Pool weather has arrived. Enjoy the new book, Bubbles…Up! and then head outside for these Bubbles…Up! activities.
Bubbles…Up! Book
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Bubbles…Up! by Jacqueline Davies is the story of fun and play at the pool until the thunder arrives. But, after a brief interruption, pool time continues. Let the bubbly play resume.
For more books about swimming, check out this big list.—-> Swimming Books for Kids
Bubbles…Up! Activities
Enjoy these playful bubble and pool-themed early literacy activities.
Up Through the Bubbles
Skill Focus: Beginning Sound Identification
Materials: tub, water, soap, small waterproof toys, towel
Set-Up: Fill the tub with water. Add soap and stir with your hand to create lots of bubbles. Drop in small waterproof toys.
Play: Have students reach into the bubbles and pull up an object. Name the object. Identify the beginning sound. Lay on the towel and continue until all objects have been retrieved.
Variations:
-Add various tools such as tongs or spoons to work on fine motor building to retrieve the items.
-Use waterproof letters instead of objects and identify letters for practicing recognition.
-Work on ending sounds instead of beginning sounds.
Color Letter Bubbles
Skill Focus: Fine Motor and Letter Identification
Materials: suction cup bath mat, washable markers, cup of water, pipette, magnifying glass (optional)
Set-Up: Turn the bath mat with suction cups facing upwards in a surface that can get wet. Write letters of the alphabet in the suction cup of the bath mat with the washable marker.
Fill a small container with water and place a pipette and magnifying glass nearby.
Play: Have students identify the letters on the mat. They can use the magnifying glass for a fun flair and make the letter bigger.
Next, have the students will their pipette and fill each letter bowl with water. They will watch the water transform into a color. Continue until all letter spots have been filled.
Variations:
-Work on patterning with the colors on the bath mat.
Pop a Letter Bubble
Skill Focus: Letter and Number Discrimination
Materials: large bubble bubble wrap, foam letter and number stickers, a pointy tool (pin, sharpened pencil, etc.) you feel comfortable letting your students use
Set-Up: Place a letter or number sticker on each bubble. Place your point object next to the work surface.
Play: Ask students to poke each letter on their bubble map. They can then go back and push the air out of the poked spots.
Variations:
-Have students peel off the stickers and match them on a sheet of paper with letters randomly written.
-Call out individual letters for students to pop.
Keep the water play and reading going with these resources.