Friday, July 11, 2008

Preschool Ideas - Ice Adventure

Hi there,

We are always looking for new preschool ideas.

This is one that can be done outside on a hot summer day or inside when the weather keeps you indoors. It encourages socialization skills, sharing, and fun--what could be better?!

Thanks to Debs for sending this in to share with everyone.


What's in the Ice? An Ice Adventure

Here is an activity the children really enjoyed and can be used in or outdoors.

During the morning session the children were encouraged to put plastic insects and bugs into tupperware containers. They filled them with water and put them into the freezer .

When they were frozen we put them in the water tray with childrens' tools (plastic hammers, screwdrivers) water cans, etc. There was a good level of interest, conversation and turn taking. The children enjoyed this activity and had lots of fun finding the bugs.

NOTE: If you have half days you can freeze the bugs one day, and do the activity the next.


If you have ideas to share, send them along and I'll post them here for all of us to use and enjoy.

Thanks,

Mary
marys.plans@gmail.com

P.S. If you like these ideas be sure to check out my Preschool Lesson Plans:

http://www.preschoolplanner.com/thefullstory.html

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Thursday, July 3, 2008

Preschool Creative Activities - Jungle Animals

Hello,

I want to thank all of you who have been sending me your favorite ideas! There are so many to share with so I'll start here.

Amanda sent me this one and I'm sure it will become one of your favorites to use as well. It can be adapted in so many ways and used for years!

Theme = Jungle Animals. Knowledge and understanding of the world.

Turn your library/ book corner into a jungle animal habitat pick one animal per week. Draw or print out a set of foot/paw prints and place them on the floor. Each set of prints should lead to a visual clue. Works best with 3 - 4 clues. The last set of prints should lead to the habitat and before the big unveil you should discuss with the children which animal they think it is based on the clues they have found.

Examples are 1. Animal = Lion. Paw prints discuss is this a large animal or small animal?

Clue 1 = Relates to the country where the animal lives. So could be a map with a paw print on the country and a foot print or magnifying glass on Britain.

Clue 2 = Relates to what the lion eats could be an antelope hidden in some green shredded paper tombola style.

Clue 3 = relates to the animal appearance so this could be a lions mane or tail for the children to wear for the remainder of their search. Then on to the Lion's den.

Discuss with the children the clues they have found and get ideas from the children as to which animal it could be. End the session with a story about a Lion as this will reinforce their knowledge. Afterwards the children should be able to tell you what a lion looks like where they come from and what they eat.
This is a fabulous activity which the children never seem to tire of. Takes a fair bit of prep but can be used as part of your curriculum plans for years to come. Great cross curricular activity encourages the children to use their fine manipulative skill, gross motor skills, develop concentration, develop recall, increase knowledge and understanding of the world, co-operate with friends and you can even incorporate it into your global citizenship planning with endangered species and climate change etc.

Hope you enjoy this and can store this in your file to use over and over!

Until next time,

Mary
marys.plans@gmail.com


P.S.: If you would like to receive my free newsletters for ideas for your preschool class, enter your name and email address at the site below:

http://preschoolplanner.com/preschool-activities.html

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