Letter Of The Week !

Boat b !

When I presented my son with 4 different b themes to choose from his choice was clear, “Boat bbbb boat, boat let’s make a boat!” so we did. I have been enjoying watching him trace the letters now instead of scribbling on them randomly like he used to. It’s clear his ability to write is naturally emerging and I am tickled to see it come out like this.  What new development have you seen your child do recently? Leave a comment and share!

1. Gather your materials. You will need 3 full sheets of construction paper, and one smaller blue piece for waves, glue, scissors and markers. The letter stickers are optional .
2. Start by writing a large lowercase b on one sheet of construction paper.
3. Have your child decorate it as they see fit. Mine like I said is big into tracing, which is very interesting since I have never once done a letter tracing work sheet with him.
4. While they do that draw 2 sails and a boat on another sheet, as well as some waves on the smaller blue piece.
5. Have them color the sail and boat with markers when they are done with the b.
6. My son insisted on cutting out the waves himself. So I grabbed his scissors too. I cut out the boat and sails while he was doing this.
7. Glue the waves on the remaining full sheet of paper.
8. Glue the b on and add the glue for the boat and sails.
9. Add the sails.
10. Add the boat.
11. Give the boat a name- using the letter stickers and let dry.

Books

Sail Away by Donald Crews was a huge hit. I can’t say I am surprised at all my son loves this author and it’s easy to understand why. The text is simple, as is the premise of the book. Readers don’t get deeply invested in the characters, they are faceless people on a sail boat, instead the focus is on the boat istself. Where it goes, how the weather affects it and how it gets beck to where it started from. I have always enjoyed the use of light in Donald Crews books, you don’t have to explain to your child that a storm is coming or that time has passed because the light in the illustrations does the explaining for you. Great boat book!

Toy Boat by Randall de Seve is a story that will pull at your heart as well as make you cheer, well it made my 3 year old cheer anyway! A little boy makes his very own toy boat and plays with it, in the tub and even sleeps with it. One day when he is at the beach it floats off into the open ocean. It’s turbulent, scary and well anxious to see this tiny boat made of household things fight the waves. My son was visibly shaken by it’s unintentional freedom. With a little help from a friendly fishing boat the toy boat returns home and both boat and boy rejoice. This is a common theme for boat books-  but the illustrations by Loren Long really help this one stand out above the others. My son cheered every time we read the part when they are reunited!

More Boat Crafts & Books

Recycled Boat Craft

Laundry Basket Boat and Pretend Play

Shape Boat Craft