Free Pre-K 3 lesson plan · Unit 8: Water, sand and moving things
Pre-K 3, week 30: the d sound and color patterns
This week your learner will hear the d sound in dog and duck, make color patterns and push and pull things. Each activity takes about 5 to 10 minutes. Print the pages, or do them with things you already have at home.
Week 30 of 36 · See the Pre-K 3 year map · Not sure of the level? Take the 3-question Pre-K 3 or Pre-K 4 picker
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5-minute parent prep
- Write a big D and a small d on a sheet of paper.
- Gather red and blue blocks or socks, and a toy car.
- Print pages 2 to 5, or skip printing and use the no-supplies swaps.
Household supplies only: Paper, red and blue crayons, red and blue blocks or socks, a toy car, a box. No supplies? Every activity has a no-supplies swap.
The week at a glance
| Day | Focus | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Monday | Talk and listen | The d sound page, Drum d card |
| Tuesday | Math | Red, blue, red, blue page, Block pattern card |
| Wednesday | Explore | Push and pull page, Push or pull? card |
| Thursday | Make and move | Wavy road page, Duck walk card |
| Friday | Story and review | Song of the week, Parent notes page |
| Every day | Read, sing, play | Read a picture book together, sing the song of the week, play outside and check in on feelings with the free feelings cards. |
Printable pages
The d sound
Say: "D, d, drum. Dog, duck and drum start with d." Your learner traces the big D and small d with a finger, then colors the pictures.
dog
duck
drum
dog
duck
drum
Red, blue, red, blue
Say: "Red, blue, red, blue. What comes next?" Your learner says the pattern with you, pointing to each spot. On the black-and-white page, your learner colors the spots red, blue, red, blue.
Push and pull
Say: "We push a door. We pull a wagon. What about these?" Your learner points to each picture and shows push or pull.
Wavy road
Say: "Drive the car on the road. Start at the green dot." Your learner traces each wavy line from left to right.
Activity cards
Drum d
- Drum and say "d".
- Say d words: dog, duck, dad, door.
- Drum once for each.
Easier: Just drum and say "d".
Next step: Ask "Does door start with d? Does sun?"
Say this: "Dog. D, d, dog."
No supplies: Pat your knees.
Language: sounds in words
Block pattern
- Make red, blue, red, blue.
- Say it together.
- Your learner adds the next one.
Easier: Copy your pattern.
Next step: Make a longer pattern.
Say this: "Red, blue, red, blue. Next?"
No supplies: Clap, pat, clap, pat.
Math: patterns
Push or pull?
- Push the box across the floor.
- Tie a scarf to it and pull.
- Your learner tries both.
Easier: Push only.
Next step: Push the car hard and soft and watch how far it goes.
Say this: "Push. Now pull."
No supplies: Push and pull a chair together (an adult lifts anything heavy).
Science: push and pull
Duck walk
- Squat and waddle like a duck.
- Quack as you go.
- Waddle to a spot and back.
Easier: Hold hands.
Next step: Waddle fast and slow.
Say this: "Waddle, waddle, quack."
No supplies: Flap arms like wings.
Physical: gross motor
Song of the week: D, d, drum
D, d, drum, the dog says woof,
The duck says quack up on the roof.
D, d, d, dance with me,
D, d, d, one, two, three.
Actions: Drum on your knees. Try next: Add a line about dad or a door.
Parent notes for Friday
Not a test. Notice what your learner does this week, and practice the rest later. Nothing here is sent to UpOnly Learning.
- Says "d" for d words
- Copies a color pattern
- Pushes and pulls a box
- Waddles like a duck
Want the bigger picture? See developmental milestones by age and the child development guide for ages 3 to 5.
Safety for this week
- Use objects too big to fit in your learner's mouth, and stay close during any counting or sorting with real objects.
- Water play only with an adult within arm's reach the whole time, even in a small tub.
- An adult handles anything hot or sharp, knives, and rocks or heavy objects.
- Dry beans and seeds only with an adult watching closely, and not with a learner who still puts things in their mouth.
- No scissors needed: tear paper instead. If you do use scissors, use child safety scissors with an adult right there.
- Choose crayons, markers and paint labeled for young learners (look for the AP seal).
Questions parents ask
Red-blue block lines, spoon-cup rows, clap-stomp chants and color patterns on paper. Start by copying, then let your learner add the next piece.
Simple, hands-on ideas: things sink or float, we push and pull, plants grow, the sun makes shadows. Asking "What do you think will happen?" and trying it is real science at 3.
Not yet. At 3, the goal is to hear and enjoy sounds, recognize their own name and notice a few letters around them. Pre-K 3 shows one letter about once a month, by sound play only. Letter learning starts in Pre-K 4.
Yes. Students can learn in two languages at once, and the home language is a strong base for school. Pre-K 3 comes in English, Spanish and Portuguese, with the same weeks in each.
Related pages
Recommended for your student
Pre-K 3 Full Year
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The whole Pre-K 3 year in one print-ready book: 36 weeks of parent plans, printable pages, activity cards and songs for ages 3 to 4, with a clickable table of contents, page numbers and parent answer notes. 309 pages.
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UpOnly Learning Pre-K is general education, not medical advice. If you have concerns about your learner's development, talk with your pediatrician. In an emergency, call 911.
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