tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28372999023178608572024-02-20T14:10:21.485-05:00Preschool Planner 101Your source for crafts, articles, and ideas to make preschool fun for all.Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger207125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2837299902317860857.post-33301274675557814852012-08-20T07:57:00.001-05:002012-08-20T07:57:35.841-05:00Preschool Art - Artist of the Month<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpyRx_XeCCeOkxjdgmBESAoga0OOot6E8mJHrHVQoJKKEZjIZKttY1SCePcUO5kdN_q1EBn9kXQXsdbviNueNn1ndhpiHj_W8L2dcVHs5FQUF-9Uxvs6o7loW-AYRZMjUsrygk1cOC8TH6/s1600/paint.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpyRx_XeCCeOkxjdgmBESAoga0OOot6E8mJHrHVQoJKKEZjIZKttY1SCePcUO5kdN_q1EBn9kXQXsdbviNueNn1ndhpiHj_W8L2dcVHs5FQUF-9Uxvs6o7loW-AYRZMjUsrygk1cOC8TH6/s1600/paint.jpg" /></a>I can't imagine preschool without art! It goes hand in hand with the philosophy of Learning by Doing AND best of all--IT IS FUN! <br /><br />I think my favorite preschool art project is our Artist of the Month project. Many of you have emailed me with similar programs and I love hearing about these.<br /><br />Here is just one of the many similar programs that my readers have sent to me.<br /><br /><b>Artist of the Month</b><br /><br />We learn about a famous artist every month through their paintings and stories about them. We hang copies of their art and the children draw them and paint them at the easel. <br /><br />At one point during the month, I take each child individually and work 1 on 1 with them to create one of the artists most famous pieces of art. For instance, we learn about Van Goghs "Starry, Starry Night" and we try to replicate it. <br /><br />Once everyone is done, the hallway is full of wonderful art created by our "Master Artists". <br /><br />Once, when we we're talking about Picasso and how he put facial features in all the wrong places (like an ear on the subject's head) one of the children did the same thing with a Mr. Potato Head and said, "Look Ms. Susan, I made a Picasso!" I loved it!!<br /><br />Thanks for sending this in to share.<br /><br />I hope you liked this and welcome you to share it with others.<br /><br /> If you would like more arts and crafts ideas, check out my Preschool Art Experience at the link below:<br /><br /><a href="http://www.mypreschoolplan.com/rainbow.html">http://www.mypreschoolplan.com/rainbow.html</a><br /><br />Mary<br />marys.plans@gmail.com<br /><br />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:<br /><br /> <a href="http://preschoolplanner.com/preschool-activities.html">http://preschoolplanner.com/preschool-activities.html</a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><script type="text/javascript" src="http://w.sharethis.com/widget/?tabs=web%2Cpost%2Cemail&charset=utf-8&style=default&publisher=7c489f93-a796-45b1-ba57-9e68bdabf096"></script></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2837299902317860857.post-52891871341214343412012-07-23T17:50:00.002-05:002012-07-23T17:50:25.938-05:00Transition Time Ideas for Preschool<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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With fall just a few weeks away and the beginning of a new school year,<br />I've started thinking about my new preschoolers and positive ways to help them transition in the classroom.<br /><br />I love these <i>transition time ideas for preschool</i> sent in by one of my readers.<br /><br /><b>Transition to Circle Time</b><br />
I had a class that was young and difficult to round up for circle. After ringing the clean-up bell and allowing clean-up time and singing time for circle, I would simply go to circle and start playing the instrument of the week.<br /><br />I like to make circle inviting without having to "make" kids come to circle, but rather invite them with something intriguing enough that they want to come over. <br /><br />I started with a Native American drum I inherited. I would play it and all the stragglers would come over. I then let each child have a turn playing it for a count of 3-10. The number depended on how many kids were there and how long I thought they could wait for everyone to have a turn.<br /><br />I have also used Tibetan Bells and Bowls, keyboards, shakers and so on. <br /><br />I also played my Native American flute, at times, to invite kids to circle. I did not pass that around due to germs, but they all were fascinated by the sound and settled right down.<br /><br />The instruments became the cue that circle was starting and it was like a ceremony.<br /><br />At other times I would start circle with a lively movement song from CD and turn up the volume a bit and move. <br /><br />I hope this idea is one you can use in your classroom. Positive ways to change activities are always welcome; thanks so much for sharing this!<br /><br />TIP: <br />
If you're a teacher or parent of a preschoolers you may want to check out this link sent in by another reader: <br /><br /><a href="http://www.housekeeping.org/blog/10-chores-preschoolers-can-do/">http://www.housekeeping.org/blog/10-chores-preschoolers-can-do/</a><br />
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<br />Let me know how these ideas work for you.<br /><br />If you like this preschool theme activity, check out the other ideas in the Preschool Planner.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.mypreschoolplan.com/p/ar.html">http://www.mypreschoolplan.com/p/ar.html</a><a href="http://www.mypreschoolplan.com/p/ar.html"></a><br /><br />There are Two Editions now for the Preschool Planner: Basic or Platinum.<br /><br /><br />Send me any ideas you would like to share and I will post them on my Blog.<br /><br />Mary<br /><br /><br />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:<br /><br /><a href="http://preschoolplanner.com/preschool-activities.html">http://preschoolplanner.com/preschool-activities.html</a><br /><br /><div class="blogger-post-footer"><script type="text/javascript" src="http://w.sharethis.com/widget/?tabs=web%2Cpost%2Cemail&charset=utf-8&style=default&publisher=7c489f93-a796-45b1-ba57-9e68bdabf096"></script></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2837299902317860857.post-4771942690441668532012-06-28T08:51:00.000-05:002012-06-28T08:51:34.123-05:00Preschool Summer Activities - 4th of July Craft<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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It's been a while but I'm back with fun ideas for your preschoolers, especially some <i>preschool summer activities</i>.<br />
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Here in the US July means the big celebration for the birthday of our country--the 4th of July.<br />
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This activity uses so many of the skills we are trying to teach our preschoolers. They are learning to use scissors, identify colors, gluing skills, counting, and more.
Give it a try and decorate your room!<br />
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Preschool Summer Activities - 4th of July Craft</b><br />
For Fourth of July we made windsocks.
We took strips of blue construction papers and decorates with stars (stamps, chalk, markers, crayons, glitter glue, stickers).<br />
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We counted the white and red stripes in a flag and I explained what each part of the flag stood for.<br />
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We cut ribbons for each stripe (6 white, 7 red- yes 2 reds end up togther) and glued them to the back bottom of the blue construction paper.<br />
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Next we cut ribbons all same length and some all different and alternated short and long ribbons.<br />
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When dry, we glued the blue construction paper into a ring.<br />
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When that dried, we punched a few holes in the top of the ring and threaded white yarn through the holes to make a hanger.<br />
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If no time or patience for the glue to dry (glue dots and tape don't always last in a good wind), small staples would do the job.<br />
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MODIFICATION- You can make this with any theme or country flag by using your country's flag colors or to fit any color theme you wish.<br />
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I hope you liked this and welcome you to share it with others.<br />
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If you would like more arts and crafts ideas, check out my Preschool Art Experience at the link below:<br /><br /><a href="http://www.mypreschoolplan.com/rainbow.html">http://www.mypreschoolplan.com/rainbow.html</a><br />
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Mary<br />
marys.plans@gmail.com<br />
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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:<br />
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<a href="http://preschoolplanner.com/preschool-activities.html">http://preschoolplanner.com/preschool-activities.html</a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><script type="text/javascript" src="http://w.sharethis.com/widget/?tabs=web%2Cpost%2Cemail&charset=utf-8&style=default&publisher=7c489f93-a796-45b1-ba57-9e68bdabf096"></script></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2837299902317860857.post-12080007946945476912012-02-16T06:31:00.003-05:002012-02-16T06:37:47.225-05:00Preschool Themes - Snow Day at PreschoolI absolutely love "theme days" in my classroom. I start talking about the <span style="font-style:italic;">preschool themes</span> a couple of days ahead to set the stage and get their imaginations going.<br /><br />All of the day's activities focus on the theme using fine motor skills, gross motor, memory, and social skills of taking turns, paying attention and most of all having fun experiences.<br /><br />Here is a theme day that one of my readers shared recently and it is a great example. With the lack of snow this year in the US this is just what we need to bring back the feel of winter. Thanks for sharing this with us all.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">“Snow Day at Preschool” </span><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwYBhcegN2-xI2Jhg_WrQaflIGlgE8fqK6rU281ckkCIi7qkDTGst_Bl2Y7eyU5G6fpQNeQ0wTIrcflhjSq0JUT6yMue4Sm_e4fNF5Tth5szILY7g-azXj_KpSWq1nOIU5ZAfGBsMWUq5U/s1600/snow+flakes.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 225px; height: 225px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwYBhcegN2-xI2Jhg_WrQaflIGlgE8fqK6rU281ckkCIi7qkDTGst_Bl2Y7eyU5G6fpQNeQ0wTIrcflhjSq0JUT6yMue4Sm_e4fNF5Tth5szILY7g-azXj_KpSWq1nOIU5ZAfGBsMWUq5U/s320/snow+flakes.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5709695679106968258" /></a><br />Everything for the day had a snow theme. <br /><br />Snack time - We ate snowballs for snack. These are popcorn balls – made just like <span style="font-style:italic;">Rice Krispie</span> treats but with popcorn instead of <span style="font-style:italic;">Rice Krispies</span>.<br /><br />Catching Bubbles - We blew bubbles inside and pretended like it was snowing. Try to catch and pop the bubbles as they fall.<br /><br />Gross Motor Skills- we had a “bilibo” center and pretended to sled around the room in bilibo’s (using huge large motor skill). (These are such fun to have in your center. If you don't know about bilibo chairs you can check them out online. They are versatile hard plastic chairlike toys used to promote balance and gross motor skills.<br /><br />Art-We glued scrunched up pieces of white tissue paper on blue or black construction paper and made a snow storm picture. <br /><br />Circle Time- We read <span style="font-style:italic;">“The Snowy Day”</span> by Ezra Jack Keats. <br /><br />If you like this preschool theme activity, check out the other ideas in the Preschool Planner.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.mypreschoolplan.com/p/ar.html">http://www.mypreschoolplan.com/p/ar.html</a><br /><br />There are Two Editions now for the Preschool Planner: Basic or Platinum.<br /><br /><br />Send me any ideas you would like to share and I will post them on my Blog.<br /><br />Mary<br /><br /><br />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:<br /><a href=" http://preschoolplanner.com/preschool-activities.html"><br />http://preschoolplanner.com/preschool-activities.html</a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><script type="text/javascript" src="http://w.sharethis.com/widget/?tabs=web%2Cpost%2Cemail&charset=utf-8&style=default&publisher=7c489f93-a796-45b1-ba57-9e68bdabf096"></script></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2837299902317860857.post-35875283461339553052012-01-26T06:40:00.003-05:002012-01-26T06:56:27.154-05:00Alphabet Concentration and Lunch Time Circle GameTeaching the alphabet is one of our key goals in preschool. One of my readers sent me this "green" idea for creating Alphabet Concentration. I love getting these ideas on ways to recycle and teach all at the same time. The next game is a fun way to spend lunch or circle time with your preschoolers. It involves color recognition and food identification. Try these <span style="font-style:italic;">alphabet concentration and lunch time circle game</span> with your kids. <br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMRRnv5p9bW36d7QErRbYeF9qRLmx8aKywcxqQi3jisnMBrn5o28Ffx5uCBIDXCPr31R-UW8twJ70FY-xOCztV4ncQE_pnlFM79d4uvSxAQuINHvg3HK7wAm5F8UTq_bAhHr8wWRDLnsKC/s1600/abc.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 125px; height: 85px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMRRnv5p9bW36d7QErRbYeF9qRLmx8aKywcxqQi3jisnMBrn5o28Ffx5uCBIDXCPr31R-UW8twJ70FY-xOCztV4ncQE_pnlFM79d4uvSxAQuINHvg3HK7wAm5F8UTq_bAhHr8wWRDLnsKC/s200/abc.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5701908012159336530" /></a><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Alphabet Concentration</span><br />This game is a concentration/matching game. <br />I cut empty cereal boxes into approx. 2" squares. Label them with 26 upper case and 26 lower case letters. Mix up the cards, lay them face down and begin turning them over 2 at a time to find matches. <br /><br />I have taken this one step further and made doubles of the large case and small case letters. This way I can modify the game and use it with all ages. With my younger ones, I just use the doubles of the large case and only 10-12 letters at a time and see if they can match the letters and challenge their attention span to remember where a letter is to make a match. <br /><span style="font-weight:bold;"><br />Fun Lunch Time Game</span><br />Use a set of color cards. Sit in a circle. Let your student pick a color card of their choice, they than pass it to their neighbor. Then they have to guess a fruit or a vegetable of that color. Continuue passing until it has gone all the way around. (We have a chart that is up to help them pick from.) Some of them use it others don't.<br /><br />Thanks for sharing your ideas. Send me any ideas you would like to share and I will post them on my Blog.<br /><br /><br />If you like these ideas for preschool, check out the other ideas in the Preschool <a href="Planner. http://www.mypreschoolplan.com/p/ar.html">Planner.<br /><br />http://www.mypreschoolplan.com/p/ar.html</a><br /><br />There are Two Editions now for the Preschool Planner: Basic or Platinum.<br /><br />Mary<br />marys.plans@gmail.com<br /><br /><br />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:<br /><br /><a href="http://preschoolplanner.com/preschool-activities.html">http://preschoolplanner.com/preschool-activities.html</a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><script type="text/javascript" src="http://w.sharethis.com/widget/?tabs=web%2Cpost%2Cemail&charset=utf-8&style=default&publisher=7c489f93-a796-45b1-ba57-9e68bdabf096"></script></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2837299902317860857.post-76793930347148470872012-01-04T08:57:00.000-05:002012-01-04T08:59:31.618-05:00Indoor ideas for Preschool - Popsicle Painting and Pendulum PlayJanuary in the US for most of us means finding as many <span style="font-style:italic;">indoor ideas for preschool</span> to do that teach, motivate and uses the pent up energy that results from "cabin fever". <br />Preschoolers need to be active. They learn best when they are physically involved in the lesson.<br /><br />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.<br /><span style="font-weight:bold;"><br />Popsicle Painting</span><br />Here is a craft one of my readers sent in that she does with the children in the winter and it is also a science learning experiment. <br /><br />The children love this. Take water and fill the ice trays. Add food coloring to the water, lay a piece of plastic over and poke a popsicle stick in the middle. You can also use small bathroom cups. We then freeze them and talk about what we think will happen to the water and why. Then in the afternoon or the next morning we pull them out and discuss what happened and why. <br /><br />Best of all then we paint beautiful pictures with the ice popsicles.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Pendulum Play</span><br />String up a tennis ball in a stocking from the rafters. <br />Have your children construct a building or tower from assorted size boxes, cardboard cylinders, small yoghurt/butter containers, etc. Then let them take turns knocking them down with the pendulum. <br /><br />NOTE: Be sure to be have this done in a controlled manner and each child gets a turn to knock down a tower. Set a place for the child to stand and have the others stand back so that no one gets hurt. <br /><br />If you like these indoor ideas for preschool, check out the other ideas in the Preschool Planner.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.preschoolplanner.com/thefullstory.html">http://www.preschoolplanner.com/thefullstory.html</a><br /><br />There are Two Editions now for the Preschool Planner: Basic or Platinum.<br /><br /><br />Send me any ideas you would like to share and I will post them on my Blog.<br /><br />Mary<br />marys.plans@gmail.com<br /><br /><br />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:<br /><br /><a href="http://preschoolplanner.com/preschool-activities.html">http://preschoolplanner.com/preschool-activities.html</a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><script type="text/javascript" src="http://w.sharethis.com/widget/?tabs=web%2Cpost%2Cemail&charset=utf-8&style=default&publisher=7c489f93-a796-45b1-ba57-9e68bdabf096"></script></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2837299902317860857.post-65220618990833669432011-12-06T07:06:00.002-05:002011-12-06T07:12:27.800-05:00Preschool Cooking Activity - Dairy Free Ice CreamMy preschoolers are as excited about the holidays as adults. They want to celebrate and get into the festivities so I though a <span style="font-style:italic;">preschool cooking activity</span> is ideal.<br /><br />You may be hosting a classroom party or small get together for the children and their parents so I suggest serving something that the children helped to prepare.<br /><br />One of my readers sent this excellent recipe to share. If you have children with severe dairy allergies,try this recipe for creamy popsicles and our dairy free ice cream.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPzslnL8Ng3ylFttGuyjX3ywNvC7iayNBImnj8qPK1JpxMNtWT0Msjo9wcdxjGkyuH5mfe6a5NRhwqcvy3_KSm7HBbsaFeCeLI1hbnCjvx3x6ixLUE105FHRkYJ6TmzCa4e_DPjTAe67EB/s1600/food.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 140px; height: 90px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPzslnL8Ng3ylFttGuyjX3ywNvC7iayNBImnj8qPK1JpxMNtWT0Msjo9wcdxjGkyuH5mfe6a5NRhwqcvy3_KSm7HBbsaFeCeLI1hbnCjvx3x6ixLUE105FHRkYJ6TmzCa4e_DPjTAe67EB/s200/food.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5682986877411120178" /></a><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Dairy Free Ice Cream Popsicles</span><br />Need:<br />Bananas<br />Peaches<br />Fruits that are available<br />Coconut Milk<br />Honey<br /><br />Have the children cut up fruits, such as Peaches, and Bananas. Freeze them in small slices. When frozen put them in the blender with an amount of coconut milk just to cover the frozen fruit and blend. Add small amounts of coconut milk as needed to <br />allow for blending and you'll have a delicious soft serve ice cream. <br /><br />Very delicious, healthy, non fat and dairy allergy free. Honey can be used as sweetener if necessary.<br /><br />Fresh fruits, bananas are always a good thickener, and juice or coconut milk to help blend, honey if necessary, put into popsicle molds and the kids love them, because there is no sugar or icky ingredients, I can use them often.<br /><br />If you like this preschool cooking activity, check out the other ideas in the Preschool Planner.<br /><br />http://www.mypreschoolplan.com/p/ar.html<br /><br />Until next time,<br /><br />Mary<div class="blogger-post-footer"><script type="text/javascript" src="http://w.sharethis.com/widget/?tabs=web%2Cpost%2Cemail&charset=utf-8&style=default&publisher=7c489f93-a796-45b1-ba57-9e68bdabf096"></script></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2837299902317860857.post-57707614735130241052011-11-15T07:10:00.003-05:002011-11-15T07:21:20.267-05:00Preschool Fall Activity - Thanksgiving Treasure HuntI want to share this <span style="font-style:italic;">preschool fall activity</span> because it is one that can be adapted for all countries at harvest time.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />Our holiday meal is based on the fruits of the fall harvest. Special recipes are shared among friends and families.<br /><br />To teach my preschoolers about some of the foods they may have at Thanksgiving dinner, I like to show them what it looks like at harvest time before it is prepared.<br /><br />We often show baskets or cornucopias filled with these vegetables and fruits. My fun way of doing this is to have a Treasure Hunt. This time the treasure is the food!<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Thanksgiving Treasure Hunt</span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEircUgjjQOa4RdaYmHRkZQQ0-npjRXXHXZRla9rIuOFN1WezTugXOoEX3bK4oJBVV8h4T6zaXn3Vtm3ff7fia258FnPloVuMxcYL7ihioB-bAYmWwg8wTfcUU3NSkeQF7-DniiYCQep3p_k/s1600/cornucopia.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 126px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEircUgjjQOa4RdaYmHRkZQQ0-npjRXXHXZRla9rIuOFN1WezTugXOoEX3bK4oJBVV8h4T6zaXn3Vtm3ff7fia258FnPloVuMxcYL7ihioB-bAYmWwg8wTfcUU3NSkeQF7-DniiYCQep3p_k/s200/cornucopia.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5675196264393845618" /></a><br />NEED: <br />Pictures of fall harvest vegetables and fruits. (I cut some out of magazines and laminate them or cut them out of construction paper and laminate those as well.)<br /><br />Plastic foods can also be used in place of the pictures if you have them available. (Check out the Dollar stores for these.)<br /><br />Empty cornucopia which I find at craft stores. You can use a harvest basket instead.<br /><br />ACTIVITY:<br />Hide the pictures of the food or the plastic food around the room. Be sure to have doubles of everything you hide.<br /><br />We start with a circle time where I show them what a cornucopia is and what foods are part of a typical fall harvest.<br /> <br />Send the kids on a Thanksgiving-themed treasure hunt to find all the foods they need to fill their cornucopia. <br /><br />Divide the children into evenly numbered teams. <br />Give each team an empty cornucopia or basket.<br />Give each team a picture list of food items that you have hidden around the room that they must find. <br />The first team to find all of the items that they need to fill their cornucopia can help the other team find what they are missing.<br /><br />My preschoolers never tire of treasure hunts. They are beginning to learn to work together in a spirit of cooperation.<br /><br />I hope you like this preschool fall activity.<br /> <br />Please share this by clicking below. Leave me a comment too.<br /><br />Check out the other ideas in the Preschool Planner.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.mypreschoolplan.com/p/ar.html">http://www.mypreschoolplan.com/p/ar.html</a><br /><br />There are Two Editions now for the Preschool Planner: Basic or Platinum.<br /><br /><br />Send me any ideas you would like to share and I will post them here.<br /><br />Mary<br /><br /><br />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:<br /><br /><a href="http://preschoolplanner.com/preschool-activities.html">http://preschoolplanner.com/preschool-activities.html</a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><script type="text/javascript" src="http://w.sharethis.com/widget/?tabs=web%2Cpost%2Cemail&charset=utf-8&style=default&publisher=7c489f93-a796-45b1-ba57-9e68bdabf096"></script></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2837299902317860857.post-59303067052448322482011-10-26T06:10:00.002-05:002011-10-26T06:16:24.234-05:00Preschool Painting - Finger Paint PumpkinFall here in the US is all about pumpkins! If you celebrates Halloween, you will be carving jack-o-lanterns. If you don't the pumpkins are also used for Fall decorations. Try this <span style="font-style:italic;">preschool painting</span> pumpkin activity.<br /><br />This is something that is for all ages and easily adapted for all ages. <br /><br />Finger paint is a multi-sensory art experience for your students. They enjoy the feel, the texture and they discover the designs they create. <br /><br />At first some of them may be hesitant if they haven't done this before. Let them use their fingertips to just touch the paint. It doesn't take long until they are enjoying the experience. <br /><br />NOTE: Always have a bucket of warm water, towels and/or wipes at hand since they do want to wash their hands often. <br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Finger Paint Pumpkins</span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9J8Uu-xw6WeWHZfKuscPRDMgWN7Cw3WBTAoPlKxGc_ATroUvpL4aESnVLaWuLW3wqs4rGcIlR6zkSdxFMxvGj99mpxN3SkUmkiwcE5zW5TSI49KLdKzXva1i_Tofq9ZJKmCDFKAMglIH0/s1600/finger+paint+pumpkins.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9J8Uu-xw6WeWHZfKuscPRDMgWN7Cw3WBTAoPlKxGc_ATroUvpL4aESnVLaWuLW3wqs4rGcIlR6zkSdxFMxvGj99mpxN3SkUmkiwcE5zW5TSI49KLdKzXva1i_Tofq9ZJKmCDFKAMglIH0/s200/finger+paint+pumpkins.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5667757995617067362" /></a><br />Materials: <br />finger paint paper <br />orange food coloring <br />condensed milk<br /><br />For two year olds I draw a pumpkin shape on the finger paint paper ahead of time.<br /><br />For older preschoolers I have a template of a pumpkin shape. Either I help the trace the shape onto their paper or with 5 year olds, allow them to trace on their own.<br /><br />Mix the orange food coloring with the condensed milk.<br /> <br />Let the children to finger paint the pumpkin on their paper. <br /><br />The finish results of this is amazing since they have a different texture than regular paint. The pumpkins dry and are SHINY. <br /><br />Kids of all ages love this project.<br /><br />Do you like this activities for preschool painting? <br /><br />Please share this by clicking below. Leave me a comment too. <br /><br />Check out the other ideas in the Preschool Planner.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.mypreschoolplan.com/p/ar.html">http://www.mypreschoolplan.com/p/ar.html</a><br /><br />There are Two Editions now for the Preschool Planner: Basic or Platinum.<br /><br /><br />Send me any ideas you would like to share and I will post them here.<br /><br />Mary<br /><br /><br />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:<br /><br /><a href="http://preschoolplanner.com/preschool-activities.html">http://preschoolplanner.com/preschool-activities.html</a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><script type="text/javascript" src="http://w.sharethis.com/widget/?tabs=web%2Cpost%2Cemail&charset=utf-8&style=default&publisher=7c489f93-a796-45b1-ba57-9e68bdabf096"></script></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2837299902317860857.post-68926998403124108112011-10-19T08:06:00.003-05:002011-10-19T08:09:53.741-05:00Preschool Halloween Craft - Footprint GhostsOctober means fall and Halloween for most preschoolers. To corral this excitement try this <span style="font-style:italic;">preschool Halloween craft</span> with them.<br /><br />These make fun classroom decorations as well.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Footprint Ghosts</span><br />I only do this with 2 children at a time during center time.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVDeGlwFEHvjF7twbrcb96Erz_sR_SgOpLJsDxP0pTFqUIxGtOyKpIrzM0Xz3w-mLFe96lXtCiURtYr8RPDD7OVqrI7cn_zu98xBXFgQtOMg4tGQg32M3vtAtcvLzVpN5UJzidqcwCbgcx/s1600/Halloween.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 112px; height: 137px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVDeGlwFEHvjF7twbrcb96Erz_sR_SgOpLJsDxP0pTFqUIxGtOyKpIrzM0Xz3w-mLFe96lXtCiURtYr8RPDD7OVqrI7cn_zu98xBXFgQtOMg4tGQg32M3vtAtcvLzVpN5UJzidqcwCbgcx/s200/Halloween.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5665189401230613090" /></a><br />Have children take off one shoe and sock. One child sits in the chair and the other child paints the bottom of that child's foot with white paint.<br /><br />When the bottom of the foot is covered, have the child stamp is foot down on a piece of black construction paper. Have a tub of warm soapy water nearby and a towel for the child to wash his/her foot off. Then the children switch.<br /><br />When the pictures dry, I let the children put two stickers on for eyes (or holes punched from a hole puncher or googly eyes). The heel part of the footprint is the ghost's head.<br /><br />It's really cute and it's such an unusual art project that my kids remember it for the whole year!<br /> <br /><br />If you like this <span style="font-weight:bold;">preschool Halloween craft</span>, check out the other ideas in the Preschool Planner.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.mypreschoolplan.com/p/ar.html">http://www.mypreschoolplan.com/p/ar.html</a><br /><br />Until next time,<br /><br />Mary<br /><br /><br />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:<br /><br /><a href="http://preschoolplanner.com/preschool-activities.html ">http://preschoolplanner.com/preschool-activities.html </a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><script type="text/javascript" src="http://w.sharethis.com/widget/?tabs=web%2Cpost%2Cemail&charset=utf-8&style=default&publisher=7c489f93-a796-45b1-ba57-9e68bdabf096"></script></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2837299902317860857.post-81260733665150389342011-10-11T07:52:00.003-05:002011-10-11T07:57:27.760-05:00Preschool Science - Window Nature ObserversFall provides so many opportunities to teach <span style="font-style:italic;">preschool science</span>--especially the seasons. <br /><br />Go for a walk, and begin pointing out things that are changing--of course colors of leaves are the most noticeable.<br /><br />The weather is changing too so there are many days you can't go outside so here is an option for observation skills.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyl1yJeLOkgFTbYBwRlt-rmhoyXWeusaD1O_0C3DkGFuqNcDBA5Vt-8FFVfuD6o1KndMyBraq7BzrerCBtSYrIPAWBSnqSyn8vUAMdQppP2buwVVuvTrl-NoxWVDltEsO83xo1COL4pdmR/s1600/fall+trees.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 189px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyl1yJeLOkgFTbYBwRlt-rmhoyXWeusaD1O_0C3DkGFuqNcDBA5Vt-8FFVfuD6o1KndMyBraq7BzrerCBtSYrIPAWBSnqSyn8vUAMdQppP2buwVVuvTrl-NoxWVDltEsO83xo1COL4pdmR/s200/fall+trees.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5662217670790165858" /></a><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Window Drawing</span><br /><br />As the days get colder we enjoy, drawing on the windows. Use the crayola window markers. <br /><br />Draw the trees with full leaves and day by day as the leaves fall erase a leaf, until the trees are bare. <br /><br />I use this as a tool to teach about change, which also includes things around them and the environment. <br /><br />You can also start a chart next to this and make a mark each time you erase a leaf. Then you can use your marks for numbers and counting fun. <br /><br />If you like this preschool science activity, check out the other ideas in the Preschool Planner.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.mypreschoolplan.com/p/ar.html">http://www.mypreschoolplan.com/p/ar.html</a><br /><br />There are Two Editions now for the Preschool Planner: Basic or Platinum.<br /><br /><br />Send me any ideas you would like to share and I will post them on my Blog.<br /><br />Mary<br /><br /><br />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:<br /><br /><a href="http://preschoolplanner.com/preschool-activities.html">http://preschoolplanner.com/preschool-activities.html </a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><script type="text/javascript" src="http://w.sharethis.com/widget/?tabs=web%2Cpost%2Cemail&charset=utf-8&style=default&publisher=7c489f93-a796-45b1-ba57-9e68bdabf096"></script></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2837299902317860857.post-21637762554986560382011-09-28T18:51:00.001-05:002011-09-28T18:55:07.086-05:00Activities for Preschoolers - POWER TOOLSWhat a treat to receive this idea for <span style="font-style:italic;">activities for preschoolers.</span> I couldn't wait to share this with everyone. This idea hits math, science, teamwork, communication, motor skills you name it! The key is safety! <br /><br />This can fill days and weeks with ideas for your preschoolers.<br /><br />Find someone who is knowledgeable with power tools, cordless screw guns, sanders, hammers, screw drivers, sand paper, router, saws all types, any power tools you can come up with. Maybe a parent or friend would volunteer for this.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">POWER TOOLS</span><br />I know this sounds scary but our kiddos really enjoyed it. Of course we took all the safety precautions! <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkbYGlxbB17sVIJS-kwWfUrZof5lLvP3VuF_N5YBVLz-jENisFqrCVVp0zujX2SPgPT4uS73TCcfAtcXUC1RA6_SPFS0VqpfFtMngOGpVZJ-GHAtLAxI3bz1nWod7YCdUU0TSLSuVPlnxI/s1600/preschool+tools.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 133px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkbYGlxbB17sVIJS-kwWfUrZof5lLvP3VuF_N5YBVLz-jENisFqrCVVp0zujX2SPgPT4uS73TCcfAtcXUC1RA6_SPFS0VqpfFtMngOGpVZJ-GHAtLAxI3bz1nWod7YCdUU0TSLSuVPlnxI/s200/preschool+tools.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5657563079727064498" /></a><br />We first went to a construction site for a field trip. We were able to watch as they had trusses set on a roof by a crane.(We were in a lot across from the job site) sketch pads were in hand. They drew pictures of what they saw. <br /><br />They heard all the power tools, and the men scrambling around. We talked about safety and why they wore hard hats, why some of them had ropes attached to them how they communicated and worked as a team. It was great. <br /><br />Some of the crew came over on their break and answered some questions for us. They showed us their tool belt and some of their tools. <br /><br />The next day we had a display up of all types of power tools. The children watched a demonstration of how all of them worked. Then they were given boards with screws, or nails and were able to test out what was faster and easier, screw gun vs screwdriver, hammer the nails, (we did not have them us a nail gun but watched again how fast they were). We did let them us a belt sander vs sand paper. We had small hand saws they tried and then watched all the other saws cut. Tape measures, yard sticks, rulers. Flat edges, squares and angles.<br /><br />The class kept this project going for about 4 weeks. We drew plans and made a stage to sing on. We used boxes and made houses, then painted them. They loved using the power tools on just throw away lumber the construction crew gave us. (They throw away a lot!) <br /><br />We glued tile down for flooring in a refrigerator box. There are so many ideas that come from this project. <br /><br />BEST OF ALL-let the kids lead the way. Some of the kids were more interested in the drawings and painting. Some were more interested in using the tools. <br /><br />Work with a local contractor. Let the contractor know that this is also a great lead for them! Put an article in the local paper. It will advertise for you and the contractor! Don't forget to thank them! We baked cookies and took them to the job site for their snack. <br /><br />You can modify this idea for one that suits your area. Try visiting a working farm, post office, grocery store, etc. Use this for real hands-on learning. Nothing better than this!<br /><br />Do you like these activities for preschoolers? Please share this by clicking below. Leave me a comment too. Thanks so much for sharing these ideas! Keep sending them to me and I will post them for all of us.<br /><br />Check out the other ideas in the Preschool Planner.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.mypreschoolplan.com/p/ar.html">http://www.mypreschoolplan.com/p/ar.html</a><br /><br />There are Two Editions now for the Preschool Planner: Basic or Platinum.<br /><br /><br />Send me any ideas you would like to share and I will post them here.<br /><br />Mary<br /><br /><br />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:<br /><br /><a href="http://preschoolplanner.com/preschool-activities.html">http://preschoolplanner.com/preschool-activities.html</a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><script type="text/javascript" src="http://w.sharethis.com/widget/?tabs=web%2Cpost%2Cemail&charset=utf-8&style=default&publisher=7c489f93-a796-45b1-ba57-9e68bdabf096"></script></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2837299902317860857.post-62303062570945836202011-09-22T08:00:00.001-05:002011-09-22T08:02:46.251-05:00Preschool Games - Preschool Post OfficeHere is one of the <span style="font-style:italic;">preschool games</span> I use at the beginning of the year to help my preschoolers remember each others names and to recognize their own name when they see it in print.<br /><br />This is something I have used for years and the children never tire of it. Learn by doing and playing; your preschoolers will love it.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOHGLavj17kqh0XF_U2-t-AiBIgo_K2gqtNgfyCRfaWXGSYo0ZlPby1uqSoG2ANJGBa5KNSMDZdsaGfLbHcDIxecC0a6EGne0bRGqVQZjHqDUKo8j9K117m81Ritz_uLyV5UZT4gHhUUQb/s1600/post+office.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 143px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOHGLavj17kqh0XF_U2-t-AiBIgo_K2gqtNgfyCRfaWXGSYo0ZlPby1uqSoG2ANJGBa5KNSMDZdsaGfLbHcDIxecC0a6EGne0bRGqVQZjHqDUKo8j9K117m81Ritz_uLyV5UZT4gHhUUQb/s200/post+office.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5655168373595489586" /></a><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Preschool Post Office</span><br />Set up a post office in your preschool. Cover a box to resemble a mailbox.<br />Fill the postbox with envelopes containing all the childrens names. <br /><br />One person plays Postman and hands out an envelope to all the children. The children then take turns opening their envelope and trying to identify the name. <br /><br />This is great to work on letter recognition and beginning sounds. With or without help from everyone else, once the name is identified the child delivers that name to the correct child and then that child has a turn. <br /><br />Continue until everyone has received their name.<br /><br />Variation: Put one of the letters, shapes,or even numbers you have studied in the envelope. Ask who can identify what is in their envelope. <br /><br /><br />If you like these preschool games, check out the other ideas in the Preschool Planner.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.mypreschoolplan.com/p/ar.html">http://www.mypreschoolplan.com/p/ar.html</a><br /><br />There are Two Editions now for the Preschool Planner: Basic or Platinum.<br /><br /><br />Send me any ideas you would like to share and I will post them here.<br /><br />Mary<br /><br /><br />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:<br /><br /><a href="http://preschoolplanner.com/preschool-activities.html">http://preschoolplanner.com/preschool-activities.html</a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><script type="text/javascript" src="http://w.sharethis.com/widget/?tabs=web%2Cpost%2Cemail&charset=utf-8&style=default&publisher=7c489f93-a796-45b1-ba57-9e68bdabf096"></script></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2837299902317860857.post-88236851630602500082011-09-11T18:58:00.003-05:002011-09-13T07:10:10.263-05:00Preschool Listening Skills - Who's Under the Blanket<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0DWUjMOF1fx4Y_1N3Y-V1HCRAMeTGqmNhMNiTpHF2pT5l9xYGZ-FkJYGsFyX5VcEzJ7tt243OzAuvBUolISdaZ2uieiYjgCPpkgg7E9yEahJ_9lEMf-eDLw5g9s2pAPlvAkgaQmV_xN_W/s1600/Story+time.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 130px; height: 130px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0DWUjMOF1fx4Y_1N3Y-V1HCRAMeTGqmNhMNiTpHF2pT5l9xYGZ-FkJYGsFyX5VcEzJ7tt243OzAuvBUolISdaZ2uieiYjgCPpkgg7E9yEahJ_9lEMf-eDLw5g9s2pAPlvAkgaQmV_xN_W/s200/Story+time.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5651256777499479602" /></a><br />With the start of the school year, we focus on providing our preschoolers the necessary skills to learn and the expectations of how to behave in preschool. <span style="font-style:italic;">Preschool listening skills</span> are at the top of the list for sure.<br /><br />One of my readers sent this in and I couldn't wait to share it.<br /><br />It works on listening skills but it can also be used to help them get acquainted with their new classmates.<br /><br />Give this game a try. You'll be as hooked as I am.<br /><span style="font-weight:bold;"><br />Who's Under the Blanket?</span><br /><br />This is a game that the children just can't get enough of. <br />It's called "Who's Under The Blanket?" <br /><br />Choose one child to go hide their eyes(behind a shelf maybe). <br /><br />Motion for another child to quietly hide under the blanket, then everyone chants "Who's under the blanket,who's under the blanket, come and guess, come and guess". <br /><br />The child hiding their eyes tries to guess who's hiding under the blanket. <br />Give hints by letting the child know if it's a girl or a boy or the child under the blanket can say "Hello"; that will usually give it away pretty fast.<br /><br />Then the child under the blanket gets to go hide their eyes and choose another child to go under the blanket.<br /><br />You can put your own twist on the game. <br /><br />You can even gear the game for your theme, for example Dinosaur theme--"Who's the Dinosaur Under The Blanket, Come And Guess". <br /><br />The children have to work really hard in not blurting out the name of the child under the blanket, great for practicing the rules of a game and listening skills.<br /><br />Do you like this preschool listening skills game,? <br /><br />Check out the other ideas in the Preschool Planner.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.mypreschoolplan.com/p/ar.html">http://www.mypreschoolplan.com/p/ar.html</a><br /><br />There are Two Editions now for the Preschool Planner: Basic or Platinum.<br /><br /><br />Send me any ideas you would like to share and I will post them here.<br /><br />Mary<br /><br /><br />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:<br /><br /><a href="http://preschoolplanner.com/preschool-activities.html">http://preschoolplanner.com/preschool-activities.html</a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><script type="text/javascript" src="http://w.sharethis.com/widget/?tabs=web%2Cpost%2Cemail&charset=utf-8&style=default&publisher=7c489f93-a796-45b1-ba57-9e68bdabf096"></script></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2837299902317860857.post-38353640841103925332011-08-21T16:15:00.002-05:002011-08-21T16:20:28.902-05:00Teaching Preschool - How to Get Preschoolers to LISTEN
<br />Fall is just around the corner and all of us are getting ready for our new group of children. <span style="font-style:italic;">Teaching preschool</span> means you are their first teacher and they have no expectations or experiences of what school is all about.
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<br />I believe that the sooner you set teach your preschoolers how to pay attention is with a rhyme that they can easily learn and know the expectation when they hear it.
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<br />Even better is that they begin to complete the rhyme when you start it and give you their attention quickly.
<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3V6oaShLHlyaMYlDE0zrulr4Cbxbq_s7cNcsu6FtRWQKLj8IeoHlriHQEE8v4DeHb2CBpkHgubjU-PG4pJushlLOwi7RUkEG47Xudscz1k4KW9Zo8d8b1EV74U9zeqrtMLFBJHUH76OvW/s1600/preschool+letters.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 115px; height: 117px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3V6oaShLHlyaMYlDE0zrulr4Cbxbq_s7cNcsu6FtRWQKLj8IeoHlriHQEE8v4DeHb2CBpkHgubjU-PG4pJushlLOwi7RUkEG47Xudscz1k4KW9Zo8d8b1EV74U9zeqrtMLFBJHUH76OvW/s200/preschool+letters.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5643422107509137906" /></a>
<br />This idea is similar to one I have used but works even quicker! One of my readers sent it in for all to try.
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<br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">123 Eyes on Me</span>
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<br /> When you start teaching your class and the children are not listening just say, "123. They will look at you and wonder what you are doing.
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<br />Say to them, when I say 123, I would like you children to say, "eyes on me".
<br />They love it when I say this to them.
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<br />They love to answer back and it helps remind them to listen.
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<br />I get more done in the classroom setting because if it does start to get out of hand, I will just say 123 - eyes on me .
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<br />Once you start doing this they will automatically stop. It works every time! Most important--don't move on until they are quiet.
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<br />The whole point is to teach them politely to listen and they will mirror it back to you.
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<br />If you like this teaching preschool idea, check out the other ideas in the Preschool Planner.
<br /><a href=" http://www.mypreschoolplan.com/p/ar.html">
<br />http://www.mypreschoolplan.com/p/ar.html</a>
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<br />There are Two Editions now for the Preschool Planner: Basic or Platinum.
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<br />Send me any ideas you would like to share and I will post them on my Blog.
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<br />Mary
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<br />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:
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<br /><a href="http://preschoolplanner.com/preschool-activities.html">http://preschoolplanner.com/preschool-activities.html</a>
<br /><div class="blogger-post-footer"><script type="text/javascript" src="http://w.sharethis.com/widget/?tabs=web%2Cpost%2Cemail&charset=utf-8&style=default&publisher=7c489f93-a796-45b1-ba57-9e68bdabf096"></script></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2837299902317860857.post-58708647151553073042011-07-26T07:56:00.003-05:002011-07-26T08:01:58.647-05:00Fine Motor Preschool Activities - Scissors & Cutting SkillsTeaching preschoolers how to use scissors and is an ongoing task for us preschool teachers. This is one of my favorite <span style="font-style:italic;">fine motor preschool activities </span>which allows time, fun, practice and "mess control" all in one activity.<br /><br />This can be one of your centers in your classroom and four at a time is the maximum number of children I allow at any one time. Use this as a rotational activity with other similar ones.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4ZaXjIRiY_zRWrfIFyy6p7hL4D1rryeBpKHJZpOcsnUdMEGUBmD0Rb_Avi3Qrari1XScdMzqOFRSx8K5GKH_ovJaeZ4PKuv3d_3g1FxlMxiLL8nFCPzDLhGrbO-CWdxuDpXi9y52XOC5f/s1600/preschool+scissors.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 165px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4ZaXjIRiY_zRWrfIFyy6p7hL4D1rryeBpKHJZpOcsnUdMEGUBmD0Rb_Avi3Qrari1XScdMzqOFRSx8K5GKH_ovJaeZ4PKuv3d_3g1FxlMxiLL8nFCPzDLhGrbO-CWdxuDpXi9y52XOC5f/s200/preschool+scissors.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5633645134632909234" /></a><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Swimming Pool Cutting Center</span><br /><br />One of the skills we are always working on is fine motor cutting with sissors. <br /><br />You can buy a hard shell swimming pool for around 10$. It fits four students with lots of room to spare and it fits in the corner of the room nicely. <br /><br />Fill it with old magazines and let them pick their favorite pictures to cut. They love being in the pool and all the mess is contained. <br /><br />Be sure to make one of the rules--no standing! <br /><br />Try this to allow them time to practice this necessary skill. They can simply enjoy the process and not have to worry about accuracy. <br /><br />Let me know if you have any special ways you have of teaching this skill.<br /><br />I will post them here for all of us to enjoy.<br /><br /> <br />If you found these fine motor preschool activities helpful, check out the other ideas in the Preschool Planner.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.preschoolplanner.com/thefullstory.html">http://www.preschoolplanner.com/thefullstory.html</a><br /><br />Mary<br />marys.plans@gmail.com<br /><br /><br />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:<br /><br /><a href="http://preschoolplanner.com/preschool-activities.html ">http://preschoolplanner.com/preschool-activities.html </a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><script type="text/javascript" src="http://w.sharethis.com/widget/?tabs=web%2Cpost%2Cemail&charset=utf-8&style=default&publisher=7c489f93-a796-45b1-ba57-9e68bdabf096"></script></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2837299902317860857.post-22124585163090384632011-07-12T07:13:00.002-05:002011-07-12T07:17:15.606-05:00Easy Preschool Summer Crafts - Summer Fish, Mirror Images and SculpturesI hope your summers are going well and the kids are having fun. I have a few <span style="font-style:italic;">easy preschool summer crafts</span> to share with you.<br /><br />Thanks to all my readers who are flooding me with wonderful ideas! Preschoolers love to have hands on crafts that produce immediate results they can share with their classmates and families.<br /><br />Give these a try and enjoy! Please send in your ideas to share. I will post them here on the blog.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp61fYBeJ08IqX07dcdehnRsEH-iehyphenhyphen3jDmDR8lzj95hr51SdaTzqFkGzrUbpVXWlFV04sHkRmWZFCh54OEfQs5HO1tcSZLnoIC9lcehy16Oz_AVuu1SObb1qEcoChVLKBP5peX7CPe0IF/s1600/ocean.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 150px; height: 105px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp61fYBeJ08IqX07dcdehnRsEH-iehyphenhyphen3jDmDR8lzj95hr51SdaTzqFkGzrUbpVXWlFV04sHkRmWZFCh54OEfQs5HO1tcSZLnoIC9lcehy16Oz_AVuu1SObb1qEcoChVLKBP5peX7CPe0IF/s200/ocean.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5628438571696789042" /></a><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Giant Wall Fish!</span><br />Here is a summer idea for giant fish! I cut a master copy of a giant fish from tagboard and let the kids trace it onto another piece of tag board (paint paper works too) and let them decorate it. The face was painted on and a giant eye was glued on the painted face. <br /><br />We then used watered down glue to "paint" the fins and covered them with glitter. Last but not least we used colored "post-its" (we hat pre-cut one side round and left the sticky side straight) as the scales. Each child has a unique fish to call their own!! We put them on our bulletin board with other sea creature and they look awesome!<br /><span style="font-weight:bold;"><br />Styrofoam Sculptures</span><br />Mary, I've done this idea for a few years now and some of the things my preschooler's like the best is pieces of styrofoam. I borrow golf tees left over from summer, and go through my junk drawers to find anything they can hammer or press into the packing material. I take duct tape and secure each edge and provide plastic hammers and let them go! They love it, they love the mess and they love their sculptures, they love pulling pieces in and out and rearranging. It's messy but it's preschool!<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Mirror Image Paintings</span><br />Let children paint a picture, when they are finished, we put another piece of paper over painted picture and use a rolling pin over it. It creates a "mirror image". They always think this is very neat!<br /><br />If you like this idea for easy preschool summer crafts, check out the other ideas in the Preschool Planner a try.<br /><br /><a href=" http://www.preschoolplanner.com/thefullstory.html"><br />http://www.preschoolplanner.com/thefullstory.html</a><br /><br /><br />Mary<br />marys.plans@gmail.com<br /><br /><br />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:<br /><br /><a href="http://preschoolplanner.com/preschool-activities.html">http://preschoolplanner.com/preschool-activities.html</a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><script type="text/javascript" src="http://w.sharethis.com/widget/?tabs=web%2Cpost%2Cemail&charset=utf-8&style=default&publisher=7c489f93-a796-45b1-ba57-9e68bdabf096"></script></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2837299902317860857.post-12587026340320528622011-06-17T05:58:00.001-05:002011-06-17T06:00:37.850-05:00Preschool Science Activities - Jumping on AirIf you are looking for hands-on <span style="font-style:italic;">preschool science activities</span> you<br />must try the activity below. <br /><br />In the spirit of sharing one of my readers sent this in and I couldn't wait<br />to share it.<br /><br />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!<br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Jumping on Air</span><br />Materials: plastic bags from grocery<br />plastic ties,large garbage bag<br /><br />What to do:<br />1.Blow up a plastic bag.Secure it with a tie.Let a child sit on it.What happen?It will pop <br />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.<br />3.Let the child help to blowup numerous plastic bags. Use the tie top to secure tightly.<br />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.<br />5.Let the children sit on,fall onto or jump on it.<br />6.What happens? Did the bag burst? Why not? The air distributed and formed a natural cushion for the children as they jumped.<br /><br />Your preschoolers will love doing preschool science activities. Get them involved and learning takes place and so much fun.<br /><br />If you like these preschool science activities, check out the other ideas in the Preschool Planner a try.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.preschoolplanner.com/thefullstory.html">http://www.preschoolplanner.com/thefullstory.html<br /></a><br />Mary<br />marys.plans@gmail.com<br /><br /><br />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:<br /><br /><a href="http://preschoolplanner.com/preschool-activities.html">http://preschoolplanner.com/preschool-activities.html</a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><script type="text/javascript" src="http://w.sharethis.com/widget/?tabs=web%2Cpost%2Cemail&charset=utf-8&style=default&publisher=7c489f93-a796-45b1-ba57-9e68bdabf096"></script></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2837299902317860857.post-65027114269419507422011-06-07T06:31:00.002-05:002011-06-07T06:35:55.446-05:00Circle Time - Quiet Bottles and Calendar activitiesOne of the special times each day in preschool is <span style="font-style:italic;">circle time</span>. <br /><br />It helps to set the tone for the day, to regroup after a boisterous activity and to review the events of the day. So much can be done at this special time.<br /><br />Here are two wonderful ideas my readers sent it to share. We all can use ways to bring quiet time to the circle. Try the Quiet Bottles. Teaching calendars is so much fun and often challenging so try the Calendar Circle time idea with your kids. <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEityTM14qShCnRkDYzQGLSUZonRTmVTAQMKoTP-aHnP_aZEH3NutZOVh6uihDhXv_ggfF6a9LZLwnyX_i_S1zk3ONWzQv67_EVF7-vR7wlogxCFfvir5JWk-DGT4hWQqZL0z5hhfqkY8VKy/s1600/circle+time.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEityTM14qShCnRkDYzQGLSUZonRTmVTAQMKoTP-aHnP_aZEH3NutZOVh6uihDhXv_ggfF6a9LZLwnyX_i_S1zk3ONWzQv67_EVF7-vR7wlogxCFfvir5JWk-DGT4hWQqZL0z5hhfqkY8VKy/s200/circle+time.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5615440097364776594" /></a><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Quiet Bottles</span><br />This is an idea that my 3-4 yr old class loves<br /><br />I saved several of the smaller, plastic Coke bottles to make these. <br />(I make these in front of the children so their question of "How did you do that?" <br />is answered by observing.) <br /><br />Fill each bottle about half and half of water and cooking oil. <br />Add a few drops of food coloring. Glue the lid back on<br />and twist tightly. I make several bottles and make them different<br />colors. The children can hold these during circle time and watch the<br />"waves" quietly while listening to our story, etc. I remind the<br />children to be as quiet as their bottle is. The bottle keeps busy hands<br />occupied instead of bothering a neighbor.<br /><br />TIP: these bottles are also ideal for calming really hyper children.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Circle Calendar Time</span><br /><br />One idea that I like to use during circle time when I do my calendar is:<br />When counting down the days of the month that have passed I like to incorporate movement, for example, in the month of October we pretended to pick pumpkins for every day of the month that passed. <br /> <br />Each month the theme changes and so do the type of movements. January we snow skied down the slopes, Feb. we did heart beats, March we were dinosaurs, etc... Use your imagination and let the children help decide, it is a fun way to get the wiggles out!<br /><br />Thanks so much for sending in your ideas. Keep them coming and I will post them for all of us to use.<br /><br />If you like this idea for circle time, check out the other ideas in the Preschool Planner a try.<br /><a href=" http://www.preschoolplanner.com/thefullstory.html"><br />http://www.preschoolplanner.com/thefullstory.html</a><br /><br />Mary<br />marys.plans@gmail.com<br /><br /><br />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:<br /><br /><a href="http://preschoolplanner.com/preschool-activities.html">http://preschoolplanner.com/preschool-activities.html</a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><script type="text/javascript" src="http://w.sharethis.com/widget/?tabs=web%2Cpost%2Cemail&charset=utf-8&style=default&publisher=7c489f93-a796-45b1-ba57-9e68bdabf096"></script></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2837299902317860857.post-17686194412943908722011-06-01T07:50:00.001-05:002011-06-01T07:56:19.367-05:00Preschool Travel Games - Train TravelWith summer vacations starting I like to use <span style="font-style:italic;">preschool travel games</span> and transportation themes in June.<br /><br />Preschoolers love to pretend and what better way to to stimulate their<br />imagination than to take a pretend train ride.<br /><br />I use circle time to talk about trains and ask about their own experiences with trains. Some children may have been on a train and others only read about them in books or seen them in videos or on television.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Train Depot Game</span><br /><br />I often bring in a model train display to the preschool to show the preschoolers. <br /><br />I set up a train depot with tickets. <br />The children buy tickets with fake money. The children give their ticket to my assitant, or to another child who acts as the conductor, so he/she can punch the ticket as they go in to watch the train display. <br /><br />I allow them to take turns and run the train around the track. <br /><br />They like to make the sound effects of a train engineer or conductor. Lots of fun here!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggKm-DR1QG_WAYruHoeD7dEcCdCAFIM3q1qg4zYkadY1uB5yc9mqfyWzlYqXNXs1k1kfse4_WJpL7k0BxihAcfzUACJvfdIy42gtY9MUBOaB1vMp5bAgj7R6Q8QFO_QqjOdrSSNtvYBhxB/s1600/trains.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 141px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggKm-DR1QG_WAYruHoeD7dEcCdCAFIM3q1qg4zYkadY1uB5yc9mqfyWzlYqXNXs1k1kfse4_WJpL7k0BxihAcfzUACJvfdIy42gtY9MUBOaB1vMp5bAgj7R6Q8QFO_QqjOdrSSNtvYBhxB/s200/trains.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5613234184407301826" /></a><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Crafts: Train Car</span><br /><br />Each child will need color construction paper, large rectangle shape for the train car, 3 small rectangles for windows and two circles for wheels.<br /><br />Use this activity to teach shapes, counting, and color recognition.<br /><br />You can have an engine already displayed on a wall or bulletin board. <br />The students add their cars when they finish. <br /><br />Each student starts with a piece of colored construction paper. If you have students who are able to use scissors, help them cut out rectanges and circles. If not, pre-cut these shapes for the younger ones to glue to their cars.<br /><br />**(Remember that cutting can be difficult so depending on the ages of your children, you may want to precut some of the shapes or you can use stickers and labels of varying sizes. Mailing labels will make great windows.)<br /><br />They can cut out a rectangle for the car (or you can help them cut.) Then, they can use several small, white rectangles to serve as the windows of the car. <br /><br />Once those are glued in place, students can use two small, black circles for the wheels. When everything is glued together, students may decorate their car however they wish. <br /><br />Each student makes a train car that will join with everyone else’s to make a full-length train. <br /><br />If you like these preschool travel games, check out the other ideas in the Preschool Planner.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.preschoolplanner.com/thefullstory.html">http://www.preschoolplanner.com/thefullstory.html</a><br /><br />There are Two Editions now for the Preschool Planner: Basic or Platinum.<br /><br /><br />Send me any ideas you would like to share and I will post them on my Blog.<br /><br />Mary<br />marys.plans@gmail.com<br /><br /><br />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:<br /><br /><a href="http://preschoolplanner.com/preschool-activities.html ">http://preschoolplanner.com/preschool-activities.html </a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><script type="text/javascript" src="http://w.sharethis.com/widget/?tabs=web%2Cpost%2Cemail&charset=utf-8&style=default&publisher=7c489f93-a796-45b1-ba57-9e68bdabf096"></script></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2837299902317860857.post-90938849436428329442011-05-17T07:41:00.003-05:002011-05-17T07:47:12.365-05:00Preschool Art Activities - Hands-On Activities: MESSY & FUNI can't imagine a day with preschoolers without <span style="font-style:italic;">preschool art activities</span>. These provide direct hands-on learning and can be done indoors or outside.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKek7cHnUWCIxtzVWowEKpJgODqVKuyCsUzNmKUV16p_Gki8VEzVHl4Uyp01LjOPoANY9SMLYSweCsLGKA4r9bzhQcHMR8TZJt0BNOeubu35M7U01hqmJt4WKK_fKhyYLtdRru1EsbmRUn/s1600/preschool_art.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 151px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKek7cHnUWCIxtzVWowEKpJgODqVKuyCsUzNmKUV16p_Gki8VEzVHl4Uyp01LjOPoANY9SMLYSweCsLGKA4r9bzhQcHMR8TZJt0BNOeubu35M7U01hqmJt4WKK_fKhyYLtdRru1EsbmRUn/s200/preschool_art.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5607665238298229810" /></a><br />Here are a couple of activities that have been sent to me for all to try. The first one is using clay--an excellent medium to use at the water table and gives immediate gratification to children. They can learn to make shapes, figure out what shapes can hold things and which can't. <br /><br />The second one teaches colors, mixing colors, cause and effect of actions and creative ways to use ordinary household items in new ways--Fly swatters!!! <br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;"><br />Molding Clay Containers</span><br />All this indoor activity requires is:<br /><br />Molding clay<br />Water- use judgment, enough to keep wet.<br /><br />We put the clay and water on the table. Give the children enough to work with. <br />Wet the area with water(you may want to use sand/water table)<br />The children begin to create miniature bowls, baskets,(whatever their skill level may be). <br /><br />Once they have molded their clay into their design, let dry for a couple days. Once dry good. Children can paint them. Fill the with miniature goodies, flowers, etc. <br /><br />FAIR WARNING-- this can be very messy, but it is lots of fun.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Fly Swatter Art</span><br />I have a simple but really fun art experience for the theme BUGS! <br /><br />I DO THIS ONE OUTSIDE. Smocks are essential. Messy but oh so fun!<br /><br />You can either draw or print some flies onto large paper for the easels and give the children new fly swatters.<br /><br />Place some paint onto baking trays, two colours that make a new colour is usually good and they dip their swatt in and swatt the flies. <br /><br />This teaches hand & eye co-ordination and if the colours get mixed they learn about new colours.<br /><br />The children love this! You just have to watch the over exciteable ones as they tend to swatt everything or swatt too hard making paint fly everywhere!! <br /><br /><br />If you like these animal themes for preschool, check out the other ideas in the Preschool Planner.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.preschoolplanner.com/thefullstory.html">http://www.preschoolplanner.com/thefullstory.html</a><br /><br />There are Two Editions now for the Preschool Planner: Basic or Platinum.<br /><br /><br />Send me any ideas you would like to share and I will post them on my Blog.<br /><br />Mary<br />marys.plans@gmail.com<br /><br /><br />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:<br /><br /><a href="http://preschoolplanner.com/preschool-activities.html ">http://preschoolplanner.com/preschool-activities.html </a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><script type="text/javascript" src="http://w.sharethis.com/widget/?tabs=web%2Cpost%2Cemail&charset=utf-8&style=default&publisher=7c489f93-a796-45b1-ba57-9e68bdabf096"></script></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2837299902317860857.post-56127101940510396782011-04-27T06:40:00.003-05:002011-04-27T06:46:48.116-05:00Preschool Nature Activities - Wall Collage & Bird Nests<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6L6hs6eaqaapXfBkf9Ysii1wmqgjAWtK0r6nyrF_DS-1zKGZ1NT6FayOLIJTn5GVJ0Q3Y6U39gRWeJh1bWWE6trnwsa1wN07UoMf_EHQ9YSEOT6B__v3cTEy4whjUyoqMolK7KC66dSpg/s1600/nature+walk.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 186px; height: 139px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6L6hs6eaqaapXfBkf9Ysii1wmqgjAWtK0r6nyrF_DS-1zKGZ1NT6FayOLIJTn5GVJ0Q3Y6U39gRWeJh1bWWE6trnwsa1wN07UoMf_EHQ9YSEOT6B__v3cTEy4whjUyoqMolK7KC66dSpg/s200/nature+walk.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5600228286036862994" /></a><br />Here is in the US spring is finally here. I can't think of any better plan than to do <span style="font-style:italic;">preschool nature activities</span> with my kids. These ideas are definitely not limited to the spring time but we are all anxious to get outside and enjoy nice weather--finally after so much snow.<br /><br />Going outside for walks, observing their world around them, collecting things along the way provide hours of fun learning activities to do in the classroom or outside.<br /><br />Here are just 2 of my nature activities that are always a hit. <br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Environmental Wall Collage</span><br />we like to walk around outside & find items to put on a giant wall collage. The children find the items, glue it to poster board if they want to or straight on the wall collage.<br /><br />Next we write a short story on where we went, what we found, and the children get to show off to the parents or guardians. It’s a great way to get them to recognize the environment around them and then the gluing helps with the fine motor skills and the story helps the language & development. <br /><br />Use this activity before an Open House in your school and all the parents get to see just how busy their children have been!<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Bird Nest</span><br />Try making bird nests with your class. Go for a walk with your preschoolers and ask them to collect twigs from the school yard. Take your twig treasures inside for your project.<br /><br />Show them a real bird nest or a picture of one and tell them they will get to make their own nest. You will need a disposable foam bowl for each child. <br /><br />You will need to cover the inside with craft glue. They put their twigs inside their bowl and then they pour some more glue on top of it. Set them aside for two days (or until the glue has dried.) <br /><br />After two days show them how to take it out of the bowl and they will have their own personal bird nest. They are so proud of the nest that they made. <br /><br />If you like these preschool nature activities, check out the other ideas in the Preschool Planner.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.preschoolplanner.com/thefullstory.html">http://www.preschoolplanner.com/thefullstory.html</a><br /><br />There are Two Editions now for the Preschool Planner: Basic or Platinum.<br /><br /><br />Send me any ideas you would like to share and I will post them on my Blog.<br /><br />Mary<br />marys.plans@gmail.com<br /><br /><br />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:<br /><br /><a href="http://preschoolplanner.com/preschool-activities.html">http://preschoolplanner.com/preschool-activities.html</a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><script type="text/javascript" src="http://w.sharethis.com/widget/?tabs=web%2Cpost%2Cemail&charset=utf-8&style=default&publisher=7c489f93-a796-45b1-ba57-9e68bdabf096"></script></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2837299902317860857.post-70465863381930142512011-04-20T07:08:00.001-05:002011-04-20T07:11:48.764-05:00Preschool Earth Day Lesson - Garden Soil FriendsFriday, April 22nd, is Earth Day and I feel quite strongly about teaching my<br />preschoolers about it. Try the <span style="font-style:italic;">preschool earth day lesson</span> below that one of my readers sent in.<br /><br />This is a topic that you can teach in so many ways and of course, HANDS ON, is my favorite way to teach.<br /><br />So many of my readers feel the same way and have sent me wonderful ideas on how they teach about Earth Day. Try the idea below. So simple and meaningful. Your preschoolers will love it and learn about how the soil becomes so soft and rich for planting a summer garden or flowers.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0fUy6lUVvfsKXv4FT0ep7g2qUpxdJ85RyNVJzbc7mb7ADe29daXWEWF-uomJA3WtpbOZGr2PmEMYrVkkBnTonga4bRnhimu4HLrvnrBIC9LIjxftMpu-B4c9hGsnkvAFZ6HzR9Eia6eyY/s1600/worms.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 133px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0fUy6lUVvfsKXv4FT0ep7g2qUpxdJ85RyNVJzbc7mb7ADe29daXWEWF-uomJA3WtpbOZGr2PmEMYrVkkBnTonga4bRnhimu4HLrvnrBIC9LIjxftMpu-B4c9hGsnkvAFZ6HzR9Eia6eyY/s200/worms.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5597637214727397986" /></a><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Garden Soil Friends</span><br />On Earth day/week,we studied worms first. <br /><br />Our hands on learning experience consisted of briging in a pile of organic garden soil, from my garden, squirt it with water, and we waited for the worms to crawl out. <br /><br />We touched them, smelled them, we could see them, listened to them, it was great!! <br /><br />Each child took a bag of dirt home, named their wormie, and gave it a new home in their back yard. <br /><br />It was magical to watch the children go from "ewe to wow". I want one, I want to hold one, can I take one home?<br /><br />If you like this preschool earth day lesson, check out the other ideas in the Preschool Planner.<br /><a href=" http://www.preschoolplanner.com/thefullstory.html"><br />http://www.preschoolplanner.com/thefullstory.html</a><br /><br />There are Two Editions now for the Preschool Planner: Basic or Platinum.<br /><br /><br />Send me any ideas you would like to share and I will post them on my Blog.<br /><br />Mary<br />marys.plans@gmail.com<br /><br />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:<br /><br /><a href="http://preschoolplanner.com/preschool-activities.html">http://preschoolplanner.com/preschool-activities.html</a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><script type="text/javascript" src="http://w.sharethis.com/widget/?tabs=web%2Cpost%2Cemail&charset=utf-8&style=default&publisher=7c489f93-a796-45b1-ba57-9e68bdabf096"></script></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2837299902317860857.post-68449881116195401562011-04-06T07:03:00.002-05:002011-04-06T07:10:53.034-05:00Earth Day Preschool Theme - WHY IS EARTH DAY IMPORTANTApril is the month for <span style="font-style:italic;">Earth Day Preschool theme</span> ideas. <br />It is never too soon to teach our children about Earth Day and how <br />important it is.<br /><br />Preschoolers love learning about their environment and what better<br />time to teach them how to preserve it and take care of it.<br /><br />Here is one idea I use to teach about pollution. It is my hands on<br />approach to teaching and quite effective.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirEg8mXbbOwsae36SwlzcQ-7jyjuq6gpMl3djMiocn3cW5JLulZuKKLAKfxnFB7J21Wj0jcQvlFWaNg26LRUgTpPMyJl3tZTJeDujTVlCiseOAQc5aD9FA1g1c0Ttx6n-m4Eb8V88BOCRZ/s1600/Earth+day+2.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 190px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirEg8mXbbOwsae36SwlzcQ-7jyjuq6gpMl3djMiocn3cW5JLulZuKKLAKfxnFB7J21Wj0jcQvlFWaNg26LRUgTpPMyJl3tZTJeDujTVlCiseOAQc5aD9FA1g1c0Ttx6n-m4Eb8V88BOCRZ/s200/Earth+day+2.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5592441821177201282" /></a><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">WHY IS EARTH DAY IMPORTANT?</span><br /><br />To teach my preschool class about pollution,<br />I asked each child to bring in a piece of recyclable garbage.<br /> <br />At circle time, I had prepared an imaginary pond filled<br />with paper fish. We sat around my pretend pond while I<br />told them a story about how the fish live in the pond<br />surrounded by the beautiful woods and how happy<br />they are to live in such a wonderful pond.<br /><br />Then I explained that as people visited the area for picnics,<br />they begin to throw their trash into the water. I let<br />each child put their piece of trash in the pond and<br />they have to remove a fish. I let each child do this,<br />one at a time. As more trash goes in, the fish of course<br />have to come out. Soon the pond is full of garbage and<br />the fish are gone. How sad for the fish and the pond.<br /><br />Next we all help clean up the pond by removing the garbage<br />and placing it into appropriate recycling containers which<br />I have made ahead of time by taping commonly recycled items<br />(newspaper, glass bottle, plastic container) to the outside<br />of a paper bag.<br /><br />My preschoolers truly got the message of how important<br />it was to have the pond clean and the fish can come back to live!<br /><br /><br />If you like this earth day preschool theme idea, check out the other ideas in the Preschool Planner.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.preschoolplanner.com/thefullstory.html">http://www.preschoolplanner.com/thefullstory.html</a><br /><br />There are Two Editions now for the Preschool Planner: Basic or Platinum.<br /><br /><br />Send me any ideas you would like to share and I will post them on my Blog.<br /><br />Mary<br />marys.plans@gmail.com<br /><br />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:<br /><br /><a href="http://preschoolplanner.com/preschool-activities.html">http://preschoolplanner.com/preschool-activities.html</a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><script type="text/javascript" src="http://w.sharethis.com/widget/?tabs=web%2Cpost%2Cemail&charset=utf-8&style=default&publisher=7c489f93-a796-45b1-ba57-9e68bdabf096"></script></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2837299902317860857.post-4975624957106341812011-03-30T08:11:00.001-05:002011-03-30T08:13:44.447-05:00Preschool Planning - Preschoolers ForumI know how much time goes into <span style="font-style:italic;">preschool planning</span><br />for your weeks, themes, holidays, etc.<br /><br />It is an ongoing process and always fun but here is <br />an outstanding idea that one of my readers<br />sent in recently. <br /><br />She gives her preschoolers an<br />opportunity to be part of the process! <br /><br />I can't think of a better way to build a sense of <br />self-esteem and ownership of a child's day than<br />to offer them the chance to plan!<br /><br />Thanks for sending this. Love it!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwNcjXsnBpU_JH9vONsSMFwKOEm4WMavAQxYxIE6hQjdvzb6z6VBDgd2f2SxPimO4fngqKtsTujSwC4wPDiL-QltdgZRuGvzA8NlsSgS16uNK5-BwaQomkrWD0ThpuhPF5OQIBroIW5Aa8/s1600/Preschool+class.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 133px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwNcjXsnBpU_JH9vONsSMFwKOEm4WMavAQxYxIE6hQjdvzb6z6VBDgd2f2SxPimO4fngqKtsTujSwC4wPDiL-QltdgZRuGvzA8NlsSgS16uNK5-BwaQomkrWD0ThpuhPF5OQIBroIW5Aa8/s200/Preschool+class.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5589860310294031378" /></a><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Preschoolers Forum</span><br /><br />My preschoolers and I have a preschool forum once a week where they get to be part of the planning process as to what they are learning and what their interest are. <br /><br />We sit around the table and have "coffee"( in fun mugs mind you) and treats while we discuss what are plans should be. <br /><br />This has been an amazing asset to my program as it gives the children confidence in themselves since they are an active part in my preschool planning. <br /><br />Also, each of my students have a notebook so they can write down their thoughts (with my help of course) :)<br /><br /><br />If you like this preschool planning idea, check out the other ideas in the Preschool Planner.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.preschoolplanner.com/thefullstory.html">http://www.preschoolplanner.com/thefullstory.html</a><br /><br />There are Two Editions now for the Preschool Planner: Basic or Platinum.<br /><br /><br />Send me any ideas you would like to share and I will post them on my Blog.<br /><br />Mary<br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">marys.plans@gmail.com</span><br /><br /><br />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:<br /><br /><a href="http://preschoolplanner.com/preschool-activities.html">http://preschoolplanner.com/preschool-activities.html</a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><script type="text/javascript" src="http://w.sharethis.com/widget/?tabs=web%2Cpost%2Cemail&charset=utf-8&style=default&publisher=7c489f93-a796-45b1-ba57-9e68bdabf096"></script></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0