December Lesson Plans Preschool

Hi,

We are gearing up for December Lesson Plans--I have so many ideas to share with you that it is hard to know where to start!

Since it is cold where I live, I think of winter weather, snow, icicles and all the activities and crafts that are winter related. Here is an art project to get started with the season.

Igloos--What is inside?
This is an art project that not only provides fine motor skills but draws upon your kids' imaginations to think about what is inside an igloo. They always think about the outside and how it looks but get them to understand that they can actually be shelters and what they might find inside!


Need:
Light blue paper
White paper
Pencils
Magazines, optional
Glue
Pencils, crayons

You will need to draw a template of an igloo shape that almost covers the entire page of the white paper (I use the paper horizontally so that I have plenty of room.) Cut out shapes of the igloo using the light blue paper so that it will stand out against the white paper. Cut out doors, like a barn door or double doors that will open.

Glue the blue igloo--edges only--to the white paper so that the doors will open.

Next have them draw the lines on the outside of the igloo in a pattern that they can do (age dependent here). This could be simple lines across and then down for the youngest to staggering brick patterns if your class is older.

Once that is finished, have them determine what they will find inside their igloo when they open the doors. They can cut out pictures from magazines, draw, cut out and glue shapes...whatever their imaginations create!

Then have them tell about their igloos at circle time!

Snack:
One of my parents sent me this recipe she found online. I don't have the original source but it was a hit with class.

Easy Pumpkin Pudding
Materials and Ingredients:
1 cup vanilla pudding for each child
2 tsp. Libby's easy pumpkin pie mix per child
A bowl for each child
A spoon for each child
Description: Help young children measure and place one cup of vanilla pudding in their individual bowls. Next, measure out 2 tsp. pie mix with each child. Ask children to mix the vanilla pudding and the pie mix together for a seasonal and yummy treat.

I hope you enjoy these

Mary

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Thanksgiving Lesson Plans for Preschool

I don't want to slight our friend the turkey at this time of year but I am always looking for fresh ideas for Thanksgiving.

Here are a couple of ideas that work together to give a little variety to our traditional arts and crafts.


Wooden Spoon People Thanksgiving

PART 1
Materials:
Wooden kitchen spoons, varying sizes
Glue
Yarn
Buttons
Markers
Felt scraps cut into shapes

Give each child a wooden spoon (I try to give them 3 if I can find a good price on them or ask for parents to donate them too)
Have your child glue yarn onto the top of the spoon to make hair and buttons to make the eyes.
They can draw a mouth and nose with markers.
Then use the felt scraps and glue them on for clothes.
Now you are set for the circle time activity below.


PART 2
Dramatic Play at Circle Time

Have the children use their spoon families in circle time to talk about Thanksgiving.
They can pretend the Spoon family is their own and use them as puppets to talk about how their family will celebrate Thanksgiving. Ask them about the food that they will be eating and whether it is food they like or are willing to try.

Having each child have a turn to share their family traditions teaches your childrent that there are many ways to celebrate a holiday--not just the way their own family does it.



Let the imaginations and conversations lead your day with this activity.

Enjoy,

Mary

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:

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Tips for Preschool Teachers

Imagination is the key word in today's idea. What better place to use imagination than in Preschool where our children are the masters!

We have such an opportunity, and I believe duty, to provide the right environment for kids to tap into their imagination to design and build their play space in the classroom.

I like to clear an area in the classroom before everyone arrives. Then when the children arrive their interest is sparked by this VACANT space. Sometimes I put large Question Marks"?" on paper around the area.

We then hold a circle time meeting in that area. I have them close their eyes and tell them that can design the space to be whatever pretend environment they would like. (You can offer suggestions, such as "Play House", Post Office, Grocery Store, and believe it or not, a $1 Dollar Store. These stores are becoming so popular in the US that children love browsing through them.)


We all lie in a circle and stare up at the ceiling and decide what it will be and then where we will put the walls, counters, furniture..whatever the case may be. Let them help to tape out the area with masking tape and then to go throught the classroom to decide what could be useful in their new area.

Bring out your storage boxes which should include items they can use to set up the station. If it is a store, they will need shelves, items to sell, pretend money, cash register. If they are playing house, they will need kitchen items, sitting area, bed (use a nap cot for this).

I'm sure you get the idea but the best part is to let them make most of the decisions. If you feel it is questionable, use this time to get them to explain their idea and why they think it is a good one.

THEN....let the imaginative play begin. This is an activity that can stay up for days so that all of the children get a chance to have their turns to interact with each other and to try different roles...shopper, store owner, parent, child, etc.

This needs a good half hour for them to be able to truly enjoy the experience.

Imagination and self expression is such an important part of preschool. Allow the play and role playing to teach them about their world.

Have fun and enjoy the moments.

Until later,

Mary

PS: To start receiving my newsletters filled with more ideas for your class enter your name and email at the site below:
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Preschool Halloween Crafts

Halloween is next week and the count down is on!

I do believe that this holiday is getting more and more popular every year and the excitement is mounting.

Preschoolers love it and get a little scared too... I try to keep the "scary" part to a minimum but add lots of fun to the event.

I want to share a few last minute craft ideas and snack suggestions that should be a hit with your preschoolers.

These come courtesy of one of my moms, Carol, who volunteered last week with these great, easy ideas.

GHOST Craft

Need: White foam trays or foam core
Black marker
Bells
Black yarn
Hole punch

Trace out a ghost shape. We made a couple of templates from cardboard so that the children could trace around them. It was a "buddy" effort where one child traced and the other held the template still. Cut out the shape. This is a good fine motor lesson and it doesn't matter if the edges are scraggly..that makes it more ghostly!

Then punch out two holes at the top for his eyes or use the black marker to draw the eyes. Next punch out one hole at the top center and also at bottom center. Tie one of the bells on a string and tie it through the bottom of the ghost for the noise effect and use the other string to attach the ghost to the ceiling to move in the breeze.

Hand SPIDERS

Need:
Construction Paper
Black Paint
Googly eyes

This is a quick and immediately successful activity for all ages. It can be messy so be sure to have a helper around to wash off hands.

Paint your student's palm and 4 fingers with the black paint. Be sure you don't paint the thumb. Have them press their handprint on the paper with their fingers pointing out to the side. Next paint the other hand and place it on top of the other print but with the fingers going out to the other side.

Voila! You have a spider print from their hands. Add the googly eyes and make a Spider Wall or bulleting board.

SNACKS

Cutout Sandwiches
Make some sandwiches--Cheese sandwiches, peanut butter(if no allergies), tuna or just bread and butter...whatever your kids like. Use large Halloween Cookie cutters--ghost, large dog bone, pumpkin, ghost etc and cut out the sandwiches.

Bones were the biggest hit for snack time with my class.

Marshmallow Pops
Need:
Large marshmallows, green or orange candy melts, icing gel, lollipop sticks.

Stick a lollipop stick into each marshmallow. Place them in the freezer to harden for about 15-30 minutes. Use your microwave or stove to melt the candy. Dip the frozen marshmallows into the melted candy and set on waxed paper or parchment paper to dry. Once they harden, add eyes, and mouth if you want, to the hardened lollipops and enjoy!

Kids love them and they made them.

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 Activities for Fall

Hello again!

Are you looking some for fun preschool activities for fall?

I have two to share with you today that are so simple and so much fun.

Your preschoolers will love these!

First in order is to go outside for a "Collection Walk".
If you have a large group you may want to break them into groups--some will collect pretty fall leaves, others will want to look for pine cones, acorns, tree bark, stones,etc (fall like nature objects).

If the weather isn't cooperating, you can draw leaves on construction paper and cut them out or ask your kids to cut them out.
(These don't have to be exact so it is a good fine motor activity as well.)

Now for the fun...

Leaf Toss
Take a sheet, or a small parachute if you have one, and put the leaves in the middle.
Gather your class around the sheet and SLOWLY lift the sheet and then drop it QUICKLY to watch the leaves fall. This can go on for awhile because it takes them a few times to understand how to make them fall gently!

This is an activity that can be used for all seasons--just change the leaves to snowflakes, blossoms, flower petals, etc.

Sensory Box

You will need a large box that you can cut a hole in that your kids can put their hand in but small enough so that they can't see in.

Take your fall nature finds and put them in the box. I like to add a few extra surprises to the box that they didn't collect such as an apple, pear, baseball.
Have them sit in a circle and take turns reaching into the box and see if they can describe what they feel and can they guess what it is.

Hope you enjoy these as much as we have!

Mary

If you like these ideas, check out my Preschool Lesson Plans:

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

Preschool Lesson Plans on Comparing

Hi there,

I hope you are enjoying this fall season as much as we are.

Here are a few of the many activities we've been doing this month that have been so much fun.

The children love challenges to give them the opportunity to show how much they can do and know. These activities provide that possibility to shine!

Matching Games

Leaf Match

For all ages 3-5
1. Cut out leaf shapes from different colors of paper. Give each
child one leaf. Ask the children to find one person with the same
color leaf.
2. Place matching leaf stickers on separate index cards. Give each
child a card and ask them to find the child with their match.

To add challenge:
3. Cut out leaf shapes from different colors of paper. Cut the leaves in half using a puzzle type cut, like zig zag or interlocking pieces. Give each child one half of a leaf, and ask them to find the person with the other half.

You can experiment with these matching and comparing ideas and increase the level of difficulty depending on the ages and abilities of your class.

These are fun, encourage spatial concepts, color matching...so many areas of learning AND the children can move around to do it to use some energy!

Enjoy and come back to visit for more ideas.

Mary
P.S. If you like this idea check out my Preschool Lesson Plans:

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

Preschool Lesson Plans on Comparing