Literacy Prop Box Plan

Justin Ball
Read 366-2

Topic: Dentist

Plan:
o They say, An apple a day keeps the doctor away,
however brushing and flossing twice a day helps to keep
the dentist away. Proper dental hygiene is an important
skill to start developing in kids coming into kindergarten,
and maybe even a little more because there is no intrinsic
motivation to keep teeth clean. Early action in the
education of dental care can help prevent children from
getting cavities, gaps, gum disease, and prevent
developing poor habits later on in life. Through this literacy
prop box activity, the students will learn about how to keep
a part of their body clean and healthy, and theyre learning
about members of the community whose job it is to keep
our mouths and teeth clean and healthy, as they fill the
role of a dentist. The students will learn and practice their
vocabulary skills, reading, concept of word, and writing all
while exploring the roles and duties of a dentist.
Materials:
o Disposable Dental Masks
o Disposable Latex-free Gloves
o The Tooth Book by Dr. Seuss
o Cheap, extra toothbrushes
o Playdough
o Mega Lego Blocks
o Laminated cut outs of teeth
o Expo marker
o String cut into predetermined lengths
o Tape (to hold the mega blocks down to the table)
o Lab coats


Objectives:
o The students will recall the importance of having healthy
teeth, and how to treat and not treat their teeth by
discussing foods, drinks, and actions that are healthy and
unhealthy for their teeth. Their goal in this objective is to
use the vocabulary in their discussion. They might have
flashcards with the vocabulary on one side and a picture on
the other (in case they cant read it completely) to help
spark their conversation and their play.
o The students will use their vocabulary cards to spell out the
words successfully then use their toothbrushes to clean
them off.
o The students will demonstrate the proper tooth brushing
technique and hand control while holding the toothbrush,
as well as the fine motor control and techniques for
flossing.
o The students will use their concept of word skills and
comprehension skills to take their literacy prop box activity
play further, and potentially into other areas of their life
outside of the prop box.
 Vocabulary:
o Tooth, plaque, gums, tongue, mouth, root, tartar, cavity,
filling, toothbrush, floss, dentist, healthy foods, twice-a-
year, germs, set one, set two, baby teeth, permanent
(grown-up) teeth, good habits, bad habits, mirror, x-ray
Open-Ended Questions:
o What are some ways that we can take care of our teeth
everyday?
o What is the person who takes care or our teeth, and what
are some jobs that they have to do to keep our teeth
clean?
o What are some potential foods and drinks that are good for
our body, especially our mouth and teeth?
o Why should we go to the dentist twice a year? Why not
more? Why not less?
o What are some things that we shouldnt do with our teeth
and why?
o How can we take our knowledge of healthy teeth and
extend it out of the prop box and out of the classroom?
o What tools do dentist use and why do you think theyre the
best ways to help our teeth?
Songs and Fingerplays:
o The Toothbrush Song
The Toothbrush Song [MP3]. (2012). Tebo Dentistry
for Kids: Tebo the Tooth.
https://youtu.be/M8p7XUNkVB0
o Ive Been Brushing *Sung to Ive Been Working on the
Railroad*
I've Been brushing with my toothbrush,
Brushing everyday.
I've been Brushing with my toothbrush,
It's how I fight decay.
All my teeth are gonna sparkle,
How proud I will be.
Every time I want to smile, my
Teeth will Shine for me!
Always brush your teeth,
Every Single day
Keep those cavities away!
Use your brush and paste,
Just the way you should,
Keep your smile a looking good!
I've Been Brushing. (1997). Pearson Education.
o Sparkle *Sung to Twinkle, Twinkle*
Sparkle, sparkle, little teeth,
 Some above and some beneath
Brush them all at every meal,
Clean and fresh they'll always feel.
Sparkle, sparkle, little teeth,
Some above and some beneath

Floss them, floss them, in between

Cavities will not be seen!
See your dentist twice a year,
You will grin from ear to ear.
Floss them, floss them, in between,
Cavities will not be seen!

Snacking, snacking, it's okay.

Try it in the proper way.
Eat raw veggies, fruit and cheese.
They will make your mouth say "Please!"
Snacking, snacking, it's okay.
Try it in the proper way.
Sparkle. (2001). Pearson Education.
Book List:
o The Tooth Book by Dr. Seuss
Seuss, D., & Mathieu, J. (2000). The tooth book.
Danbury, CT: Scholastic.

o Melvin the Magnificent Molar by Julia Cook and Laura Jana
Cook, J., Jana, L. A., & Valentine, A. (2010). Melvin the
magnificent molar. Chattanooga, TN: National Center
for Youth Issues.

o Loose Tooth by Lola M. Schaefer
Schaefer, L. M., & Kantorovitz, S. (2004). Loose tooth.
New York: HarperCollins.

o The Magic School Bus and the Missing Tooth by Jeanette
Lane
Lane, J., Bracken, C., Cole, J., & Degen, B. (2006). The
magic school bus and the missing tooth. New York,
NY: Scholastic.

o Dentists Help Us by Aaron R. Murray
Murray, A. R. (2012). Dentist Help Us. Berkley
Heights, NJ: Enslow Elementary.