Free Pre-K 3 lesson plan · Unit 9: Look how I've grown
Pre-K 3, week 34: the h sound, more and fewer
This week your learner will hear the h sound in hat and horse, compare more and fewer, and see how things change. Each activity takes about 5 to 10 minutes. Print the pages, or do them with things you already have at home.
Week 34 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 H and a small h on a sheet of paper.
- Gather 5 toys too big to fit in the mouth.
- Print pages 2 to 5, or skip printing and use the no-supplies swaps.
Household supplies only: Paper, crayons, 5 toys, a hat. No supplies? Every activity has a no-supplies swap.
The week at a glance
| Day | Focus | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Monday | Talk and listen | The h sound page, Hat hunt card |
| Tuesday | Math | Which has more? page, More toys, fewer toys card |
| Wednesday | Explore | Then and now page, Then and now book card |
| Thursday | Make and move | Hopping waves page, Horse gallop 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 h sound
Say: "H, h, like a puff of breath. Hat, horse and house start with h." Your learner traces the big H and small h with a finger, then colors the pictures.
hat
horse
house
hat
horse
house
Which has more?
Say: "Count each row. Color the row with more." Your learner counts each row with you and colors the row that has more.
Then and now
Say: "A tadpole grows into a frog. A seed grows into a plant." Your learner points to each picture and says what it grows into.
Hopping waves
Say: "Hop like a horse. Start at the green dot." Your learner traces each wavy line from left to right.
Activity cards
Hat hunt
- Put on the hat and say "h, h, hat".
- Find h things: hand, head, hug.
- Breathe "h" for each.
Easier: Just say "h" together.
Next step: Ask "Does hand start with h? Does sun?"
Say this: "Hat. H, h, hat."
No supplies: Breathe "h" on your hand.
Language: sounds in words
More toys, fewer toys
- Make two groups.
- Ask "Which has more?"
- Count to check, then change the groups.
Easier: Use very different groups.
Next step: Ask "How can we make them the same?"
Say this: "This group has more. Let's count."
No supplies: Compare fingers on two hands.
Math: more and fewer
Then and now book
- Fold a paper in half.
- Your learner draws "baby me" on one side and "me now" on the other.
- Talk about the changes.
Easier: You draw, your learner colors.
Next step: Add "me when I am big".
Say this: "Then you were small. Now you are big."
No supplies: Talk about it with no paper.
Science: growing and changing
Horse gallop
- Gallop like a horse around the room.
- Stop and neigh.
- Gallop again.
Easier: Walk fast.
Next step: Gallop around a pillow.
Say this: "Gallop, gallop, whoa."
No supplies: March in place.
Physical: gross motor
Song of the week: H is for hat
H, h, hat on my head,
H, h, horse in the shed.
H, h, hug you tight,
H, h, house at night.
Actions: Point to your head and hug yourself. Try next: Add a line about hands.
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 "h" for h words
- Points to the group with more
- Says what a tadpole or seed grows into
- Gallops around the room
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
Hearing a few sounds at the start of words is a good start at 3, and it is fine if your learner doesn't yet. Pre-K 3 plays with one sound about once a month. Letter sounds are a Pre-K 4 goal.
Use real things in two groups that look very different. Ask "Which has more?", let your learner point, then count to check. Snack time is perfect practice.
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.
Stop, name the feeling ("You are frustrated"), and take a calm break together. Try the easier step on the card next time. Short, happy tries teach more than long ones.
Related pages
Recommended for your student
Pre-K 3 Full Year
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