Alphabet > Letter R · Animals > Endangered · Mammal · Safari > Rhinoceros or Rhino [en español]
Observances: September 22 · World Rhino Day

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Alphabet Letter R Rhinoceros Preschool Lesson Plan Printable Activities and Worksheets

Materials:

printer
paper
coloring & writing supplies
sheet protectors for handwriting worksheets for repeated use

Rhinoceroses are large, heavy animals with thick skin, short legs, and one or two horns on their nose. They are herbivores and only eat plants. There are five different species of rhinoceros, three native to southern Asia and two native to Africa. Rhinoceroses are endangered, meaning there are very few left, because they have been hunted for the horns on their nose. The horns are primarily traded for Chinese traditional medicine or fashioned into jewelry and figurines as a wealth and success status symbol.

Alphabet activities:

Children age 3 and under:

Print a Letter R coloring page. Select and print a rhinoceros coloring page image on the blank side.

Finger Tracing: Trace letter R's in upper and lower case with your finger as you also sound out the letter. Invite the children to do the same on their coloring page.

Children can color and trace the letter R's following instructions. Write the word rhinoceros or rhino on the margin.

Handwriting worksheet tips:

Encourage the children to trace the dotted letter, and explain the direction of the arrows and numbers that help them trace the letter correctly.

During the demonstration, you may want to count out loud as you trace so children become aware of how the number order aids them in the writing process.

Have the children find all the letter R's in upper and lower case on the page and encourage them to circle them.

Children ages 3+:

Letter R words: Letter R Worksheet Program and Mini-Book can be used as part of program of activities to reinforce letter practice and to identify related words. Read suggested instructions for using the worksheet and mini-book.

You can also display letter posters and coloring pages or make a letter R home or classroom book. For related images visit: Letter R printable activities.

Letter R Word Search & Handwriting Practice: The six-word search game features letter R words with pictures and handwriting practice.

Advanced independent handwriting practice:

1. Print your choice of printable lined-paper and a rhinoceros coloring page behind the page. Encourage children to color or draw a rhino after writing practice.

2. Drawing and writing paper: Encourage children to draw and color a rhinoceros and write letter R r.