We are mastering letter recognition and targeting sounds. Recognition they know Aa 100%, B 75%, b 25%, C I just introduced because it is one of the easier letters. After we go through the entire alphabet in sequence by three’s, I will target pairs. d and b. e and c-to aid the students forming e correctly by contrasting. p and b, and so forth.
Today we played the first time and it is a challenge for the students which is what I wanted. They really have to follow the steps , slow down, focus and think.
I don’t think anyone reads the blurbs but I wanted to explain WHY ha ha.
My 1st and 2nd grader are struggling with common core. The 2nd grader JUST started struggling. My observation is simply the material is not given enough time to sink in. The students are doing the steps without understanding the WHY, or dynamics. I’m NOT anti-common core, I’m anti rushing through material to meet standards.
As a result I am trying to build as much common core methodology with my preschoolers, so they will only have to focus on the actual math work and not the procedures. I started at age 4, not knowing if they were ready but they have picked it right up.
Again, I do allow – at other times- process art by using an entire bottle of glitter glue on a project if they want. They have to be able to explore and splurge with the medium before you can expect them to use it properly. What THIS craft is good for is learning sequencing, following directions, methodology, attention span, LISTENING.
Upper left is 4.5 year old, Upper Right is 6.5 year old, bottom center is mine because I hardly ever have time to craft ha. AND the kids really like it when I can sit down with them and make my own also.
Students might even be encouraged to outline the edges, especially if they have an example to look at. Later we are going to use this craft as part of our flower study.
I did not include ribbon, guess who’s going to be tying the ribbon on, or helping with it? I wanted this to be a no holds barred CREATION, using ALL MASTERED SKILLS.
2. Ninja Pig and Wolf Puppets, Letter P and W worksheets https://readcountcraft.com/2019/04/06/three-ninja-pigs-book-free-printable-activity-pack/
They build a house that the wolf could not blow down. It was tested by waving a hand fan really hard. They had a blast with this! The hand fans I picked up for free from a Cellular One Stand at a street fair thing- I covered the words with sticky glitter paper from the $Tree.
Fanning hard to see if the Pig House Falls down
2. Ninja Pig and Wolf Puppets, Letter P and W worksheets https://readcountcraft.com/2019/04/06/three-ninja-pigs-book-free-printable-activity-pack/
Otter Loves Easter is about Otter making and sharing dyed egg after he scarfs all of the candy the Easter Bunny brought him. Woven within the story is counting differently sized items, finding eggs in the egg hunt.
Page with Colored Key and a Page with Blank key to add colors to,
Page without Key, Key page with colors and Key Page without colors.
-Large B/W Earth with Recycle Symbol
-Earth helper Decorations
-Extra Earth Decorations
-I Spy Page
-Critical thinking, what doesn’t belong? This is open ended, student only needs to have a reason for her group base. For example, she can choose by shape; odd one out is the square/heart. OR she can choose by color; odd one out is the black and white. OR choose by symbol; odd one out is earth.
-The final page is to choose what is good/bad for the Earth.
SUPPLIES: Glue stick, poms, circle stickers, coloring tools
UnicornandRainbowsPackohmy
The fun thing about this game is we use the color rolled for whatever place on the unicorn we want to. So, even the body can be three or four colors!
We use a big foam dice from the color store. The kids get a lot of exercise running back and forth to see what they rolled! I don’t have to worry about it getting lost, or, breaking something.
Supplies:
An empty glass or plastic container with lid
Spoons for scooping in dirt to container.
Yard dirt or local dirt to fill up container at least half way
Biodegradable items: Use the Compost Stew book , it has lots of choices.
1- We took turns filling up the jar about 1/4 full, with our dirt.
2- Capt. D. put in the soft fresh pear pieces.
3-JoJo added used coffee grounds.
4- Capt. D. added a snip of my hair.
5- JoJo added dryer lint.
6- The boys finished by spooning the rest of the dirt into the jar and sealing the lid.
What we knew: We didn’t know anything about composting.
What we wanted to know: What exactly is composting anyway?
What we learned: How easy it is to make a compost stew and what we can throw in there.
Watch and see what happens: A week later we are still checking daily to see if the things we put in have become one with the dirt.
I also read I love the Earth by Todd Parr, and Thank you Earth which is a photograph book with one sentence of a poem on each page, during the two weeks we did these experiments. I read the other two books out loud, during our regular daily reading time. These books aren’t considered science books, but if we emotionally connect with nature, nature IS biology. Which is science. We live in the mountains, but one of the things the boys asked me today is to go and see how the canal microsystem has changed.
Biodegradable and Non Biodegradable Materials: any type of paper, plastic, metal, cardboard
Jars with lids, water to fill the jars
Sticky notes and a pen for labeling jars
We chose: bottle plastic, grocery bag plastic, an old cardboard book cover and bond paper to put into our jars of water.
What we know: We read the books and talked about where trash goes. We talked about what happens if our Landfill got full with trash, where would we put another one? We decided WE didn’t’ want a landfill next to where WE live.
What we wanted to know: Do things go away (dissolve/biodegrade) once they are buried in a landfill.
The prediction was that all of our materials would dissolve.
The boys- (4yo and 6yo), filled two jars apiece up with water. Then cut up a few pieces of their items to put in their jars.
We checked our covered specimens every day, a week later the cardboard and paper showed signs of dissolving. The book cover turned the water a bit green. After a week the plastic had not changed at all. We were ALL surprised that the bond paper was only soft, not dissolved yet.
What we learned: We talked about our observations, and that plastic stays in landfills. We also talked realized that plastic won’t dissolve in the ocean, either. That’s why we recycle our plastic, and even our paper. Otherwise, where will all the garbage go?
Finally, we watched a 3 min. video about the Pacific Ocean Garbage Patch, which shows the result of what can happen to trash if not disposed of properly. No verbal narration, but the words can be read outloud if desired.
(The video provided transition to our compost experiment, next post.)
Watch and see what happens: the boys still check the jars daily to see how the paper is changing.
BUILDING SKILLS: Writing: Letter formation and recognition, fine motor
Science: color mixing experimentation
Math: Counting ribbon colors, counting the colors used.
SUPPLIES:
Read each book by itelf at least 3 different times to the class, over one or two weeks.
Now you are ready to start a discussion about the similarities, differences and what are the same with the class.
Skill building:
I like to use this page as a fill in activity for those unplanned moments. Especially helpful when the kids spend most of the time indoors. After counting and putting in number, we can even talk about same and different, what’s your favorite item, etc. Make sure to orchestrate discussion so preschoolers understand what the objects are, and are called, for vocabulary. I don’t have a worksheet emphasis in my curriculum, but its an important skill to know how the physical world transfers to paper. I consider it a life building skill instead of a learning skill, because the adult world is full of paperwork! Enough jabber, the direct download link is below the leprechaun.
I like to use these worksheets for fill in activities. They are great for critical thinking. I put mine in protective sheets so the worksheet can be used again. If I don’t want to re-use, the students will either circle the different one, OR use a bingo dabber.
DIFFERENT APPLICATIONS:
Enough jabber jabber, under the leprechaun is the link!
Use this for a no prep intro, review or practice of pattern production. I DIY laminate with clear contact paper and use for a go-to fill activity. If manipulatives are desired, have child place them on the correct hat.
How can you make sure you get a chance to download?
I will be making a rainbow roll and color game as part of this series.
Build alphabet writing skills with this free printable!
Supplies: Printable, Die and coloring tools
I tested this by playing with a preschooler and it was really fun! There’s really no win/lose, but he wanted a win/lose so we decided the person who has the most colors in the rainbow wins.
This game builds the following skills: counting, subtizing, color recognition, memory, following directions
And fits into many themes: Colors, Counting, Rainbow Theme, St Patricks theme, Unicorn theme, Spring Theme!
Scavenger Hunt Sticky Collage Activity
Creating masterpieces
Finally, they decided to blend oil pastels on the back, which can be seen here.
I use this book to introduce mixing colors, and I use it again periodically to review color mixing. We have done several activities practicing color mixing, including oil pastels. Oil pastels continues to be the most popular.
I gave them a huge piece of paper, $store watercolors and three or four jars of water each. The goal was to let them mix paint in the water and watch the water change and explore as they wanted.
They spent much excitement and wow time predicting what the water color would change to, and then observing the change of color.
When I thought they might be ready to transition, I mentioned mixing colors on their paper.
I truly become inspired when I see this awesomely pure creativity expressed!
(I made some shapes and traced around to create puzzles, then reused for this project)
Supplies: Printable(s) /Die
Skills:
There are two of each page in the pack.
The two pictures shown previously are two of the pages in the pack.
Show below is the pig template page, with the body already colored.
Finally, a separate dice page, shown below.
Preparation:
Game benefits and directions:
SQUARES VS. RECTANGLES; OUR version
I chose squares and rectangles because they were challenged in telling the difference between those two shapes. I have observed they memorize easier if I teach using comparison. I chose an easily recognized shape for the third shape, so they only had to really THINK for square vs rectangle.
I allowed the children to both run and see what the other child had rolled, however, we only had 2 children playing this. I doubt I would allow more then 2 children at a time run to look at the dice.
I set up liquid glue and a paintbrush for each child. The paintbrush helps with finemotor, provides less glopping and mess. I try to alternate between using glue sticks or liquid glue with our art. Also, I don’t have to say “don’t use too much” because the paintbrushes are small.
$store paintbrushes, elmer’s glue, or Aileen’s tacky glue for bulkier items like poms.
I use recycled container lids to pour paint and glue in. Jar lids are an example of the best depth/width.
The random items I placed out were in my “bits and pieces” box. A photobox I keep misc crafty type bits like leftover scraps of paper, google eyes, stickers and seasonal items that we didn’t use all of=not enough to save, and small items I find floor after official cleanup. HAHA.
Everytime we play this game its a big success to get their energy out in a focused, non rambunctious way. Moving from the game to finish the art is an easy transition.
I live in SE Oregon, the Opposite side of the state from Portland. High desert Mountains. About 45 min from Crater Lake.
This morning’s photo taken with my phone. No filter, the light of the sunrise in 30 minutes created wonder.
We are in deep winter, it’s warmish for us , 30 degrees. Frozen.
Why add contact paper to any tray for textile learning?
Write letter ON the tray! No card, letter needed for copying! Easily remove the contact paper when done!
SUPPLIES:
Another last minute activity I threw together, as a result of being stuck inside!
Activity builds:
Game: Explain to students: Get bells out by using spoon, using only ONE hand. Each child gets one turn to attempt to fish out a bell. At the end of the game, have child count their own bells and the one with the most wins!
Independent play activity. Encourage children to dump the bell into the container only using THE SPOON. I also allowed the children to remove some cotton balls and play with after activity if they wanted.
Extension: Substitute the bells with different objects, or smaller objects to continue skill building. Substitute heavier spoons such as a metal ice cream scoop, for hand strength building.
BOOKS NOTE: I order and check out our theme books from the library, usually about five if there are that many. Since we started with hibernation, then artic animals, we are now moving to snow. We just had another snow storm and the subject is very relatable! However, if we were only having a “cold” winter, I might do this activity while reading about ICE and maybe show a video and talk about ice fishing. This is an example of choosing books that are as relevant as possible, AND interesting.
I thought they would be bored with snow books after covering different aspects of winter from december through January. If they lose interest before winter ends, I will shift it to winters are different depending on where one lives. Always have a back up aspect for your theme!
Cloth for wiping up spilled water
INTRO: Read interactively books which involve melting snow, artic, hibernation. We checked out Sneezy the Snowman from library and read it again, right before activity.
Above is a You Tube Read Aloud link for Sneezy the snowman.
We had been studying artic animals/ hibernation, observed our mini snowmen melt over days; so it was natural for children to put Sneezy the Snowman book AND the Ice experiment together for comprehension of the 3 states of ice, gas-liquid-solid. I interjected “gas” a couple of times but mainly we focused on the cool stuff the ice did!
Mini snowman, we built this inside, if snow isn’t available-used crushed ice.
PART 1- Melting Ice basic experiment
PART 2- Melting ice extension, or continue later or next day.
This activity worked great for me as a last minute activity on an stay inside day!
A Robot friendship story, Sparrow by Jake Parker.
The 4 pages for the game are:
Remember, the great thing about Roll and Draw games is we get to use math and art! We also use counting, 1:1 recognition, fine motor skills, prewrite skills, subtizing-seeing a number and knowing it without counting it, and common core foundation because of DOTS! Plus it can be as long or as short as they want!
I cover the Heart/Dice page with contact paper but you can do this, or print out on paper, or just print out on paper. OR you can cut a heart out of cardboard and let them use THAT as a stencil and trace around it.
We use white boards, erase markers and large foam dice from the dollar store. That way they can throw the dice as hard as they want (not up high lol) and RUNNNN after it and it gets their energy out yay!
On occasion in summer during the school kids quiet time, we watch Puffin Rock. This led to interest in Puffins, and it was the only artic creature that recieved a unanimous vote to learn about. It turns out that Pufrins are pretty cool, their eyes show quite an expression. Penguins are taught in schools here, so I was thrilled to investigate Puffins.
Here are the preschool books we found at our library which my preschoolers found interesting, that are ONLY about puffins, but you can use ANY animal book that includes Puffins.
The Library had these books below also, and while I love Gail Gibbons, they totally were not interesting for the preschoolers. My preschoolers weren’t totally excited about puffins like other animals. They are naturally inclined towards domestic, familiar animals, or familiar fun animals such as monkeys. I added interest by adding “fly like a puffin” or “dig like a puffin” during theme time. The funnies thing is to make puffin noises, one of the sounds they make are a bit like cows!😂
Here is the free printable P is for Puffin template we used
https://drive.google.com/open?id=1f4QC899RONhD8jLZ1t6NHDMH6BHSr08o
Books: Goldilocks and the Three Bears and The Three Snow Bears, both books are by Jan Brett. I checked out from the local library. Use these to invite talks about the differences, similarities in both stories. My preschoolers are always interested in exploring a favorite story retelling- and drawn differently!
These books were the favorites to learn about hibernation of different animals! Read Goldilocks and the 3 Bears first, then the Three Snow Bears.
After reading the books the first few times, children may notice, or you can talk about the pictures how the same person wrote and drew both books. Or you can introduce that discussion once they are familiar with both books and the similarities/differences in both stories. I leave the Dramatic Play once the children indicate initial comprehension of hibernation. We had our “Cave” up after the first week, and the children helped me set it up while including smaller teddies in smaller “caves”. The 3rd week we built a town (blocks), railroad around mountains (towels over boxes with stuffed animals), and stools as bridges. The the children included more animals figures on their own.
Below is a fun craft with a bear puppet to go with Goldilocks!
Talk about where brown and polar bears live. Do brown bears really live in a people house? 🤣 So silly!
After reading Goldilocks and the 3 bears, click on the picture, print and make the bear puppet craft.
Supplies:
Bear House Printable and any decorations, such as, poms, paper shapes, stickers.
scissors and glue (we used gluesticks)
Piece of Construction Paper
Crayons or any medium.
1 Craft Stick per child
**All activities require Adult Supervision**
(The Bear with Backpack graphic is by Trevor Brown, his link is below)
https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Trevor-Brown
MORE OPTIONS:
Ask them what they want to build a cave with, along with suggestions of using anything you have. Even egg containers can be used!
Remind them that only PREGNANT polar bears hibernate and talk about why this might be. Then use the opportunity to research together. (google it, hahahaha, its great for kids to observe technology being used for research!)
Ask them, when reading Goldilocks and Snow Bears books, what happens in sequence, using First, Then, Last.
Introduce snow or crushed ice during this time.
I like to use YouTube clips before each subject focused booktime. Habitat and Hibernation go hand in hand.
It’s not very exciting to watch a bear hibernate, these are short!
We played Roll a Bear during the holiday vacation which is a favorite group activity! Roll games are my favorite too because it: encourages drawing, builds printing skills, builds subtizing (see and know the # without counting) (common core) , dots familiarity aids common core K math. We use a huge foam dice from the $store, so they can throw it across the room, not hit anything, and get thier energy out during our cold weather. Between the drawing and the throwing its bubbling SILLY SILLY!
My students absolutely love any Roll and Draw games!
Supplies:
Whiteboard/ Paper
Writing Tool
Dice (we use a big foam dice from the $ Store)
How to play: The first person to complete the picture wins! If person rolls what she already has, then she passes her turn.
Skills: Counting, Subsidizing (recognizing without counting), common core, fine motor skills, printing.
Download Link Below:
https://photos.app.goo.gl/Z3o3Rvt5nRXPmoDh6
We checked out The Mitten by Jan Brett from our local library.
Over the next two days, we watch The Mitten on YouTube The Mitten story by Kids Hut and we read the book each day.
“The Mitten” and stuffed animals are left out for an activity choice for use during free play.
On the third day, after reading The Mitten, we put the animals into the mitten as I read the book.
The children don’t care if the stuffed animal is the same as the book. The ones we used do not match the animals. They still learn and we use our imaginations!
Remember, my goal is to get their interest peaked about artic animals, we are not into the STEM of it yet!
Repeat the first activity only this time using the book, and instead of commenting with “less then more then” comment with “first, next, then” . These are Kindergarten skills, and, it also gives the children a framework for their sequencing. Name it and claim it!
A review of the skill building/concepts:
Artic Weather and Animals= It’s cold and they have to do things to stay warm.
Math: Kindergarten/Common Core= Less then More then, First Then Last
Math: Volume, Sequencing
Practical Skills: Perserverence (getting the last critters in) Waiting (waiting to put in an animal when the page turns).
During Free Play, he took this container of animals out, and played The Mitten.
I checked out about 7 books from the library, for the 1st week of January. This is a great week for extra reading due to the post holiday transition. The children get to choose 1 or 2 stories before naptime.
Reading before naptime take 30-45 minutes because we are interacting about the stories. We will talk about if bears really live in a house like in the Goldilocks story. Where do real bears live?
To spark interest in eventual learning with The Mitten, I highly recommend using this video during this week:https://youtu.be/E-V6f3aCfEo
This provides a foundation for skill building focus over the next month:
The Mitten by Jan Brett: Sequencing, measurement, counting, animal identification. (Reading and Math)
The Hat by Jan Brett: Differences and similarities with the Mitten story. Animal Homes and Habitats. (Pre-Reading skills, Science )
For the first time in 3 years, I did not get depressed or busying myself in an anxiety spike to get through the day. My mom died one year and my youngest daughter emancipated so she could live with her step dad the next. She’s 19 now and still silent. I’m close to my 32 non bio daughter, but she’s up and over the mountain 6 hours.
http://www.klamathbirdingtrails.com/faqs/faqs.shtml
