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Pre-writing, Pre-literacy Line work

Fine Motor Skills Lesson Plans

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Lesson plan developed by Ms. Debra Hasbrook, M.Ed.

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Activity:  

Pre-writing, Pre-literacy Line work

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Age Group:

Preschool

* Lesson plan objective and assessment can be adapted to use this activity with toddlers.

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Objectives:  

• ​practice fine motor skills  

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CDA Competency Standard:   

II.4.4b ​

• Candidate’s facilitation promotes children’s physical development  
  • b) Guides the development of children’s fine and gross motor skills   

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Materials: 

• cards with lines 
• puff balls
• glue
• misc. items such as balls of playdough, cars, or blocks, etc.
• string/pipe cleaners and beads
• tape

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Procedure: 

1. In a small group pass out the cards with lines on it. Word cards work well for this. The teacher will demonstrate following the line with his/her index finger left to right as the children would view it.
   
2. Have the children practice following the line with their index fingers moving left to right.
   
3. Give each child five puff balls, and have them set each puff ball on the line in a row. Repeat.

​Activity:

1. Pass out the line cards, glue, and several puff balls. Let the children decide if they are going to put glue on the puff ball and then on one of the lines, or put glue on the line and add the puff balls.
   
2. If children choose not to put them on the lines that’s okay too.

​Anticipatory Set: 

• Read story books about following lines.
• Children may practice putting things in a row such as balls of playdough, cars, or blocks, etc.
• Set out string/pipe cleaners and beads
• Put tape on the floor in a long line: straight, wavy, zigzag, circle for the children to walk along.

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Online CDA Courses

Transitioning to Kindergarten $31.50

Using Portfolios in Early Childhood Programs $21.00

Learning My A B Cs $31.50

Assessment: 

• Quietly sit with or near the children as they attempt this activity. Observe their progress as they glue the balls on the lines. Are they able to follow the directions? Are they developmentally able to glue the puff balls on or close to the line, or are they more interested in being creative in their work? Set out this activity for independent work and practice.

All in a Row
All in a line, all in a row,
Following the lines I see,
Show me which way to go.
Sometimes the lines are wavy,
Sometimes the lines are straight,
Sometimes the lines will zig and zag,
Sometimes they make a shape.
         ~ by Debbie Hasbrook M.Ed.

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Recommended Books:

• ​The Line by Paula Bossio, Kids can Press (September 1, 2013). A little girl finds a pencil line and uses her imagination to change the shape and motion of the line that grows into monsters and friendly creatures. A fun book about lines and the imagination of a little girl.
• The Line Up Book by Marisabina Russo, Greenwillow Books (August 18, 1986) “Just a minute” says Sam when his mother calls him for lunch. He is busy lining up all his toys.
  

Click on the photos to enlarge.

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Preschool Lesson Plans

Music, Movement & Gross Motor Skills

Literature Lesson Plans

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Washington STARS Courses Online

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