Preschool Science Activities - Jumping on Air

If you are looking for hands-on preschool science activities you
must try the activity below.

In the spirit of sharing one of my readers sent this in and I couldn't wait
to share it.

It involves the kids, lets them experience and discover so many concepts--their own weight, what will hold them up, counting, cause and effect and even recycling!


Jumping on Air
Materials: plastic bags from grocery
plastic ties,large garbage bag

What to do:
1.Blow up a plastic bag.Secure it with a tie.Let a child sit on it.What happen?It will pop
2.Discuss the fact that one bag is not strong enough to hold us up.How can we make stronger? By adding more bags and bunching them together we can create a cushion of air. These can support not only one child but many.
3.Let the child help to blowup numerous plastic bags. Use the tie top to secure tightly.
4.Place many inflated bags into a large garbage bag. Secure the bag with a tie when it is stuffed with the air filled produce bags.
5.Let the children sit on,fall onto or jump on it.
6.What happens? Did the bag burst? Why not? The air distributed and formed a natural cushion for the children as they jumped.

Your preschoolers will love doing preschool science activities. Get them involved and learning takes place and so much fun.

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

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

Preschool Art Activities - Toddler Wall Mural

My preschoolers always enjoy their preschool art activities. I use art to teach as much as I possibly can--shapes, colors, science, nature, counting, numbers, etc.

Here is an idea that one of my readers sent to me that does exactly all of these things and can be used for your even your youngest preschool student.

Toddler Wall Mural
I have used this for my class of 18 to 24 month olds.

This time of year we are learning about our world starting with sea life, then insects, animals, then birds.

Each day I take one long sheet of colored paper (blue for ocean, brown for earth, green for forest, light blue for sky) and tape it on the floor covering **simple pictures of the types of wildlife we are discussing.

These **simple pictures I have outlined with hot glue so that my little ones can scribble over them and a "secret" animal will appear.

I then tape it to the wall: ocean lowest, earth next, forest, then sky highest.

We end up with a wall mural of different animals in their habitats and my students are so proud as they show Mommy where dolphins, earthworms, and deer live!

Thanks so much for sending in this idea.

I love getting these ideas and welcome any you want to send to me.

If you like these preschool art activities, check out the other ideas in the Preschool Planner and give them a try.


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

Inside Preschool Activities - Action Cube & Obstacle Course

January in the US for most of us means finding as many inside preschool activities to do that teaches, motivates and uses the pent up energy that results from "cabin fever". Preschoolers need to be active. They learn best when they are physically involved in the lesson.

All of my readers are sending in wonderful ideas to share and here are a couple of them that use the "learn by doing" philosophy that I use every day.

Circle Time Action Cube
This activity is a circle idea which involves a largish cube with a picture of a child jumping on one side, sitting on another, hopping on another, hands high in the air on another, crouching on another, lying down on another. The children take turns rolling the cube and everyone does the action.
Animals could be put on each side and the children be that animal on the roll.
OPTION: It could be a small group activity too where each child does the action individually - turn taking.

Literacy Obstacle Course
One thing I like to do when constructing the obstacle course for the class is incorporate literacy or numeracy learning–for example:

·Design obstacle course in a different shape each time (or number or letter) – children get a kick out of guessing.
·Write numbers, letters, sight words, or draw shapes etc in hopscotch squares for children to identify
·Place numeral, number representative, letters for sounds, shape etc cards around the course for children to identify.

If you like these inside 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 Alphabet Activities - Name Recognition

Happy New year to everyone! I'm back and so excited to share more ideas with all of you. We can all use preschool alphabet activities and this one is simple and easy and captures their attention.

So many people have sent in new ideas to me the past couple of months.

I find that some of the simpler ideas can be the most fun while teaching our preschoolers; that is what teaching preschool is all about! Having fun and learning all at the same time.

This idea for learning letters of the alphabet and name recognition is perfect.

All kids love singing a familiar song but changing up the words to personalize it make it ever better.


New variation of the BINGO song

This idea is one I do with my three year olds. During greeting time, we sing this song to the tune of Bingo.

"There's a little girl here we're glad to see and Greta is her name o, G, R, E, T, A, G, R, E, T, A, G, R, E, T, A, and Greta is her name o."

Explain to the children that you would like for them to stand when you call their name. I have a card with their name spelled out, and as I say the letter, I point to it so the children would hear the letter and see it.

The young children are learning to spell and recognize their names.
We all have a ball with this activity.

If you like these preschool alphabet activities, check out the other ideas in the Preschool Planner and give them a try.


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

Preschool Play Based Learning - Reading, Imagination, Counting

As you know my primary philosophy of teaching preschool is to use preschool play based learning. That is how children learn and really understand what we are teaching them.

Here is an idea that was sent to me recently that uses this concept perfectly, even better, the kids loved it! You use the story to teach reasoning, counting, rhyming and imaginative play.

Reading Time
We read the story entitled, GOLDILOCKS HAS CHICKEN POX. The story was a hit! It was one of those that the children wanted to "read again and again" so we read it for 3 days and focused on different aspects each time (rhyming words, reading for pleasure, comprehension).

Next, we decided to get large pieces of bulletin board paper (white) to trace the their bodies on. I put the paper on a rectangular table in the room and told them it was like playing doctor. They were imagining that they had chicken pox as I traced around them, 1 at a time.

After I traced each child's body in pencil, I let them work on the floor with it any way they wanted with markers, crayons, glue, and other art materials. Many of them drew chicken pox on their bodies and counted them (math).

This is a great example of open ended, child centered, process learning! We hung their "bodies" around in the room and in our hall way. They also traced one me and worked together to decorate it. Much Fun!

I tried this with my class and the reaction was the same. Teach your preschoolers while letting them experience the concepts and, most of all have fun.

If you like this idea for preschool play based learning, check out the other ideas in the Preschool Planner a try.


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

Preschool Fall Activities - The Thankful Tree

I want to share these preschool fall activities 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 Thankful Tree

We have a Thankful Tree every year that we use for our Thanksgiving Feasts at the preschool.

First we find a really big tree branch and anchor it in a big container or bucket. You can use cement, plaster of paris or even rocks and sand to hold up the branch. Spray it gold and then either buy beautiful cotton leaves or commercial type leaves, or we cut them out ourselves and then decorate them, or buy water color paper leaves and paint them in fall colors. It’s up to your imagination.

Give each child, friend or family a leaf or two and have them write on the leaf what they are thankful for. Of course, your preschoolers can't write but their parents can write what they say. Then hang these on the tree or hot glue it on one of the branches.

It looks great and it a great center piece for a table. It’s a great project for families or even kids clubs. Everyone is thankful for something. This way they can write it down and share it.

Thanks for sending this idea to share.

Keep your ideas coming in and I'll share them here for all.

If you like these preschool fall activities, 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

Preschool Sensory Tables

One of the most frequent requests I get are ideas for preschool sensory tables.

So many of you just don't have the space or means to provide an actual free standing sensory table for your center yet you want to provide the activities that a sensory table offers.

Here is a great idea sent to me recently by one of my readers and it offers a great solution to the problem.

Sensory Table Suggestion

I have limited space, but REALLY wanted to have a sensory table of some sort.

I found that a shallow plastic storage bin with a lid (you can get several sizes of under-the-bed types, some with wheels even) worked really great (on a drop cloth if need be).

It was big enough to allow space for exploration, but small enough to be snapped shut and stored easily.

I could not believe how much the kids loved it! And on a drop cloth you just gather the corners and dump everything back in when you are done which is harder to accomplish with a larger and higher table.

Everyone is sending such wonderful creative ideas for all of us to share.

Keep sending in your ideas and I'll share them here for all.

If you like this idea for preschool sensory tables, give the other ideas in the Preschool Planner a try.

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

Preschool Tips - Getting & Maintaining Attention

I hope the beginning of the school year has been good for everyone. So many of you have emailed me asking for preschool tips for getting and maintaining your children's attention.

Try using the element of "surprise" with your children. It is almost foolproof and your kids will respond quickly.

Here are a couple of ideas that have been sent to me from my readers. They use my surprise tactic as well and show just how easy it is to grab their attention.

Hands on Head
When the kids are out of control I simply state loudly, " Everyone, HANDS ON YOUR HEAD!" Its so funny to see, all of them drop what they're doing and place their hands on their heads. They all think it's fun and quickly the room falls in to control.

Preschool Mad Libs
When my kids get restless during story time or singing time I will often incorporate their names, a silly word or phrase, or leave blanks for them to "mad lib" and give me a noun, verb or adjective to spice it up.
For example:
Ask: "Goldilocks sat down on mama bears chair, but it was too... what?" "Scratchy!"
Sing: "Ryan's workin' on the railroad, all the live long day..."

These egocentric little people are always up for being the star of the show, and unless I let it get too silly they usually stop being so fidgety and can focus on what we are doing.

Keep your ideas coming in and I'll share them here for all.

If you like these preschool tips, 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

Preschool Art Projects - Frozen Paint and Water Painting

I can't imagine a day with my students without preschool art projects. I also find that the simpler activities are just as fun as the more elaborate ideas I have done over the years.

Here are 2 easy, creative ideas that I use often. My readers have sent me similar suggestions and it is such fun to hear these same ideas from around the world!

Frozen Paint
One thing I have found that my preschool classes have really enjoyed is painting with frozen paint. All you have to do is fill an ice tray or popsicle trays with paint. Stick it in the freezer.

Once frozen let the children enjoy painting. School Supply stores also sell containers specifically for this purpose for pretty cheap. I have found that sometimes the painting works best when you let the trays sit out for 1/2 before painting unless it's a really hot day. It can be messy as the paint thaws so do this activity in a water table or outside.

Water Evaporation
Materials: Water, Paintbrushes

When practicing letters/shapes/numbers--anything!
We go outside to the wall or sidewalk.
Give each child a paintbrush and have 2 children share a cup of water with each other.

They listen for the teacher to tell them what to draw. On a sunny day, before they know it, their letter or picture has "disappeared." They love getting to paint and also watching it disappear.

If you like these preschool art projects, 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 Summer Activities - Flower Garden on a Plate

Happy summer to everyone! If you're looking for preschool summer
activities to do with your preschoolers, try this one.

It is a delightful way to get outside on a nature walk
and to use it as an opportunity of exploration.

You can help your preschoolers appreciate their surroundings.
Ask about colors and textures; count how many flowers they have
found to bring back to their classroom to decorate. These are just
a few of the ways you can turn a walk outside into an outdoor
classroom where children learn by doing. My favorite!

Here is the idea:
"A Garden of flowers and grasses on a squared paper plate".
Give each child a pair of scissors and go for a morning walk.
They cut wild flowers and grasses of their choice.
Each child is given a paper plate and colourful play dough.

The playdough is used to hold the flowers and grasses into place
on the paper-plate and voila--you have a garden which will hold
for a while. The kids loved this activity.

This was an all hands on activity with no help from me.

Thanks to one of my readers who sent in this preschool summer activity
that she does with her children.


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

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 Circle Time - Thinking Circles

I do hope everyone's summer is going along smoothly and your preschoolers are enjoying outside activities. I received this preschool circle time activity from one of my readers recently and wanted to share it as fast as possible! Simple, thoughtful and very effective!

With a new school year just around the corner you will be planning your opening week activities as well as ideas for the year.

This idea is so important for preschoolers--learning how to understand others feelings and giving them their first tools for problem solving.

Thinking Circles

I took over a group part way through a year and they were very negative in outlook and aggressive to each other. I started what I called ‘thinking Circles’- I got a pile of cardboard circles and drew happy sad faces on each one. Then at the end of the day I would hand out some ( face down) and the children would have to turn them over and tell everyone something they really liked about the day (happy face) or something they did not like (sad face).

This got the group thinking in a reflective way and really brought them together. I now use it with any group I have. I find it teaches them about other people’s perspectives and can lead to some terrific group problem solving when a child has suggested something they did not like...ie; how to fix it if it was a problem.. or how to change it.

This is an idea that will become a permanent part of my preschool activities for circle time.

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

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 Nursery Rhymes - Activities for Nursery Rhymes

If you're planning a Unit on preschool nursery rhymes, be sure to involve your preschoolers physically as well. Nursery rhymes are an excellent tool for teaching sound awareness, memory skills, and listening skills.

Children usually know at least a couple of nursery rhymes when they begin preschool. Use their knowledge base and expand upon it.

Involve them in acting them out, dancing to them, or clapping out rhythms.
Here are some ideas I've received recently to try with your class.


Jack Be Nimble

When we were doing a theme week on Nursery rhymes I made 3 different sizes of candle sticks for the children to jump over. I started with a toilet paper roll then went to a paper towel roll and then a parchment paper roll. What ever size they could successfully jump over was the one that they got to make and take home. (If you are in a state that has banned the use of toilet paper rolls, you can use the paper towel rolls and cut them in half.)

Cover the roll with plain paper and let the children decorate as desired, then either tape or hot glue the roll to a small paper plate, add a red yellow and orange tissue paper flame.

We sang:
Child's name be nimble
Child's name be quick
Child's name jump over the candle stick
Child's name jumped high
Child's name jumped low
Child's name jumped over and burnt his/her toe.

They had a blast and often ask to play that game. They are also learning directions of over, high, low.

Humpty Dumpty

I cut out little red bricks so the children could build a wall for Humpty Dumpty.

Then I game them each an egg shape to put on it. They drew on the face and added arms and legs. They all came out so different and cute and I got so many great comments on this activity.

There are so many ways to use classic nursery rhymes to teach your kids. Give these a try and send me ones you would like to share.

If you like these preschool nursery rhymes and 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

Gross Motor Activities for Preschool - Letter Hunt and Let's Pretend

As all preschool teachers and parents know, preschool and energy are synonymous. Here are some fun gross motor activities for preschool that are so much fun they will ask to do these again and again.

You will be enhancing their motor skills and teaching coordination, letters and numbers at the same time. Give them a try.

These were both sent to me to share here. Thanks so much!

Let's Pretend

Have the kids stand up tall with their arms up and say "be as tall as a giraffe". Then say "be as big as an elephant" and have them put their arms and legs out wide. Repeat this slowly and then get faster and the kids don't even know they are doing jumping jacks!


Find the Letter

I like to play the "Number Find Game" or the "Letter Find Game".
Tape up numbers or letters all over the room and then draw one of them on a dry erase board and have the kids go running to find the number or letter that I've drawn on the board.
It gets them moving and it also helps them to become more familiar with their numbers and letters. You can use colors or shapes for your hunt. All children love a hunt!

If you like these gross motor activities for preschool, 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 Fathers Day Idea - Golden Shoe

June is here and in the US it means summertime and our celebration of Father's Day. We all try to come up with ways to show dads how much they mean to us. Try this preschool fathers day idea with your kids; dads will be pleased for sure!

It doesn't have to be a father; it can be any male figure who is important in the lives of a child--grandfather, uncle or friend.

This preschool craft idea was sent in by one of my readers recently to share here with everyone. Thanks for the emails!

Father's Day Idea - Golden Shoe
Need: one old shoe for each child, glue, gold spray paint

I send home a request for an old shoe that the child has recently grown out of.
Let your preschoolers paint it with watery glue.
When it's dry I spray paint the shoe gold.
I glue some felt on the bottom if needed.
They give it as a gift to dad at our "donuts for dads" day.
I include a poem on a paper tucked inside the shoe that says: "I love you so much I wish you knew, think of me each time you look at my shoe."

It's a wonderful fathers day gift ideas preschool for all to enjoy.

Keep your ideas coming in and I'll share them here for all.

If you like this preschool fathers day idea, 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

Preschool Science Activities - Where do Pearls Come From?

Preschool science activities offer so many opportunities for hands on exploration. You can also use them to encourage the use of dramatic play fun that preschoolers love.

One of my circle time ideas is to talk about the next month that is coming up. For June, talk about monthly birthstones. The one for June is the pearl. Do they know what a pearl is? Where does it come from?

Talk about how oysters make pearls. In nature, a pearl is unusual, and finding gemstone quality pearls is rare. The pearl starts out as an irritant in a oyster or mussel. The "irritant" can be a bit of shell or parasite that gets caught in the soft tissue, which the pearl oyster tries to expel. If it can't get rid of it, t/he oyster coats the bothersome piece with a coating called nacre, forming the June birthstone.

Use the following ideas to continue the theme of pearls.


Secret Pearl Coloring Page
Since June’s birthstone is a pearl, show students where pearls come from by giving them an underwater scene to color and decorate. Give them a pearl to hold and look at and ask them to draw a secret pearl somewhere on their page. Then, they can trade pages and see who can find the hidden pearl.

Find the Pearl
Bring in three closed containers and put a pearl in one of them. Show the students which container the pearl is in and then mix the containers around. Students must try to follow the container with the pearl in it until you stop moving the containers. You should try to make them forget which one holds the pearl. When you stop, they can guess and you can see if anyone is right. Try this several times to improve their skills at attention and memory.

Dramatic Play: Underwater Divers
Send your students on a scuba mission to find valuable pearls at the bottom of the ocean. They must avoid sharks, jellyfish, and other dangerous animals as they venture to the bottom of the sea. They can comment on the types of animals they encounter and what it feels like to be able to breathe underwater.

If you like these preschool science activities, 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

Pirate Theme for Preschool - My Town Treasure Hunt

One of the favorite themes my children enjoy is the pirate theme for preschool. This is a theme you can use to teach any topic you wish--colors, directions, letters, counting, reasoning, etc.

Thanks to one of my readers for sending the idea below for an incredible, town-wide Treasure Hunt.

My Town Treasure Hunt

I have used this for several years to help learn the letter X as well as help my preschoolers explore the world around them. This activity is done with their parents. It is a lot of fun. I call it "My Town Treasure Hunt."

I make up 6 or 7 clues that relate to stores or land marks in our area. At each stop they get the next clue along with a small treat or sticker. I speak with the store owners ahead of time and they are always glad to help (It is free advertising for them!)

At the last stop I give them a simple map to follow that leads them to "X marks the spot!" I put together a simple bag of things the kids can do like bubbles, playdough, crayons and a small notebook etc. I put the bags in a treasure box for them to take home.


If you like this pirate theme 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

Preschool Activities for Cinco de Mayo

This is a fun week to teach your preschoolers about another culture. Use the following preschool activities for Cinco de Mayo for their fun celebrations!

I like to begin by showing my students where Mexico is? Bring out a globe and
show the children where you live and where Mexico is. Discuss how long it
might take to get there by car and then by plane.

This holiday is more of a celebration of Mexican culture, food, music and
beverage unique to Mexico. Cinco De Mayo is a great way to expose
preschoolers to the Mexican culture.

These preschool activities for Cinco de Mayo are for all the centers of the classroom.

Counting in Spanish

Talk with the children about Spanish, explaining that it is the language
spoken in Mexico. Have children try to count in Spanish with your help. You
may wish to make a chart. (Some of your children may already be familiar
with the language especially if they have watched Sesame Street!)

Counting from 1-10 in Spanish.
1. uno (oo-no)
2. dos (doss)
3. tres (trace)
4. cuatro (kwah-tro)
5. cinco (seen-ko)
6. seis (say-ees)
7. siete (see-ay-tay)
8. ocho (oh-cho)
9. nueve (nuay-vay)
10. diez (dee-ace)

Jumping-Bean Jumping

Play music let the children jump like jumping beans, when the music stops
they must freeze in the postion they were in. When the music starts again the
they all jump again. Good for listening skills and gross motor skills.

Maracas
Have the children make maracas. There are many different ways to do this but
the following is one of the easiest for all ages to do.
Take beans and place between two plates. Staple the plates together. Glue a
craft stick to one side. Allow the kids to paint or decorate the plates how
they like. Put on the music and have them parade or dance throughout the
room.

Bean Bag Toss
Need: Bean bags and sombrero.

Toss beanbags into a sombrero and lots of fun! You can teach color
recognition, counting by telling them how many bean bags they get to throw
and/or counting how many make into the hat and how many did not.

If you like these preschool activities for Cinco de Mayo, 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 Opposites Activities - In & Out, Up & Down, Fun & Serious

Teaching a preschooler the concept of opposites is so much fun! One of the best parts is that they already know some and start off feeling so good about what they know. These are just a some of the preschool opposites activities I have used over the years.

Please take these ideas and then add your own. Once you start this for your day or week's activity, the children will learn so much and have fun doing so! This is how preschoolers learn the best--by doing!

Some of the easiest to start with are big and little, cold and hot, front and back, over and under, in and out, wide and narrow, day and night, on and off.

Circle Time Idea
When I use this concept for the week, I start each day's circle time with one of the concepts I am teaching. One day I will wear shoes that are much too big for me. I ask their help on what the problem is with my shoes. After they point out that my shoes are too big, I ask them if I can borrow one of their shoes. This leads them to say they are too small. How better to start off the idea of big and little!

Another day, I will wear my shirt or smock backwards. I engage them to ask what is the problem and they tell me that the shirt is on backwards and that I need to put it on frontwards. They love this. We talk about front and back in terms of clothing, classroom, etc.

One day you can start off with a very serious facial expression and then change to a smile or broad grin. See if they notice that your face is changing throughout the circle time. Ask them for other ways we have opposite facial expressions such as laughing and crying, happy and sad, peaceful and surprised.

You get the idea. Encourage them to come up with ideas for opposites and write these on the whiteboard. You can then use these for other activities.

General Activities
Beads--Provide them with large beads and small beads. Ask them to string them with different patterns of beads to learn about large and small.

Sorting--You can use all of your recycling items such as boxes, cans, paper tubes, styrofoam pieces, blocks, etc and ask your students to sort according to size. They learn big and little, large and small, soft and hard. Ask them if there are other ways to sort.

Gross Motor Play--Design a maze through the classroom or circle time area with yarn, sheets, furniture and then talk with your preschoolers about going over and under the obstacle. Have them tell you the direction they will be using to see if they really understand.

Fine Motor--Provide them with magazines and have an "eye scavenger hunt" to find different opposite ideas. For example: can they find pictures of things to do inside and then pictures of things to do outside; search for winter pictures and summer pictures; search for pictures of front and back.

Opposite Day--Send home a note to parents and ask them to have their child come to school on the last day of the week with something opposite from usual. They can come with their shirt on backwards, with a breakfast food rather than a typical lunch food, pajamas rather than day clothes, etc. They can choose what the "opposite" will be and at circle time we all try to guess the concept and review how much they have learned during Opposite WEEK!


If you like these preschool opposites 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 Name Recognition Theme - Puzzles and Placemats

Watching a child's face as he/she learns to recognize their own name is joy! Here are ideas I use for preschool name recognition theme in my classes.

These ideas allow for visual and fine motor skills for your preschoolers to learn to know their names.

Whiteboard Name Puzzle
I print my preschool students name in large font on magnetic paper with a photo of them. Next I cut it into a few pieces and lay it out on the whiteboard so they have their own personal jigsaw puzzle that helps with name recognition.

Personalized Placemat
I send home 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 are returned, we laminate 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!


Preschool Zoo
something I like to do for my children when we are doing a Zoo, or even a jungle theme, is to cut out picures of the children's faces and glue them into animals - the children love to find themselves on the wall and the parents love it as well.


The preschool name recognition theme is such an important one in preschool and I hope these ideas works for you. 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 Themes - Cowboys and Out West Fun!

One of the ways I keep the program fresh is to use varied preschool themes throughout the year. I have received many requests recently for ideas on cowboys and the great West!

How fun this is and you can use this theme to stretch over several days. You can use this to teach gross motor skills, following directions, coordination, fine motor skills for drawing, constructing and so much more.

Circle Time Idea
Start the discussion asking them what they think cowboys do. The replies will guide you in the remaining conversation. Explain their role in watching after cattle, moving them around from one place to another, corralling a cow who might have strayed from the herd.

Next select one of the children to be the cowboy and the others are the cows. The cattle are to line up on one side of the room as the cowboy needs to catch them and put them in the corral. When the cowboy tags one of the children, that child is corralled and stays with the cowboy in the pasture. You can do this giving each child a turn at being the cowboy.

Dramatic Play
Here is an opportunity to "recycle or re-use" large cardboard boxes if you have them (such as appliance boxes). You can paint them or cover them with paper and label them General Store, Bank, Barber shop, etc. Provide dress up clothes such as hats, bandanas, boots or whatever you may have and let the children pretend they are in the Wild West. You will be surprised at what they imagine and play!


Motor Skills
Use popsicle sticks and show the children how to glue them together to make fences for a corral. They can do this at the play table and set up their own little corral. I use these with the blocks and ask the children to make buildings and put the fences around them. If you have access to small plastic animals such as cows and horses use those as well but be sure they are not too small to create a choking hazard.

Snack
Provide biscuits (or rolls) and tell them that this was often what the cowboys and cowgirls had to eat on the trail.

Your preschoolers will get a chance to try their abilities to run, gallop, skip and jump like horses or cattle or cowboys. You can use the opportunity to teach directions such as "in front of", "next to", under, over, etc.

Painting, creating signs, thinking about what stores a town needs, all provide so many chances to stimulate and teach.


I hope you had fun with thess preschool themes. Check out the other ideas in the Preschool Planner for more interactive fun teaching ideas for your preschool.

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