One of the first books I always introduce my brand new Kindergarteners to is Chicka Chicka Boom Boom. This is a fun, bright, and simple story that is a great way to introduce children to letters and rhyming. Usually I read this on the first or second day of school and the kids are begging me to read it again after the first time. The book's main phrase "Chicka Chicka Boom Boom, Will there be enough room" is catchy and enables the children to participate in the story reading by chanting along at the appropriate time. What an awesome book to get children excited and engaged in reading!!
How I use it:
As an educator: I use this book as an introduction to letters, rhyming, parts of a story, and a review of colors.
Activities to do with the book: I believe it is important to reinforce literature with real life experience or application activities to "make it stick." The following ideas are things that can be done at home or school and have been collected from a variety of sources (sorry guys not all are my ideas, but education is all about sharing what you know to help others)
- Chicka Chicka Boom Boom Snacks-Take a stalk of celery and spread peanut butter on it, then use alpha-bits cereal to reenact the letters going up the tree. * More advanced children can use the cereal to spell words on their tree* Also,you can find alphabet tater tots in the freezer section if you want to have some letter time at the dinner table.
- Letter trees Art-Make a palm tree using a construction paper trunk and hand prints for palm leaves. Use alphabet stickers to have the letters go up the tree. You can also use brown pom poms or cut coconuts out of construction paper.
- Story props: Cut a tree out of cheap felt and either buy felt letters (can be found at craft stores) or make them. You can also make a palm tree out of construction paper to stick on the fridge and have your child use letter magnets to retell the story on their tree.
- Storytime Scene: If you want to provide the whole experience, then throw a beach towel down on the floor and pretend you are at the beach while reading the story. A wave CD playing in the background and you could begin the experience by discussing what a coconut tree is and tasting coconut.
