Lesson plan
Read, Read, Read!
Learning Objectives
Students will be able to identify the m sound phonetically and written as the letter M. Students will be able to choose objects that start with the m sound.
The adjustment to the whole group lesson is a modification to differentiate for children who are English learners.
Introduction
(2 minutes)
- Call students together.
- Display the cover of the text Millie Waits for the Mail to the class. Ask the students to identify the animals in the picture (cow, chickens).
- Say, “Today we are going to read a book about a cow named Millie. What sound do you hear in the beginning of her name? Let’s all say it together: mmm, Millie. This is the sound the letter M makes.”
Explicit Instruction/Teacher modeling
(10 minutes)- Read the text aloud to the class, emphasizing the words that begin with the letter M.
- Write the upper and lowercase letter M on the board. Say, “This is the letter M. Many words begin with this letter.
- Model how to write the letter, starting at the top. Then say, “Everyone should dip their magic pens (fingers) into invisible ink and practice writing the letter M while we say its sound.”
Guided Practice
(5 minutes)- Write or display the letter M to the class. Tell students to think about the letter M and the sound it makes.
- Model thinking aloud to come up with an M word (e.g., milk) and demonstrate how to sound out the word by saying the word aloud, noting the beginning/middle/ending sounds and connecting those sounds to letters on your alphabet chart.
- Ask students if they can think of any other words that begin with the same sound. Have students turn and talk to share their words with a partner.
- Create a class anchor chart of M words (be sure to include or start with words from the text).
- Encourage students to help sound out their words by following a process that includes:
- hearing the next sound
- thinking about what letter makes that sound
- finding the letter on the classroom alphabet chart
Independent working time
(10 minutes)- Explain that now students will get to practice listening for the beginning sounds in words on their own.
- Display the Letter Sounds M worksheet and go over the instructions.
- Pass out worksheets for each student to complete independently.
Differentiation
Support:
- Pair students together to complete the worksheet.
- Offer students individual copies of the Animal Alphabet Chart for them to reference.
- Provide additional letter identification practice by playing game such as alphabet bingo in a small group.
Enrichment:
- For students needing a greater challenge, encourage them to identify the middle and ending sounds in the words on the Letter Sounds M worksheet.
- Encourage students to write or draw pictures on the back of the worksheet of additional words that begin with the letter M.
Assessment
(5 minutes)- Take anecdotal notes about student answers to questions and their process. These can be used to make determinations about what students understand and/or areas where students need additional support.
- Note student accuracy in identifying letters, sounds, and answering questions to assess if students are able to correctly identify the beginning sound and letters in words.
- Circulate around the room answering questions, and assessing student abilities in pre-reading/reading skills.
Review and closing
(3 minutes)- Call students back together.
- Ask students to share their worksheet with a partner.
- Display images of 2–3 additional words beginning with M and other letters. Have students share out the beginning sound and letter in each word.
Related learning resources
Starting to Read
Lesson plan
Starting to Read
This resource can be used on its own or as support for the lesson Read, Read, Read!
preschool
Reading & Writing
Lesson plan
Read, Read, Read!
Lesson plan
Read, Read, Read!
...Beginning
Preview the read-aloud by going on a picture walk....
preschool
Reading & Writing
Lesson plan
Glossary: Starting to Read
Worksheet
Glossary: Starting to Read
Use this glossary with the EL Support Lesson: Starting to Read.
preschool
Reading & Writing
Worksheet
Glossary: We Read Together
Worksheet
Glossary: We Read Together
Use this glossary with the EL Support Lesson: We Read Together.
preschool
Reading & Writing
Worksheet
