Demo Lesson Help (3-5 yr olds)

Hi All,

I have a demo lesson next week and would love to hear some suggestions/ideas/tips as I've never done a demo before.

The class is an inclusion class, ages 3-5. The lady said the month's theme miiight be water, but she wasn't 100% sure (she's emailing me more information).

Would the following work or no?
Read aloud (short) focusing on one letter (or theme...maybe summer/ocean etc). Then have the kids find all the words/pictures associated with the letter/theme. For the independent activitity...have the kids go back and use playdough to make the letter/something from the theme.

I know tihs would be ok for older kids, but is this engage 3 year olds or is it too difficult?

Thanks!!!!!

Re: Demo Lesson Help (3-5 yr olds)

As someone who teaches Pre-K & have many 3's (late 3's) in Sept. I would say that is too difficult to spot the letter & then even to manuever the playdoh into a specific letter.

I would keep it simple & maybe do a sink/float activity after a short read aloud

or

Read a book about the ocean & do a shark/jellyfish/starfish craft

I would also include some movement activity...a cute finger play or simple song w/ actions.

Re: Demo Lesson Help (3-5 yr olds)

Re: Demo Lesson Help (3-5 yr olds)

Re: Demo Lesson Help (3-5 yr olds)

I agree with the above posters. I also do not think letters should be the focus of your lesson. Since this is an inclusion class with children as young as 3 I would focus more on the concepts and developing vocabulary.
Some good concepts sink/float, wet/dry, animals that live in water, the importance of water. Once we went outside and dug a river and built a dam to learn about beavers and dams. Tried to fill a river and decide on most efficient dam.

Re: Demo Lesson Help (3-5 yr olds)

Thanks everyone!!!! You all posted some great ideas!

Re: Demo Lesson Help (3-5 yr olds)

I taught Pre-K for a few years and I used to play a game with them that they absolutely LOVED.

You put the kids in a semi-circle, and put one backwards chair in the circle. Show them three items and make them say the name of the items (in this case use underwater friends) Select on child to sit in the chair and put the three items behind them on the floor. Pick on child to take away one of the items and put it behind their back. Have the "guesser" turn around and GUESS WHATS MISSING!

It works nicely because it helps them remember the name of the creatures and work on observation and memory all at the same time. And for some reason, they love it.

HTH!