Story - Explorers - Raindrop, Plop!

We all get used to rainy days in the Winter time but, now that Spring is on it's way, the rain is often followed by some lovely sunshine. The rain and sun together are great for helping the plants to grow. In this story, the little girl enjoys playing in the rain and the sun. Which do you prefer?

Activity 1: Watch the story

Watch the video to hear and see the story Raindrop, Plop!

Activity 2: Sensory Play

Can you re-create a rainy day in a sensory tray? Maybe you'd prefer to make some rain and sun sensory bottles? Megan has made a video to show you how.

You can use the communication board or the symbols to help your child communicate during their sensory play. As an adult, you can model the actions and the language for them to see and hear.  

If you like, you could play the calming spring rain with birds alongside your sensory play to help your child relax. 

Activity 3: Bubble Wrap Rain Craft

For instructions on how to make your own lovely rainy day picture click here

Activity 4: Counting forwards and backwards

In the story, we hear the numbers 1 to 10 counted forwards and then backwards. Can you count to ten forwards? Can you do it backwards too? Listen to the songs and join in to see if you can practice. You could use the number lines in the document list to help you. Remember that when you count forwards, the numbers get bigger and you move from left to right on the number line. When you count backwards, the numbers get smaller and you move from right to left on the number line. 

Next, go outside and see if you can move forwards and backwards while you count. Can you count 10 jumps forwards? Maybe you can take 10 steps backwards! Don't forget to count each time. You could try counting your hops, skips and runs too. Don't forget to try them all forwards and backwards!

Activity 5: Rain, rain, go away

Watch and join in with the song. What things do you want to do when it's a rainy day?

Can you learn the song and the signs with Georgi?

Activity 6: Numbers as words and numerals

Download the matching game in the document list below. Can you read the numbers as words and numerals and match them together?

Activity 7: Object counting

For this activity, you will need to print out the counting game in the document list below. Count the number of objects on the picture cards - you should recognise them from the story. Now, find the number that matches the amount shown on the picture cards. 

Can you also match the numbers to the pages in the book? Can you count the pictures you see there too? You can use the Raindrop Plop Counting Objects document to help you count and find objects from the story. 

Activity 8: Rhyming words

Raindrop, Plop! is a rhyming story. Words rhyme when the sound at the end of words is the same. It doesn't always look the same, but it will always sound the same. The part of the word that sounds the same is called the rime and the part at the beginning that is different is called the onset. In this activity, you will practise spotting rhyming words.

You can start by printing the Raindrop, Plop! Rhyming cards from the document list below. All the words appear in the story. Can you match the ones that rhyme? 

Next, choose either the Rhyming Word Writing or the Rhyming Words Add the Onset document from the list below. In the first option, you'll practise writing sets of rhyming words. On the second, you'll just add the onset or initial sound to the sets of rhyming words. You class teacher can help you choose the best option for you to try at home. 

Finally, can you make up your own lists of rhyming words. Challenge someone to see who can come up with the most words with the same rime! Maybe you could pick your favourite nursery rhyme and change the words but keep it rhyming. An example of this is...

Twinkle, twinkle chocolate bar

My dad drives a rusty car

Pull the lever, push the choke

Off he goes in a puff of smoke

Twinkle, twinkle chocolate bar

My dad drives a rusty car

Activity 9: Umbrella Colour by Numbers

Activity 10: Design your own welly boots