The Letter “N”

Words that Begin with the Letter “N”

nail
name
nap
napkin
narrator
narrow
nation
native
natural
nature
naughty
navy
near
neat
neck
necklace
necktie
nectarine
need
needle
negative
neighbor
neighborhood
neither
nerve
nest
net
Nevada
never
new
news
newspaper
newt
next
nice
nickel
niece
night
nine
nineteen
ninety
no
nobody
nod
noise
noon
nor
normal
north
nose
nostrils
not
note
nothing
notice
noun
novel
November
now
nowhere
nudge
nugget
number
nun
nurse
nursery
nut

Arts and Crafts

Noodle Coloring

To color noodles or rice for art and other projects, use 1/4 cup rubbing alcohol for every cup of noodles. Add 1/4 cup rubbing alcohol to a 16 oz cup. Add a few drops of food coloring to the alcohol (about 10 will do, depending on how bright you want the noodles or rice). Place one cup of uncooked noodles or rice into the mixture and make sure it is fully coated. Spoon the noodles or rice onto a paper towel on a counter or table to dry. After dry, the children can use for projects. Repeat with other colors.

Rainbow Noodles

Cook spaghetti noodles, drain and cool. Fill a gallon Ziploc bag one quarter of the way with water. Add food coloring to the water. Add part of cooked spaghetti and mix around in the Ziploc bag until noodles change color. Drain and repeat with other colors. Place the noodles in separate bowls.
Children can take one noodle from each color to create a rainbow on a plate for a snack.
Children can take one noodle from each color, dip it in glue and place it on a piece of paper to create a rainbow.

Nine Noodle “N”

Have the children glue nine colored penne noodles on a piece of paper to create the capital letter “N”.

Noodle “N”

Print up the letter “n” coloring page for each child. Have the child glue colored noodles onto the letter “n”

Noodle Art

Supply the children with pasta noodles that have been dyed different colors. Have the children glue the noodles onto a piece of paper.

Noodle Necklaces

First color the noodles that you wish to use as directed above. You can use any sort of noodle that can be threaded such as macaroni or penne. Allow the noodles to dry. Next have the children thread the noodles onto a piece of yarn long enough that when tied will easily slip over their head. To make the threading easier, tie one noodle at one end of the yarn, so as the child threads the noodles do not slip off the end. Also you can add a piece of masking tape to the other end to make the actual threading easier. Encourage older children to create a pattern on their necklace.

Straw Necklaces

Cut different color straws into various lengths. Have the child string the straw pieces onto a piece of yarn with a piece of masking tape on the end. When the child is finished, tie the two ends to create a necklace or bracelet.

Fruit Loop Necklace

Supply the children with fruit loops and yarn to make a wonderful necklace they can eat.

Make a Necklace

You can obtain beads from any craft store. I suggest a shoestring, but you can use yarn, and just tape one end. To start, thread one bead, and tie one end around the bead, so it won’t slip off. Have your child string the beads as he/she wishes, until they are finished. Untie the first bead, and tie the two ends together. As your child progresses with this activity suggest simple patterns. You could even play a game, match my necklace. You make a necklace and have your child try to match it. Start simple with 3 to 5 beads, and progressively add to the patterns.

Navy Blue Art

Mix blue with a little bit of black paint to create navy blue paint. Have the children use navy blue paint to create a picture.

Straw Necklaces

Newspaper Art 1

Younger children can tear newspaper, then glue it to a piece of paper to create a newpaper collage.

Newspaper Art 2

Older children can tear newspaper, then glue it onto a “N” coloring page in the shape of an “N”.

Newspaper Art 3

Children can cut out the letter “N” and glue the “N”s to a piece of paper to create an “n” collage.

Newspaper Art 4

You will need to make or buy an “n” stencil. You can create the stencil by cutting out an “N” shape from thick card stock or cardboard. The stencil should be slightly bigger than the paper you will use. Have the children cut or tear piece of news paper then glue onto a piece of construction paper. Trim the paper so none of the newspaper go over the edges. After the glue has dried, tape the newspaper to the table. Then tape the stencil over the newspaper. Allow the children to paint over the stencil. For an extra “N” use Navy Blue paint.

Night Art 1

Have children draw a picture on black paper with chalk or white crayons.

Night Art 2

Have the children place star stickers on a piece of black paper to create a night sky scene.

Nickel Art

Place several nickels under a piece of paper. Have the children rub over the nickels with a crayon or colored pencil.

Nest Art

Have the children create a 3D masterpiece by glueing straw, bits of string and other twigs and leaves to a piece of paper to create a nest.

Math, Science, and Games

Noodle Measuring

Place a good amount of different kinds of noodles into a dish pan. You can add food coloring to dry uncooked noodles to color them. Provide different containers and cups for your child to place the noodles in, small and large. Let them experiment on their own, and with you. Let them pour the noodles from one container to the other. Which container holds the most noodles, or the least?

Noodle Sort

Let your child sort noodles by type and color.

Math Center

Place the numbers one through six on six small post-it papers. Place these papers in the bottom of each muffin tin hole. Have the children place one object in the one space and two in the two and so on. Ideas for objects: noodles, nuts, nickels.

Noodle Math

For this activity, you will need standard playing cards in one suit 2 through 6 and small macaroni noodles. Have the children place one noodle on each of the shapes on the middle of the card. So, two noodles on the 2 and three on the 3 and so on. noodle math muffin tin

Ninety Jars

How much is ninety? Count out ninety noodles and place them in a clear jar. Do the same with nuts (food), nuts (nuts and bolts), nickels and nails. Label the jars ex.”90 nuts” Display the jars in the science or math area for the children to explore. Alternatively, do the same activity with ninety-nine items.

Ninety Bottles

Place ninety penne noodles in an empty, clean, two-liter bottle (remove the label). Seal the top onto the bottle with a hot glue gun. When the glue has dried you can place the bottle in the science or math area. You can also do this with nuts (food or metal ones) or nails. Alternative Do the same activity with ninety-nine items.

Noodle Estimation Jars

You will need 4 clear jar that are the same size. Fill one jar about 1/4 of the way with noodles. Count the noodles as you fill the jar and end on a round number, like 10 or 50. Write the number of noodles on a post it, place the post it on the jar. Fill the second jar about 1/2 way with noodles, again counting and recording and posting on the jar. The third jar should be filled about 3/4 of the way with noodles and again record the number and post it on the jar. The last jar you can fill however you like, place a post it on the jar with a question mark. Allow the children to observe the four jars together and guess how many noodles are in the fourth jar. Record the children’s guesses. After everyone has guessed, count the noodles together. Show the children how the number of noodles in the first three jars is related to the fourth jar.

Nickel Jar

You will need 4 clear jar that are the same size. Fill one jar about 1/4 of the way with nickels. Count the nickels as you fill the jar and end on a round number, like 10 or 50. Write the number of nickels on a post it, place the post it on the jar. Fill the second jar about 1/2 way with nickels, again counting and recording and posting on the jar. The third jar should be filled about 3/4 of the way with nickels and again record the number and post it on the jar. The last jar you can fill however you like, place a post it on the jar with a question mark. Allow the children to observe the four jars together and guess how many nickels are in the fourth jar. Record the children’s guesses. After everyone has guessed, count the nickels together. Show the children how the number of nickels in the first three jars is related to the fourth jar.

Number Sense

Assign a meaning to numbers by always counting objects.
How many people live in the house next Door?
How many noodles can you fit in a cup?
How many noodles did you put on your necklace?
How many acorn nuts can you find in the park?
How many bugs can you catch in your net?
Nature Walk
Take a plastic bag with you on your next nature walk. Encourage your child to collect leaves and small sticks, and acorns, and put them in the bag. (You can go on a nature walk in you back yard too.) Ask your child about each item they choose to put in the bag. You can also use the items from the nature walk to glue on a piece of paper to create a nature mosaic.

Nursery Rhymes

Recite your favorite nursery rhymes.

Nut Jar

You will need 4 clear jar that are the same size. Fill one jar about 1/4 of the way with nuts. Count the nuts as you fill the jar and end on a round number, like 10 or 50. Write the number of nuts on a post it, place the post it on the jar. Fill the second jar about 1/2 way with nuts, again counting and recording and posting on the jar. The third jar should be filled about 3/4 of the way with nuts and again record the number and post it on the jar. The last jar you can fill however you like, place a post it on the jar with a question mark. Allow the children to observe the four jars together and guess how many nuts are in the fourth jar. Record the children’s guesses. After everyone has guessed, count the nuts together. Show the children how the number of nuts in the first three jars is related to the fourth jar.

Phone Number

Have the children cut out a telephone shape. If the children are old enough have them write their name and number on the phone. You can place these phones on a bulletin board entitled “I Know My Phone Number”.

Numbers: “I Can Count to…”

Ask each child to count as high as they can. Record each result on another piece of paper in the form of Jack can count to 45, Allison can count to 34 and so on. Place all these papers on a Bulletin Board.

Matching Numbers

Find dice that have numbers on them and some with dots. Have the children roll one die and then find the matching side of the other.

Nation Flag Match Game

Obtain pictures of the flags of the world. Make two color copies of each (they need to be about the same size). Then, glue each flag to an index card and play memory.

National Flag Talk

Show the pictures of many flags to the class. Name a few of the nations the flags belong to. Ask the children which is their favorite. Why do they like it?

Name that Flag

Have the children guess which flag belongs to which nation. Start with just a few for the young ones, like US and Canada or Mexico.

Nurse, May I?

Play the classic game “Mother, May I?”, but substitute “Nurse” for “Mother.”

Nesting Hen

Place some plastic eggs under a pillow. Have the child sit on the pillow and guess how many eggs are under the pillow. Count the eggs with the child.

Nesting Supplies

Place many different colorful ribbons and yarn on a fence or other area that is easily visible and off the ground. Do not tie the ribbons or yarn. Watch for the birds to come and take the pieces away. Look for nests in the trees, you may see the ribbons and yarn you donated in the nests.

Nickel Path

Obtain pictures of nickels and place them on the floor. You use contact paper to keep them on the floor. Have the children hop from one nickel to the next.

Counting Nickels

Explain how nickels are worth five cents. Count the value of a few nickels by skip counting by fives.

Songs

Head and Shoulders

(You can exchange “shoulders” for “neck”)

Head and shoulders, knees and toes, knees and toes,
Head and shoulders, knees and toes, knees and toes,
And eyes and ears and mouth and nose,
Head and shoulders, knees and toes, knees and toes.

Ankles, elbows, feet and seat, feet and seat,
Ankles, elbows, feet and seat, feet and seat,
And hair and hips and chin and cheeks,
Ankles, elbows, feet and seat, feet and seat

Snack Ideas and Activities

Comparing Nectarines

Have the children compare and contrast a nectarine and an orange. Create a Venn diagram to show the similarities and differences.

Taste Test

Let the children taste both and have the children vote which they like the best. Graph the results on a graph.

Nectarine Neck Relay

Divide your group into 3 or 4 equal teams. Have one nectarine for each group. Have the children in each team line up. The first person in line will put the nectarine under their neck. Then when you say “go” the first child will pass the nectarine to the person behind them without using their hands. The second child must hold the nectarine under their neck and pass it again until the nectarine makes it to the end of the line.
Optional Rules:
If a child drops the nectarine, the nectarine goes back to the first person in line.
Have all the children line up in one line and time how long it takes to pass it.

Nectarine Passing

Played like “Hot Potato”
The children sit in a circle. Have the children pass a nectarine around the circle while you chant:
Nectarine, nectarine, orange and sweet,
Nectarine, nectarine, fun to eat,
Who will get caught we will see,
We will count, one, two THREE!!!
Whoever is holding the nectarine when you say three goes in the center for one turn.
Play again, then the next person that is holding the nectarine replaces the first child in the middle.