Make & Take Monday

Indoor Lid Toss
The premise of this activity is totally simple: toss lids into containers marked with a number value. Add the number values from the containers. See who can get to a particular number first. What a great outdoor activity! Learning math and it's fun too!

Materials: lids (enough for each child playing to have 5); colored circle stickers; marker; basket for the lids; masking tape; several empty plastic containers (different size opening);  a three-part server; a big tray; and paper to record score.

Directions:
1. Have each child take five small lids. Place a tiny colored sticker (could use one color or different colors depending on the amount support for children) in the inside of each lid.
2. Have the children write their first initial on each sticker. This will help children identify their lids.  (Plus, it provides a little extra writing practice.)
3. Put tape on the floor where the children need to stand.
4. Place the containers on the large tray. Put numbers 1, 2, and 3 on the 3-part server and place it in the front. Put number values on the other containers with the highest value on the smallest container.
5. Each child takes a turn and tosses their 5 lids in the containers. Add the values and record score on paper.

Feature Friday

Converting Audio Cassettes to Cd's

Have you ever wondered what to do with all those audio cassettes. It seems as if every piece of equipment now uses Cd's and we still have such great stories and activities on tapes. Fortunately, you can easily transfer audio from cassettes to your computer, where it can be stored in formats such as WAV and MP3 or can be burned to Cd's. In fact, $6 could get you everything you need.

Go to this link, http://www.wikihow.com/Transfer-Cassette-Tape-to-Computer, to get full directions. You can also find directions on how to record on Cd's (You can even record your own stories now!)

Thoughtful Thursday

Behavior Communicates Need

"All behavior has a reason, even if sometimes the reason is not a good one. Behaviors are strategies we use to draw attention to our needs. Children act out if they feel their needs (e.g. for affection, comfort, or security) aren’t being met. They are not mature enough to tell us in words which needs these are. The worst thing an adult can do is to ignore a child’s request for help (which is what the behavior is for), or to be afraid of an outburst. By dismissing the child, or giving into his demands without examining them, we are failing to acknowledge his feelings, and are not offering  genuine support in helping him communicate his needs in a way that will get them met. Children look to adults for g uidance in how to behave; we allow them to have their feelings in a safe environment, and prevent them from hurting themselves or others."


Taken from "Addressing Children’s Challenging Behavior" (January, 2011), Mary Gersten.

Workshop Wednesday

Color Wheel

This simple activity will be a huge hit during center time. Visual discrimination and fine motor skills will be enhanced as children match the clothespins (color dot) to the correct section on the wheel. Make sure you use various shades of the same color for an interesting challenge.

Transition Tuesday

Use this finger play while waiting in line.

Matching

Match the fingers on your hands

One to one as up they stand.

Match your two thumbs small and fat.

Match two pointers just like that.

Match two middle fingers tall.

Match two ring ones. That’s not all

Match two fingers very small.

Match two feet with socks and shoes.

Match everything that goes by two’s.

This transition activity also helps children move thier fingers separately - a skill needed for writing readiness.

Make & Take Monday

Make Your Own Crayons

Want to spice up your art and writing area - make your own crayons in fun and intersting shapes. And what a great way to recycle those broken pieces.

Materials: Bunches of old and broken crayons (without the paper); Some type of mold, like a silicon mold or even a metal mini cupcake pan (DO NOT re-use this for food!!); Cooling rack; Oven

Directions:
1. Unwrap your crayons and  break into small pieces. This is a fun job for the children. And a great fine motor activity too.
2. Place the broken pieces into your mold. You can use one color in each mold or mix your colors for a rainbow effect.
3. Bake at 300 degrees for 10 - 15 minutes.
4. Once completely melted, let cool on your cooling rack for about 30 minutes or until the crayons are hard again.
5.  Pop them out and your artists are ready to go!

Feature Friday

Books for Presidents Day

Presidents' Day by Anne Rockwell

A simple, yet great picture book that explains the meaning of the holiday through a classroom play. The reader learns about such famous presidents as George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt, and Abraham Lincoln. ... " Today at school we celebrated Presidents' Day by putting on a play. Mrs. Madoff said I could be George Washington because his birthday is the same as mine. Charlie was Abraham Lincoln because he's the tallest kid in our class. Everyone else had very important parts to play, too. At the end of the day we voted for class president, and you'll never guess who won!"

Celebrating President's Day: What Is a President? by Kimberly Jordano

This picture book explains the meaning behind Presidents' Day and the role of a president. With its simple language it is certainly appropriate for Pre-K and kindergarten classrooms.

 

Story of George Washington  by Patricia A. Pingry

This little board book briefly and simply tells the story of George Washington, the first President of the United States. Teachers and parents can use this book to introduce the person of Washington to very young children through simple words and bright pictures.

The Story of Abraham Lincoln by Patricia A. Pingry

Through simple words and illustrations a young child can meet Abraham Lincoln, the sixteenth president of the United States. The story introduces the most memorable events of Lincoln's life; his childhood in Indiana, his leadership during the Civil War, and his writing of the Emancipation Proclamations. Bright watercolors illustrate the 200 word story, and the heavy pages of this board book provide durable construction.



Thoughtful Thursday

View from the Door

"What can be learned from the view from the door, or entryway, as these areas are typically referred to? Environmental design is an important part of supporting children’s engagement, motivation, and learning. In order for children to feel motivated, they need to feel safe and secure in the early childhood environment, and an important part of this safety and security is how well children’s transitions from the outside world are supported. The view from the door can give important information about what the classroom is all about. The classroom impacts children, families, and staff as they step through the door...

"Many of the young children (and parents!) who enter through the door need just a bit more time, a few more snuggles, before they are ready to venture out into other areas of the room. It is here that parents and teachers can cuddle up with children over their choice of a good book, located next to the couch in an inviting straw basket. On the left is a small couch, worn by the use of its many occupants, and adorned with a floral — of course washable — cover. Some children prefer an overview of the activities in the room, so the books are put aside in favor of conversation that labels the room’s activities."

What is your view from the door? Stand in your doorway and assess your environment. You may be surprised at what you see and feel.

Taken from View from the Door by Johnna Darragh

Workshop Wednesday

American Flags (In honor of Presidents Day)
Small Group Activity

Materials: white, red, and blue construction paper (1 sheet each), glue, scissors, white paint, small paper plate for paint, and pencil with eraser (star eraser if possible)

Directions: Give each child red construction paper and have them cut 7 strips horizontally. Next glue the red strips onto the white paper (red/white/red/white - like the flag). Trace a rectangle shape (5 x 6) onto the blue paper and cut out. Glue the blue rectangle in the upper left hand corner of the white paper (it will cover some of the red stripes). Take the pencil and dip the eraser into white paint (use a thin layer of paint on the plate so it will not drip) and stamp 50 "stars" on the blue square.

Make sure you read a book about the American Flag, such as F Is For Flag  by Wendy Cheyette Lewison.

Idea taken from Mary Lynn Peter, 5K Teacher

Transition Tuesday

Use a Clapping Pattern

Clap or tap in a pattern, for example, clap slowly twice and then clap fast three times. The students are to stop what they are doing and repeat the pattern. If necessary, do it again until all children have responded and are quiet. You can combine many adiitonal ideas with this.

Make & Take Monday

Individual Playdough Mats

Have your children make individual playdough mats. Give them any sturdy art paper, or use 12×18 cardstock paper, and have the kids draw, place stickers, or paste images and designs on the paper. Laminate. Place the mats in a basket and have children get their mat before playing with the dough.

Feature Friday

SAVE THE BOX!

Finally a way to treat yourself to all of those delicious chocolates your sweetie gives you for Valentines Day!
The valentine box is more than just a box it is also an experience, so save those boxes (But you have to eat the chocolates first - do it for the sake of quality early childhood education!).  Try these ideas.

The chocolate dividers inside the valentine box can be used for a little sensory play, patterning, and a sorting game!



Don’t forget the big heart that comes in most valentine boxes. This big heart makes a great canvas for painting or decorating. Just flip the heart over to the side without any print and decorate it!



And that fabulous shiny red paper that the box is all wrapped in should be saved too. The shiny paper tears easily and can be used to make a wonderful collage on clear contact paper!



And what can you do with the chocolates that are in the box? Well, you can eat them or the children can try a little taste testing! Let the children predict what will be in each chocolate morsel and then take a bite!

Ideas taken from Teach Preschool

Thoughtful Thursday

Thoughts from Lillian Katz

Lilian Katz is one of the leading changemakers in the field of early childhood education, right up there with Jean Piaget, Lev Vygotsky, Erik Erikson, and Maria Montessori. Below is insight on equality taken from her book, Intellectual Emergencies: Some Reflections on Mothering and Teaching.

"I think the great struggle of our time — and no doubt for generations to come — is the struggle for equality.  But we might ask: equality for what?  People are not equally tall or musical or mathematical or athletic or beautiful; but they are equally human!  They are equally human in the sense that they all have hopes and dreams and wishes and fantasies and aspirations and fears and doubts.  They all want to be treated with respect and dignity and want to feel loved by someone.  In these ways it seems to me, all of the world's people have much more in common than they have apart."

Workshop Wednesday

Valentine Sight Words
Small Group Activity

This Valentine themed activity for practicing sight words is super simple yet still tons of fun for little ones.

Materials: one magnetic cookie tray or other magnetic surface per child, paper Valentine hearts, tape, sight word cards, and magnetic letters

Directions:  First, tape the hearts to the cookie trays (laminate paper hearts for durability.) Next, make one individual sight word ring per child with the words they are learning. Finally, place the letters that correspond to the words in a small Ziploc bag, one bag per child. Give each child a magnetic cookie tray, a ring of sight words, and a bag of magnetic letters. Have children spell the sight words from the rings on their cookie tray.

You could also have the students match upper to lowercase letters on the trays or spell their names. The cookie trays can be purchased from the Dollar Store and the hearts are pages from a notepad.

Transition Tuesday

Heart-Healthy Exercise

Encourage your little ones to show their hearts some love with these blood-pumping exercises! From a deck of playing cards remove the three, four, five, and six of hearts. Mix up those cards and arrange them facedown on the floor or table. Invite a volunteer to name an exercise (jumping jacks, arm cruches, toe touches, etc), choose a card, and then say the number. Next, have him lead the class in performing his exercise the number of times indicated on his card. When he finishes, have him place the card facedown on the floor/table. Continue in this manner until everyone has had a turn to lead the class. Whew, what a great workout!

Taken from Mailbox Magazine

Make & Take Monday

Puffy Paint Heart

Photo courtesy of Childcareland

Materials Needed: Heart pattern ... cardstock paper ...puffy paint ... wax paper.

Instructions: Have children trace the heart pattern on cardstock paper and cut out. Children smooth a thick layer of the puffy paint around on the heart. When dry the paint will have a puffy texture.

For Puffy Paint recipe go to Friday, February 4 post.

Feature Friday

Today's feature is actually a material to use in the classroom. I have been trying to find a recipe for puffy paint and voila! here it is.

Puffy Paint

Materials Needed: shaving cream ... white glue .... paint ... bowl ... spoon ... measuring cup.

Instructions: Measure equal amounts of shaving cream and white glue. Any shaving cream will do except menthol. Mix well. Add paint to desired color. Puffy Paint will have the consistency of cool-whip. (Caution children). Children place a dollop of paint on paper and use fingers to paint. Painting will dry puffy!

On Monday's post I will share a Puffy Paint Heart! Make sure you check it out.

Recipe from Childcareland.com

Thoughtful Thursday

Do your students fidget during read alouds?  Are they inattentive? Do they have difficulty recalling the story? If so, you need to try the following ideas, in fact, it's truly the best read aloud tips ever!

Providing  props and/or adding movements to go along with familiar stories is a great way to capture the attention of young children and get them involved.  For example giving children character cards, object cards, real props, felt pieces, etc. will keep them active in the story. Also, adding movements such as waving your arms in air like wind blowing, using  index and middle finger to indicate walking, etc. will keep their attention.

When students are engaged they will learn and remember more.

Workshop Wednesday

How Many Hearts

[Math, Large Group]
Cut about ten pink and ten red hearts from construction paper or craft foam and place the hearts on the floor. Call on two children to come collect some hearts: “Jack, come find 2 pink hearts. Emma come find 4 red hearts.” Ask the children to lay the hearts on the floor in a row and have the class count together to see how many hearts there are in all.

Taken from Prekinders

Transition Tuesday

Try this transition actiivty for Valentines Day.

Card Name Game

Write each child’s name on a playing card (or heart shape). While seated on the floor, distribute one card to each child –making sure no one has their own name. When their name is called they have to say something positive about the person on the card. This is a great way to help children respect and treat others well. Fun-and only takes about five minutes to play!