Easy Preschool Crafts - Bear Theme Art

I've had many requests for easy preschool crafts recently. Thanks to one of my subscribers who sent in this project that can be done by all ages.

Bear Theme Art

NEED: Bear shape pattern for 4 different bears
Tissue paper
Shredded wheat cereal
Black pompoms or furry fabric
Glue


Give each child the 4 bear designs.
Panda Bear--They can tear flat pieces of tissue paper and glue it onto a partial white bear for the panda.
Grizzly Bear--Take shredded wheat biscuits for the grizzly and glue on another bear shape.
American Black Bear-- Glue black shiny or furry fabric all over shape for the American black bear.
Polar Bear--Here we just used glue and added white glitter or Karo syrup and paint to make it shiny.

Then the children can glue all the bears on large paper or display on the wall or bulletin board.

Story time can be held in the Bear's Den where all the bears are displayed. There are so many stories to choose from for bear stories and I'm sure your children will have their favorites that they might want you to read as well.

Thanks to all of you who send in your ideas to me.

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

Presidents Day Preschool Activities

Next week, February 16th, the US celebrates a federal holiday called
President's Day. Here are a couple of ideas for presidents day preschool
activities for your lesson plans next week.

Use these to help enhance your teaching what the holiday is about and who is being celebrated. Two of the most famous presidents are George Washington and Abraham Lincoln and many of your children may have heard of them already, especially since this was an election year a new president of the US.

American Flag Collage

Need: Old magazines, blank copies of the outline of the American Flag.
Photo of the American flag or an actual flag which you may have in your classroom already to use as an example.

Send students looking through magazines for pictures with lots of red, white, and blue in them. When you have collected enough, have students start pasting the colors onto the blank flag that they have on their desk.

They can overlap pictures, use bits of pictures, and do whatever else they need to in order to make the flag look as real as possible. When you are done,put up the flag for everyone to see.



Log Cabin

Need copies of blank sketch of the front of a log cabin.
Lots of sticks and twigs
glue


I make copies of a blank sketch of the front of a cabin.
We go out for a walk and find as many twigs and sticks as possible.

Use these to glue onto the picture to make it resemble a log cabin. Children love this idea for a craft and get quite creative with this activity.

You can discuss that many people in the early days of the US lived in log cabins, even our presidents like Abraham Lincoln. If they want to make windows you can give them plastic wrap to glue on those openings to look like a window.


I hope you enjoy these ideas and have a wonderful week! Send me any of your ideas and I will share them here for all to see.

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 Math Activities - Blocks and Towers

Hello there,

Many of you have written to me asking for preschool math activities. There are so many and some of the simplest ideas seem to be the childrens favorites.

Thanks to all of my readers who have been sending me their ideas for teaching math and counting. Here are just a couple I'd like to pass on to you everyone.


Blocks and Towers

Use some wooden cube shaped blocks small enough to fit in the palm of a child's hand. Ask them to build a tower as tall as they want it to be. When it falls, they have to count the blocks and tell you the number. Of course, remember to help out the younger ones or count together. Each time they start to build again they will try to use more blocks than the before. Three skills in on--counting, fine motor, and hand-eye cordination.


Toddler/Preschool Bingo

Make a set of cards with 8 large squares on it. The center square is a "free space". Put one number in each square. Not every card must have every number. Next make a deck of cards with individual numbers on each one.

Hold up one card and then ask them to find that number on their card. This is good for number recognition and listening skills.

Keep these wonderful ideas coming in and I'll share them for you here.

Until next time, have a great day!


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 Valentine Day Ideas - Valentine Bouquet

I am always flooded with requests for ideas for preschool Valentine day ideas. Children love to make gifts for the special people in their world and I love finding ways that allow them to do so.

Simple is the key word here. Try the idea below for a fool-proof way to help them make something to give to that special person.

Save this idea as well for mother's day or father's day gifts. It works well for any occasion!


Valentine Bouquet
Need:

Muffin Tin liners, (great if you can find ones with Valentine designs)
Pipe Cleaners
Green construction Paper
Green tissue paper
Heart garland tie or ribbon


Have children pich and twist the bottom of the muffin liner and attach the pipe cleaner to the pinched end to create the flower.

Let them trace a leaf shape on the construction paper and cut it out and tape the leaves to the pipe cleaner. You can help the younger children do the cutting or have pre-cut leaves ready for them.

Next they can make the flower into a corsage, boutonniere or even use several to make a bouquet. If they choose to make a bouquet, wrap the pipe cleaner stems with the tissue paper and tie the garland or ribbon around it.


Have fun with this and enjoy the new month!

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 Kids Activities - Cabin Fever Rescue

Hello,

One phenomenon all of us have to deal with, no matter what the season is, is cabin fever. We are kept inside due to inclement weather of some sort and need preschool kids activities to meet the demand. The energy levels increase and it is so important to find creative ways to expend it.

Here are a couple of the ways that work for me. Give them a try and see how they work for you.


COPY CAT

1. Do any movement and ask the children to copy it (example: wave your hand, jump on one foot)
2. Do another a second movement and ask the children to copy you again (eg. rub your head)
3. Combine the two movements and ask the children to copy again
4. Use this as a sequencing game and see how many motions you can add that the children can remember. Younger ones may just be able to do two and older ones more and more.


CATCH A TAIL

Have your kids hold on to one another at the waist in a line formation.

The last person in line has a scarf in his/her back pocket. The object is to get the children to stay in line with the last person trying to take the scarf out of the pocket. The end of the line tries to avoid being caught by the leader.

If it is successfully removed the first player moves to the back and the game continues with a new leader of the line.


I hope these help in your situation. Send me any favorites you have and I'll be sure share 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 - Fishing for ???

Hello,

I am amazed at all the wonderful ideas you are all sending to me to share on the blog. This preschool circle time suggestion was sent in and I think you will find it a great resource.

Here is an idea for your preschoolers that is so versatile--it is perfect for circle time and the variations are endless. You can use this to teach colors, letters, numbers, etc. Read below for an excellent easy-to-make, low cost preschool activity that is worth its weight in gold!


Sherrin's idea is--
• photo copy pictures of fish in different coloured paper
• cut
• laminate
• put magnet on the fish
• make rods out of dowling
• tie string on the end
• add magnet to string

Aim of the game each child has a turn of catching the fish.
The teacher asks the child to catch me a red fish and they have to catch a red fish etc..... Or you could put the alphabet on the fish, or numbers etc....

The kids really love this game for circle time!



Have fun with this and enjoy your class! Keep the ideas coming in; thanks in advance!

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 Math Activities - Number Count Down

Hi There,

Are you looking for some new ideas for preschool math activities?

Try these suggestions to encourage counting skills, and observation skills.

Preschool children love a challenge; throw in a timer, give them a task and you have their attention for sure! Give these a try and let me know how it works for you.

Find and Count

The teacher and the children decide what they are going to be looking for and counting. This could be something that you are teaching for the day, such as a color or a shape. For example use the shape of a circle and tell the class they have 5 minutes to look around the room and point out all things with that shape.

Place a mark on the board for each item they point out, then with the class, count how many they found. This is an excellent way to encourage observation skills and teaching counting as well


The Count Down

This is something that even toddlers can do maybe with only three numbers but they can do this.

Use any objects you have in the room such as blocks, cars, toys, etc.

Give them the starting number (such as "we have 6 blocks") and then begin taking them away one at a time. Count down until there are none left. With toddlers start with 3 items, then 2 then 1. It helps to display a number chart so that they can see the numbers, read or recognize the number and help you with the count down. Fun and a good way for them to learn numbers.

Let me know how your class or children like these ideas and send me your own. It is fun to share them here for all.

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