Free pre-K lesson plan · Unit 4: Home and helpers
Pre-K 4, week 15: the letter c and how many to 10
This week your learner will hear the c sound, as in cat, answer "how many?" for groups up to 10, and talk about people who help us and how to say thank you. Each activity takes about 10 minutes. Print the pages, or do them with things you already have at home.
Week 15 of 36 · See the Pre-K 4 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 C and a small c on a sheet of paper.
- Gather 10 toys that are too big to fit in the mouth and a basket.
- Print pages 2 to 5, or skip printing and use the no-supplies swaps.
Household supplies only: Paper, crayons, 10 toys, a basket. No supplies? Every activity has a no-supplies swap.
The week at a glance
| Day | Focus | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Monday | Letter c | Letter c page, Cat or car card |
| Tuesday | Math | How many page, Tidy up to 10 card |
| Wednesday | Explore | People who help page, Thank you, helpers card |
| Thursday | Make and move | Thank-you picture page, Crab 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
Letter c
Say: "C says c, c, c, like cat. Cat, cow, car." Your learner traces the big C and the small c, then colors the pictures that start with c.
cat
cow
car
cat
cow
car
How many?
Say: "Count each group. How many are there?" Your learner counts each group, touching each picture, then says the number. Write it in the circle for them to trace.
People who help
Say: "Who helps us in our neighborhood? Point and tell me." Your learner names each helper or place, tells how they help and colors the pictures.
Thank-you picture
Say: "Draw a picture for someone who helps you. We can give it to them." Your learner draws a picture for a helper in the frame. Write "thank you" at the bottom together.
Activity cards
Cat or car
- Say "c, c, cat" together.
- Say a word. If it starts with c, your learner meows like a cat.
- Try: cat, dog, cup, sun, cow, car.
Easier: Use only cat and dog.
Next step: Say the sounds c, a, t slowly. Your learner says the word: cat.
Say this: "Cup starts with c. Meow."
No supplies: Needs nothing.
Literacy: phonological awareness
Tidy up to 10
- Spread the toys on the floor.
- Your learner puts them in the basket one at a time while you both count.
- Ask "How many toys are in the basket?"
Easier: Tidy up to 6.
Next step: Ask "How many more to make 10?" when there are 8.
Say this: "Ten toys. The floor is clear. Thank you."
No supplies: Count 10 steps across the room.
Math: counting and cardinality
Thank you, helpers
- Talk about people who help: a teacher, a nurse, a firefighter, a store worker.
- Take turns pretending to be a helper while the other says thank you.
- Plan one real thank you this week: a wave, a picture or a kind word.
Easier: Pretend to be one helper.
Next step: Your learner tells how the helper helps.
Say this: "Thank you for helping us."
No supplies: Pretend with no props.
Social-emotional: relationships with others
Crab walk
- Sit down, put your hands behind you and lift your tummy.
- Walk sideways like a crab and say "c, c, crab".
- Count 10 steps, then rest.
Easier: Scoot on your bottom instead.
Next step: Crab walk forward and backward.
Say this: "Crab walk, crab walk, ten steps."
No supplies: Needs nothing but space.
Physical: gross motor
Song of the week: Thank you, c
C, c, cat, and c, c, cow,
Count to ten, I can do it now.
Helpers help us every day,
Thank you, thank you, we all say.
Actions: Wave on "thank you". Try next: Name a helper and sing the last line to them.
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 the c sound in cat
- Finds c on a page
- Answers "how many?" after counting up to 10
- Names a helper and says thank you
Want the bigger picture? Use the free kindergarten readiness checklist.
Safety for this week
- Use objects too big to fit in your learner's mouth, and stay close during any counting with real objects.
- Child-size scissors only, with an adult watching. Hand scissors over handle first.
- Choose crayons, markers and paint labeled for young learners (look for the AP seal).
- Adults handle anything hot or sharp.
Questions parents ask
After your student counts a group, ask "How many?" and help them say the last number again: "Seven. Seven ducks." This shows the last number tells the whole group. Practice during everyday jobs, like putting toys away or setting out cups.
Talk about helpers your student meets, like teachers, store workers, nurses and firefighters. Pretend play, drawing a thank-you picture and waving to a helper are simple ways to start. Keep it about how people help us and how we can say thank you.
C often says the same sound as k, as in cat, cow and car. Sometimes it says s, as in city, but this week your student practices only the sound in cat. Next unit starts with the letter k, so your student will hear the same sound again.
Paper, crayons, 10 toys that are too big to fit in the mouth and a basket. Every activity also has a no-supplies swap, such as counting steps across the room, so you can start this week with what you already have at home.
Related pages
- Free Pre-K curriculum for 4 year olds, week by week
- Child development guide: preschoolers, 3 to 5
- Free kindergarten reading practice and kindergarten math practice for when your learner is ready for more
Recommended for your student
Pre-K 4 Full Year
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The whole Pre-K 4 year in one print-ready book: 36 weeks of parent plans, printable pages, activity cards and songs for ages 4 to 5, 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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