State and Model the Objective

Tell the children that they will play with stems and read and write words that begin with st-.

Literacy Activities

See what you can do with stems

• Give the children stems. 
• Explain what stems are and where the stems came from.
• Allow the children to play with the stems. Ask if they can . . .
  • spin a stem?
  • put the stems stem to stem?
  • stand the stems with the end up? 
  • stand the stems up?
  • stack the stems?
  • stand a stem on a stick? 
  • stand a stick on a stem?
• Have the children stick the stems in a sack.

Read target words in a text

• Read the Stack the Stems target text (see below) with the children, fading support as appropriate.
• Have children read phrases and pretend to act  out the phrases (stuff stems in a sack, stack stems, step on stems, stomp on stems, stick stems end to end, stand stems up, stick stems in a sack).

Stamp with stems

• Have the children dip a stem in paint (or on a stamp pad) and stamp it on a piece of paper. 
• When the paint is dry, let the children use a marker to draw sticks, stems and leaves to make flowers.

Write target words from dictation

• Let the children write words that begin with st- from dictation (stem, step, stick, stack, stand, stuck, stuff, stamp, stomp).