State the Objective
Tell the children that they will help a nightingale build a nest as they listen for words that begin with the /n/ sound, such as nest, nuts, and noodles. 

Literacy Activities
Build a new nest for a nightingale 

• Attach the nightingale picture (see below) to a craft stick or pencil.
• Tell the children that nightingales are birds that are known for their singing and show them the nightingale puppet.
• Read A Nightingale’s N Nest target text (see below) to the children. 
• Choose a child to fly the nightingale around the room to find an /n/ object or picture card.
• Have the child bring the object or picture card back and tape it on the outside of the bowl to make a nightingale’s nest. 
• Have everyone say, “Now there's a ___ (nail) on the nightingale’s new nest.”

Sing an /n/ song

• Display a few /n/ objects or picture cards.
• Play music (optional), and help the children sing the Nest, Noodle, Nine and Nose text (see below) to the tune of “Head, Shoulders, Knees, and Toes” as you point at the items.

March and say the sounds in words 

• Have the children march as follows to say each sound of the word nut: 
  • segment sounds: say /n/ (march right), say /u/ (march left), say /t/ (march right) 
  • blend sounds: jump with both feet and say nut to blend the sounds into the whole word. 
• Repeat with other words that start with /n/ (e.g., net, nap, not).