Exploring Standard-Based Lesson Plans

Working with preschool age children allows a lot of room for exploring new ideas.  Presenting different subject matter in a fun and exciting way is one of the best things about teaching!  For the lesson plan I chose, we will be exploring different signs and symbols we see in everyday life.  Symbols are everywhere, and identifying them, understanding them, and looking out for them is something we do without even realizing it.  The concept of this activity is for preschool age children to understand that environmental print/signs and symbols can be "read". For example,  we see Stop signs, Exit signs, the Recycling symbol and Do Not Enter signs in the outside world all the time.  Children can identify their favorite cereal by looking at the box, or reading the logo of their favorite toy or video game.  With this lesson plan, students will get to "read" environmental print that is found everywhere. The standards that will be covered are Language and Literacy as well as Cognitive Development.

In a preschool classroom with children ranging in age 3-5 years old, one of Ohio's Early Learning and Development Standards is Language and Literacy.  Under this category, children at that age are to be able to recognize and "read" familiar words or environmental print. We will also be using the Cognitive Skills standard involving memory and using information for a variety of reasons. The activity will allow children a chance to first discuss what signs and symbols they already know . The teacher will then ask questions about signs and symbols and get them to discuss where they have seen them. Use open ended questions to allow them to think about what the symbols represent.  The second part of the lesson will give the children a chance to identify and "read" everyday symbols using images that are found frequently in everyday life. It can be anything from road signs, to food items, toy logos and restaurant signs. Use this time as an opportunity to ask more questions about the signs and symbols.  Do they know what they mean?  Where might you find these sort of symbols?  These symbols have meaning to the children because they are so easily recognized. Not only will this incorporate Language and Literacy because they are "reading" the images, but their cognitive skills will be working to remember and recall the signs that they already know.  

                                 

http://education.ohio.gov/Topics/Early-Learning/Early-Learning-Content-Standards

The lesson can be used as a group activity during circle time where the symbols are discussed and pictures are shown.  To incorporate environmental print throughout the classroom, different areas will have items set up to extend upon the lesson. The dramatic play area can have menus with familiar restaurant logos, cereal boxes, macaroni and cheese boxes and other familiar food items.  In the block area you could add plastic construction symbols or traffic signs. The science table will be set up with environmental print puzzles, where you cut up a cereal box or snack box and let the children figure out how to put it back together.  You can use symbols to explain class rules and have it posted somewhere where the children can see it. Gross motor activities could be to use an image of a stop sign to play freeze dance.  In the activity I found online it includes a scavenger hunt.  This could easily be an extension activity after the initial lesson to keep the student's interested in "reading" the symbols and signs all around them and explore the outside world. Challenges that may arise during this activity are too many children wanting to participate at a station at one time.  Since the different areas of the classroom will have plenty of opportunities to explore, the teacher can assure them that everyone will get a turn.  The activity can be very fun and a helpful way to encourage children to think about the world around them and to foster a love of reading! 
https://www.education.com/lesson-plan/signs-and-symbols-scavenger-hunt/