Now that it's spring and Easter has just passed, jelly beans are on super clearance at your local stores. Why not try some of these new lessons with your older preschool children. Jelly beans are a choking hazard for younger children, so please provide direct supervision, or exclude the use of jelly beans with children that may be at risk of choking.
ART
Have the children glue jelly beans to a piece of paper.
Use a hot glue gun to glue a jelly bean to a wooden block. After the glue dries, have the children dip the jelly beans onto an ink pad, then press onto a piece of paper.
Have the children estimate how many jelly beans they can grab in one hand. Trace their hand onto a piece of paper and have them cut it out. Then have the child grab a handful of jelly beans and count them. Have the child glue the jelly beans (or jelly bean shapes) onto their hand shape, then write the number of hearts they grabbed on their hand.
Have children glue jelly bean shapes to a piece of paper.
Have the children make many different colors of fingerprints on a piece of paper. Use a black pen to draw a jelly bean shape around each fingerprint.
Cut out Easter Basket shapes from construction paper. Have the children make many different fingerprints on the basket. Use a black pen to draw a jelly bean shape around each fingerprint.
Cut out large jelly bean shapes from construction paper. Have the children decorate the bean shapes with glitter, glue, crayons, markers or other items.
Spray Art
Fill a spray bottle 3/4 full with water. Place a small amount of paint (powdered or liquid) into the water. If you use too much or do not shake well the paint will clog up the spray bottle. Do this for at least three different bottles, with three different colors. Then place a large jelly bean shaped piece of paper on the floor, on an easel, on a wall or fence outside. Then have the children spray the colored water on the paper. Allow to dry.
Measure your child's head, and cut a piece of construction paper long enough to create a headband. Glue the paper together so the headband fits snugly on your child's head but is loose enough to take off easily. Have the children cut out jelly bean shapes to glue to the headband.
First you need a large plastic container with a lid. (I used a shallow peanut butter container.) Next cut out paper that will fit in the lid of the container. Place a few drops of paint into the container with a few jelly beans (be sure to observe carefully as jelly beans are a choking hazard) then place a very small amount of paint on the lid and pre-cut paper on the paint. (I use the paint to make the paper stick to the lid.) Place the lid on the container, flip and have the children shake. When finished, remove paper and allow to dry, and place a clean piece of paper in the lid for the next child. Optional: use jelly bean shaped paper in the lid.
Math, Science and Games
Obtain about 15 jelly beans for each child.
Have the children sort the hearts by color. After the children have sorted the beans, have them count how many of each color they have.
Ask the children to estimate how many jelly beans they can grab with one hand. Write on the top of a piece of construction paper "I estimate I can grab __ jelly beans in one hand." Fill in the blank with their number. Trace the child's hand in the middle of the paper. Have the child grab a handful of candies and count them. Write "I can actually grab _ jelly beans in one hand" at the bottom of the paper.
Option 1: Have the child glue the correct number of jelly beans shapes to the hand shape.
Option 2: Have the children use a jelly bean shaped stamp to represent each bean they were able to hold.
Option 3: Have the children make one fingerprint inside the hand shape to represent each jelly bean. Use a black pen to draw a jelly bean shape around each fingerprint.
Draw a large jelly bean shape on a piece of paper for each child. Ask the children to estimate how many jelly beans they can will be able to fit into the shape. Record their estimation. Have the child fill the shape with jelly beans and count them. Record the actual number.
Option 1: Have the child glue jelly bean shapes in the large shape.
Option 2: Have the children use a stamp to represent each bean they were able to fit in the large jelly bean.
Option 3: Have the children make one fingerprint inside the shape to represent each jelly bean. Use a black pen to draw a jelly bean shape around each fingerprint.
Cut out many different sized jelly bean shapes, small and large. Have the children estimate how many small jelly beans will fit on each large shape. Record each child's estimate. Then have the children place the jelly beans on the shape and count how many will fit. Compare the estimates to the actual results.
Cut out 6 small jelly bean shapes from a variety of different colors of card stock. Write the numbers 1 through 6 on the shapes. Tape each shape to the bottom of a muffin tin space. Have the children place 1 jelly bean in the "1" space, and two in the "2" and so on.
Note the colors present in your jelly beans. Cut out a small jelly bean shape for each color and tape one jelly bean color to the bottom on a muffin tin hole. Have the children sort jelly beans by color.
Provide the children with a balance and jelly beans. Have the children place jelly bean on both sides of the balance. Show the children how they can tell which side weighs more. See if they can balance the balance. Count the jelly beans on both sides.
Place an object from the class on one side of the balance, something light like a small block. Have the children estimate how many jelly beans will balance with the block. Add jelly beans to the other side until balanced or the jelly bean side is heavier. Count the jelly beans.
Create a pattern with the jelly beans. Have the children repeat the pattern or continue the pattern. Encourage the children to create their own pattern.
Use the jelly beans for math manipulatives. Have the children do simple addition problems , like adding two green jelly beans and one red jelly bean.
Place jelly beans in a clear jar. Have the children estimate how many jelly beans are in the jar. To help with their estimate they may count out tenjelly beans to hold or set out so they have a feeling of what ten looks like. Record each child's estimate, then count the jelly beans together.
Make your favorite sugar cookie recipe and have the children use jelly bean shaped cookie cutters to make jelly bean shaped cookies. Bake as directed, then allow to cool. Add frosting and jelly beans to the top of each cookie.
Place jelly bean shapes on the floor. Have the children hop from one jelly bean to the next.
Cut out and laminate big jelly bean shapes to be used as seat markers for the children to sit on during story and circle time.
Cut out large jelly bean shapes from colored paper. Laminate them and cut them out. Place them on the floor. It is best for younger children to have more shapes than children. Play music and have the children walk around the room. When the music stops each child needs to find a shape to stand on.
Have the children taste each color of jelly bean and vote for their favorite. Create a graph of the results.
Ask the children if they think a Jelly Bean will sink or float. Record the responses on a graph. Try it out and record the results.
Place a couple of jelly beans in an egg and have the children shake the egg and guess how many jelly beans are in the egg. Open the egg and count the jelly beans.
Place a couple of jelly beans in plastic Easter Eggs. Each child should have one or two eggs. Play music and have the children shake the eggs while they dance.
Use jelly bean filled plastic Easter Eggs for this song:
Shake your Jelly Beans (sung to London Bridge)
by Amber Leigh
Shake your jelly beans up and down, up and down, up and down
Shake your jelly beans up and down then shake them all around.
Shake your jelly beans left and right, left and right, left and right,
Shake your jelly beans left and right then shake them with all your might.
Jelly Bean song
Sung to Teddy Bear Teddy Bear
Jelly Bean , Jelly Bean,
Turn around.
Jelly Bean , Jelly Bean,
Touch the ground.
Jelly Bean , Jelly Bean, Shine your shoes.
Jelly Bean , Jelly Bean, Skidoo.
Jelly Bean , Jelly Bean, Go upstairs.
Jelly Bean , Jelly Bean,
Say your prayers.
Jelly Bean , Jelly Bean, Turn out the light.
Jelly Bean , Jelly Bean, Say good night.
Jelly Bean Jump song
Sung to Skip to my Lou
Jump jump Jelly Bean Clown,
inside, outside, upside down
Jump jump jelly bean clown,
jump all over town.
Little Jelly Bean
sung to "The more we get together"
I have a little Jelly Bean, Jelly Bean , Jelly Bean,
I have a little Jelly Bean I eat them like so.
I love to eat Jelly Beans, Jelly Beans, Jelly Beans,
I love to eat Jelly Beans, I eat them like so.
Saturday, April 30, 2011
Monday, April 11, 2011
Let's Go Fly a Kite - preschool lesson plans
Spring has arrived. It's the perfect season for flying kites. Here are some of my ideas for you to share with your little ones.
Create a kite
Cut out kite shaped paper. Have the children decorate the paper with crayons, markers, paint, glitter, colored pencils or another method. Add a sting for the tail. Tie ribbons to the tail.
Marble Painted Kite
Sponge Art
Supply the children with diamond shaped sponges. Have the children paint them and press onto a piece of paper.
Kite Cookie Cutter Art:
Obtain a cookie cutter that is shaped like a diamond. Have the children dip the cookie cutter in a shallow container of paint, then press onto a piece of paper to make kite prints. After dry have the children add details with a marker or glue on string for the tails.
Optional: allow the children to decorate the kites with a variety of materials. (glitter, sequins, paper scraps, stickers, etc)
Play Dough Kites
Show the children how to make a kite with play dough by rolling out the play dough and using a diamond shaped cookie cutter. Add a rolled tail. Allow the children to try to create their own kites.
Kite Cookies
Use your favorite sugar cookie recipe to create the dough. Use a diamond shaped cookie cutter to make the kites. Cook as directed. Allow the children to decorate with colored frosting and confections.
Kite Sandwiches
Make your child's favorite sandwich, then use a diamond shaped cookie cutter to make kite shamed sandwiches.
Kite Jello
Make your favorite Jello Jiggler recipe. Use a diamond shapes cookie cutter to make kite shaped jello.
Kite Handprints
What Makes a Kite Go?
Have the children blow paper kites that hang from the ceiling.
Blow kite shaped paper across the table. (alt, have a race)
Use a fan to move kite shaped paper
Hang plastic kite shapes outside a window for children to observe.
Use a book to fan kite shaped paper.
Counting Kites
Have the children count kites on a bulletin board or kites handing from the ceiling.
Sorting Kites
Make kite shapes from different colors of tagboard. Have the children sort the kites by color.
(alt, make the kites different sizes, or patters)
Kite Match/Memory
Use patterned paper to make pairs of kite shapes. Have the children find the matches. Or glue the shapes to index cards and play memory.
Kite Hop
Use contact paper to affix kite shaped paper to the floor. Have the children hop from one kite shape to the next.
Musical Kites
Use contact paper to affix kite shaped paper to the floor. There should be more kites than children. Play music and when the music stops the children find a kite to stand on. Ask the children what color kite they are standing on.
Kite Song
sung to London Bridge
Kites are flying way up high
in the sky, in the sky
Kites are flying way up high
Oh so pretty
Kite Song 2
sung to Twinkle Twinkle
Kites are soaring in the air
floating, flying everywhere
They use the wind to fly so high
Swooping looping in the sky
Create a kite
Cut out kite shaped paper. Have the children decorate the paper with crayons, markers, paint, glitter, colored pencils or another method. Add a sting for the tail. Tie ribbons to the tail.
Marble Painted Kite
Cut out kite shaped paper. Place the kite in a pan or box lid. Add a small amount of paint to the box and drop in a few marbles. Have the children roll the marbles around until they are satisfied with the result. Allow to dry. Add a sting for the tail. Tie ribbons to the tail.
Kool Aid Kite
Cut out kite shaped paper. Sprinkle a little dry kool aid mix onto the kite. Have your child spray water from a spray bottle onto the paper. Use different colored kool-aid mix. For added adventure, you may choose to take your children out into the rain with a piece of paper that has kool-aid on it. Allow to dry. Add a sting for the tail. Tie ribbons to the tail.
Sponge Art
Supply the children with diamond shaped sponges. Have the children paint them and press onto a piece of paper.
Kite Cookie Cutter Art:
Obtain a cookie cutter that is shaped like a diamond. Have the children dip the cookie cutter in a shallow container of paint, then press onto a piece of paper to make kite prints. After dry have the children add details with a marker or glue on string for the tails.
Optional: allow the children to decorate the kites with a variety of materials. (glitter, sequins, paper scraps, stickers, etc)
Play Dough Kites
Show the children how to make a kite with play dough by rolling out the play dough and using a diamond shaped cookie cutter. Add a rolled tail. Allow the children to try to create their own kites.
Kite Cookies
Use your favorite sugar cookie recipe to create the dough. Use a diamond shaped cookie cutter to make the kites. Cook as directed. Allow the children to decorate with colored frosting and confections.
Kite Sandwiches
Make your child's favorite sandwich, then use a diamond shaped cookie cutter to make kite shamed sandwiches.
Kite Jello
Make your favorite Jello Jiggler recipe. Use a diamond shapes cookie cutter to make kite shaped jello.
Kite Handprints
What Makes a Kite Go?
Have the children blow paper kites that hang from the ceiling.
Blow kite shaped paper across the table. (alt, have a race)
Use a fan to move kite shaped paper
Hang plastic kite shapes outside a window for children to observe.
Use a book to fan kite shaped paper.
Counting Kites
Have the children count kites on a bulletin board or kites handing from the ceiling.
Sorting Kites
Make kite shapes from different colors of tagboard. Have the children sort the kites by color.
(alt, make the kites different sizes, or patters)
Kite Match/Memory
Use patterned paper to make pairs of kite shapes. Have the children find the matches. Or glue the shapes to index cards and play memory.
Kite Hop
Use contact paper to affix kite shaped paper to the floor. Have the children hop from one kite shape to the next.
Musical Kites
Use contact paper to affix kite shaped paper to the floor. There should be more kites than children. Play music and when the music stops the children find a kite to stand on. Ask the children what color kite they are standing on.
Kite Song
sung to London Bridge
Kites are flying way up high
in the sky, in the sky
Kites are flying way up high
Oh so pretty
Kite Song 2
sung to Twinkle Twinkle
Kites are soaring in the air
floating, flying everywhere
They use the wind to fly so high
Swooping looping in the sky
Kites are soaring in the air
floating, flying everywhere
Wednesday, January 5, 2011
It's All About Snow!!! Preschool Lesson Plans - ART
Big, fluffy snowflakes are just so beautiful. Not that I'm a huge fan of the cold, but I do enjoy watching them fall from the sky every once in a while. With the cold weather season in full motion it's a great time to do a snow theme. Come along and investigate snow with me.
Art
Cotton Snowmen
Let your child use cotton balls to glue on blue paper to create a snowman!! If your child is older that three, you can glue beads on for the eyes, nose, mouth and buttons!
Paper Snowflakes
Help your child make paper snowflakes. Hang them from the ceiling, and from the tree. Last year I got butcher paper, and I made 3 foot snowflakes, with my son, for my front window, and my parents. They loved them.
Fingerprint Snowmen
Show the children how to make fingerprints on a piece of paper. Then, have them try to make a few snow men. With a big fingerprint on the bottom, medium in the middle and small on the top. Have the children add features with a pencil.
Winter Clothes
Supply the children with stencils of winter clothes and boy and girl shapes, and lots of different papers, or wall paper. Have the children trace the stencils and cut them out. Have them glue the winter clothes onto the boy/girl shape.
Snow Salt Art
Saturate hot water with salt. Let the water cool, and have the child use the salt water to paint on black paper. Then after it dries, have the child look at the crystals of salt on the paper.
Pine tree Art
Provide a child with a pine tree branch, paint and a piece of paper and have the child dip the pine tree branch in the paint and use as a paintbrush.
Tin Foil Art
Supply the children with blue paint, paintbrushes and tin foil to create a picture on a different texture.
Torn Paper Snow Pictures
Shaving Cream Snowman
This project was made by mixing shaving cream with glue. A Popsicle stick was used to spread the mixture onto the paper. Scraps of paper can be used for eyes, nose, mouth, hat, buttons and arms. In the images, white paper was used. I would suggest a different color such as blue, or mixing blue paint or food coloring into the shaving cream mix.
Snowman Banner
Make a snowman template with butcher paper. (See picture) Have the children glue cotton balls onto the snowman. Add felt features such as a hat, nose, eyes, scarf.. etc.
This banner can also be made with paint. The children can apply the paint with paintbrushes, cotton balls, their fingers, a scrubby or other item.
You could also mix glue with shaving cream and apply that to the snowman shape to create a textured picture.
Snowman Templates
Provide the children with a template sheet. Have the children cut out shapes to match the template. Then have the children glue the shapes onto a piece of paper.
The children can decorate their snowman with bits of colored construction paper, crayons, markers or other items.
Coconut Snowman
Place glue on a piece of paper in the shape of a snowman. Have the children add coconut to the paper. Then use raisins for the eyes and buttons.
Marshmallow Snowman Scene
Have the children make a snow scene with white paint. They can use marshmallows to paint with, smaller ones for the snowflakes and larger ones to make a snowman. The children can add details with orange and black paint. After dry they can add a piece of construction paper for a scarf.
Snowman Foot
Paint a child's foot white. Press the foot onto a piece of blue paper. When dry add eyes, nose and mouth to the head (heel of the foot) and other features using construction paper.
Crayon and Paint Scene
Have the children color a picture on blue paper. When they are finished, have them paint over the picture with white paint, before the paint dries add silver or white glitter. The paint will not stick to the crayon so it creates a neat design.
Snow Globe
Have the children create a snow globe scene. You can precut the shapes for them to glue, or have them cut or tear them themselves.
Toothpick Snowflakes
Have the children paint toothpicks white. After the paint has dried, they can glue the toothpicks onto a sheet of blue or black paper.
Shower Scrub Snowman
This pictures was created by using a shower scrub as a paint brush. Children dip the scrub into the paint and dab onto the paper. children can create a snowman or snow scene. After the paint dries add features to your picture with construction paper or crayons.
Shaving Cream Art
Put some shaving cream onto the table or on a cookie sheet. Have the children draw pictures or their names in the shaving cream. They can pretend the shaving cream is snow. They can also pile up the shaving cream to make a three dimensional art project.
Parent Pleaser Snowman
Cut out snowmen shapes and hats from art foam. Have the children glue the hat and draw buttons on the snowman. Insert a picture of the child as a face and attach a magnet onto the back.
Q-tip Snowflake
Place a quarter sized glob of glue on a piece of wax paper. Have the children place six q tip ends in the glue add glitter to the glue and allow to dry. After the glue has dried you can remove it from the wax paper and hang in your room. The children can also paint the q-tips before they glue them.
Toilet Paper Tube Snowman
Cut out snowmen shapes From white paper. Have the children decorate the shape, then affix to a toilet paper tube. Use a plastic egg carton section for a hat.
Circle Snowmen
Have the children cut out two different sized circles, then they can glue the circles to a piece of paper and decorate as a snowman.
Winter Stickers Art
Supply the children with snow or snowman stickers. Have the children apply the stickers to a piece of paper to create a winter scene.
Paper Plate Snowman
Provide the children with a large and small paper plate and art scraps to create a snowman.
Hands Pyramid
Paint the child's hand white, and place three hand prints on the bottom of the page. Paint the other hand blue and place one hand print at the top. Then have the child mix the paint on their hands and make two light blue hand prints in the middle. (In the demo, red and white were used)
Contact Paper Art
You will need a picture of a snowflake other winter image. A reverse image is needed if the letter or picture can be backwards, such as the letter "E". Place the image on the table and place a piece of contact paper, sticky side up over the image. Supply the children with scraps of construction paper to tissue paper. (Pieces of a plastic lei were used for the photo of this project) Children use the scraps to create the image on the contact paper.
Art
 |
| Cotton Snowman |
Let your child use cotton balls to glue on blue paper to create a snowman!! If your child is older that three, you can glue beads on for the eyes, nose, mouth and buttons!
Paper Snowflakes
Help your child make paper snowflakes. Hang them from the ceiling, and from the tree. Last year I got butcher paper, and I made 3 foot snowflakes, with my son, for my front window, and my parents. They loved them.
Fingerprint Snowmen
Show the children how to make fingerprints on a piece of paper. Then, have them try to make a few snow men. With a big fingerprint on the bottom, medium in the middle and small on the top. Have the children add features with a pencil.
 |
| Paper Plate Snowman |
Paper Plate Snowman
Each child will need a paper plate, a Popsicle stick, scrap paper, glue and scissors. Have the child cut out scrap pieces of paper to create a mouth and nose, glue pieces onto the plate. Cut out two circles for the eyes, and add a Popsicle stick to create a mask.Winter Clothes
Supply the children with stencils of winter clothes and boy and girl shapes, and lots of different papers, or wall paper. Have the children trace the stencils and cut them out. Have them glue the winter clothes onto the boy/girl shape.
Snow Salt Art
Saturate hot water with salt. Let the water cool, and have the child use the salt water to paint on black paper. Then after it dries, have the child look at the crystals of salt on the paper.
 |
| Snowflake Rubbing |
Snowflake Rubbing
Create different snowflake shapes with either tag board or cardboard. Place the shapes under a piece of white paper and have the child rub over the shape with a blue or purple crayon.
Pine tree Art
Provide a child with a pine tree branch, paint and a piece of paper and have the child dip the pine tree branch in the paint and use as a paintbrush.
 |
| Tin Foil Art |
Tin Foil Art
Supply the children with blue paint, paintbrushes and tin foil to create a picture on a different texture.
Torn Paper Snow Pictures
Supply the children with a full sheet of blue paper and half sheet of white paper. Ask them to make a winter scene by tearing pieces of the white paper and gluing them onto the blue paper. Small amounts of other colored paper may be used.
 |
| Shaving Cream Snowman |
This project was made by mixing shaving cream with glue. A Popsicle stick was used to spread the mixture onto the paper. Scraps of paper can be used for eyes, nose, mouth, hat, buttons and arms. In the images, white paper was used. I would suggest a different color such as blue, or mixing blue paint or food coloring into the shaving cream mix.
Sponge Printing
Provide the children with winter shaped sponges. Have the children press the sponge into some paint and press onto a piece of paper. For more detailed art, paint the sponge with a paintbrush, then press onto the paper.
Snowman Treasures Collage
Based on the book "Snowballs". Have the children create a snowman from art scraps. Your can use construction paper or scrapbook paper scraps. The children may cut or tear the paper to shape it. Add ribbons, buttons or other items that you have around. You can even ask parents to donate materials.
Mittens
Most advanced:
They may draw their own mitten shape onto a piece of paper and cut it out on their own. Then have them decorate it with markers, crayons, paint, sequins, glitter, ribbons, bows, lace... whatever you can come up with.
Moderate:
You draw the mitten shape onto a piece of paper and the children cut it out on their own. Then have them decorate it.
Simple:
You draw the mitten shape onto a piece of paper and the cut it out for them. Then have them decorate it
 |
| Snowman Banner |
Make a snowman template with butcher paper. (See picture) Have the children glue cotton balls onto the snowman. Add felt features such as a hat, nose, eyes, scarf.. etc.
This banner can also be made with paint. The children can apply the paint with paintbrushes, cotton balls, their fingers, a scrubby or other item.
You could also mix glue with shaving cream and apply that to the snowman shape to create a textured picture.
 |
| Snowman Templates |
Provide the children with a template sheet. Have the children cut out shapes to match the template. Then have the children glue the shapes onto a piece of paper.
The children can decorate their snowman with bits of colored construction paper, crayons, markers or other items.
 |
| Coconut Snowman |
Place glue on a piece of paper in the shape of a snowman. Have the children add coconut to the paper. Then use raisins for the eyes and buttons.
Painting with snowballs, Cotton Ball Art
Let the children use cotton balls as paintbrushes to create a winter scene. The children can use the cotton ball with their fingers, or you can attach a clothes pin to the cotton ball to make it easier to manage. I suggest black or blue paper with white paint.
 |
| Marshmallow Snowman Scene |
Have the children make a snow scene with white paint. They can use marshmallows to paint with, smaller ones for the snowflakes and larger ones to make a snowman. The children can add details with orange and black paint. After dry they can add a piece of construction paper for a scarf.
Fingerprint Snowman Scene
Have the children make a snow scene with white paint. They can use their pinky to make snowflakes and their thumb and fingers to make a snowman. The children can add details with orange and black paint. After dry they can add a piece of construction paper for a scarf.
 |
| Snowman Foot |
Paint a child's foot white. Press the foot onto a piece of blue paper. When dry add eyes, nose and mouth to the head (heel of the foot) and other features using construction paper.
Crayon and Paint Scene
Have the children color a picture on blue paper. When they are finished, have them paint over the picture with white paint, before the paint dries add silver or white glitter. The paint will not stick to the crayon so it creates a neat design.
 |
| Snow Globe |
Snow Globe
Have the children create a snow globe scene. You can precut the shapes for them to glue, or have them cut or tear them themselves.
Toothpick Snowflakes
Have the children paint toothpicks white. After the paint has dried, they can glue the toothpicks onto a sheet of blue or black paper.
 |
| Shower Scrub Snowman |
This pictures was created by using a shower scrub as a paint brush. Children dip the scrub into the paint and dab onto the paper. children can create a snowman or snow scene. After the paint dries add features to your picture with construction paper or crayons.
Shaving Cream Art
Put some shaving cream onto the table or on a cookie sheet. Have the children draw pictures or their names in the shaving cream. They can pretend the shaving cream is snow. They can also pile up the shaving cream to make a three dimensional art project.
 |
| Parent Pleaser Snowman |
Cut out snowmen shapes and hats from art foam. Have the children glue the hat and draw buttons on the snowman. Insert a picture of the child as a face and attach a magnet onto the back.
Q-tip Snowflake
Place a quarter sized glob of glue on a piece of wax paper. Have the children place six q tip ends in the glue add glitter to the glue and allow to dry. After the glue has dried you can remove it from the wax paper and hang in your room. The children can also paint the q-tips before they glue them.
 |
| Toilet Paper Tub Snowman |
Cut out snowmen shapes From white paper. Have the children decorate the shape, then affix to a toilet paper tube. Use a plastic egg carton section for a hat.
Circle Snowmen
Have the children cut out two different sized circles, then they can glue the circles to a piece of paper and decorate as a snowman.
 |
| Paper Plate Snowman |
Supply the children with snow or snowman stickers. Have the children apply the stickers to a piece of paper to create a winter scene.
Paper Plate Snowman
Provide the children with a large and small paper plate and art scraps to create a snowman.
 |
| Hand Pyramid |
Paint the child's hand white, and place three hand prints on the bottom of the page. Paint the other hand blue and place one hand print at the top. Then have the child mix the paint on their hands and make two light blue hand prints in the middle. (In the demo, red and white were used)
 |
| Contact Paper Art |
You will need a picture of a snowflake other winter image. A reverse image is needed if the letter or picture can be backwards, such as the letter "E". Place the image on the table and place a piece of contact paper, sticky side up over the image. Supply the children with scraps of construction paper to tissue paper. (Pieces of a plastic lei were used for the photo of this project) Children use the scraps to create the image on the contact paper.
Sunday, January 2, 2011
Conversation Hearts - Preschool Lesson Plans
Valentine's Day Ideas using conversation hearts. Preschool lesson plans
Obtain one box of conversation hearts for each child. Check the colors of the hearts and print up the place mat that matches the colors of your hearts.
pink, yellow, white, purple, orange, green
pink, yellow, blue, purple, orange, green
blank
Have the children sort the hearts by color. After the children have sorted the hearts, have them count how many of each color they have.
Obtain one box of conversation hearts for each child. Check the colors of the hearts and print up the place mat that matches the colors of your hearts.
pink, yellow, white, purple, orange, green
pink, yellow, blue, purple, orange, green
blank
Have the children place one heart in each square. Be sure to show the children how to start at the bottom and work their way up. Have the children count the hearts in each column.
Option 1: The children can glue the hearts in the boxes.
Option 2: Have the children color each box (with crayons, markers, colored pencils, or paint) that contains a heart with the coordinating color.
Option 3: Have the children use a heart shaped stamp to mark each box that contains a heart. Use coordinating ink colors.
Option 4: Have the children glue a paper heart in each square that contains a candy heart. Use coordianting paper colors. You can make the heart shapes with a paper punch.
-Use the graphs to start a conversation about the results. How many pink hearts did you have? Who had the most pink hearts? What color did you have the most of? The least? Does there seem to be more of one color in most of the boxes?
Print out one Candy Hearts Estimation Placemat for each child. Ask the children to estimate how many candies they can grab with one hand. Write the number in the first blank. Have the child grab a handful of candies and count them. Write the number in the second space.
Option 1: Have the child glue the candies to the hand shape.
Option 2: Have the children use a heart shaped stamp to represent each candy they were able to hold.
Option 3: Have the children glue one paper heart in the hand shape for each candy they grabbed. You can make the heart shapes with a paper punch.
Print out one Candy Hearts Estimation Placemat for each child. Ask the children to estimate how many candies they can will be able to fit into the heart shape. Write the number in the first blank. Have the child fill the heart shape with candies and count them. Write the number in the second space.
Option 1: Have the child glue the candies to the heart shape.
Option 2: Have the children use a heart shaped stamp to represent each candy they were able to fit in the heart.
Option 3: Have the children glue one paper heart in the big heart shape for each candy. You can make the heart shapes with a paper punch.
Cut out many different sized heart shapes. Have the children estimate how many conversation hearts will fit on each heart shape. Record each child's estimate. Then have the children place the conversation hearts on the heart shape and count how many will fit. Compare the estimates to the actual results.
So we all love those little conversations hearts you get for Valentine's Day. Why not incorporate them into your Valentine's Day lessons, or better yet, devote some time to the love filled candy delights?
Here are some of my ideas:
Art
Glue conversation hearts to a piece of paper.
Have the children glue the conversation hearts to the paper in a heart shape.
Have the children cut out a heart shape, and glue the conversation hearts to it.
Trace a heart shape on a piece of paper. Have the children glue the conversation hearts along the shape or inside the shape.
Use hot glue to attach one or more conversation hearts to a wooden block. After the glue has cooled, have the children use this as a stamp. They can dip the stamp in paint or on a stamp pad to make heart collages.
Have the children estimate how many hearts they can grab in one hand. Trace their hand onto a piece of paper and have them cut it out. Then have the child grab a handful of hearts and count them. Have the child glue the hearts onto their hand shape, then write the number of hearts they grabbed on their hand.
Math, Science and Games
Obtain one box of conversation hearts for each child. Check the colors of the hearts and print up the place mat that matches the colors of your hearts.pink, yellow, white, purple, orange, green
pink, yellow, blue, purple, orange, green
blank
Have the children sort the hearts by color. After the children have sorted the hearts, have them count how many of each color they have.
Obtain one box of conversation hearts for each child. Check the colors of the hearts and print up the place mat that matches the colors of your hearts.
pink, yellow, white, purple, orange, green
pink, yellow, blue, purple, orange, green
blank
Have the children place one heart in each square. Be sure to show the children how to start at the bottom and work their way up. Have the children count the hearts in each column.
Option 1: The children can glue the hearts in the boxes.
Option 2: Have the children color each box (with crayons, markers, colored pencils, or paint) that contains a heart with the coordinating color.
Option 3: Have the children use a heart shaped stamp to mark each box that contains a heart. Use coordinating ink colors.
Option 4: Have the children glue a paper heart in each square that contains a candy heart. Use coordianting paper colors. You can make the heart shapes with a paper punch.
-Use the graphs to start a conversation about the results. How many pink hearts did you have? Who had the most pink hearts? What color did you have the most of? The least? Does there seem to be more of one color in most of the boxes?
Print out one Candy Hearts Estimation Placemat for each child. Ask the children to estimate how many candies they can grab with one hand. Write the number in the first blank. Have the child grab a handful of candies and count them. Write the number in the second space.
Option 1: Have the child glue the candies to the hand shape.
Option 2: Have the children use a heart shaped stamp to represent each candy they were able to hold.
Option 3: Have the children glue one paper heart in the hand shape for each candy they grabbed. You can make the heart shapes with a paper punch.
Print out one Candy Hearts Estimation Placemat for each child. Ask the children to estimate how many candies they can will be able to fit into the heart shape. Write the number in the first blank. Have the child fill the heart shape with candies and count them. Write the number in the second space.
Option 1: Have the child glue the candies to the heart shape.
Option 2: Have the children use a heart shaped stamp to represent each candy they were able to fit in the heart.
Option 3: Have the children glue one paper heart in the big heart shape for each candy. You can make the heart shapes with a paper punch.
Cut out many different sized heart shapes. Have the children estimate how many conversation hearts will fit on each heart shape. Record each child's estimate. Then have the children place the conversation hearts on the heart shape and count how many will fit. Compare the estimates to the actual results.
Cut out 6 small heart shapes from a variety of different colors of card stock. Write the numbers 1 through 6 on the hearts. Tape each heart to the bottom of a muffin tin space. Have the children place 1 conversation heart in the "1" space, and two in the "2" and so on.
Note the colors present in your conversation hearts. Cut out a small heart shape for each color and tape each heart to the bottom on a muffin tin hole. Have the children sort conversation hearts by color.
Provide the children with a balance and conversation hearts. Have the children place hearts on both sides of the balance. Show the children how they can tell which side weighs more. See if they can balance the balance. Count the hearts on both sides.
Place an object from the class on one side of the balance, something light like a small block. Have the children estimate how many hearts will balance with the block. Add hearts to the other side until balanced or the heart side is heavier. Count the hearts.
Create a pattern with the conversation hearts. Have the children repeat the pattern or continue the pattern. Encourage the children to create their own pattern.
Use the hearts for math manipulatives. Have the children do simple addition problems , like adding two green hearts and one red heart.
Place conversation hearts in a clear jar. Have the children estimate how many hearts are in the jar. To help with their estimate they may count out ten hearts to hold or set out so they have a feeling of what ten looks like. Record each child's estimate, then count the hearts together.
Make your favorite sugar cookie recipe and have the children use heart shaped cookie cutters to make heart shaped cookies. Bake as directed, then allow to cool. Add frosting and conversation hearts to the top of each cookie.
Make your favorite sugar cookie recipe and have the children use heart shaped cookie cutters to make heart shaped cookies. Bake as directed, then allow to cool. Add frosting and conversation hearts to the top of each cookie.
Thursday, December 30, 2010
Alphabet Magnet Ideas for toddlers and preschool children
My mother in law got Rosa a gift certificate for Toys R Us this year. We decided to buy these wonderful alphabet pieces since Rosa was taking such an interest in letters. They are such a fun toy and very versatile.
Here are some fun ideas that you can use with this or other toys like it.
Use the pieces on the refrigerator, a magnetic white board or a cookie sheet. You can also create a magnetic wall in your child's room with chalk board paint. I also have seen one child care that bought a huge cookie sheet and screwed it into the wall at eye level to use for magnets.
The pieces can also be used on surfaces that are non-magnetic, they just won't stick.
Increasing letter recognition:
Here are some fun ideas that you can use with this or other toys like it.
Use the pieces on the refrigerator, a magnetic white board or a cookie sheet. You can also create a magnetic wall in your child's room with chalk board paint. I also have seen one child care that bought a huge cookie sheet and screwed it into the wall at eye level to use for magnets.
The pieces can also be used on surfaces that are non-magnetic, they just won't stick.
Increasing letter recognition:
- have your child point to a letter and you will name it
- find an upper case letter and have your child locate the same letter in the lower case (they will be the same color) and vise versa
- you can point to a letter and have your child tell you what letter it is
- spell a word and have your child identify the letters in the word
- spell your child's name and have your child name the letters
- spell a word with upper case letters then have your child spell the word with lower case letters
- place the lower or upper case letters in order a through z
- sing the alphabet song while you point to each letter
- ask your child to find a specific letter
- have your child sort the letters based on their color
- ask your child what color each letter is
- sort the letters into two group, vowels and consonants
- place a few letters out and count them
- spell your child's name and count the number of letters in their name
- spell a word, then count the letters
- count out five letters, then have your child take some of the letters while you hide your eyes, then "guess" how many letters your child took. Have your child show you the letters they took and count them. Switch roles. You can also model different ways that you can figure out how many are missing.
- place some of the letters in a glass jar and have your child guess how many there are in the jar, then count them
- have your child guess how many letters they can grab with one hand, then have them grab a handful of letters, count how many they can hold in one hand. Repeat this activity with both hands.
- provide your child with a balance and the letters so they can explore
Tracing the letter ideas
- trace the letters onto a piece of paper, then have your child identify the letters on the paper
- trace a word and have your child identify the letters
- trace their name and have your child identify the letters
- count the number of letters you have traced onto the paper
- have your child color the letters you have traced
- trace the letters onto a piece of paper in a pattern, then ask your child what letter will come next
- trace the letters, then have your child match the letters to the traced letters like a puzzle
- trace the letters onto index cards, one letter per card, then tape the cards to the floor in a circle. You can play musical chairs with the cards. It is best to have more cards than children. Ask the children what letter they are on.
- trace the letters onto index cards, one letter per card, then tape the cards on the floor close enough that the children can hop from one letter to the next. Ask the children to hop from one letter to the next and name the letters as they hop.
Wednesday, December 29, 2010
New Year's- Ringing in the New Year
New Year: preschool lesson plans
Art: Paper Party Hats:
You will need colored construction paper, a stapler or tape, a hole punch and yarn at the minimum. You may choose to have the children decorate the paper with markers, paint, crayons, string, glitter, the year, or however they wish. After the paper has dried, form a cone shape to fit the child's head. Then staple or tape the shape securely. The cone shape is formed by rolling up the paper so the longer sides of the paper forms the top and bottom of the cone. After you have secured the shape with tape or staples, cut the bottom of the cone so it is even all the way around. Punch two holes in the hat near the bottom to attach a string that will secure the hat on the child's head. Tie on the string.
Bells:
You will need yarn, a pencil, craft bells, styrofoam cups and decorating materials. Have the children decorate their cup. Cut a piece of yarn, no longer than the height of the cup. Tie the yarn to the bell. Then poke a small hole on the bottom of the cup. Thread the yarn through the hole so the bell is inside the cup. Tie the yarn in a knot (or a couple of knots) so it will not come loose. Now you have a bell.
Bell Rings:
You will need to make these for the children. Older children can do the threading. Simply thread craft bells onto a small piece of elastic, long enough to fit around your children's ankle or wrist. Then sew the two ends together. These can be used for group time dancing, songs and games below.
New Year Art
Write the number of the new year on a piece of paper and have the children decorate it with paint, markers, crayons, string, lace, glitter, or whatever.
Chinese Good Luck Letters:
Invite the children to write good luck letters to each other using square red paper. Fold in the four corners to the center of the paper to make it an "envelope" for itself. Have the child write their friends name on the outside.
Chinese New Year dragons:
Have the children make dragons out of lunch size paper bags and decorations like googly eyes, and paper scraps. Have a New Year's Parade and walk through the school and have the children place the dragons on their hands and wave them up and down.
Red Ribbons for to scare Nian
The tradition of Nian is explained in Dramatic Play. Supply each child with red ribbon and a dowel or unsharpened pencil. Have the children tape the ribbon to the dowel. This is used to scare Nian.
Chinese Laterns:
Have each child fold a piece of paper (red is best) in half so that the two longest sides are together. Then have the children cut one strip of paper off. Then have the children cut slits in the paper starting at the fold and going almost to the edges. Have the children make four or five slits. Then roll up the paper connecting the two shorter sides with tape or glue. Then the children may glue the first piece they cut off to the top of the lantern for the handle.
Noisemakers 1Cut a piece of construction paper that will fit around a Pringles container. Have the child decorate the paper however they choose. You can glue other paper onto it, decorate it with crayons, markers, etc. Tape or glue the construction paper over a Pringles container. Fill the container with beans, rice or corn kernals. Place the lid on the container and have the children shake their noisemakers.
Noisemakers 2
Take two sturdy paper plates. (The stronger the better)Place some beans on one of the plates and place the other plate on top of the first so that both eating surface areas are facing each other. Use masking tape to seal the plates together. Have your child decorate with markers, glitter, construction paper, or ribbons. When dry, shake. Shake to music, shake it each time you take a step. Shake, Shake Shake!!!
Math and Science:
Bell balancing: 3+
Supply the children with bells and a balance. Show the children how to make the balance even. Count the bells on each side.
Bell ringing: 3+
Supply the children with many different bells. What different sounds do they make. How are the sounds different.
Bell ringing 2: 3+
Supply the children with pairs of bells. Mix them up. See if they can find their matches by the sound.
Bell Sort: 3+
Provide the children with many different kinds of bells to sort by size or color.
Bell Estimation Jar:
Fill a jar with bells. Have the children take turns estimating how many bells are in the jar. To help with their estimation, have them pull out 10 bells and look at them, they may hold them in their hands or spread them out, whatever helps with their estimation. Then return the 10 bells to the jar. After everyone has estimated count the bells in the jar together.
What is a year:
Discuss with the children what a year is. Have one child stand in one place. They will be the sun. You can even give them a yellow plate with the word sun on it. Ask another child to be the earth. They can have a blue or green plate. Make the floor with masking tape where the child will start and stop. Have the earth child walk around the sun while spinning. Have them stop on the masking tape. Tell the children it takes 365 days for the earth to go all the way around the sun. Let other children have a chance to be the sun and earth. You can explain a day by having the sun child hold a flashlight. Turn out the lights, and have the earth child turn around in the same spot.
Group Time and Songs:
Bell Ring Song:
Supply each child with a bell ring. (Instructions on how to make bell rings in art section.) Sing this song and follow the directions: Sung to Frere Jacques
Ring your bells,
Ring your bells,
Shake them left and right,
Shake them hard and light,
Ring them loud,
Ring them soft.
Ring your bells,
Ring your bells,
Shake them up and down,
Shake them all around,
Ring them loud,
Ring them soft.
Happy Birthday:
Happy Birthday new year,
Happy Birthday new year,
Happy Birthday (say year),
Happy Birthday new year.
New Years Resolutions: 4+
Discuss with your children about the tradition of making resolutions on New Years. Ask each child what New Year's Resolution they would like to make. Write them down on a big piece of paper to post in the class. Or for older children have them write them down themselves.
Vasilopita
Greek New Year's cake. A coin is baked in the cake and the person who finds the coin in their slice is has good luck for the year.
Ingredients:
1 cup butter or margarine, softened
1 3/4 cups + 1 tablespoon white sugar
5 eggs
2 tablespoons water
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
3 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 cup slivered almonds
2 tablespoons sesame seeds
Directions:
Preheat oven to 325 degrees F.
In a large bowl, blend together the butter and sugar. Separate 3 of the eggs; add the yolks and the 2 remaining whole eggs to the butter mixture. Stir in the vanilla and water.
In another bowl, sift together the baking powder and flour. Add these dry ingredients to the creamed mixture.
Whip the egg whites until they are foamy. Add 1 tablespoon sugar. Continue to whip the whites until they are stiff, but not dry.
Pour the batter into a greased 10 x 4 inch tube pan. Wrap a large coin in foil, and place the coin in the batter. Press the coin down; it should be completely hidden. Sprinkle the nuts and seeds on top of the batter.
Bake the cake for about 70 minutes, or until done. Cool on a wire rack.
Happy New YearTeach the children to say Happy New Year in other languages.
Danish - Godt Nytår
French - Bonne année
German - Gutes Neues Jahr
Hebrew - Shanah tovah
Russian - S Novym Godom
Spanish - Feliz Año Nuevo
Games:
Bells on Shoes:
Younger children will enjoy this activity. You can thread craft bell onto the shoelaces of your children. Then have your children walk around, dance, or stomp.
Bell Ring Game:
Instructions on how to make bell rings in art section. Played like Doggie Doggie Where's your Bone? With a twist. Older children will have a hard time keeping the bells quiet, and it will give younger children the advantage of hearing the bells. This is how the game is played. The teacher picks one child to sit in the middle and be the Doggie. Then the other children sit in a circle around the Doggie. The teacher picks one child to hold the bells (bone) behind their back, and all the children sit with their hands behind their back. Say the Chant:
Doggie, Doggie,
Where's your bone?
Somebody took it from it's home,
Upstairs, downstairs, by the telephone,
Wake up doggie, Find your bone.
The Doggie picks up to three people that he/she believes has the bells. One at a time, as picked, the children show their hands. If they pick the right child they "win". Regardless the child with the "bone" become the next Doggie, and the old Doggie pick who will get the bells next.
Another Bell Game:
Bell relay race. Have a relay race where the first player had a bell ring on each wrist and ankle (four total). They run to the next person, and they have to take off all the bells and put them on the next person. (variation: only one person of the two may touch the bells).
Dramatic Play:
Countdown to the New Year:
Supply the children with party hats and noise makers. Pretend to countdown to the new year. Did you know a lot of noise is made to scare the old year away and welcome the new year?
Chinese Nian Fun:
Read this story:
Long ago, in Han times, there was a monster whose name was "Nian". This monster came once each year to a little village and scared everyone! One day, just by luck, the villagers discovered that "Nian" had a couple fears of his own. He was afraid of the color red and even more afraid of scary loud noises! The villagers prepared. When "Nian" appeared, everyone in the village ran for the red banners and noise makers they had made. They waved their banners and rattled their noise makers, which scared "Nian" so much that "Nian" ran away and was never heard from again! Which explains why people in China believe the color red signifies joy and luck, and why noise makers are rattled on Chinese New Year. At midnight, firecrackers, paper dragons, noise makers, the waving of red ribbons and banners all help to drive away any lingering evil spirits from the old year. (In case "Nian" is still lurking about somewhere!) Let one child be Nian, and the others be the villagers. Ask the children to find something red to scare Nian. Read the story again and let the children act it out.
Art: Paper Party Hats:
You will need colored construction paper, a stapler or tape, a hole punch and yarn at the minimum. You may choose to have the children decorate the paper with markers, paint, crayons, string, glitter, the year, or however they wish. After the paper has dried, form a cone shape to fit the child's head. Then staple or tape the shape securely. The cone shape is formed by rolling up the paper so the longer sides of the paper forms the top and bottom of the cone. After you have secured the shape with tape or staples, cut the bottom of the cone so it is even all the way around. Punch two holes in the hat near the bottom to attach a string that will secure the hat on the child's head. Tie on the string.
Bells:
You will need yarn, a pencil, craft bells, styrofoam cups and decorating materials. Have the children decorate their cup. Cut a piece of yarn, no longer than the height of the cup. Tie the yarn to the bell. Then poke a small hole on the bottom of the cup. Thread the yarn through the hole so the bell is inside the cup. Tie the yarn in a knot (or a couple of knots) so it will not come loose. Now you have a bell.
Bell Rings:
You will need to make these for the children. Older children can do the threading. Simply thread craft bells onto a small piece of elastic, long enough to fit around your children's ankle or wrist. Then sew the two ends together. These can be used for group time dancing, songs and games below.
New Year Art
Write the number of the new year on a piece of paper and have the children decorate it with paint, markers, crayons, string, lace, glitter, or whatever.
Chinese Good Luck Letters:
Invite the children to write good luck letters to each other using square red paper. Fold in the four corners to the center of the paper to make it an "envelope" for itself. Have the child write their friends name on the outside.
Chinese New Year dragons:
Have the children make dragons out of lunch size paper bags and decorations like googly eyes, and paper scraps. Have a New Year's Parade and walk through the school and have the children place the dragons on their hands and wave them up and down.
Red Ribbons for to scare Nian
The tradition of Nian is explained in Dramatic Play. Supply each child with red ribbon and a dowel or unsharpened pencil. Have the children tape the ribbon to the dowel. This is used to scare Nian.
Chinese Laterns:
Have each child fold a piece of paper (red is best) in half so that the two longest sides are together. Then have the children cut one strip of paper off. Then have the children cut slits in the paper starting at the fold and going almost to the edges. Have the children make four or five slits. Then roll up the paper connecting the two shorter sides with tape or glue. Then the children may glue the first piece they cut off to the top of the lantern for the handle.
Noisemakers 1Cut a piece of construction paper that will fit around a Pringles container. Have the child decorate the paper however they choose. You can glue other paper onto it, decorate it with crayons, markers, etc. Tape or glue the construction paper over a Pringles container. Fill the container with beans, rice or corn kernals. Place the lid on the container and have the children shake their noisemakers.
Noisemakers 2
Take two sturdy paper plates. (The stronger the better)Place some beans on one of the plates and place the other plate on top of the first so that both eating surface areas are facing each other. Use masking tape to seal the plates together. Have your child decorate with markers, glitter, construction paper, or ribbons. When dry, shake. Shake to music, shake it each time you take a step. Shake, Shake Shake!!!
Math and Science:
Bell balancing: 3+
Supply the children with bells and a balance. Show the children how to make the balance even. Count the bells on each side.
Bell ringing: 3+
Supply the children with many different bells. What different sounds do they make. How are the sounds different.
Bell ringing 2: 3+
Supply the children with pairs of bells. Mix them up. See if they can find their matches by the sound.
Bell Sort: 3+
Provide the children with many different kinds of bells to sort by size or color.
Bell Estimation Jar:
Fill a jar with bells. Have the children take turns estimating how many bells are in the jar. To help with their estimation, have them pull out 10 bells and look at them, they may hold them in their hands or spread them out, whatever helps with their estimation. Then return the 10 bells to the jar. After everyone has estimated count the bells in the jar together.
What is a year:
Discuss with the children what a year is. Have one child stand in one place. They will be the sun. You can even give them a yellow plate with the word sun on it. Ask another child to be the earth. They can have a blue or green plate. Make the floor with masking tape where the child will start and stop. Have the earth child walk around the sun while spinning. Have them stop on the masking tape. Tell the children it takes 365 days for the earth to go all the way around the sun. Let other children have a chance to be the sun and earth. You can explain a day by having the sun child hold a flashlight. Turn out the lights, and have the earth child turn around in the same spot.
Group Time and Songs:
Bell Ring Song:
Supply each child with a bell ring. (Instructions on how to make bell rings in art section.) Sing this song and follow the directions: Sung to Frere Jacques
Ring your bells,
Ring your bells,
Shake them left and right,
Shake them hard and light,
Ring them loud,
Ring them soft.
Ring your bells,
Ring your bells,
Shake them up and down,
Shake them all around,
Ring them loud,
Ring them soft.
Happy Birthday:
Happy Birthday new year,
Happy Birthday new year,
Happy Birthday (say year),
Happy Birthday new year.
New Years Resolutions: 4+
Discuss with your children about the tradition of making resolutions on New Years. Ask each child what New Year's Resolution they would like to make. Write them down on a big piece of paper to post in the class. Or for older children have them write them down themselves.
Vasilopita
Greek New Year's cake. A coin is baked in the cake and the person who finds the coin in their slice is has good luck for the year.
Ingredients:
1 cup butter or margarine, softened
1 3/4 cups + 1 tablespoon white sugar
5 eggs
2 tablespoons water
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
3 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 cup slivered almonds
2 tablespoons sesame seeds
Directions:
Preheat oven to 325 degrees F.
In a large bowl, blend together the butter and sugar. Separate 3 of the eggs; add the yolks and the 2 remaining whole eggs to the butter mixture. Stir in the vanilla and water.
In another bowl, sift together the baking powder and flour. Add these dry ingredients to the creamed mixture.
Whip the egg whites until they are foamy. Add 1 tablespoon sugar. Continue to whip the whites until they are stiff, but not dry.
Pour the batter into a greased 10 x 4 inch tube pan. Wrap a large coin in foil, and place the coin in the batter. Press the coin down; it should be completely hidden. Sprinkle the nuts and seeds on top of the batter.
Bake the cake for about 70 minutes, or until done. Cool on a wire rack.
Happy New YearTeach the children to say Happy New Year in other languages.
Danish - Godt Nytår
French - Bonne année
German - Gutes Neues Jahr
Hebrew - Shanah tovah
Russian - S Novym Godom
Spanish - Feliz Año Nuevo
Games:
Bells on Shoes:
Younger children will enjoy this activity. You can thread craft bell onto the shoelaces of your children. Then have your children walk around, dance, or stomp.
Bell Ring Game:
Instructions on how to make bell rings in art section. Played like Doggie Doggie Where's your Bone? With a twist. Older children will have a hard time keeping the bells quiet, and it will give younger children the advantage of hearing the bells. This is how the game is played. The teacher picks one child to sit in the middle and be the Doggie. Then the other children sit in a circle around the Doggie. The teacher picks one child to hold the bells (bone) behind their back, and all the children sit with their hands behind their back. Say the Chant:
Doggie, Doggie,
Where's your bone?
Somebody took it from it's home,
Upstairs, downstairs, by the telephone,
Wake up doggie, Find your bone.
The Doggie picks up to three people that he/she believes has the bells. One at a time, as picked, the children show their hands. If they pick the right child they "win". Regardless the child with the "bone" become the next Doggie, and the old Doggie pick who will get the bells next.
Another Bell Game:
Bell relay race. Have a relay race where the first player had a bell ring on each wrist and ankle (four total). They run to the next person, and they have to take off all the bells and put them on the next person. (variation: only one person of the two may touch the bells).
Dramatic Play:
Countdown to the New Year:
Supply the children with party hats and noise makers. Pretend to countdown to the new year. Did you know a lot of noise is made to scare the old year away and welcome the new year?
Chinese Nian Fun:
Read this story:
Long ago, in Han times, there was a monster whose name was "Nian". This monster came once each year to a little village and scared everyone! One day, just by luck, the villagers discovered that "Nian" had a couple fears of his own. He was afraid of the color red and even more afraid of scary loud noises! The villagers prepared. When "Nian" appeared, everyone in the village ran for the red banners and noise makers they had made. They waved their banners and rattled their noise makers, which scared "Nian" so much that "Nian" ran away and was never heard from again! Which explains why people in China believe the color red signifies joy and luck, and why noise makers are rattled on Chinese New Year. At midnight, firecrackers, paper dragons, noise makers, the waving of red ribbons and banners all help to drive away any lingering evil spirits from the old year. (In case "Nian" is still lurking about somewhere!) Let one child be Nian, and the others be the villagers. Ask the children to find something red to scare Nian. Read the story again and let the children act it out.
Wednesday, December 22, 2010
Christmas Stars - Preschool Lesson Plans
Stars are a great symbol of Christmas, after all it was a star that led the Wise Men to baby Jesus. Many people place a star on top of their Christmas tree. So here's a whole lesson that is devoted to stars.
Stars - Art
Cookie Cutter Painting
Put a small amount of tempera paint in a large shallow container. (A pie tin works well) Show your child how to dip the star shaped cookie cutter in the paint and press onto a piece of paper to create a print. You can make holiday pictures or greeting cards by using holiday cookie cutters and colored paper.
Christmas Stars
Cut out many different star shapes. Have the child glue the stars onto a piece of dark blue paper to represent the night sky.
Sticker Stars
Have the children place star stickers on a piece of black paper.
Night Art
Have children draw a picture on black paper with chalk or white crayons.
Stamping Stars
Provide the children with star stamps. Have the child press the stamp on a non-toxic ink pad and press onto a piece of paper. (Silver or white ink will look very neeto on black or dark blue paper)
Star Sponges
Provide the children with star shaped sponges. Have the child dip the sponge in non-toxic paint and press onto a piece of paper. (Silver or white paint will look very neeto on black or dark blue paper)
Decorate a Star
You can either have the children decorate a pre-cut star or they can decorate paper and cut out the star shape. Have your child decorate the star using:
Glitter, Crayons, Pens, Colored Pencils, Markers, Paint, Lace, String, Yarn, Ribbon, Paper Doilys, Tissue Paper, Torn Paper, star Shaped Paper, The Holes from a hole punch, Stickers, Sand, Twine, Old Puzzle Pieces, Buttons, Colored Glue, Colored Tape, Chalk, Wet Chalk, Wrapping Paper, Stamps, Aluminum Foil, Heart Shaped Confetti, Glue on Candy Confections, star Shaped Sponge Painting, Pasta or rice colored with food coloring.
Glue Stars
Place glue on a piece of paper in a star shape. Have the children place glitter, colored rice or koolaid on the glue.
Eggshell Stars
Use food coloring to color crushed eggshells. Use a few different colors. (You can use eggshells from eggs you have used. There is no need to hard boil these egg shells.) Let your child glue the eggshells to a star shaped piece a paper, after the dye has dried.
Star Headbands
Measure your child's head, and cut a piece of construction paper long enough to create a headband. Glue the paper together so the headband fits snugly on your child's head but is loose enough to take off easily. have the child decorate one to three star shapes, then glue or staple the stars to the headband.
Sun Catcher Stars
Supply each child with a star-shaped piece of contact paper and many tissue paper squares of different colors. Have the children place the squares on the contact paper. Then trim the star and hang it in a window.
Tie Died Stars
Supply each child with a white construction paper star and many pieces of tissue paper that will bleed when wet. Have the child place the tissue paper on the star, then have them paint the paper with water, just enough to get it wet with no standing water. Then allow to dry. When dry remove the paper.
Star Spray Paint Art:
Obtain a few clean spray bottles. Add water and a little bit of liquid or powdered tempera. Then, place a large piece of star-shaped paper on an easel, and have the children spray the colored water onto the star-shaped paper.
Star Punch Collage
Use a star punch to make many different colored stars for the children to glue to different colors of construction paper. We punched wall paper and construction paper.
Star-Shaped Balloon Prints
In a pie tin, place three to five teaspoon sized portions of different colored pastel tempera paint evenly spaced about the area. Inflate a small balloon to a size which will easily fit in the palm of your child's hand. Show your child how to "dip" the balloon in the paint and press firmly onto a piece of paper. Let your child mix the colors, or use one color at a time. This is messy, but the results are wonderful. Cut out the paper into a star shape.
Contact Paper Art
You will need a picture of a star. Place the image on the table and place a piece of contact paper, sticky side up over the image. Supply the children with scraps of construction paper to tissue paper. Children use the scraps to create the image on the contact paper.
Cotton Stars
Place glue on a piece of paper in a star shape. Have the children place cotton balls on the glue.
Wooden Stars
Have the children decorate a wooden star shape with felt or paint. Attach a piece of ribbon or yarn with hot glue to create an ornament.
Star Rubbings
Cut star shapes from paper doilys or sandpaper. Tape these stars to the table. Have the children place a piece of thin white paper over the stars and rub a crayon over the star.
Shaving Cream Art
Add a drop of food coloring to a baseball sized pile of shaving cream. Mix this with a paint brush. Have the children be very careful, and use smocks because the food coloring will stain their clothing and hands. Have the children paint the shaving cream on a white star shaped piece of paper.
Star Shaped Potato Prints
Cut a large potato in half. You will need a star shaped cookie cutter that will fit on the potato half. Press the cookie cutter into the flat side of the potato. Then, using a knife, cut the potato around the outside of the cookie cutter, leaving a star shaped potato stamp. Supply the children with the potato stamps, different colored paints, and paper. Have the children dip the potatoes in the paint and press them firmly onto the paper. If the potatoes are not cut evenly the shapes will not appear clearly.
Star Necklaces
Supply the children with star shaped beads and yarn. You child also have the children cut out star shapes from construction paper. Then, have them use a hole punch to make a hole, so they can thread them onto a piece of yarn.
Star Shaped Marble Art
First you need a large plastic container with a lid. (I used a shallow peanut butter container.) Next cut out paper that will fit in the lid of the container in the shape of a star. Place a few drops of paint into the container with a few marbles (be sure to observe carefully as marbles are a choking hazzard) then place a very small amount of paint on the lid and pre-cut paper on the paint. (I use the paint to make the paper stick to the lid.) Place the lid on the container, flip and have the children shake. When finished, remove paper and allow to dry, and place a clean piece of paper in the lid for the next child.
Star Shaped Bubble Art
Supply the children with a bowl with bubble mix in it and a straw with a hole near the top to prevent children from sucking the soap up. Have the children blow into the straw while it is in the bowl creating bubbles. Then, have the child place a drop of food coloring on the top of the bubbles and quickly press a piece of star shaped paper on the top of the bubbles to create bubble prints.
Torn Paper Art
Draw a star shape on a piece of paper. Provide the children with paper to tear and glue onto the star shape.
Christmas Star Math/Science/Games
Lacing Cards
Cut colored posterboard into a star shape and punch holes around the edges. Then let your child lace yarn or a shoestring into the cards.
Stamping Patterns
Use star shaped rubber stamps to create a simple pattern on the top half of a piece of paper. Ask your child to help you recreate the patterm on the bottom half of the paper. Tip: Start with one stamp, and have your child pick which stamp you used. Start slowly and work your way up to more complicated patterns.
Star Match
Cut out many different stars from different colors. Have the children find the matching star.
Star Match Up
There are many ways to set this up depending on the skill level or the particular skill you wish to work on. Try these different set ups:
Bean Bag Toss
Obtain a large piece of cardboard. A large, unfolded box works well. Cut One or two star shapes out of the cardboard. Paint the cardboard. When dry let the children throw bean bags through the star shaped holes.
Star Hop
Cut out large star shapes from colored paper. Laminate them and cut them out. Place them on the floor and ask the children to hop from one star to another. These may also be used at seat markers for group time.
Star Hide and Seek
Have all the children hide their eyes while you "hide" a star in the room. (It should be placed in plain view) Tell the children to find the star, but not touch it. Once they spot it they should sit back down in their spot. The first one to sit down again will get to hide the star.
Star Hide and Seek
Play the game the same as above, except hide the star. Then tell the children individually whether they are "hot" or "cold" to the relation of the star. Allow the other children to have a change to hide the star, and tell children whether they are "hot or cold". It may be a good idea to discuss the meaning of hot and cold before you play this game.
Star Fishing Game
Tie 3 feet of string to a wooden spoon. Attach a magnet to the end of the string. Cut and laminate many different colored, and sized stars from construction paper (not too big though). Attach a paper clip to each star. Spread the star shapes on the floor and let your child try to catch the stars. Have them try to catch the red star.. or the biggest star. For a twist, label the stars with letters or numbers. Ask the children to catch a specific star, or ask them which star they caught.
Star Card Match
Remove the star card from a deck of old playing cards. Cut the cards in half so one number or letter is on each half. Ask the children to pick one card, then find it's other half.
Star Shaped Games
The following games require you to cut out many different star shapes from construction paper. You may choose to laminate these stars so they last longer.
Star Sizing
Cut out many different sized stars. Ask the children to line up the stars from largest to smallest.
Star Numbers
Cut out ten star shapes. Number them one to ten. Ask the children to line up the stars from one to ten.
Star Colors
Ask the children to sort the stars by color.
Star Sort
Ask the children to sort the stars by size.
Connect Four
You can place star stickers on the piece of a "Connect Four" game. Play the game according to the traditional rules.
Songs and Group Time
Flashlight Fun
Have the children bring in flashlights. Turn off the lights and let them shine their flashlights.
Reach for the Stars
Have the children pretend to catch stars. Ask them how many stars they caught.
Star Hop
Cut out large star shapes from colored paper. Laminate them and cut them out. Place them on the floor and ask the children to hop from one star to another. These may also be used at seat markers for group time.
Star Bowling
Obtain 10 half gallon milk cartons, or 2 liter bottles. Fill the bottles about 1/8 full with water and seal the lid. Then, decorate the bottles with stars. Set the bottles up like they were bowling pins and have the children roll a ball to try to knock them over. If they don't knock over easily, remove some of the water.
Twinkle Twinkle
Twinkle Twinkle little star
How I wonder what you are
Up above the clouds
Like a diamond in the sky
Twinkle Twinkle little star
How I wonder what you are.
Star Light
Star Light Star Bright
Wish I may, Wish I might
The first star I see tonight
I wish ......
Star Light Bulletin Board
Write the poem above on a piece of paper.
Ask the children to finish the poem with their own wish.
Record their answer on a strip of paper or on a star shaped piece of paper. Flip the strip over and write their names on the other side.
Place the poem and the responses on the bulletin board.
When You Wish Upon A Star
Listen to this Disney tune.
Star Clean Up
Assign members to each team, making it pretty fair to the amount of mess in each area. Make star shaped necklaces with the names of the areas to be cleaned on them and pictures. Have the children sit down on our carpet and tell them what to clean and give them a necklace. Like Dramatic Play, blocks, small toys, art, puzzles.. etc. Then they would race against each other and whatever team was done and all sitting on the carpet first would win.
Stars Song - by chicky
Sung to Mary Had a Little Lamb
Stars are shining in the sky
in the sky, in the sky
Stars are shining in the sky
Way way up so high.
Telescope
Pretend that a paper towel tube is a telescope. Use the telescope to check out the stars.
Snack Ideas
Jello in the shape of Stars
Cookies shaped like stars
rice crispy treats cut out in the shape of stars
star shaped cereal
Stars - Art
Cookie Cutter Painting
Put a small amount of tempera paint in a large shallow container. (A pie tin works well) Show your child how to dip the star shaped cookie cutter in the paint and press onto a piece of paper to create a print. You can make holiday pictures or greeting cards by using holiday cookie cutters and colored paper.
Christmas Stars
Cut out many different star shapes. Have the child glue the stars onto a piece of dark blue paper to represent the night sky.
Sticker Stars
Have the children place star stickers on a piece of black paper.
Night Art
Have children draw a picture on black paper with chalk or white crayons.
Stamping Stars
Provide the children with star stamps. Have the child press the stamp on a non-toxic ink pad and press onto a piece of paper. (Silver or white ink will look very neeto on black or dark blue paper)
Star Sponges
Provide the children with star shaped sponges. Have the child dip the sponge in non-toxic paint and press onto a piece of paper. (Silver or white paint will look very neeto on black or dark blue paper)
Decorate a Star
You can either have the children decorate a pre-cut star or they can decorate paper and cut out the star shape. Have your child decorate the star using:
Glitter, Crayons, Pens, Colored Pencils, Markers, Paint, Lace, String, Yarn, Ribbon, Paper Doilys, Tissue Paper, Torn Paper, star Shaped Paper, The Holes from a hole punch, Stickers, Sand, Twine, Old Puzzle Pieces, Buttons, Colored Glue, Colored Tape, Chalk, Wet Chalk, Wrapping Paper, Stamps, Aluminum Foil, Heart Shaped Confetti, Glue on Candy Confections, star Shaped Sponge Painting, Pasta or rice colored with food coloring.
Glue Stars
Place glue on a piece of paper in a star shape. Have the children place glitter, colored rice or koolaid on the glue.
Eggshell Stars
Use food coloring to color crushed eggshells. Use a few different colors. (You can use eggshells from eggs you have used. There is no need to hard boil these egg shells.) Let your child glue the eggshells to a star shaped piece a paper, after the dye has dried.
Star Headbands
Measure your child's head, and cut a piece of construction paper long enough to create a headband. Glue the paper together so the headband fits snugly on your child's head but is loose enough to take off easily. have the child decorate one to three star shapes, then glue or staple the stars to the headband.
Sun Catcher Stars
Supply each child with a star-shaped piece of contact paper and many tissue paper squares of different colors. Have the children place the squares on the contact paper. Then trim the star and hang it in a window.
Tie Died Stars
Supply each child with a white construction paper star and many pieces of tissue paper that will bleed when wet. Have the child place the tissue paper on the star, then have them paint the paper with water, just enough to get it wet with no standing water. Then allow to dry. When dry remove the paper.
Star Spray Paint Art:
Obtain a few clean spray bottles. Add water and a little bit of liquid or powdered tempera. Then, place a large piece of star-shaped paper on an easel, and have the children spray the colored water onto the star-shaped paper.
Star Punch Collage
Use a star punch to make many different colored stars for the children to glue to different colors of construction paper. We punched wall paper and construction paper.
Star-Shaped Balloon Prints
In a pie tin, place three to five teaspoon sized portions of different colored pastel tempera paint evenly spaced about the area. Inflate a small balloon to a size which will easily fit in the palm of your child's hand. Show your child how to "dip" the balloon in the paint and press firmly onto a piece of paper. Let your child mix the colors, or use one color at a time. This is messy, but the results are wonderful. Cut out the paper into a star shape.
Contact Paper Art
You will need a picture of a star. Place the image on the table and place a piece of contact paper, sticky side up over the image. Supply the children with scraps of construction paper to tissue paper. Children use the scraps to create the image on the contact paper.
Cotton Stars
Place glue on a piece of paper in a star shape. Have the children place cotton balls on the glue.
Wooden Stars
Have the children decorate a wooden star shape with felt or paint. Attach a piece of ribbon or yarn with hot glue to create an ornament.
Star Rubbings
Cut star shapes from paper doilys or sandpaper. Tape these stars to the table. Have the children place a piece of thin white paper over the stars and rub a crayon over the star.
Shaving Cream Art
Add a drop of food coloring to a baseball sized pile of shaving cream. Mix this with a paint brush. Have the children be very careful, and use smocks because the food coloring will stain their clothing and hands. Have the children paint the shaving cream on a white star shaped piece of paper.
Star Shaped Potato Prints
Cut a large potato in half. You will need a star shaped cookie cutter that will fit on the potato half. Press the cookie cutter into the flat side of the potato. Then, using a knife, cut the potato around the outside of the cookie cutter, leaving a star shaped potato stamp. Supply the children with the potato stamps, different colored paints, and paper. Have the children dip the potatoes in the paint and press them firmly onto the paper. If the potatoes are not cut evenly the shapes will not appear clearly.
Star Necklaces
Supply the children with star shaped beads and yarn. You child also have the children cut out star shapes from construction paper. Then, have them use a hole punch to make a hole, so they can thread them onto a piece of yarn.
Star Shaped Marble Art
First you need a large plastic container with a lid. (I used a shallow peanut butter container.) Next cut out paper that will fit in the lid of the container in the shape of a star. Place a few drops of paint into the container with a few marbles (be sure to observe carefully as marbles are a choking hazzard) then place a very small amount of paint on the lid and pre-cut paper on the paint. (I use the paint to make the paper stick to the lid.) Place the lid on the container, flip and have the children shake. When finished, remove paper and allow to dry, and place a clean piece of paper in the lid for the next child.
Star Shaped Bubble Art
Supply the children with a bowl with bubble mix in it and a straw with a hole near the top to prevent children from sucking the soap up. Have the children blow into the straw while it is in the bowl creating bubbles. Then, have the child place a drop of food coloring on the top of the bubbles and quickly press a piece of star shaped paper on the top of the bubbles to create bubble prints.
Torn Paper Art
Draw a star shape on a piece of paper. Provide the children with paper to tear and glue onto the star shape.
Christmas Star Math/Science/Games
Lacing Cards
Cut colored posterboard into a star shape and punch holes around the edges. Then let your child lace yarn or a shoestring into the cards.
Stamping Patterns
Use star shaped rubber stamps to create a simple pattern on the top half of a piece of paper. Ask your child to help you recreate the patterm on the bottom half of the paper. Tip: Start with one stamp, and have your child pick which stamp you used. Start slowly and work your way up to more complicated patterns.
Star Match
Cut out many different stars from different colors. Have the children find the matching star.
Star Match Up
There are many ways to set this up depending on the skill level or the particular skill you wish to work on. Try these different set ups:
- Cut out star shapes from different colors of paper. Give each child one star. Ask the children to find one person with the same color star.
- Cut out star shapes from different colors of paper. Cut the stars in half using a puzzle type cut, like zig zag or interlocking pieces. Give each child one half of a star, and ask them to find the person with the other half. Or Give the children two pieces and have the children make a circle, with one child that has one match on one side and the other match on the other side. You may end up with 2 or more circles depending on how the star pieces are distributed.
- Cut out star shapes from one color of paper. Cut the stars in half using a puzzle type cut, like zig zag or interlocking pieces. Give each child one half of a star, and ask them to find the person with the other half. Or Give the children two pieces and have the children make a circle, with one child that has one match on one side and the other match on the other side. You may end up with 2 or more circles depending on how the star pieces are distributed.
- Cut the star shapes from one color of paper. Label one set of stars with numbers, i.e. if you have 20 children, label the stars with the numbers one to ten. The other half, draw one dot on one, two on another, and so on until ten. Give each child one star and have them find the child with their match.
- Cut the star shapes from one color of paper. Place matching stickers on two stars. Give each child one star and have them find the child with their match.
- Cut the star shapes from one color of paper. Cut the stars in half using a puzzle type cut, like zig zag or interlocking pieces. Place matching stickers on each half of a star. Give each child one star half and have them find the child with their match.
- Place matching star stickers on separate index cards. Give each child a card and ask them to find the child with their match.
- Try all the above, but in a file folder format. Glue one part of the star to the file folder and laminate it's match.
Bean Bag Toss
Obtain a large piece of cardboard. A large, unfolded box works well. Cut One or two star shapes out of the cardboard. Paint the cardboard. When dry let the children throw bean bags through the star shaped holes.
Star Hop
Cut out large star shapes from colored paper. Laminate them and cut them out. Place them on the floor and ask the children to hop from one star to another. These may also be used at seat markers for group time.
Star Hide and Seek
Have all the children hide their eyes while you "hide" a star in the room. (It should be placed in plain view) Tell the children to find the star, but not touch it. Once they spot it they should sit back down in their spot. The first one to sit down again will get to hide the star.
Star Hide and Seek
Play the game the same as above, except hide the star. Then tell the children individually whether they are "hot" or "cold" to the relation of the star. Allow the other children to have a change to hide the star, and tell children whether they are "hot or cold". It may be a good idea to discuss the meaning of hot and cold before you play this game.
Star Fishing Game
Tie 3 feet of string to a wooden spoon. Attach a magnet to the end of the string. Cut and laminate many different colored, and sized stars from construction paper (not too big though). Attach a paper clip to each star. Spread the star shapes on the floor and let your child try to catch the stars. Have them try to catch the red star.. or the biggest star. For a twist, label the stars with letters or numbers. Ask the children to catch a specific star, or ask them which star they caught.
Star Card Match
Remove the star card from a deck of old playing cards. Cut the cards in half so one number or letter is on each half. Ask the children to pick one card, then find it's other half.
Star Shaped Games
The following games require you to cut out many different star shapes from construction paper. You may choose to laminate these stars so they last longer.
Star Sizing
Cut out many different sized stars. Ask the children to line up the stars from largest to smallest.
Star Numbers
Cut out ten star shapes. Number them one to ten. Ask the children to line up the stars from one to ten.
Star Colors
Ask the children to sort the stars by color.
Star Sort
Ask the children to sort the stars by size.
Connect Four
You can place star stickers on the piece of a "Connect Four" game. Play the game according to the traditional rules.
Songs and Group Time
Flashlight Fun
Have the children bring in flashlights. Turn off the lights and let them shine their flashlights.
Reach for the Stars
Have the children pretend to catch stars. Ask them how many stars they caught.
Star Hop
Cut out large star shapes from colored paper. Laminate them and cut them out. Place them on the floor and ask the children to hop from one star to another. These may also be used at seat markers for group time.
Star Bowling
Obtain 10 half gallon milk cartons, or 2 liter bottles. Fill the bottles about 1/8 full with water and seal the lid. Then, decorate the bottles with stars. Set the bottles up like they were bowling pins and have the children roll a ball to try to knock them over. If they don't knock over easily, remove some of the water.
Twinkle Twinkle
Twinkle Twinkle little star
How I wonder what you are
Up above the clouds
Like a diamond in the sky
Twinkle Twinkle little star
How I wonder what you are.
Star Light
Star Light Star Bright
Wish I may, Wish I might
The first star I see tonight
I wish ......
Star Light Bulletin Board
Write the poem above on a piece of paper.
Ask the children to finish the poem with their own wish.
Record their answer on a strip of paper or on a star shaped piece of paper. Flip the strip over and write their names on the other side.
Place the poem and the responses on the bulletin board.
When You Wish Upon A Star
Listen to this Disney tune.
Star Clean Up
Assign members to each team, making it pretty fair to the amount of mess in each area. Make star shaped necklaces with the names of the areas to be cleaned on them and pictures. Have the children sit down on our carpet and tell them what to clean and give them a necklace. Like Dramatic Play, blocks, small toys, art, puzzles.. etc. Then they would race against each other and whatever team was done and all sitting on the carpet first would win.
Stars Song - by chicky
Sung to Mary Had a Little Lamb
Stars are shining in the sky
in the sky, in the sky
Stars are shining in the sky
Way way up so high.
Telescope
Pretend that a paper towel tube is a telescope. Use the telescope to check out the stars.
Snack Ideas
Jello in the shape of Stars
Cookies shaped like stars
rice crispy treats cut out in the shape of stars
star shaped cereal
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)