Free pre-K lesson plan · Unit 1: Me and my family
Pre-K 4, week 3: the letter a and how many
This week your learner will hear the short a sound, as in apple and ant, and answer "how many?" after counting up to 5 things. Each activity takes about 10 minutes. Print the pages, or use things you already have at home.
Week 3 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 A and a small a on a sheet of paper.
- Gather 5 blocks or toy cars and a bowl.
- Print pages 2 to 5, or skip printing and use the no-supplies swaps.
Household supplies only: Paper, crayons, 5 blocks or toy cars, a bowl. No supplies? Every activity has a no-supplies swap.
The week at a glance
| Day | Focus | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Monday | Letter a | Letter a page, Apple or ant card |
| Tuesday | Math | How many page, Block count card |
| Wednesday | Explore | My family card |
| Thursday | Make and move | Zigzag trace page, Ant march 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 a
Say: "A says a, like apple and ant." Your learner traces the big A and the small a, then colors the pictures that start with a.
apple
ant
acorn
apple
ant
acorn
How many?
Say: "Count them. How many are there?" Your learner counts each group, then colors the same number of dots.
My family
Say: "Who is in our family? Point and tell me." Your learner points to each picture, names who it reminds them of, and colors it.
Zigzag trace
Say: "Up and down, like a mountain. Start at the green dot." Your learner traces each zigzag from left to right.
Activity cards
Apple or ant
- Say "a, a, apple" and "a, a, ant" together.
- Say a word. If it starts with the a sound, your learner stands up.
- Try: apple, ball, ant, cat, alligator.
Easier: Use only apple and ball.
Next step: Your learner says an a word for you.
Say this: "Ant starts with a. Stand up."
No supplies: Needs nothing.
Literacy: phonological awareness
Block count
- Put some blocks in the bowl, up to 5.
- Your learner takes them out one at a time and counts.
- Ask "How many?" The last number is the answer.
Easier: Use up to 3.
Next step: Your learner puts 4 in the bowl for you.
Say this: "One, two, three, four. Four blocks."
No supplies: Count steps from the door to the table.
Math: counting and cardinality
My family
- Name the people your learner lives with.
- Count them together.
- Your learner tells one thing each person likes.
Easier: Name 2 people.
Next step: Draw the family and count the people.
Say this: "Who reads with you at night?"
No supplies: Talk about the family with no photos.
Social-emotional: sense of identity and belonging
Ant march
- March like ants in a line.
- Count steps out loud up to 5, then stop.
- Turn around and march back.
Easier: March and stop without counting.
Next step: March 10 steps.
Say this: "Ants march, one, two, three, four, five, stop."
No supplies: Needs nothing but space.
Physical: gross motor
Song of the week: Apple, ant
Apple, ant, a, a, a,
I can say the sound today.
Open wide and say it, too,
A for me and a for you.
Actions: Open your mouth wide on each "a". Try next: Count how many times you sing "a".
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 short a sound
- Finds a on a page
- Answers "how many?" after counting up to 5
- Names the people in the family
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
Count real things your student can touch, one number for each object, and then ask "how many?" The last number said is the answer. Start with up to 5 and use toys, blocks or steps before moving to pictures on paper.
That is common at this age. Keep it playful, show the letter many times during the week and pair it with a picture word, like a for apple. The review in week 4 brings back every letter from this unit.
No. Each week comes as a color PDF and a black-and-white PDF made from the same pages. The black-and-white version uses outline pictures, so it is low ink and doubles as a coloring page. You can also do every activity with no printer at all.
Paper, crayons, up to 5 blocks or toy cars and a bowl. Every activity card also has a no-supplies swap, such as counting steps instead of blocks, so you can start with what you already have.
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
$19.99. One-time purchase, no subscription.
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.
To print, create a free account at uponlylearning.com (no card needed), then download the printable PDF.