State and Model the Objective  
Tell the children that they will learn how to pick up a crab and that they will read and write short-vowel words, such as leg, crab, pick, grip, pinch, catch, and shell. 

Literacy Activities  
Introduce target words

• Display short-vowel target words (e.g., leg, crab, pick, grip, pinch, catch, shell).
• Read the words with the children.

Pick up a crab

• Show the How to Hold a Crab video, by Marine Mumbles, to the children (optional).
• Read the You Can Pick up a Crab target text (see below) with the children.
• Cut out the paper crab (see below) and fold down its legs, so the crab can “stand” on them.
• Have the children follow the instructions (in the text and video) to pick up paper crabs.
• Have the children write short-vowel words from dictation.

Identify, blend, and manipulate sounds

• With word-building cards (see below), have the children make new words by changing a consonant or the vowel.
  • Change the beginning consonant: leg→ peg, catch→ patch, fast→ cast
  • Change the vowel: dog→ dug, leg→ lag, crab→ crib
  • Change the ending consonant: crab→ cram, grip→ grin, can→ cat

Identify vowel sounds

• Stretch out your arms and lengthen the vowel as you say target words (e.g., leg, crab, pick, grip, pinch, catch, shell).
• Have the children identify the initial, medial, and final sounds in each word and then write the word.