Sound Safari Slides Lesson 1 • Phonics Adventure
Ages 4–5
Letter Detectives
Sound Safari
Put on your detective ears! Today we listen, spot, and make magical letter sounds together.
1
Hear It
Listen to the sound
2
Say It
Feel your mouth move
3
Find It
Spot matching words
M
The Yummy Sound: /m/
Press lips together!
Letter Name
Mm
Say: "mmmm"
Like yummy food!
🐵
Monkey
/m/ - onkey
🌙
Moon
/m/ - oon
🥛
Milk
/m/ - ilk
Detective Action: Rub your tummy and say "Mmm-mmm good!"
Your Turn!
S
The Snake Sound: /s/
Teeth gently together!
Letter Name
Ss
Say: "sssss"
Hiss like a friendly snake!
☀️
Sun
/s/ - un
⭐
Star
/s/ - tar
🧦
Sock
/s/ - ock
Detective Action: Slither your hand like a snake and hiss "Ssssss!"
Slither & Say!
B
The Bouncing Sound: /b/
Pop your lips open!
Letter Name
Bb
Say: "b-b-b"
Bouncy like a ball!
🐻
Bear
/b/ - ear
⚽
Ball
/b/ - all
⛵
Boat
/b/ - oat
Detective Action: Bounce two hands up and down like a ball: "B-B-Bounce!"
Bounce & Pop!
?
Sound Detective Challenge!
Which sound begins each word?
☀️
SUN
Does it start with /m/, /s/, or /b/?
Starts with /s/!
🐵
MONKEY
Does it start with /m/, /s/, or /b/?
Starts with /m/!
🐻
BEAR
Does it start with /m/, /s/, or /b/?
Starts with /b/!
🌟 High five! You are officially an Alphabet Sound Detective! 🌟
Letter Hunt Activity Preschool Phonics • Lesson 1
Letter Detective Trace & Say
Name:
Date:
Detective Mission: Say the sound of each letter. Trace the big and little letters following the arrows, then color the picture that starts with that sound!
Mm /m/
Trace Letter M m
M m
🐵 Monkey starts with /m/
Ss /s/
Trace Letter S s
S s
☀️ Sun starts with /s/
Bb /b/
Trace Letter B b
B b
🐻 Bear starts with /b/
Grown-Up Tip: Have child make the letter shape in the air with their pointer finger first!
Detective Score: ⭐⭐⭐
Preschool Phonics • Part 2
Beginning Sound Safari Match
Page 2 of 2
Say the picture name out loud! Draw a line from the picture to the starting letter sound.
🥛 Milk
🧦 Sock
⚽ Ball
Mm /m/
Ss /s/
Bb /b/
Star ⭐
Boat ⛵
Moon 🌙
🎨 Draw Your Own Sound Discovery! Draw something you love that starts with M, S, or B:
Child Drawing Box
Early Childhood Phonics • Little Learners Expedition Great Job, Detective!
Sound Circle Teacher Guide Educator • Facilitation Guide
Lesson 1: Letter Detectives
Target: Ages 4–5
Duration: 25–30 Mins
Instructional Focus & Objectives
Children will isolate initial consonant sounds (/m/, /s/, /b/), link auditory phonemes to upper- and lowercase letterforms, and practice gross-to-fine motor stroke pathways.
Pacing & Step-by-Step Flow
Min 1–7
1. Sound Safari Warm-Up
Project slides. Introduce the "Detective Ears" chant. Have child place fingers on their throat to feel voice vibration for /b/ vs. continuous air for /s/.
Min 8–18
2. Multisensory Tracing
Distribute Page 1 of the activity. Model sky-writing with whole arms. Transition to finger tracing dotted guides while saying the sound aloud.
Min 19–28
3. Object Match & Draw
Complete Page 2 sound-picture matching. Encourage children to draw their own item that starts with one of the target letters.
Speech Articulation Cues for Little Learners
/m/ (Nasal):
"Press lips together like tasting ice cream. Keep mouth closed and hum in your nose!"
/s/ (Fricative):
"Teeth touching gently, tongue behind top teeth. Blow a stream of cool air like a snake!"
/b/ (Stop Consonant):
"Lips gently together, then quick pop! Say /b/, not 'buh' (avoid adding the extra vowel)."
Tactile Play Extension
Sand/Salt Tray: Fill a shallow tray with colored craft sand. Hide miniature plastic animals (monkey, snake, bear). As children uncover each toy, they finger-write the letter in the sand.
Differentiation Tips
For Support: Offer physical playdough snakes to bend into letter shapes before holding pencils.For Challenge: Ask: "Can you think of a classmate's name or room item that begins with /s/?"
Checklist: Isolates sounds Identifies Mm, Ss, Bb Top-to-bottom strokes
Preschool Foundations Series
Count Safari Slides Lesson 2 • Early Numeracy
Ages 4–5
Number Jungle
Count Safari 1 to 10
Get ready to hop, count, and discover how many wild friends are hiding in the jungle!
1
Touch & Count
Count each one once
2
Show with Fingers
Pop up your hands
3
Fill Ten-Frames
See the group grow
1-3
Jungle Friends: 1, 2, and 3
Touch each friend!
1 One Lion
🦁
1 Roar: "ROAR!"
2 Two Giraffes
🦒 🦒
2 Tall Hops!
3 Three Monkeys
🐵 🐵 🐵
3 Little Claps!
Can you show 1, 2, and 3 fingers on your hand?
Hold 'em high!
4-6
More Friends: 4, 5, and 6
Count one by one!
4 Four Parrots
🦜🦜 🦜🦜
4 Wing Flaps!
5 Five Frogs (One Full Hand!)
🐸🐸🐸🐸🐸
High Five Ribbits!
6 Six Busy Bees
🐝🐝🐝 🐝🐝🐝
5 + 1 More = 6!
5 is a whole hand! For 6, we open one finger on our other hand!
5 and 1!
7-10
Building Up to Ten!
Count the dots!
7
Seven Butterflies
5 on top + 2 on bottom
8
Eight Leaves
5 on top + 3 on bottom
9
Nine Bananas
Almost full ten-frame!
10
Ten Bright Stars!
Every single box is full!
🌟 10 fingers, 10 toes, and a full ten-frame! You counted all the way to 10! 🌟
★
Movement Challenge: Jungle Count & Freeze!
Count aloud with each jump!
🐸
Frog Hops
Hop 4 Times!
"1, 2, 3, 4... FREEZE!"
🦁
Lion Claps
Clap 6 Times!
"1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6... FREEZE!"
🐒
Monkey Wiggles
Wiggle to 10!
"1, 2, 3... 8, 9, 10... STATUE!"
🎉 Tremendous counting! You're ready for your Number Safari Worksheet! 🎉
Number Safari Worksheet Early Math • Lesson 2
Number Safari: Count & Trace 1 to 5
Name:
Date:
Explorer Mission: Touch each animal and count aloud. Color in the matching number of circles in the five-frame, then trace the number!
🦁 1 lion
1 1
🦒🦒
2 2
🐵🐵🐵
3 3
🦜🦜 🦜🦜
4 4
🐸🐸🐸 🐸🐸
5 5
💡 Touch-Count Rule: Touch each picture once as you say each number. Turn to Page 2 for 6 to 10 →
Early Math • Part 2
Number Safari: Count & Match 6 to 10
Page 2 of 2
Count how many items are in each box. Draw a line to the matching number!
🐝 🐝 🐝 🐝 🐝 🐝 (6 bees)
🦋 🦋 🦋 🦋 🦋 🦋 🦋 (7 butterflies)
🍃 🍃 🍃 🍃 🍃 🍃 🍃 🍃 (8 leaves)
🍌 🍌 🍌 🍌 🍌 🍌 🍌 🍌 🍌 (9 bananas)
⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ (10 stars)
8
6
10
7
9
🍌 Monkey Snack Challenge: Draw exactly 4 bananas inside the basket for the hungry monkey!
Child Drawing Basket
Early Childhood Numeracy • Little Learners Expedition You counted all the way to 10!
Math Centers Teacher Guide Educator • Facilitation Guide
Lesson 2: Number Jungle (1–10)
Target: Ages 4–5
Duration: 25–30 Mins
Instructional Focus & Number Sense Goals
Children will strengthen one-to-one correspondence (touching one object for each count tag), recognize quantities 1–5 at a glance (subitizing), fill five- and ten-frame visual anchors, and match sets to numerals 1–10.
Instructional Flow & Center Routine
Min 1–8
1. Count Safari Slides
Project slides. Practice the "Touch & Tag" rhythm. Prompt children to flash fingers simultaneously for small sets (1 to 5) to foster perceptual subitizing.
Min 9–18
2. Worksheet & Five-Frames
Distribute Page 1. Model pointing to each item slowly while speaking clearly. Guide students to dot five-frames from left to right.
Min 19–28
3. Movement Freeze Game
Play the Jungle Freeze Game. Reinforce cardinal principle: "The last number we said (e.g. 4) tells how many jumps we did!"
Common Preschool Counting Hurdles & Solutions
Issue: Counting faster than fingers move
Remedy: "Move and Drop" method. Give the child physical counters (blocks, buttons) to physically slide across a line into a counting bowl for each number spoken.
Issue: Forgetting "How many total?"
Remedy: Circle the whole group with two hands and repeat the final number with an enthusiastic voice: "1, 2, 3... there are 3 altogether!"
Snack-Time Math Routine
Place small snacks (goldfish, berries, or cereal loops) on a paper towel drawn with a 5-box grid. Ask: "Can you put 1 fish in each square? How many more to make 5?"
Manipulatives & Playdough Mat
Provide a laminated ten-frame. Have child roll small playdough "coconuts" or "bananas" to match numeral cards drawn from a mystery deck.
Checklist: 1-to-1 touch counting Understands 5 is a hand Cardinality (how many)
Preschool Foundations Series
Shape Sparks Slides Lesson 3 • Shapes & Patterns
Ages 4–5
Pattern Builders
Shape Sparks & Patterns
Let’s explore friendly shapes, look for them all around us, and build repeating patterns!
1
Meet 4 Shapes
Sides and corners
2
Spot in the World
Everyday objects
3
Pattern Power
What comes next?
4
Meet the Shape Squad
Count sides & corners!
Circle Round & round
🟡
0 Sides • 0 Corners
Triangle Pointy top
🔺
3 Sides • 3 Corners
Square 4 equal sides
🟦
4 Sides • 4 Corners
Rectangle 2 long, 2 short
Door
4 Sides • 4 Corners
Can you draw a round circle in the air with your pointer finger?
Trace the air!
👀
Shape Spy: Can You Spot Them?
Shapes are everywhere!
🍕
Pizza Slice
Triangle shape!
⏰
Wall Clock
Circle shape!
🚪
Tall Door
Rectangle shape!
🎁
Gift Box
Square shape!
Look around your room right now! Point to one circle and one rectangle!
✨
Pattern Power: What Comes Next?
Patterns repeat!
Pattern 1: Circle • Square • Circle • Square • ...
🟡
🟦
🟡
🟦
🟡 ?
Pattern 2: Apple • Star • Apple • Star • ...
🍎 ⭐ 🍎 ⭐
🍎 !
You solved the secret code! A pattern is something that repeats again and again!
🎉
Body Pattern Challenge!
Move your body to the beat!
Pattern A • B
👏 🦶 👏 🦶
Clap • Stomp • Clap • Stomp!
Pattern A • A • B
👋 👋 🙆
Wave • Wave • Jump!
🌟 You are a master Shape & Pattern Explorer! 🌟
Pattern Play Activity Early Math • Lesson 3
Shape Builders: Trace & Color
Name:
Date:
Color Code Key:
🟡 Circle = Yellow 🔺 Triangle = Green 🟦 Square = Blue 🟧 Rectangle = Orange
Circle
0 sides • 0 corners
Trace & Color Yellow
Round like a happy sun!
Triangle
3 sides • 3 corners
Trace Green
Pointy like a slice of pizza!
Square
4 equal sides
Trace & Color Blue
All 4 sides are the exact same size!
Rectangle
2 long, 2 short
Trace Orange
Shaped like a door or book!
✨ Shape Explorer Tip: Touch each corner with your finger and count: 1, 2, 3! Turn to Page 2 for Patterns →
Early Math • Part 2
Pattern Power: Train Tracks
Page 2 of 2
Say the shapes out loud. What comes next in the train? Draw or color the next shape in the dotted box!
Train 1 • AB Pattern:
🟡
🟦
🟡
🟦
🟡
Draw ?
Train 2 • AB Pattern:
🔺
🟡
🔺
🟡
🔺
Draw ?
Train 3 • ABB Challenge:
❤️ ⭐ ⭐ ❤️ ⭐
Draw ?
🎨 Build Your Own Pattern Train! Choose 2 favorite colors or shapes and make a repeating line:
Child Pattern Line
Early Childhood Geometry • Little Learners Expedition Pattern Master Badge Earned! ⭐
Shape Lab Teacher Guide Educator • Facilitation Guide
Lesson 3: Pattern Builders
Target: Ages 4–5
Duration: 25–30 Mins
Instructional Focus & Spatial Thinking
Children will identify 2D shapes (circle, triangle, square, rectangle) by their defining structural attributes (number of straight sides and corners), recognize geometric forms in their environment, and reproduce/extend repeating AB and ABB patterns.
Instructional Flow & Routine
Min 1–8
1. Shape Squad Slides
Project slides. Trace shapes in the air with whole-body arm motions. Emphasize corners (where sides meet) vs. continuous curves.
Min 9–18
2. Tracing & Color Codes
Work on Page 1. Reinforce pencil grip: "Pinch and rest." Have learners point out real items around the room matching each shape before coloring.
Min 19–28
3. Pattern Trains
Complete Page 2 train tracks. Use a rhythmic vocal sing-song ("Circle, Square, Circle, Square...") to cue auditory pattern recognition.
Developmental Keys: Shapes & Spatial Language
Square vs. Rectangle Clarification:
Many 4-year-olds call all rectangles "doors" or only recognize a triangle when its tip points up. Rotate cut-out triangles to show they remain triangles no matter which way they point!
Auditory Pattern Reinforcement:
Encourage children to chant patterns aloud or pair them with physical beats (snap, clap, pat knees). Auditory patterns solidify visual comprehension.
Painter's Tape Floor Shapes
Use blue painter's tape on the floor to make a giant circle, square, and triangle. Call out: "Hop into the shape with 3 corners!" or "Walk along the curved perimeter!"
Family & Home Connection
Invite families to go on a "Shape Safari" during their grocery run or walk: spotting traffic signs (triangles, octagons), cereal boxes (rectangles), and wheels (circles).
Checklist: Names 4 basic shapes Counts sides/corners Extends AB pattern
Preschool Foundations Series
