Overview
The children will find the Js in the J jar as they recognize and name the uppercase letter J and the lowercase letter j.

Literacy activities
J Jar

• Write the uppercase letter J and the lowercase letter j on a whiteboard, name the letters, and have the children write the J and j in the air with their fingers.
• Write the letters J and j on the large jar and put the cut-out letter cards inside the jar.
• Have the children come up one at a time and choose a letter card out of the J jar.
• Have the children show the group the letter they chose. Identify the letter together as a group.
  • If the letter is a J or a j, say, “You found J!” and have the children do an action that begins with the letter J (e.g., jump, jog, jiggle, juggle). Then have the child put the letter J card back in the J jar.
  • If the letter card is not a J or a j, have the children say, “__does not go in the J jar!” and put the letter card to the side.
  • If a child misidentifies a distractor letter as a J or a j, have him or her look at the J and j on the jar and compare them to the letter he or she picked.

More practice
Identify the target letter

• Put all of the letter cards back in the J jar.
• Have the children stand up as you pull one letter card out at a time and show it to the group.
  • If the letter is a J or a j, have the children jump or jog in place.
  • If the letter is not a J or a j, have the children stand still.
  • If a child misidentifies a distractor letter as a J or a j , have him or her look at the J and j on the jar and compare them to the letter he or she picked.

Write the target letter

• Give the children paper and pencils.
• Put the letter cards back in the jar and repeat the game as a writing activity.
  • If the letter card chosen from the jar is a J or j have the children write the letter, providing support as needed.
  • If the letter is not a J or a j, do not have the children write the letter.