Christmas Crafts for Preschool - Ornaments and Instant Christmas Trees

Glad to be back and offering more ideas for Christmas crafts for preschool.
Sorry for the time away-the flu was much more than I could have imagined!

Good to be back and having fun during this special time of year. I have received so many wonderful ideas from my readers and want to share a couple of them.

I chose these because they are ideas that even your youngest preschoolers, even toddlers, can do! Give them a try and let me know how they work out.


Ornaments
Need---clear plastic 16 oz cups, permanent markers, and for the adults who help, an oven set at 400.

Take a clear plastic cup and have children color the cup with permanent markers.
Place the cups in an oven (400 degrees), and watch the cups melt. Once they are flat, the cups can be removed.

These make a great Christmas ornament; make a hole in top for hook.

**Really nice if oven is accessible with students, so children can watch the process of the cups melting.


Easy Christmas Trees

Need--Sugar cone ice cream cones, vanilla or green frosting, multi colored rice crisp cereal.

We do a really cute craft at Christmas with my prechool class. The students make a Christmas tree using sugar cones, vanilla frosting and colored crisp cereal.

Cover the cone completely with the frosting and simply roll the cone in a pie plate full of the colored crisp cereal. Let it set for a few minutes and you haev an instant Christmas tree!!! Set aside an area on a table and
create a holiday scene.


If you like these Christmas crafts for preschool, check out the other ideas in the Preschool Planner.

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


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 address at the site below:

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

Preschool Holiday Crafts - Snowmen Votives

I have been flooded with requests for ideas for preschool holiday crafts! I will give ideas to you over then next few postings to help with this.

Crafts provide your preschoolers with so many learning opportunities. I like to personalize a craft as much as possible and use something unique to the individual.

Here is a "green" idea for a gift for mommy or daddy.


Snowmen Votive Candle Holder

Ask parents to send in their empty baby food jars. You are using recycled materials to make a gift with a personal imprint on it!

This activity is easiest to do when you have a helper, parent volunteer, etc. It also requires starting a couple of weeks depending on the size of your class.

Paint 3 fingers of each preschool child,individually, in white. (I would set this up as a center with your aide there.)
Gently press each finger on the glass and quickly pull away. The prints should be one on top of the other to resemble a snowman.

Do this with each child over the next several days.

Then make a sample one and use a permanent marker to add eyes, orange stick nose and black dots for his smile. Show this to your preschoolers and then let each child decorate their snowman. I use aides and volunteers with this part and have them do this in pairs with the aide.

Spray with an acrylic fixative.

The children now have a snowmen votive candle holder for their parents for any holiday.

You can use this poem on a gift card attached to the holder:

"These are snowmen, happy and glee,
However, they are really my fingerprints three!"

These are wonderful personalized preschool holiday crafts that your preschoolers will love making and giving.

If you like this preschool holiday craft, check out the other ideas in the Preschool Planner.

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


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 address at the site below:

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

Toddler Preschool Lessons - Going on a Bear Hunt

A lot of preschool lessons are geared for three year olds and older. Here are ideas for toddler preschool lessons that were sent to me recently by one of my readers.

I definitely agree that toddler lessons should be physical and exploratory.
Two year olds need to move around, feel, experience and be part of the lesson to learn as much as possible.

Try this variation to do the traditional "Going on a Bear Hunt" with your two year olds and have fun!

Toddler Going on a Bear Hunt--

I like to do physical stuff with my two year olds. We set up for going on a bear hunt. we take blankets and bucther paper making caves, and tunnels, on tables and chairs. cover them.

We use different colors to stress the color that we are working on like we are going thru the blue cave. We turn out the lights and have flash lights. We put out all kinds of stuff animals and plastic animals like tigers, bears, lions and so on. We climb over and under the children love it (great way to teach directions such as OVER and UNDER).

Allow them to help set up and clean up. Make your Snacks or treats like a camp fire, sing songs and just have a grand time.

If you like these toddler preschool lessons, check out the other ideas in the Preschool Planner.

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


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 address at the site below:

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

Preschool Sensory Table Ideas - Sand, Water, & Fun

I have many recent requests for ideas for preschool sensory table ideas. I use my sensory table for so many activities for all learning centers. Here are just a few of the ways to use this key part of your classroom.

First of all, keep in mind that you can fill your table with sand, styrofoam packaging peanuts, cotton balls, water, small size gravel, etc. The sky is the limit. **Just be sure that whatever you use is age appropriate for the ages of your children.

Alphabet
Fill the table with sand. Use your letter of the week if you wish and let them take turns making the letter shape in the sand. This helps them develop visual memory, or if they don't know the shape, post it on the wall and they will need to copy the shape. This provides visual and motor input for them to learn.

Treasure Hunts
All preschoolers love a treasure hunt. Use the table to hide objects, letters, numbers, items from the theme of the week, etc. and ask them to find them. You can make this more difficult by asking them to do this with their eyes closed. Next ask them to count what they have found. Counting skills becomes so much fun.

Use this for sorting also. You can mix letters and numbers and see if they remember the differences in shapes and put them in the correct category. Hide items that are different shapes and ask if they can identify the shape--round, square, soft, hard, triangle.

Water Table
When your table is filled with water you can use it to do science experiments. Find out what kind of object floats or sinks. Mix food coloring or paints and watch the dispersion of colors. Add other types of liquid such as small drops of cooking oil to watch the reaction. Definitely make a time when you add child safe foaming soap and allow them to play in the bubbles. Just be sure the floor under the table has something non skid so if water does spill, no one slips and falls.


These are just some of the ways I use the sensory table. Send me your ideas and I will share them here.

If you like these preschool sensory table ideas, check out the other ideas in the Preschool Planner.

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


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 address at the site below:

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

Preschool Thanksgiving Ideas - Things to be Thankful For

I want to share these preschool Thanksgiving ideas because they can be adapted for all nationalities and any season.

In the United States, the holiday of Thanksgiving is in November. It is a time for families and friends to get together and share a special meal and talk about what we are thankful for.

This same concept of gratitude and things to be thankful for can be used for any time of year in any country. No need to limit this to one country's holiday event once a year.

The important idea is to get your preschoolers used to thinking about what they are grateful for and to express it.

The activity below is one a parent shared with me recently. It is one that can be used by all. The turkey is synonymous with American Thanksgiving but you can modify the idea and use any bird you wish, a flower, wreath, etc.



Thanksgiving Activity

You will need to draw an outline of a turkey
for this activity. It should be on construction paper
that you can pin to the wall when the activity is complete.

(Note: I am NOT an artist, so I usually draw a very BASIC
looking turkey consisting of a big circle for the body,
a neck, head with a beak, and two little feet at the bottom.
This is not the time to be a perfectionist about how your
bird looks, because you are going to cover it up with
feathers anyway).

You will also need to precut some "feathers" about the size
of a normal gift tag that you can write on before sticking
onto the "turkey".

Glue/tape will also be needed to stick the feathers onto
the "turkey", and pins to attach the completed picture to
the wall.

Discuss the story of Thanksgiving with your class,
ask each child for one thing that they are thankful
for and write this word on a separate "feather".

Once the children have their "Feathers of Thanks" prepared,
you can play a game of "pin the feather on the turkey" and
blindfold the children, spin them a few times, and have them
try to stick their feather on the turkey.

Any child who gets their feather on the turkey gets a "prize"
(for example, a Hershey's kiss, a piece of candy, etc.). The children can keep playing, as long as they continue to produce thoughtful,
"feathers of thanks".

VARIATION: Make fall leaves or petals of a flower. Write each word of gratitude on these and create a Gratitude or Thankful picture.


If you like these preschool thanksgiving ideas, check out the other ideas in the Preschool Planner.

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

There are Two Editions now for the Preschool Planner: Basic or Platinum.


Send me any ideas you would like to share and I will post them on my Blog.

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 address at the site below:

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

Preschool Activities - Sense of Smell

Winter time is a wonderful time to introduce preschool activities about the sense of smell. There are several ways to use this theme for art, science, fine motor and literacy activities.

Preschoolers enjoy learning all about themselves. start this theme with a circle time activity to discuss our five senses. Then tell them that this day will focus on the sense of smell. Ask for their input--what do they think smells good or bad, what foods do they think smell good, what smells are warnings for us, etc.

Art
Provide magazines to your preschoolers to look through magazines and cut out pictures that have scents. Next allow them to make collages of the pictures they have found. You can hang their collages of scent around the room.

Science
Fill separate small brown or opaque paper bags with different items that have scents such as cinnamon sticks, lemon slices, cut garlic cloves, chocolate bits, flower petals, etc. Allow them to hold a bag, smell it, and then tell you what they think is inside. Record their answers on the board.

Next have them close their eyes and let them now smell them without looking and say what they think is in the bag. Record these answers and compare the ones with eyes open and closed and talk about the differences.

Fine Motor Skills
Provide 2 small squares of fabric to each of your preschoolers. Let them glue 3 of the sides together with fabric glue and set aside to dry. After the glue is dry, provide some potpourri for them to put inside their fabric and glue it shut. These can be seasonal potpourri scents to fit the time of year and then ask them what the scent reminds them of--spring flowers, holiday scents, candy, etc.

These discussions allow them to talk about themselves, the smells they recognize and introduce new scents as well.

Have fun and enjoy these preschool activities on our sense of smell.

If you like these preschool activities, check out the other ideas in the Preschool Planner.

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

There are Two Editions now for the Preschool Planner: Basic or Platinum.


Send me any ideas you would like to share and I will post them on my Blog.

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 address at the site below:

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

Science for Preschool - Caterpillars and Butterflies

It is a fact that preschoolers are fascinated by insects and bugs. I use this curiosity to create some of my lessons for science for preschool.

Yes, some may be frightened initially but the fascination and curiosity usually takes over and they love learning about them. I find that starting with bugs such as caterpillars is the perfect and introduces them to the wonders of science and nature.

For circle time, gather together and talk about the life cycle of a butterfly--start with egg, caterpillar, chrysalis and then butterfly. You could read to them as well. I like the Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle or From Caterpillar to Butterfly by Deborah Heiligman.

Magical Transformation
From caterpillar to butterfly-Give every child a paper tube to decorate any way they please. Once they have finished, glue on 2 black dots for eyes, attach a pipe cleaner antenna. Also have the eyes facing you and glue a small loop to the opposite side of the tube so they can be hung in a window.

Have the children place the tubes into plastic grocery bags to represent the chrysalis. Next cut out wings from clear contact paper and give each child a pair. Have them attach glitter and pieces of tissue paper to decorate the wings leaving a small piece of the protective paper still on the contact paper so you can peel later to attach to the tube. Peel the piece of protective paper off of the wings and attach them to the paper tubes in the bags while kids are enjoying their snacks or after they have gone home for the day.

Ask the children what they think has happened to their caterpillars from yesterday’s “Magical Transformation” activity. Let them open the paper bags and witness the magical transformation for themselves. Explain again the basics of the transition from caterpillar to butterfly.


Reasoning skills
Talk about the magical transformation of the caterpillar to the butterfly. Find out where they think the wings come from. Ask if there are any other magical transformations they can think of in nature, like acorn to tree or egg to chicken.

Art Activity
Butterfly footprints and hands mural- let the children dip their feet in shallow dishes of washable paint, and have them place footprints on a big white piece of paper and have the hand prints go the other way. Leave a bit of space between the left and right foot for the body of the butterfly. After the paint has dried, let the children decorate the footprints and hand prints to resemble butterflies with paint and markers, and display the mural in the classroom for the remainder of the week.


If you like these activities for science for preschool, check out the other ideas in the Preschool Planner.

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

There are Two Editions now for the Preschool Planner: Basic or Platinum.


Send me any ideas you would like to share and I will post them on my Blog.

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 address at the site below:

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

Preschool Alphabet Activities - Circle Time, Letter Hunt and Hopscotch

Many of my days with preschoolers include teaching letters of the alphabet. Here are some of my favorite preschool alphabet activities using the entire alphabet.

Once they are familiar with the idea of the alphabet, the focus will turn to mastery of individual letters.

Circle Time Letters
Have a set of wooden or plastic letters. Hand each child a letter and tell the name of the letter. Tell them to trace the letter with their finger with their eyes open and then with their eyes closed. Next ask them to place the letter in their lap and try to trace the outline of the letter in the palm of their hand from memory.

Letter Hunt
Have the alphabet posted on the white board or on a table. Next hide the letters throughout the classroom and ask the children to find them. When they find a letter ask them if they know the name of the letter and to place it on the letter that matches that you have posted. This will let them know if they have found all of the letters.

An alternative to hiding them in the classroom is to hide the letters in the sand table if you have one available.

Alphabet Hopscotch
Tape large poster board squares with the letters on each board on to the floor in a hopscotch pattern. Next let the children hop on a letter and call out the name of the letter. This is always a hit and uses up some of their energy! Incorporating gross motor movements with learning is always a good idea when teaching preschool age children.


If you like these preschool alphabet activities, check out the other ideas in the Preschool Planner.

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

There are Two Editions now for the Preschool Planner: Basic or Platinum.


Send me any ideas you would like to share and I will post them on my Blog.

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 address at the site below:

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

Calendar Preschool Activities - Months & Days of the Week

Preschool is an excellent time to introduce children to the concepts of the calendar, days of the week and months of the year. What better way to learn about these concepts than through calendar preschool activities!

The most common and simple of these preschool calendar activities is to start with the month’s progress on a large paper calendar posted on the wall. Preschoolers have begun to know some months and the correlation with a special holiday or birthday.

Month by Month
At the beginning of every month, gather everyone around the large paper calendar on the wall to label it with the important days of the month, such as any special holidays or birthdays occurring within the month. At the end of the day, one special child gets the important job of crossing the day off to get ready for the next day. This can be a reward for cleaning up fastest after a craft, winning a game, or anything else that seems fit.

Days of the Week
Another preschool calendar activity can focus on learning the days of the week. Designate one special activity, game, or song for each day of the week. This will help children get accustomed to a routine, which in turn helps them to learn about the weekly routines that will prevail throughout the remainder of their lives. These activities can change monthly so that children don’t get too bored with them.

The calendar is one of the key concepts that can be introduced to preschoolers since it’s something they’ll be working without throughout the remainder of their lives. Use these preschool calendar activities to familiarize the children with the concepts of days, weeks, months, and years, as well as to highlight some of the important, and lesser-known holidays that occur each month.

If you like these calendar preschool activities, check out the other ideas in the Preschool Planner.

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

There are Two Editions now for the Preschool Planner: Basic or Platinum.


Send me any ideas you would like to share and I will post them on my Blog.

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 address at the site below:

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

Preschool Activities - Magic Wands & Relaxation

I thought all of us could use some ideas for preschool activities that focus on relaxation and listening skills. With Halloween at our doorsteps, my preschoolers are wound up like a spring! Listening skills are beginning to wane as well.

Here are two creative preschool ideas that one of my readers sent in recently. They are simple and so effective.

Keep these in your repertoire of preschool relaxation ideas


Magic Wands
This works really well for the preschoolers who do not want to sleep at rest time.

Buy some liquid glitter wands, ask them to lie on the floor or a mat, put on some quiet, relaxing music and ask them to follow your slow movements with the wand. When finished all the movements you can think of, ask them to sit up and do some movements with the wand. Then ask them to roll on each side and move with their wand sticks. Lastly ask them to stand up and ask them to follow some different slow relaxing movements.

Alternatively you can start with standing and slowly work to lying down and then ask them to place their wand on their chest, close their eyes and finish with a story on a tape. Preschoolers love this!

Listening Ball
When children are learning about listening and talking you can have a ball or special decorated box. Only the person with the ball or box is allowed to talk and gives some the confidence to speak. It works!


If you like these preschool activities, check out the other ideas in the Preschool Planner.

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

There are Two Editions now for the Preschool Planner: Basic or Platinum.


Send me any ideas you would like to share and I will post them on my Blog.

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 address at the site below:

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

Halloween Activities for Preschool - Black Cats & Trunk or Treat

Well the momentum is building and the preschoolers are so excited! Here are a couple of Halloween activities for preschool to help put some of that extra energy into a creative learning experience.

My mission is to tone down as much of thes scary aspects of the holiday and focus on the fun times that can be had together.

These ideas are ones I've used in the past; some were sent to me and others were introduced by parents. Give them a try. Send me any others you may have and they will be shared for sure.


Black Cat Hand Print
Paint the child's hand black. Make sure their fingers are spread open, put on white paper. The thumb is the neck of the black cat, cut out circles the size of about a big Gatorade bottle top. The fingers are the legs for the cat. We cut small triangle black ears, use goolie eyes and a tiny small red pom-pom for the nose. I hole punch white paper to glue two dots right under the nose. The kids glue the head at the end of the thumb, ears, eyes and nose on. We did the white hole punched paper ourselves. Once that is all done we had the children make their own tail.

Next we cut around the cats leaving just a little white showing. You can either trace a moon on yellow paper and let the kids cut out or you can cut out a moon out of yellow paper. I bought the white fencing that you use on bulletin boards so the children would glue the moon down on dark blue paper and then glue the fencing down and then glue their cat just above the fencing. This is a long process, but turns out so cute. Decorate your room or hallways with their creations.

Trunk or Treat
This idea was suggested to me and it has become one of our annual events and it is very fun and families love this too.

We have "Trunk or Treat" - Section off a part of the parking lot with cones for safety purposes. Invite parents and families to come and park their cars with the trunks open in our parking lot. They are invited to also come in costumes and to bring treats for the children. Most of them also decorate their trunks. We bring the children out with special treat bags that they decorated with markers and stickers(they are also invited to dress in costumes) and they trick or treat from car to car. Then we meet their families back inside and sing a couple of fun songs.

This gives everyone a chance to really see everyone's costumes - especially if the weather is a little cool and the children have to wear jackets outside. We love this activity!

Happy Halloween to all.

Mary

P.S. If you like these ideas Check out my Preschool Lesson Plans here:

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

Preschool Counting Games - Number Recognition & Counting

One of the basic responsibilities of a preschool teacher is teaching numbers and counting. These are a few of the preschool counting games that I have used for years with great response from my preschoolers.

Give these a try and also use your imagination to make variations on these to meet your childrens level of ability and interests.


Number Uses
Try this at circle time when you have the direct attention of your class. Make a list with the class about all the times you might use numbers. Talk to them about how numbers show up everyday, from things like telephone numbers, street addresses, prices on things in stores, radio stations, etc. Ask them when they remember seeing numbers and if they remember their own telephone numbers, house number, classroom number, etc.

Counting Items
Hold up flashcards with different amounts of items. You can have 7 hats or 3 ice cream cones, etc. Ask students how many items they see and walk them through the counting process.

You can hold up signs or book covers and ask them how many of a certain letter they see, for example: How many “A’s” do you see on this page?

Number Word Recognition
Write the numbers 1-6 on the board. Under each number, write the word for that number. You will also need each number and each word written on separate pieces of paper. Have your class say the number and point out the word to them as they say the number. Next, cover the board (or erase it) and take your individual papers out. Hold up a number and ask what the number is. Then take a word and ask them if they can remember the word or the number it represents. You can actually place these in random order on the floor and ask the children to put them in order with the correct word under the correct number.


If you like these preschool counting games, check out the other ideas in the Preschool Planner.

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

There are Two Editions now for the Preschool Planner: Basic or Platinum.


Send me any ideas you would like to share and I will post them on my Blog.

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 address at the site below:

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

Preschool Dinosaur Activities - Dinosaur Land

As a preschool teacher you know that a popular universal theme for preschoolers is dinosaurs. Add these preschool dinosaur activities to your list of favorites!

This idea finds a way to use playdough that is past its prime to create a fantasy land that your children will create and love. It was sent to me by one of my readers who wanted it posted for all to share.

You can use it to teach colors, textures, counting, landscape such as lakes, hills, mountains, foliage, etc. It lends itself to so many opportunities to teach using "hands-on" methods. That is my preference 100%.


Dinosaur Land

I had a large amount of homemade playdough that was past it's prime and instead of throwing it away the children and I used it to sculpt a land for our miniature dinosaurs. We started with a large plastic tray. We actually used a re-purposed diaper changing tray so it was very large. Any size would work, but the large size gave us room for many possibilities. We started pressing the playdough into the tray and playing with it creating mountains, volvanos, a depression for a pond, trails with dino footprints, dinosuars nests with effs, etc. We added plastic foiliage for trees, bushes, and flowers. When we had just the way we wanted it we let it dry for a couple of days. It dried to a hard state, with some surface cracks that made it look even better. In the depressed pond area we put glue with a little blue paint and let it dry overnight. It looked just like a little pond of water and gave the little dinos a well used watering hole. The kids played with this for weeks, and were very careful to preserve it as we made it. They were anxious to make repairs as plants would come dislodged. When it finally started to crumble it was easy to pull the plactic pieces out and get rid of the rest. This was one of my most successful impromptu activites.


If you like these preschool dinosaur activities, check out the other ideas in the Preschool Planner.

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

There are Two Editions now for the Preschool Planner: Basic or Platinum.

If you prefer lessons which have ideas for the Toddler Age, go here to the second volume of lessons. There is an entire bonus section devoted to TODDLERS.

http://www.preschoolwhiz.com/v2.html

Send me any ideas you would like to share and I will post them on my Blog.

Mary
marys.plans@gmail.com

Preschool Themes - Permission and Licenses

One of the preschool themes I like to introduce is the idea of getting permission to do things. I link this to the concept of licenses which they may be familiar with.

To begin we talk about what a license is and what it means, for example, a driver's license. Most children know that you need a drivers license to drive a car. Ask them what they think this means. Their answers give you a clue as to their understanding. Point out that this license means that the person has worked hard to learn to do the special things that the license requires.

Ask them if they can think of other things that require a license. You can help them by giving ideas of driving a school bus, working as a doctor or a dentist, flying an airplane, etc. You can even mention that you need a license to have a preschool or home day care.

Most important is to draw the comparison to your preschoolers in getting "permission" to do things. Permission is a kind of license for them. If they get permission to do something it means that they have learned about what they want to do and have shown their ability to do something correctly.

One examples of a license you can make up for your preschoolers. Make "licenses" for outside activities such as riding tricycles. They have to show you the right way to get on, the ability to steer forward and how to stop. Then you can give them their license to participate in this activity.

You can use this concept for most situations that you are teaching. Showing ability and responsibility even at this early age helps them with manners, social skills and sense of self.

If you like these preschool themes, check out the other ideas in the Preschool Planner.

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

There are Two Editions now for the Preschool Planner: Basic or Platinum.

If you prefer lessons which have ideas for the Toddler Age, go here to the second volume of lessons. There is an entire bonus section devoted to TODDLERS.

http://www.preschoolwhiz.com/v2.html

Send me any ideas you would like to share and I will post them on my Blog.

Mary
marys.plans@gmail.com

Preschool Science Activities - What Sinks and What Floats

Some of my favorite times with my preschoolers are doing preschool science activities. The children are so attentive and can't wait to be involved in the activities. During this time they are learning, observing, and helping each other and discovering the concepts that I am teaching them.

This is a preschool science activity that was sent to me recently. Try this one, add to it and modify it to your own situation.


Science-What sinks? What floats?

Ask the children what sinks or floats, after you collect a few items, penny, paper clip, block of wood, lego, duplo, spoon, pencil, or what ever you think of, enough for each child in the class. Also can turn into Math by asking How many sinks and how many float. Make it fun by letting them play in the water afterwards with boats.

If you like these preschool science activities, check out the other ideas in the Preschool Planner.

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

There are Two Editions now for the Preschool Planner: Basic or Platinum.

If you prefer lessons which have ideas for the Toddler Age, go here to the second volume of lessons. There is an entire bonus section devoted to TODDLERS.

http://www.preschoolwhiz.com/v2.html

Send me any ideas you would like to share and I will post them on my Blog.

Mary
marys.plans@gmail.com

Preschool Fire Safety Activities

I believe all children should be offered preschool fire safety activities. It is critical to make these instructive and yet not frighten your preschoolers. Giving them the opportunity to pretend in a safe setting is a good place to start.

One of my readers shared the activities below. These activities also include alphabet recognition and reasoning skills.

Blanket of Smoke
I just did a fire safety unit and to reinforce crawling if there is smoke and letter recognition, I had the children pretend a blanket was smoke. They had to crawl under it and then find an alphabet letter. It was a fun way to handle a scary subject. I also bought some fireman figures at the dollar store and we talked about when it is appropriate to call 911. If it was a good reason we decided how may firefighters to put on the job and then counted them on a firehouse I made.

The kids loved it!

If you like these preschool fire safety activities, check out the other ideas in the Preschool Planner.

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

There are Two Editions now for the Preschool Planner: Basic or Platinum.

If you prefer lessons which have ideas for the Toddler Age, go here to the second volume of lessons. There is an entire bonus section devoted to TODDLERS.

http://www.preschoolwhiz.com/v2.html

Send me any ideas you would like to share and I will post them on my Blog.

Mary
marys.plans@gmail.com

Preschool Ocean Themes - Under the Sea Room

My kids absolutely love it when we use preschool ocean themes for classtime. They have a fascination with the water--ocean, lakes, rivers, etc and the sealife that lives there.

Below is an idea that I do on the first day of the week when we are going to use preschool ocean themes for our lessons. The preschoolers enjoy making their own special place to have circle time, to look at books and to admire their art work.


The idea for the Jelly Fish was sent to me recently by one of my readers. Thanks so much for sending this in. Give it a try and your kids will like the feel and the lifelike creature they have created for their under the sea room.

Under the Sea Room
create an undersea area in the room by attaching blue and green crepe paper streamers to the ceiling with fishing line. Turn on the classroom fan or air conditioner to make a streamers wave like water. Hang some of the week’s undersea decorations including the mermaids from the “Mermaid Me” craft in the under the sea room, and mime swimming around the area. Add other decorations like spongers, sea shells, and seaweed.

Jelly Fish
Cook some Bean Thread or cellophane noodles according to directions (about 5 minutes in boiling water) Drain and rinse with cool water. At this point you can put them in the fridge until you are ready to use. (noodles can be found with Asian food or if your lucky at the 99 cent store, which is where I found them.)

For the "body" of the jelly fish, have the children take a piece of cellophane, or plastic wrap, scrunch it up so it looks like a jelly fish body and glue to paper. Now take the cooled noodles and let them hang from the body like tentacles.

The extended activity would be to paint a blue background on paper first so the jelly fish will show up. The noodles will stick to the paper, but because they are wet the paper does shrink some when it is dry.

The tactile stimulation of the noodles is great!


If you like these preschool ocean themes, check out the other ideas in the Preschool Planner.

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

There are Two Editions now for the Preschool Planner: Basic or Platinum.


Send me any ideas you would like to share and I will post them on my Blog.

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 address at the site below:

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

Preschool Curriculum Ideas - Fall, Apples and Counting

I find it easiest to use seasonal plans when creating my preschool curriculum ideas. For fall here in New England the ideas for my preschool class are numerous.

A favorite for sure are apples and foliage. One of my readers sent in this preschool idea recently and it takes both of these themes and uses them for counting, color recognition, shape recognition and most important, a hands on learning project. Give it a try!

Apples, Colors and Counting

This project was completed with a class of 3 and 4 yr olds.

1. Cut out a large apple using white card stock paper.
2. Depending on the number you are working on with your students, use that number for the activity. You can use the number 3 for 3 yr olds and the number 11 with 4 yr olds.
3. For each child, cut out:
A. 11 red circles for each child
B. 1 brown stem for each child
C. 1 green leaf for each child



Have each child pick up their own red circle and have them count out load (you will be assessing one to one correspondence).

Pick up one brown stem and one green leaf (ask the student to tell you the color of each…assessing color recognition)

Have student glue the stem and leaf on white card stock apple.
Now have your student glue the designated number of apples on the card stock apple.
Have student use crayon to color stem and green leaf on each of the apples.

Send the apples home, or put in their portfolio, or place on the classroom wall.


If you like these preschool curriculum ideas, check out the other ideas in the Preschool Planner.

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

There are Two Editions now for the Preschool Planner: Basic or Platinum.

If you prefer lessons which have ideas for the Toddler Age, go here to the second volume of lessons. There is an entire bonus section devoted to TODDLERS.

http://www.preschoolwhiz.com/v2.html

Send me any ideas you would like to share and I will post them on my Blog.

Mary
marys.plans@gmail.com

Preschool Halloween Resource - Painted Pumpkins

If you like Fall and Halloween as much as I do with all the
decorations, costumes, and fun for all, I want to share this preschool Halloween resource I found. I think you'll love it just as much.

My preschoolers absolutely love decorating their own pumpkins for fall decorations, for Halloween or Thanksgiving. They control the image--fun, scary, or just unique to them.

Parents had as much fun receiving these as the kids did making them. The best part is that they don't spoil like carved jack-o-lanterns and can be used for display for the season.

The feedback I had last year from all the families suggested I should share this here for everyone.

Check out this website:


http://preschool3.learnitnow.hop.clickbank.net/


This incredible ebook gives you and your kids the ability to make
Halloween Pumpkins or even Thanksgiving Centerpieces that will be
the envy of everyone who sees them!

Even better--these pumpkins will last SO much longer than carved
jack-o-lanterns. Not days but weeks longer!

Imagine setting up a classroom for an Open House, an October/Halloween party for your kids and having the best classroom ever!



I hope you enjoy this preschool Halloween resource as much as I did. Please send me any holiday ideas you have and I will be sure to share them here.

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 address at the site below:

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

Toddler Preschool - Hands On Play

If you're classroom includes toddler preschool age children, it is important to remain aware of developmental expectations of two year olds.

Your two year olds experience play and activities much differently than your three and four year olds. If you keep the following tips in mind you will provide the best learning environment for your toddler preschoolers.

Hands-on experiences are the best kind of play. They learn much quicker than if they are told or “talked to”.

**This is also an excellent reason why it is better to not do worksheets at this age.

Toddlers need to have playmates around. Even though they may not play with another person at this age, they are always paying attention to what is going on around them and what their peers are doing.

Their emotions are close to the surface. Think of them as a light switch—one minute they might be happy and suddenly they are sad; they can go from calm to agitated in a second. Your best approach is to stay calm yourself and be patient.

Activities, projects, and play time allow us as teachers and caregivers to share valuable time together in a meaningful way. We can observe how they are learning and where we can enhance their opportunities.

If you like these toddler preschool teaching tips, check out the other ideas in the Preschool Planner.

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

There are Two Editions now for the Preschool Planner: Basic or Platinum.

If you prefer lessons which have ideas for the Toddler Age, go here to the second volume of lessons. There is an entire bonus section devoted to TODDLERS.

http://www.preschoolwhiz.com/v2.html

Send me any ideas you would like to share and I will post them on my Blog.

Mary
marys.plans@gmail.com

Preschool Counting Games - Number Cruncher and Number Hunt

Teaching preschoolers with games is a perfect match. These preschool counting games require them to be involved physically as well as mentally.

Any time you can engage your preschool kids in an activity is teaching them how to listen to directions, follow sequences, and to work as a team in addition to learning the mental skills you are teaching.

Number Cruncher
In this game, one student is the cruncher and everyone else is a number. Give each child a number to hold and the cruncher must go around and try to tag the numbers, but they must get the numbers in order. For example, the cruncher must get 7 before he can get 8 or 9. When all the students have been “crunched,” you can pick a new cruncher and start from scratch.


Number Hunt
Make a set of number cards, 1-5 or 1-10, depending on your children’s abilities. I like to make the cards resemble a shape, for example I use circles and decorate them to look like cookies and put one number on each card. Hide these cards around the room before they arrive.
To start this, tell them that the number cookies are hidden around the room and that they need to find them. Once they find the numbers, they will need to decide if they have found them all. To do this they will need to put them in order. For older children, they will know how to count to ten but for younger ones you can have the numbers on the board and they can match their “found” numbers to the ones on the board to see if they have found them all.

If you like these preschool counting games, check out the other ideas in the Preschool Planner.

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

There are Two Editions now for the Preschool Planner: Basic or Platinum.

If you prefer lessons which have ideas for the Toddler Age, go here to the second volume of lessons. There is an entire bonus section devoted to TODDLERS.

http://www.preschoolwhiz.com/v2.html

Send me any ideas you would like to share and I will post them on my Blog.

Mary
marys.plans@gmail.com

Preschool Fall Activities - Pine Cone Owls and Edible Art

These are two preschool fall activities that your children will learn from and enjoy while doing them. They will ask for them again and again!

If you live in an area where you can go on a nature walk and collect pine cones, be sure to do so. If not, you can purchase these at a crafts store.

I use this lesson to teach the letter O, to teach shapes and to discuss owls. We talk about what they look like, what they eat, how they sound. I show pictures of owls and how there are many different types of owls. One of my readers just sent in this Pine Cone Owl idea. Thanks so much.

Next use the apples for multiple topics as well. Use them for nutrition, to talk about shapes, to use them for color recognition (apples are in many colors). Use your imagination and have fun.

Pine Cone Owls

Use pine cones to make baby owls. Just take cotton balls and pull them apart. Stuff them in between the pine quills. Then cut out eyes and wings and feet and have your preschoolers glue them on to the pine cones. They are so cute.


Edible Apple Designs

This is a snack and art project all rolled into one! Need: apples, yogurt of different colors (you could buy the kind that is already different colors or add food coloring to vanilla yogurt), & paper plates.

Slice the apples in different shapes. Pour a few kinds of yogurt that is different colors or use vanilla yogurt and add food coloring to it, onto a plate for each child. Give each child a paper plate to create an edible masterpiece. Show them how to dip the apple into the yogurt and create prints on their plate. They can eat the yogurt and apple work of art!

If you like these preschool fall activities, check out the other ideas in the Preschool Planner.

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

There are Two Editions now for the Preschool Planner: Basic or Platinum.

If you prefer lessons which have ideas for the Toddler Age, go here to the second volume of lessons. There is an entire bonus section devoted to TODDLERS.

http://www.preschoolwhiz.com/v2.html

Send me any ideas you would like to share and I will post them on my Blog.

Mary
marys.plans@gmail.com

Preschool Back to School Activities - Personalized Placements

Here is an idea for preschool back to school activities that is as good for you and your staff as well as for your preschoolers. This is a personalized way for you to get to know unique likes of your students and for their friends to get to know their classmates.

This idea was one of the hundreds sent to me recently. Try using this idea or modifying to fit your own situation.

It is a way to work on fine motor controls such as cutting and gluing. They can learn site words or how to identify their own names. Tracing letters reinforces alphabet skills as well.

Personalized Placements

I sent a paper placemat with the child's name written on the top. Parents work with children looking through magazines & ads, to cut and glue their favorite foods or just draw them on the mat. When they were returned, we laminated the placemats and each child uses his/her during meals/snacks. This works great with name recognition for everyone and while we're waiting for our lunch, we trace our names with our finger!


If you like these preschool back to school activities, check out the other ideas in the Preschool Planner.

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

There are Two Editions now for the Preschool Planner: Basic or Platinum.

If you prefer lessons which have ideas for the Toddler Age, go here to the second volume of lessons. There is an entire bonus section devoted to TODDLERS.

http://www.preschoolwhiz.com/v2.html

Send me any ideas you would like to share and I will post them on my Blog.

Mary
marys.plans@gmail.com

Preschool Fall Themes - Apple Harvest Time

Here in the US, when we think of fall we think of turning leaves, apple picking, and pumpkins in the field. Try these preschool fall themes using apples.

You can use these for circle time, for math activities, and for color recognition. The possibilities are numerous here and I have found that my preschoolers even come up with their own ideas!

Circle Time-

tell everyone to bring an apple for show and tell. Have everyone present their apples to the circle, and note the different colors, sizes, and shapes of the apples. Make a chart on the wall of how many apples are red versus green versus yellow, small versus big, round versus oval, stem versus no stems, etc.

How Many Apples Tall am I

teach children about different ways of measuring people- inches, centimeters, etc. Get each child to lay down on the ground and measure how many apples tall they are. Compare everyone’s results on a chart, tallest, shortest, most common, etc.

Snack time - Apple Pizza

1- Give each child half a toasted hamburger bun or English muffin. Have them put apple sauce for the sauce, cream cheese for the cheese, and cinnamon on top for the spice. Toast the apple pizzas in the oven for one or two minutes to warm the applesauce and to melt the cheese.

If you like these preschool fall themes, check out the other ideas in the Preschool Planner.

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

There are Two Editions now for the Preschool Planner: Basic or Platinum.

If you prefer lessons which have ideas for the Toddler Age, go here to the second volume of lessons. There is an entire bonus section devoted to TODDLERS.

http://www.preschoolwhiz.com/v2.html

Send me any ideas you would like to share and I will post them on my Blog.

Mary
marys.plans@gmail.com

Preschool Pirate Theme Activities - Pirate Ships

One of my favorite units in preschool are preschool pirate theme activities. I usually find that my preschoolers enjoy it so much that it extends beyond the one week slot I set aside for any given theme.

I have many ideas that I have collected over the years. The children are a wonderful resource as well and often suggest clever ideas of their own.

Here is an idea one of my readers sent to me.

It is easy to put together and I guarantee your preschool kids will love it.


Table Pirate Ship

For a ship I have used (for Columbus day in the US) a table turned upside down.

If you want to put a flag up you can use a bit of clay or playdough at the bottom of one of the legs to stick a flag inside.

They walk on the bottoms of the tables and use their decorated papertowel tubes or a Pringles can to use as a telescope....Land HO!!!!

You can also make a jolly roger flag instead and you can drape streamers around the legs to enclose it on three sides if you want. It is just an alternative to looking for a big enough box. I found that it worked quite well.

If you like these preschool pirate theme activites, you'll love the other ideas in the Preschool Planner as well.


Check them out:

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

Enjoy and remember to send in any ideas you wish to share and I will post them here.

Mary
marys.plans@gmail.com

PS: If you would like to receive my free newsletter for more ideas for your preschool class, enter your name and address at the site below:

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

Preschool Crafts for Fall - Tree Painting and Wreaths

It's September and school has started back here in the US. With the imminent change in seasons I am suggesting a couple of preschool crafts for fall for you to try.

Preschoolers love painting, hiking, collecting special items on a nature walk. Take all of these activities and combine them to create a Fall mural for your classroom or for them to take home and share with their families.

You can use these craft ideas while teaching colors, numbers or counting, directions and spatial relations, and observation skills.

Fall Tree Painting

Materials- red, orange, yellow, and brown paint, white paper

1- Give each child a piece of white paper. To make the base of the tree, use a paintbrush to cover one arm and hand including the fingers with brown paint. Press the painted arm and hand down on the page to make the base of the tree and the branches. Have the children wash their arms and hands before continuing.

2- To make the leaves, paint the tips of the fingers red, orange or yellow. Press the fingerprints in the trees for leaves.

Fall Wreaths

Materials - paper plate, brown paint, glue and items collected on a nature walk outside.

Give each child a paper plate and have them paint them brown. After the paint dries, cut a 3-inch hole in the center of each paper plate. Glue the collected items from the nature walk to the paper plates. These items can include leaves, pine cones, acorns, flower petals, grass, etc. Decorate each wreath with a colorful bow and display in the classroom for the rest of the week.

If you like these preschool crafts for fall, check out the other ideas in the Preschool Planner.

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

There are Two Editions now for the Preschool Planner: Basic or Platinum.

If you prefer lessons which have ideas for the Toddler Age, go here to the second volume of lessons. There is an entire bonus section devoted to TODDLERS.

http://www.preschoolwhiz.com/v2.html

Send me any ideas you would like to share and I will post them on my Blog.

Mary
marys.plans@gmail.com

Preschool Music Activities - Paper Plate Dance

These preschool music activities were sent to me recently. A universal love of preschoolers is music. Add music to activities and you create a favorite time for them.

You can incorporate these into your lesson plans on counting, following directions, listening skills and more.

Use your imagination and try them.

Worthy of note is safety here. Always talk about safe ways to move about when trying these activities so that no one gets hurt.

Paper Plate Dance!

Both my 3's and 4's love dancing on paper plates. Put on some good music, put a paper plate under each foot, and s l i d e to the music. Good for following directions - forward, backward, to the left, to the right, can you go in a circle?

Musical Plates!

Also, a game similar to Musical Chairs. Walk around a circle of paper plates. When the music stops, ask 1 or 2 children to look under their plate and tell what's under it. It can be a color, shape, number, letter, or whatever else you are working on. Again, fun, easy, and educational.


If you like these preschool music ideas, check out the other ideas in the Preschool Planner.

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

There are Two Editions now for the Preschool Planner: Basic or Platinum.

If you prefer lessons which have ideas for the Toddler Age, go here to the second volume of lessons. There is an entire bonus section devoted to TODDLERS.

http://www.preschoolwhiz.com/v2.html

Send me any ideas you would like to share and I will post them on my Blog.

Mary
marys.plans@gmail.com

Toddler Preschool - Sharing & Social Abilities

One of the key areas of interest when you have a toddler preschool environment is that of social abilities and development.

It is my strong belief that a preschool teacher of toddlers keep in mind the following facts when developing activities and plans for the two to three year olds in the class.


INDEPENDENCE
Toddlers are learning how to be independent.

They are learning that they have power to do things or not do things. Allow them to experience this and the consequences of their actions.

**Note: this helps to explain why SHARING is often difficult. If they are establishing their own sense of self it is hard for them to share with another. This is a gradual process and improves closer to three years of age or older.

SHARING
Toddlers can’t see things or understand things “from another person’s point of view”.

This is the stage where they are struggling to assert themselves and can’t really understand the other side of the story! They are busy establishing their autonomy.

As a toddler preschool teacher, keep these facts in mind in your planning and your days will be successful not stressful. Allow the developmental stages and work with your toddlers to grow to the next level of learning to share.


If you like these preschool classroom ideas, check out the other ideas in the Preschool Planner.

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

There are Two Editions now for the Preschool Planner: Basic or Platinum.

If you prefer lessons which have ideas for the Toddler Age, go here to the second volume of lessons. There is an entire bonus section devoted to TODDLERS.

http://www.preschoolwhiz.com/v2.html

Send me any ideas you would like to share and I will post them on my Blog.

Mary
marys.plans@gmail.com

Preschool Classroom - Welcome to Preschool

The fall may mark the end of summer but it is just the beginning of a brand new year for preschoolers. Take special steps to set up the preschool classroom now more than any other time throughout the year.

What a preschooler or toddler sees on those first few days will be the first and lasting impression of where he will be spending his first time away from his/her parents or caregivers. They need to feel as welcome and comfortable as possible. Give this your keen attention!

If you are having toddlers as well as preschool age be sure that their school items are located within their reach, that any small items pass the choke test-- (larger than approximately 2 1/2 " with a diameter of 1 1/4", or not small enough to fit inside a 35mm film canister); and that the tables and chairs are the right size for them to be able to seat themselves and master their independence!

Since toddler and preschool toys are brightly colored already, I make sure to use woods and natural soothing colors whenever possible to tone down the classroom. Too much color and too many things can lead to overstimulation at this age.

I divide the classroom into different areas--providing activity areas, tables and chair station, circle area (which tends to be the largest space) and a cozy area where your preschoolers can go to calm down, to cuddle with a pillow and look at books or just enjoy some quiet time.

Bulletin boards are excellent for creating welcome signs, showing pictures of activities that they will be doing in the classroom but, be sure to leave some blank framed areas. Point out that this is where you will need their help to complete the room decorations! This is an excellent way to engage them and to have them put their own touch on the classroom environment.

Of equal importance is to also provide a Parent Board where you will post class information, reminders, sign in and sign out sheets, snack menus and a suggestion box. This helps the parents with their own adjustment of leaving their preschooler in your care.


If you like these preschool classroom ideas, check out the other ideas in the Preschool Planner.

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

There are Two Editions now for the Preschool Planner: Basic or Platinum.

If you prefer lessons which have ideas for the Toddler Age, go here to the second volume of lessons. There is an entire bonus section devoted to TODDLERS.

http://www.preschoolwhiz.com/v2.html

Send me any ideas you would like to share and I will post them on my Blog.

Mary
marys.plans@gmail.com

Preschool Shapes - Today is Oval Day!

When you are planning your lesson to teach preschool shapes to your preschoolers, use the idea below to encourage interest, participation and excitement. It works like magic every time!

You can substitute any shape into the title for the shape you are discussing. Begin by building anticipation for tomorrow's lesson by telling them the name of the shape for the next day. As they learn more and more shapes, you can begin to hide the different shapes they have learned. Once they find a hidden shape, you can have them identify it also.


Today is Oval Day!

Try to get the kids excited by announcing that tomorrow is going to be "oval" day.

We have been learning about different shapes for 2 year olds. I cut them out and tape them to walls and windows and they hunt for them like an egg hunt. Then we sit down and decorate them - glitter paint, paint or colors. While doing this - we talk about the shape and also talk about the shapes that we have done earlier in the week. I also make "Shape" place matts for lunch or snack time. So it is "Oval Day" all day long.


This is one of the many ideas sent to me by my readers. Thanks for sending these to me. Please continue to send me your ideas to share here for all to use.

If you like this idea for teaching preschool shapes, you'll love the other ideas in the Preschool Planner.

Check them out:

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

Enjoy and remember to send in any ideas you wish to share and I will post them here.

Mary
marys.plans@gmail.com

PS: If you would like to receive my free newsletter for more ideas for your preschool class, enter your name and address at the site below:

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

Preschool Teaching Ideas - Flip That Plate

The beginning of a new school year presents special situations for the teachers as well as the preschoolers. One of my essential preschool teaching ideas is to learn the names of the children as quickly as possible. Secondly provide helpful ways to teach the children the names of their classmates.


Try this game that was sent to me recently for learning names. This game teaches name recognition, memory skills, letter recognition and many more.

You can modify this game in many ways to suit your situation and the ages of the children attending your preschool.


Flip That Plate
At the beginning of the year I write everyone's first name on a paper plate. For the first week, I hold the plates and hold one up at a time and ask the child whose name it is to tell me. This helps them recognize their own name. After I feel the kids can recognize their own name, we sit on the floor in our circle, I give everyone a plate face down and say "Don't touch that plate!"

I then call on my preschoolers one at a time to "Flip that Plate!!" they tell me whose name is on the plate. This helped everyone at the beginning of the year to learn names.
Later in the year I put last names on the plates and repeated the process. I also ask the kids to spell the names pointing to each letter as they spell.

My students love to play this game.

If you like these preschool teaching ideas, you'll love the other ideas in the Preschool Planner.

Check them out:

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

There are Two Editions now for the Preschool Planner: Basic or Platinum.

If you prefer lessons which have ideas for the Toddler Age, go here to the second volume of lessons. There is an entire bonus section devoted to TODDLERS.

http://www.preschoolwhiz.com/v2.html

Send me any ideas you would like to share and I will post them on my Blog.

Mary
marys.plans@gmail.com

Preschool Back to School Ideas - Letter to Parents

I know the summer is winding down but you are probably gearing up for a new school year about to begin. Lots of questions and requests come in for preschool back to school ideas, activities, tips, etc.

Whenever possible, I like to send home a letter to parents with tips I've picked up over the years about the first days of preschool.

Here are some of the key ones I want my preschool parents to know about the separation process.

1. The great thing about the first day of preschool is that there are many other parents in the room who are going through the same exact thing as you.
2. As parents you can work together as a team; it becomes that much easier and that much more fun. (See tip #4 below for an example of this teamwork.)
3. They can point out a child that their preschooler may know from another activity or the neighborhood.
4. If they don't know anyone, help them to meet their first friend. For example, "Hello, this is Steve. Can we sit here with you?" They could also complement the other child on something he brought or is wearing. This child's parent will probably pick up on the introduction and join in as well.
5. When it is time to leave, don't take your preschooler out of the room. The teacher or assistant will be there to help.
6. Even if it appears tempting, DO NOT SNEAK out while your child is busy with something else.
7. Don't ask your child permission to leave or offer a bribe to stay there. This sets up a very difficult situation for you and your child.

8. Last and equally important, thank the parent for entrusting you with their child. Acknowledge that you know how difficult this can be for them as well with many mixed feelings. Reassure them that you are there to help their child learn, grow and make friends and that you are working together with them to provide the best possible experience you can.


If you like these preschool back to school ideas, come back over the next couple of weeks for more ideas to come.

You'll love the other ideas in the Preschool Planner as well.


Check them out:

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

Enjoy and remember to send in any ideas you wish to share and I will post them here.

Mary
marys.plans@gmail.com

PS: If you would like to receive my free newsletter for more ideas for your preschool class, enter your name and address at the site below:

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

Preschool Learning Activities - Mini Greenhouse

I have been receiving so many wonderful preschool learning activities this month. Thanks to all of you who are sending them to share on the blog.

This preschool activity is one I have done many times and it is always a hit with my preschoolers. Often a long term activity is difficult to capture the attention of a three or four year old but this one is different. Thanks Norah for reminding of this one!

Give this a try and you'll see how fun it is to watch the progress and learn something new everyday from it.

MINI GREENHOUSE

Material:
* 2 liter plastic drink bottle
* dirt/potting mix
* seeds
* water
Method:
1. Cut top of bottle off. (approxiamately 10cm down)
2. Fill bottom of bottle with approximately 10cm of dirt.
3. Plant seeds in soil.
4. Water slightly.
5. Place top back on by inserting just inside bottom piece. (This will catch the dew and the plant will be self-watering)
6. Place in a sunny position.
7. When big enough plant outside in the garden.

Learning Objectives:
* Develop concepts of time and growth. (how things grow)
* Enhance scientific knowledge. (plants self watering, plants need sunlight)
* Promotes language development.
* Develop cognitive skills. (questioning etc.)
* Develop responsibility and confidence for care of other living things.
* Develop environmental awareness.

If you like these preschool learning activities, you'll love the other ideas in the Preschool Planner.

Check them out:

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

Enjoy and remember to send in any ideas you wish to share and I will post them here.

Mary
marys.plans@gmail.com

PS: If you would like to receive my free newsletter for more ideas for your preschool class, enter your name and address at the site below:

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

Preschool Teacher Supplies - Pictures and Markers

It's the time of year that we are all setting up our classes for the new fall session to begin. If you are searching for preschool teacher supplies, try out the ideas below.

One of my readers sent these and I couldn't wait to pass them along to you.


Photo Paper and Bingo Markers!

I discovered by accident was to use photo paper to print an image of anything I wanted, off my computer. No need to laminate and it's permanent! The color looks so much better than my coloring an image ( I hate to color!).

Another idea that works well with my Developmentally Delayed and Autistic preschoolers is to use bingo markers as a "writing" tool. They're great to use when making patterns on graph paper and the list of activities with these markers is never ending! It is also easy for the kid to get a good grasp.

Keep sending in your ideas and I will be sure to post them here for all to use!

If you like these ideas for preschool teacher supplies, you'll love the other ideas in the Preschool Planner.

Check them out:

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


Mary
marys.plans@gmail.com


PS: If you would like to receive my free newsletter for more ideas for your preschool class, enter your name and address at the site below:

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