“A” is for Alligator Homeschool & Preschool Lesson Plans

In the “Sound of Music,” Julie Andrews sang, “First we begin with A, B, C.” For preschoolers and kindergarteners that are beginning to learn letters and phonics we often begin with letter A. “A” is for apples is a popular and worthy preschool theme but if you’re looking to add a few more ideas in your apple basket for teaching letters and phonics, these “A” is for Alligator lesson plans have proven to be a big hit for my little learners both at home and in a preschool classroom.

In “A” is for Alligator theme lesson plans, alligators are a theme that centrally ties together opportunities for reinforcing preschool skills and concepts like colors and letters and counting and cutting. What color is an alligator? How many eyes, tails or legs does an alligator have?

All great lesson plans begin with great books.

Reading a variety of books reinforces knowledge and builds vocabulary surrounding a theme while modeling reading skills as well.

“A” is for Alligator Theme Books Suggestions:

Alligator Alphabet by Stella Blackstone & Stephanie Bauer

Zack’s Alligator, An I Can Read Book and Zach’s Alligator Goes to School by Shirley Mozelle and James Watts

For little “Maisy” fans, in the Maisy children’s book series, Maisy has a friend named Charley that is an alligator. Make it fun by asking the kids to clap when they here Charley’s name.

An all time favorite book for young children is Five Little Monkeys Sitting in a Tree by Eileen Christelow. Five little monkeys and their Mama walk down to the river…” Even though these mischievous little monkeys are one by one teasing an alligator and disappearing, kids can “snap” up a happy ending and some basic math skills in this fun book.

“A” is for Alligator Art Ideas:

These fun preschool art ideas can all be done in a day or added to each day.

Step one:

Draw and cut out a large alligator silhouette from freezer paper. Make sure he has a very long mouth for step three. No you don’t need an overhead projector. Just look at a picture from a children’s book and wing it. Kids are never so critical and what a blessing.

Allow kids to color the alligator green using whatever fits your mood or supplies including paints, markers or crayons.

Step Two:

Allow kids to cut out or tear green shapes to give the alligator texture. Consider left over green Christmas paper, magazine paper, tissue paper or any recycled construction paper. Let kids use glue sticks to decorate the alligator “bumpy.”

Step Three:

Give kids a small square of white recycled paper and model for them that if they snip the corners, they will be left with four little triangles each. These are the teeth that kids can glue into the alligator’s mouth.

Step Four:

Cut out a big paper “plate” to hang in front of the alligator. Give the kids magazines, especially cooking magazines and challenge them to find foods that begin with the letter “A” to feed the alligator. It may help to read Eating Through the Alphabet or to make a list of foods that start with the letter “A,” like avocados, apricots, apples, asparagus, and anchovies and so on before they begin. I was once delighted when a preschooler chose a box of Angel food cake! Lastly let the kids glue on their meal and give themselves a big hand for working together to create this “A” is for awesome preschool art project.

“A” is for Alligator Gross Motor Game:

The “A” is for alligator gross motor game will get kids moving as well as reinforce the preschool concepts of fast and slow. Most kids are familiar with the folk tale of the fast rabbit and the slow turtle. Use this to introduce the idea that the alligator moves very fast and the turtle moves very slowly. Play this game like a “red light, green light” game in which you call out “alligator” or “rabbit” and the children run as fast as they can or tip toe along.

Are you ready now for the letter “B”? You may enjoy these “B” is for Beach theme home school and preschool lesson plans that also include books, art and gross motor activities for preschoolers. No matter what the letter, have a fun time teaching these “A” is for amazing young learners.