maintain the tissue paper placement within the letter boundaries.

- Record whether the student can independently generate at least two words starting with the /s/ sound.

Assessment

Rubric: reasoning, clarity, independence.

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