State the Objective

Tell the children that they will make topsy-turvy tents that can tip and topple over with a touch or tap as they learn about the /t/ sound.

Literacy Activities

Put Ts on a tent

• Fold a piece of paper or cardboard to make a tent. 
• Point out that the letter T makes the /t/ sound.
• Have the children write Ts on small pieces of paper and tape them to the tent or write Ts on the tent.
• Say, “A T tent! You have a tent with Ts.”
• Have the children twist brown paper to make a tree (see example below) and put lots of Ts on it (optional).

Make a T trail

• Use the printed Ts or write T on small pieces of paper; have the children line up the Ts to make a trail that leads to the tent.
• Say, “take the T trail to the tent” and finger walk to the tent.

Touch, tap, and tip the tent 

• Show how the tent can tip if touched or tapped.
• Let the children tap the tent, making comments:
  
  • “Touch the tent to make it tip.”
  • “A topsy, turvy tent!”
  • “Tap the tent to topple the tent.”
  • “The tent tilts and tips!”
  • “Tap and tip the tent over.”
  • “Topple the tent with Ts.”