Daycare Lesson Plans on “Corduroy”
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These daycare lesson plans on “Corduroy” are full of fun, sweetness, and lots of learning. They are not your ordinary daycare lesson plans.
I love to start every daycare lesson plan with a book and I love using favorite children’s books to stretch into all kinds of learning.
For a printable copy of these daycare lesson plans on “corduroy” with the Oklahoma ELGs, check out our page on Etsy.
Materials: The book Corduroy, a teddy bear, a button
What to do:
- Show the kids the teddy bear and ask, “What is this bear missing?” (a button!)
- Explain that today’s story is about a bear who goes on an adventure to find one.
- Read Corduroy with lots of expression. Show pictures closely.
Discussion questions:
- What was Corduroy looking for?
- How do you think Corduroy felt when…
- What would YOU do if you found a bear in a store?
Literacy Activities
Button Hunt Letter Match
Hide paper buttons around the room, with a letter on each one. (Two of each letter in the alphabet)
Kids find a button, bring it back, and find its match.
“If I Found a Bear…” Dictation
Children tell you what they would do if they found a bear at a store.
Write their words. Read it back to them.
Math Activities
Button Sorting
Provide bowls of large buttons. Sort by:
- Color
- Size
- Number of holes
Button Counting Cards
Create cards with images of buttons (1–10).
Kids place real buttons on top and count.
Pattern Paths
Make AB or ABC patterns with different colored buttons on a strip of paper.
Fine Motor Activities
Sew a Button (2–4 friendly!)
Give kids:
- Large plastic lacing buttons
- Yarn with tape on the end or shoe laces
Let them “sew” a button onto perforated cardboard.
Button Transfer
Use tongs to move buttons from one bowl to another.
Art Activity
Button Collage
Kids glue buttons onto thick paper to make a design, rainbow, or abstract art.
Science Activity
Button Sink or Float
Provide a tub of water and different kinds of buttons.
Have kids test:
- Do small buttons sink?
- Do big plastic buttons float?
Encourage predictions and vocabulary (heavy, light, float, sink).
Sensory Play
Corduroy’s Lost Buttons Bin
Fill a bin with:
- Lots of large buttons
- Teddy bears
- Scoops and cups
Have kids dig for the “lost” buttons.
Dramatic Play Setup
Transform your pretend area into:
“Lisa’s Apartment”
Add:
- Teddy bears
- A small bed or blanket
- Play vacuum
- Buttons and sewing basket
- Toy money & cash register (store scene)
Kids can “buy” Corduroy and take him home.
Gross Motor Activities
Find the Button Obstacle Course
Stations:
- Crawl under a “bed”
- Climb steps (stairs or block tower)
- Walk across a “store escalator” (balance beam)
- Find a button at the end!
Teddy Bear Toss
Throw small stuffed bears into baskets labeled 1, 2, 3.
Social–Emotional Learning
How to Be a Good Friend to Corduroy
Discuss:
- Why did Lisa care about Corduroy?
- What does being gentle mean?
- How can we take care of toys and friends?
Kids brainstorm ways to show kindness.
Snack Idea
Button Cookies
Sugar cookies with one big chocolate chip in the middle (“Corduroy’s button”).
Or healthy version: apple slices with a blueberry “button.”
Lesson Plans on Children’s Books
For more ideas for daycare lesson plans based on children’s books, check these out:
