Kindergarten Transportation Unit: Cars Lesson

Before entering into this brainstorming activity, show pictures from Eye Witness Books, Car, by Richard Sutton and Elizabeth Baquedano. Point out the early automobiles and modern vehicles that are used for transportation, such as a sedan, SUV, convertible, sports car, race car, bicycle, tricycle and motorcycle. Explain the traffic light, some traffic signs and seatbelt safety. Tell the children that a driver should be alert to traffic sounds such as horns, sirens or train whistles.

Encourage a brainstorming activity, by telling the children that we will be making up a story on cars and vehicles with wheels. Each child will have 2 minutes to contribute to the story. The teacher will initiate the story such as, " When I was on my way to school this morning.....". This activity encourages social development and instills self esteem.

Read the book, The Two Cars by, Ingri and Edgar Parin D'Aulaire, a modern adaptation of classic, The Tortoise and the Hare.

Use flashcards to review the numbers that are currently being learned. On chalkboard, write the matching number words in mixed order. Hand out a "steering wheel" ( 9' Styrofoam plate), to each child. As the children answer correctly, he or she will "drive" up to the board and point to the correct number word.

Get the class moving, by playing the traditional "Red Light/ Green Light" game. Begin with the teacher as being the traffic police, by holding up the pre-made traffic lights, one signal green and one red. The kids will "drive" with their "steering wheels" and freeze on the red light. Those that are caught will return to the starting line. The first to finish will then be the traffic police.

Rattletrap Car by Phyllis Root

Isabel's Carwash by Sheila Bair

If I Built a Car by Chris Van Dusen

The Two Cars by Ingri and Edgar Parin D'Aulaire