Writing a Classroom Book on Favorite Colors with Preschoolers
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Often, we limit our introduction to reading skills by reading to the class. However, reading skills can be taught by writing also. Creating a class-made book does both. The children request books they’ve written themselves over and over. They choose the book during library time and will often “read” it to friends, stuffed animals or dolls. They proudly show the book to their families.

Through this lesson, children gain experience to meet many of the pre-reading and pre-writing skills they will build upon to learn to read and write. The teacher reinforces that a book has a title, authors and illustrators. After the child has created the illustration, the teacher connects that to the printed word, helping the child understand that illustrations help tell the story. When teacher speaks as s/he writes the caption, the child makes the connection that the print has meaning. Modeling writing helps the child learn the sounds of letters.

Building the sense of community in the classroom is as important as academic goals. Everyone contributes to the end result. The children work independently but also collectively to create something unique.

About the Book

During the first week of school, we learn about each other. One way to recognize similarities is to discuss that we each have a favorite color. One way to recognize and accept differences is to discuss that we like different colors. This book has been a perennial favorite in my classroom. It will be in yours, too.

Lesson Plan

Our Favorite Colors

In this activity, the children will create a class book of their favorite colors.

Objectives

The children will:

  • Choose a favorite color.
  • Collaborate as part of the group to create a class book.

State or Head Start Outcomes that may be met

  • Approaches to Learning – Grows in abilities to persist in and complete a variety of tasks, activities, projects and experiences.
  • Social/Emotional - Maintains individuality and a positive sense of self within a group.
  • Makes personal preferences known to others.
  • Literacy - Progresses in learning how to handle and care for books; knowing to view one page at a time in sequence from front to back; and understanding that a book has a title, author and illustrator.
  • Language - Responds to requests for information (favorite color)
  • Creative Expression - Gains ability in using different art.
  • Fine Motor Skills - Demonstrates spatial awareness in fine motor skills

Materials

  • Drawing paper
  • Crayons
  • Hole punch
  • Yarn
  • Construction paper
  • Marker

Preparation:

Set out drawing paper and crayons.

Procedure:

Gather the children together.

Ask each child his/her favorite color. Tell them yours.

Point out that everyone has a favorite color but it may not be the same as their friends.

Tell the children that they will be writing a book about their favorite colors.

Take a piece of construction paper and a marker.

Remind the children that every book has a title. Elicit titles from the class and choose one. The title might be “Our Favorite Colors”. Write the title in the middle of the paper, sounding out the words as you write.

Ask the children who will be the authors. Write by Miss Roseann’s Class, again sounding out the words.

Ask the children who will be the illustrators. Remind them that illustrators draw the pictures. Write by Miss Roseann’s Class and add the date.

Ask each child to draw a picture using only their favorite color. (Take any drawing, even scribbling)

Label each picture with the following sentence. (Child’s name)’s favorite color is __________. Stress the letters of the child’s name.

Help each child punch two holes in his/her picture.

Assemble into a book by passing yarn through the two holes and tie.

Read the book with the children.

Place in the class library.

Variation:

If not all the colors were chosen, ask the children to create pictures using those colors. Add the sentence, No one’s favorite color is______________. Illustrated by (child’s name)

Lesson Evaluation:

Did the children enjoy the activity?

Do the children “read” the book during library time?