Worm Play Lesson Plans

Welcome to a world of wiggles, exploration, and learning as we embark on a fascinating journey into the underground universe of worms! In this blog post, we're delving into two exciting lesson plans that bring the letter 'W' to life—Worms! These activities are designed to engage young minds in sensory play, combining the joy of tactile experiences with the educational delight of alphabet recognition, counting, and more.

**Lesson Plan 1: Worm Alphabet Sensory Play**

Our first lesson immerses children in the enchanting world of letters and wriggly creatures. We'll be using 26 delightful worm alphabet cards, a sensory bin, and a host of sensory supplies to create an engaging learning experience. Get ready to dig into the alphabet in a whole new way!

**Lesson Plan 2: Worm Food Matching Game**

Continuing our journey, we're moving on to a deliciously educational activity focused on worm food. With 12 cards showcasing different worm delicacies, this lesson blends the joy of a matching game with the excitement of introducing basic math concepts. Who knew learning about numbers and letters could be so tasty?

Worm Printables

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Lesson Plan 1: Worm Alphabet Sensory Play

Objective: To introduce children to alphabet recognition and sensory exploration through a worm-themed activity.

Materials:

• 26 Worm alphabet cards
• Sensory bin
• Filler material (e.g., ground cereal, colored rice, shredded paper,)
• Worm sensory bin insert 
• Optional: Tweezers or tongs for fine motor practice

Activity:

• Set up the sensory bin by filling it with the chosen filler material and placing the worm sensory bin liner at the bottom.
• Mix up the worm alphabet cards and scatter them throughout the sensory bin.
• Invite the children to explore the sensory bin and find the worm alphabet cards.
• As they discover the cards, encourage them to identify the letters and the corresponding sounds.
• Engage the children in a conversation about worms, their habitat, and interesting facts about them.
• For an additional fine motor challenge, provide tweezers or tongs for the children to use when picking up the worm alphabet cards.
• Repeat the activity multiple times, allowing the children to practice letter recognition and sensory exploration.

Lesson Plan 2: Worm Food Matching Game

Objective: To reinforce letter recognition and vocabulary development through a matching game with worm food flashcards.

Materials:

• 12 Cards with worm food illustrations 
• 12 Worm counting cards
• Sensory bin with printable liner of the underground.
• Worms and dirt 

Activity:

• Lay out the cards with worm food illustrations on a flat surface or display them on a poster.
• Introduce the cards to the children, naming the foods and discussing their characteristics.
• Mix up the worm counting cards and place them face down.
• Invite a child to turn over one worm counting card and count the number of worms shown.
• Encourage the child to find the amount of worms in the sensory bin that matches the number of worms on the counting card.
• Once the matching card is found, discuss the corresponding food item and its initial letter.
• Use the worm alphabet cards to and pick out the first letter of the word that each food item starts with, 
• Repeat the game with different counting cards and  food cards, allowing each of you to take a turn. 

**Questions for the Children:**

1. **Worm Alphabet Sensory Play:**
- Can you find the letter 'W' in our worm-filled sensory bin?
- What does the texture of the sensory bin remind you of? Is it soft like soil or crunchy like leaves?
- Which letter and sound did you find most interesting while exploring the worms?

2. **Worm Food Matching Game:**
- Which worm food is your favorite? Why?
- How many worms did you count on the cards, and can you find their matching food?
- If you were a worm, which of these foods do you think you'd enjoy the most?