Lesson 16: Play

Learning the importance of play in the lives of children all over the world



For this lesson you will need:
Drawing of a cake (or a real cake…)
Cut outs of 16 candles (or real candles)
Tape/glue
Counting items (coins, pom poms, stickers, etc)
White paper 1 piece
Construction paper (different colors)
2 Bowls
Bandana
Marbles
Ball
Books: Someone Special, Just Like You by Tricia Brow
Snowmen At Night By: Caralyn Buehner
Pipe cleaners (2 for every child)
Empty cereal box (or piece of thin cardboard)
Marker
Hole Punch
Pen
Bread
Jam
Cookie Cutters

Welcome Song: (To tune of Old MacDonald):
Welcome, welcome everyone
So glad that you are here.
Today we’re gonna have some fun
So let’s give out a cheer
Woo hoo!!
Clap clap clap clap
Slap(legs) slap slap slap
Clap clap clap let’s go! (when you shout “let’s go!”, do a group high five in the center)

Question of the Day: “Can you think of a game you like to play with your friends or family? Tell me about it.”
Allow each child to share their answer. Share your answer with the children as well.

Number of the Day ‘16’: Display the number 16 on a piece of paper or dry erase board and ask if anyone can tell you what number it is.
Say: “If it were my birthday, and I was turning 16, how many birthday candles would I need to put on my cake?” (16!) Display a cake (real or drawn) and have children help you place 16 candles (real or drawn) on the cake. If using real candles, light them and have the children blow them out. If using pictures of candles, have them pretend. Explain that when you turn 16 you are able to get your drivers license which means you get to drive a car by yourself! Share any funny stories you may have about when you were first learning to drive.

Allow children to count 16 of any designated item and put it in the counting jar. Remind children about the special reward they’ll get when the counting jar is full!

Letter of the Day ‘P’: Make a ‘P’ pizza. On a white piece of paper, draw a big circle, and a slightly smaller circle inside of the big circle. Color the smaller circle red. This will be the base of your pizza. Cut out several toppings for your pizza from construction paper (Red circles for pepperoni, Green rectangles for peppers, yellow shapes for pineapple etc.) On the back of most of these toppings, write a word that begins with the letter P. On the back of the remainder of the toppings, write words that do not begin with the letter P. Place the toppings in a bowl and place it next to the pizza. You’ll also need some tape handy.

Ask children if they’d like to help you put together a pizza today. Tell them it’s a special kind of pizza because everything on it will start with the letter P. Point out that it already has pizza sauce on it! Have each child take a turn picking a topping from the bowl. Read the word on the back of it aloud, and let them decide whether or not that word starts with a p. If it does start with P, have them stick the topping on the pizza. If it does not, they will need to throw the topping away (into an empty bowl). Continue until all ‘P’ toppings have been placed on the pizza. You may want to cut a piece for each of them, just for kicks.

Demonstrate how the letter Pp is written and allow children to practice in their writing notebooks. Teach the ASL sign for the letter P, as well as the signs for ‘pizza’ and ‘play’.

Introduction to Topic: “How many of you like to eat? How many of you like to sleep? How many of you like to work? How many of you like to play?”

“All of these things are an important part of our day! We have to eat to give us energy, we have to sleep to give our bodies rest. We have to work and do our chores to keep our homes nice and organized. But my favorite part of every day is Play time. We have to play to keep our bodies and minds healthy and happy!

“What are some ways that you play?” Allow each child to share their answers. Ask how they play at home, how they play with their friends, how they play outside, and how they play inside.

Explain that there are lots of ways to play, and that children all around the world play in different ways. “Would you like to learn about how children from other countries like to play?”

Activity: Lead children in the following games. Explain where each game comes from, and how it is played. Games borrowed from library.thinkquest.org (check it out for more multicultural game ideas)

Australia: Down,Down,Down
This game is for two players at a time.

How to Play
1. Two players throw a ball back and forth.
2. When 1 of the players drops the ball, both, say down, down, down.
3. After that, the player who dropped the ball gets down on 1 knee, elbow,or chin, etc.
4. The game continues on like this until one of the players cannot go "down" anymore.

Laos: Marble Game
For this game you’ll need marbles

How to Play
1. Dig a hole in the ground, then draw a line about ten feet away.
2. Players attempt to throw their marble into the hole.
3. If your marble gets into the hole, you become a tiger.
4. A tiger has the advantage of being able to get people out if their marble touches another one.

Poland:TheBlindWoman The more players for this game the better because it is more fun to play that way. You’ll need a cloth or bandana to cover the ‘it’ person’s eyes.

How to Play
1. Take away anything that can break or get damaged.
2. Choose someone to be the Blind Woman and cover his/her eyes with a cloth so that the chosen person can not see.
3. All the players try to escape the "Blind Woman".
4. If the "Blind Woman" touches anybody, the person touched becomes the new "Blind Woman”.

When finished with games, point out that even though there are many differences between them and the children in other countries, one thing is the same. “You all like to have fun!”

Stories: Someone Special, Just Like You by Tricia Brow
Snowmen At Night By: Caralyn Buehner
Discuss books with children and allow them to ask any questions they may have.

Craft: Pipe Cleaner Acrobat: Draw a body, minus the arms and legs on to a cereal box and cut it out. Draw a face on it, then punch holes on the left and right shoulders for the arms, and also on the left and right of the bottom of the body, for the legs.
Insert a pipe cleaner through the back of the body to make the arms. Do the same for the legs. Curl the tips of the arms a little so he is able to hang on to a pen and twirl around.
Have children give their acrobat a name and put on a little twirling show!



Snack: Piece of bread with jam. Pass out some cookie cutters and a piece of bread to each child. Let them cut different shapes out of their bread and allow them to spread the jam themselves.

Service: Have children help you to gather a few toys that they no longer play with, and put them into a box to be taken to someone who might put them to good use. If you can’t think of any individuals to give them to, drop them off at the Salvation Army.

Good bye song: To the tune of “If You’re Happy and you Know it”
If you’ve learned a lot today, clap your hands (clap clap)
Here’s the letter of the day (sign the letter P), clap your hands (clap clap)
Oh, we’ve had a lot of fun,
Now our preschool time is done (tap index finger to wrist)
See you next time (wave) and we’ll do it all again! (Clap clap.)

Cooking Day #4: Stone Soup

Print the following pictures (or draw your own) and use them to tell the old fable: Stone Soup.





Stone Soup
A kindly, old stranger was walking through the land when he came upon a village. As he entered, the villagers moved towards their homes locking doors and windows.
The stranger smiled and asked, why are you all so frightened? I am a simple traveler, looking for a soft place to stay for the night and a warm place for a meal.

"There's not a bite to eat in the whole province," he was told. "We are weak and our children are starving. Better keep moving on."
"Oh, I have everything I need," he said. "In fact, I was thinking of making some stone soup to share with all of you." He pulled an iron cauldron from his cloak, filled it with water, and began to build a fire under it.
Then, with great ceremony, he drew an ordinary-looking stone from a silken bag and dropped it into the water.

By now, hearing the rumor of food, most of the villagers had come out of their homes or watched from their windows. As the stranger sniffed the "broth" and licked his lips in anticipation, hunger began to overcome their fear.
"Ahh," the stranger said to himself rather loudly, "I do like a tasty stone soup. Of course, stone soup with cabbage -- that's hard to beat."
Soon a villager approached hesitantly, holding a small cabbage he'd retrieved from its hiding place, and added it to the pot.

"Wonderful!!" cried the stranger. "You know, I once had stone soup with cabbage and a bit of salt beef as well, and it was fit for a king."
The village butcher managed to find some salt beef . . . and so it went, through potatoes, onions, carrots, mushrooms, and so on, until there was indeed a delicious meal for everyone in the village to share.

The villager elder offered the stranger a great deal of money for the magic stone, but he refused to sell it and traveled on the next day.
As he left, the stranger came upon a group of village children standing near the road. He gave the silken bag containing the stone to the youngest child, whispering to a group, It was not the stone, but the villagers that had performed the magic."
Moral: By working together, with everyone contributing what they can, a greater good is achieved.

Time to Cook!
Go on a walk and ask children to help you find a nice looking stone to use in your soup. When you find the perfect stone, have children wash up/dress up and pretend to be the village people. Have each child choose a name for him/herself. Hand a few ingredients to each child and have them place them in their own grocery sacks. When it is time for each ingredient to be added, call the children by their chosen names and ask them to place their ingredient on the cutting board, so you (the stranger)can prepare it for the soup. After vegetables have been chopped, allow the children to put them into the pot.

Soup Recipe:
4 Cups Water
4 Bouillon cubes (or you may just use 2-3 cans of canned chicken or beef broth
3/4 cup sliced carrots
3/4 cup sliced celery
1/2 cup chopped onion
1 medium potato
Chicken (cooked) optional
2/3 cup pasta
1 tsp parsley
salt and pepper to taste

Scrub and rinse stone thoroughly.
Dissolve bouillon cubes in 4 cups boiling water. Add stone and all veggies and seasonings. Bring to a boil and then lower heat to Medium. Cook for about 10 minutes. Add Chicken and pasta. Cook on Medium until pasta is tender.
Serve with Bread or biscuits!

Lesson 15: Opposites

Recognizing Day to Day Opposites


For this lesson you will need:
Picture of 15 balls (print example below)
Paper
Crayons
Ball
Objects of choice for counting (see number of the day)
Circular items such as: plate, cup, cd, button, coin, hoop earring, magnet, etc.
A few non-circular items: anything goes.
Plastic grocery bags (one for each child)
Pair of Socks
One of these books:
Opposites by Sandra Boynton
Olivia’s Opposites by Ian Falconer
What’s Up Duck? By Tad Hills
Opposites Race by Irene Kilpatrick
A glass of cold water, glass of hot water
Something black and something white,
Big book and a little book
Tall glass and a short glass
Piece of candy (or something sweet) and a cracker (or something salty)
Scented lotion, and vinegar
Eggs and toast (or other ingredients for snack of choice)

**Come to Preschool today wearing your shirt inside out and a different shoe on each foot!

Welcome Song: (To tune of Old MacDonald):
Welcome, welcome everyone
So glad that you are here.
Today we’re gonna have some fun
So let’s give out a cheer
Woo hoo!!
Clap clap clap clap
Slap(legs) slap slap slap
Clap clap clap let’s go! (when you shout “let’s go!”, do a group high five in the center)

Number of the Day ‘15’: Before preschool, draw 15 balls on a piece of paper. Write the numbers 1-15 underneath the balls.


When it’s time, hold up a real ball for the children to see. Tell them you’re going to test their counting skills and their throwing skills at the same time. Have the children take turns throwing the ball to you. Each time you catch the ball, have the child that threw it, cross off one of the balls on the paper and say the number aloud (make sure they cross them off in order!)

Have them take turns until they’ve crossed off all 15 numbers. Then switch roles. Tell them to be ready because this time you’ll be throwing the ball to them, . Throw the ball 15 times, while having children count aloud (Mix it up a little. Throw some high, some low, switch up the order, etc). Allow them to count out 15 objects of choice (stickers, pom poms, coins, etc) and place them in the counting jar. Remind them of the reward they will get when the jar is full!

Letter of the Day ‘O’: Before Preschool gather several circular items: CD, plate, cup, button, coin, hoop earring, magnets, etc. Also gather a few non-circular items and put everything into a bag.

When it’s time for the letter of the day, display the letter O on a piece of paper and pour the contents of the bag onto the floor. Tell children they will each take a turn choosing an item from the pile that looks like the letter ‘O’. Have them put their chosen items into their own grocery sacks. When all round objects have been chosen, lead them to the table and have them trace their round items onto a piece of paper. Have them compare their drawings to the letter O that you displayed.

Teach the sound of the letter O and allow them to think of as many words as they can that begin with the letter. Allow them to practice in their writing notebooks.
Show children the ASL sign and the sounds for “O” as well as the signs for Octopus Orange and Opposite

Introduction of Topic: Put Socks over your hands and hold them up. Say: “Today is opposite day! This means that we’ll be doing things a little differently than we usually do.” Tell the children they will take turns being the teacher and you will be their student.

Choose one child to lead the class in a song of their choice
Choose one child to lead the class in a few exercises (jogging in place, jumping jacks, sit-ups)
Choose one child to tell a story to the others, using pictures from a book.

Raise your hand and make comments about their presentations, ask questions about the characters and about other possible ways to get exercise, etc.

Story: Opposites by Sandra Boynton
Olivia’s Opposites by Ian Falconer
What’s Up Duck? By Tad Hills
Opposites Race by Irene Kilpatrick
Or any other book about Opposites!

Activity 1: Explain that an opposite is something completely different than another thing.

Have the children sit, facing you, on the floor. Tell them that whatever you tell them to do, they must do the opposite (or something that is completely different than what you say.) Use commands such as “Sit, Smile, Open your eyes, Be still, Walk forward, and Be very Quiet.”

Activity 2: Lead children to the table where you have placed a variety of items. On one side of the table, place the following items in a line: A glass of cold water, something black (button, toy, piece of paper), a big book, a tall glass, a piece of candy (or any other food that is sweet) and some scented lotion.

On the opposite side of the table, place the following items in a line: a glass of hot water, something white, a small book, a short glass, a cracker (or any other food that is salty), and some vinegar

Have each child take a turn choosing an item from one side of the table and matching it to its opposite on the other side of the table. After each match is found have them repeat after you as you say, “the opposite of big is small, the opposite of black is white,” etc.

(The scented lotion represents a “Good Smell” and the vinegar represents a “Bad Smell”…they’ll need help with this one.) Congratulate them on a job well done.

Service: Have children clear table and put items where they are supposed to go.

Snack: Explain that since it's opposite day, you will be serving breakfast for snack today: Scrambled Eggs and Toast. Have children wash their hands, and help crack the eggs and butter the toast. Tell them they must eat with their feet instead of their hands today!……Then make sure they know you’re just kidding. 

Good bye song: To the tune of “If You’re Happy and you Know it”
If you’ve learned a lot today, clap your hands (clap clap)
Here’s the letter of the day (sign the letter O), clap your hands (clap clap)
Oh, we’ve had a lot of fun,
Now our preschool time is done (tap index finger to wrist)
See you next time (wave) and we’ll do it all again! (Clap clap.)

Holiday Lesson: St Patrick's Day

Understanding the origin of St. Patrick's Day and how it is celebrated

Print out the following pictures and use them to tell the story of St. Patrick.




(Hold up picture/puppet of St. Patrick) "This is Patrick. He was born in Britain, a country that is all the way across the ocean, in Europe! When Patrick was 16 years old, some pirates came and took him away from his family and his home. They took him to a different country called Ireland. The pirates found a man in Ireland, and told him that if he gave the pirates some money, they would give Patrick to him to be his slave. A slave is someone who does all your chores for you, but doesn’t get paid for it.

The man gave the pirates some money, and Patrick became his slave. Patrick’s main job was to watch over the sheep. (Hold up sheep). A person that watches over sheep is called a shepherd. Sometimes Patrick was lonely and sad without his family, so he started studying about church, and about God.

Patrick stayed in Ireland for 6 years working as a slave, and finally he escaped and went back to his home in Britain. While he was there, he became a priest, which is someone who studies and teaches people about God. He had dreams that the people in Ireland needed to hear about God, so he decided to take a trip back to Ireland and teach these people what he had learned.

He taught a lot of people, and showed them the Bible. Many of the people started to believe what he said about God, and about the way they should live their lives. People who believed the things that he taught became ‘Christians.’ Patrick taught the people in Ireland for about 30 years. He died on March 17, which is the day we celebrate St. Patrick’s day!"

Activity: Ask,“What kind of things do we do in America to celebrate St. Patrick’s day?”

Discuss the different symbols that are associated with the holiday : Leprechauns, clovers, color green, rainbows, etc.

Talk about parades and other ways your town celebrates this holiday.

Talk about foods used to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day: Corned beef and cabbage, shepherd’s pie, and Irish soda bread! Go visit this site. if you'd like to try some of them.

Music/Dance
Introduce children to bag pipers and Irish step dancing. Sit them down in front of the computer to watch the following videos on you-tube:

Go visit Riverdance on You Tube.

Click to watch more River Dance

Click to watch Celtic Thunder.

Click to watch Bag Pipers.

Craft: Make a rainbow out of colored fruit loops, leading to a pot of gold!
Go visit this site for instructions.

Stories:
Good luck!: A St. Patrick's Day Story
by Joan Holub

The Luckiest St. Patrick's Day Ever!
by Teddy Slater

Snack: Any food colored green (Jell-O, pancakes, cupcakes, macaroni) or any of the Irish recipes listed above.

Enjoy your holiday!

Field Trip #5: Pet Store

Take a trip to the Pet Store! Watch the dog groomers in action, have children identify all of the different colors of fish. Observe the hamsters on their exercising wheel, and listen to the different sounds coming from the bird cages. Often times if the pet store sells dogs and cats, there will be a description of them on their individual cages. Tell the children what the animals' names are, and some facts about each of them.
It's not quite a zoo, but animals are exciting to watch in any setting!

Lesson 14: Newspapers

Recognizing and understanding how to use wholesome sources of information


For this lesson you will need:
Dry erase marker or window marker
Stickers or other item for counting
N items (placed around the house)
Newspapers
Magazines
Paper
Scissors
Glue
Pens, markers or crayons
Recipe from newspaper or magazine
Ingredients for chosen recipe (for snack)

Welcome Song: (To tune of Old MacDonald):
Welcome, welcome everyone
So glad that you are here.
Today we’re gonna have some fun
So let’s give out a cheer
Woo hoo!!
Clap clap clap clap
Slap(legs) slap slap slap
Clap clap clap let’s go! (when you shout “let’s go!”, do a group high five in the center)

Question of the Day: What kind of things do you enjoy learning about? Allow each child to share their answers. Share your answer with the children as well.

Number of the Day ‘14’: Using a dry erase marker or a window marker display the number 14 on the window and tell children that you want to see if they know how to count all the way to 14! Have each child take a turn drawing 14 of a designated item on the window with the marker (while counting aloud)
For instance: “John, will you please draw 14 dots on the window?”
“Jane, can you draw 14 triangles?”

Allow each child at least one turn to draw something on the window. After each child has had a turn, ask them what they would like you to draw. Draw 14 of whatever item they choose, while counting aloud with the children.

If sticker chart has not yet been filled, have children count 14 stickers to place on the sticker chart. If chart has been filled, you may want to start having them count a new item (colored pom poms, pennies, candies, etc.) and put them into a jar. Explain that when the jar is full, they will get another reward for all their counting practice!

Letter of the Day ‘N’: Display the letter N and ask children if they know what sound it makes. Tell children they must go on a quest to find 5 items in your house that begin with the letter N. Walk with them throughout the house and tell them to keep their eyes open wide, because N words are hard to find! You may need to point them in the general direction of the N items .

Possible N items include: Nuts, net, nail polish, nose, nest, nickel, nightgown, ‘Nerds’ and nightlight. Collect the N items in a bag and bring them back to the circle. Congratulate them for fulfilling their quest.

Demonstrate how to write the letter N and allow children to practice in their writing notebooks. Teach the ASL sign for the letter N as well as the signs for No, Nice, and Newspaper.

Introduction of Topic: Distribute portions of a Newspaper to each child. Have them look through the newspaper (make sure pictures are appropriate!).
Ask: “What kind of things do we see in Newspapers?”
Answers:
Coupons: tell us where we can buy food that doesn’t cost too much
Sports: tells how teams work together
News/Stories: Tells us what is going on in our town and in our country
Games: For Fun
Events: tells us about places we can go and things we can do to have fun
Recipes: tells how to make great food to eat
Advice: Gives us some ideas of ways to fix our problems

“Newspapers tell us about all kinds of things that are going on around us. Many of these things are very good to know about.”

“Can you think of some other ways we can learn about new things and find out what’s going on in the world?” (TV, Radio, Computer, Magazines.) Each of these can be a good way to learn about new things, but not all programs on TV are good to watch, and not everything on the computer and in magazines are good to look at. We must be careful and always ask Moms and Dads before we watch or look at any of these things so they can help us make sure that what they are teaching is good for our minds.”

Activity: Show and discuss some good examples of media sources (Family Fun and, kids magazines, pet/animal/cooking magazines, and appropriate radio and tv programs approved by parents) Give examples of the interesting information we can learn from each of these resources.

Reading: Choose a short article, letter, or comic that might interest the children, and read aloud or summarize. Discuss what you read.

Activity/Craft: Children will create their own newspapers. Give each child a piece of paper (you may choose to make a newspaper-like template on it first.) Have them give the newspaper a title and choose which things they would like to include in their newspapers. (Cut-out pictures from magazines, jokes, comics, upcoming birthdays, favorite snack recipes, etc. Provide children with crayons, pencils, safe scissors and glue sticks and let them go to work!)



Service: Roll up the ‘newspapers’ and wrap a rubber band around them. Have children deliver their newspapers to some of your neighbors (on bikes if they have them, to add effect)

Snack: Choose recipe (ahead of time) from magazine or newspaper that the children would enjoy, and ask them to help you prepare it.

Additional Activity: Lead children to your computer, and allow them to view some of your favorite kid friendly sites. Here are two that we enjoy:

www.totlol.com

www.kids.nationalgeographic.com

Teach children how to use the computer mouse properly, and allow them to play a game or two with your assistance.
(pbskids.org is a fun interactive site as well)


Good bye song: To the tune of “If You’re Happy and you Know it”
If you’ve learned a lot today, clap your hands (clap clap)
Here’s the letter of the day (sign the letter N), clap your hands (clap clap)
Oh, we’ve had a lot of fun,
Now our preschool time is done (tap index finger to wrist)
See you next time (wave) and we’ll do it all again! (Clap clap.)

Cooking Day #3: Bring on the Pasta Baby!

Have children put on the ol' aprons, wash up those hands and get to work!

Ingredients:
3 eggs
1 tbsp. oil
2 c. flour

In a medium bowl, mix the eggs and oil together with a fork. Add as much flour as needed to make a soft, but no longer sticky dough. If you add the whole 2 cups and it's still sticky, add some more. Gather the dough into a ball and knead on a floured surface until resilient, 5-10 minutes. Cover and let rest 10 minutes.

Story: While dough is 'resting,' gather the children around for story time. Read Strega Nona by Tomie dePaola (a fantastic story about a magic pot that makes pasta) Have children think of the many ways to eat pasta, and ask if they have a favorite.



And back to pasta making:
Roll dough as thin as possible on a floured surface. Make sure the dough isn't stuck to the surface, then leave it to dry for 15 minutes, turning once. Once it is dry, loosely roll it and cut across the rolls with a knife or leave it flat and cut strips with a cutting wheel or knife. Cook as you would packaged pasta (although, it
may cook slightly faster than packaged pasta would, so keep an eye on it!)

Serve pasta with your family's favorite topping, or present a buffet of toppings, and allow everyone to choose their own (Spaghetti, pesto, or alfredo sauce, grated cheese, cream of chicken soup, veggies and italian dressing...the possibilities are endless!)

Easy Italian-Style Tomato Sauce (Borrowed from Dianaskitchen.com)

* 2 to 3 tablespoons olive oil (or veg. oil)
* 1 medium onion
* 1 medium green pepper, chopped
* 1 clove garlic, minced
* 1 tablespoon salt
* 1/4 teaspoon
pepper
* 1 can (6 ounces) tomato paste
* 2 cans (14.5 ounces each) diced or crushed tomatoes
* 1 teaspoon dried leaf oregano
* 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese

Heat oil; sauté onions, pepper and garlic in the oil until tender. Add salt, pepper, tomato paste, tomatoes, and oregano (may also add mushrooms, carrots, and other veggies as well.) Simmer for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally. Stir in cheese before serving or serve cheese separately. Serve with hot cooked and drained spaghetti or similar pasta. Serves 6 to 8. Meat version: Sauté 1/2 pound of lean ground beef with the onions, peppers and garlic until browned. Proceed with recipe.

Dish up, light a candle, and enjoy.

Lesson 13: Manners

Understanding the importance of good manners in our homes and in society


For this lesson you will need:
Numbers 1-13 written on small squares of paper
Stickers
Stuffed Animals
“Good Manners” phrases (see into to topic)
Cookie sheet
Kleenex
Soap or hand sanitizer,
Napkin,
Picture of an ear,
Picture of closed mouth,
Toy,
2 index cards with the words: ‘ Please’ and ‘Thank you’
Book: Excuse Me!: A Little Book of Manners by Karen Katz
Paper
Paper Plate
Markers
Scissors
Glue
All dishes for a place setting + napkins

Welcome Song: (To tune of Old MacDonald):

Welcome, welcome everyone
So glad that you are here.
Today we’re gonna have some fun
So let’s give out a cheer
Woo hoo!!
Clap clap clap clap
Slap(legs) slap slap slap
Clap clap clap let’s go! (when you shout “let’s go!”, do a group high five in the center)

Question of the Day: Have you ever been to a restaurant with your family? Tell me about it. Allow each child to share an answer. Talk about your favorite restaurant experience with the children.

Number of the Day ‘13’: Hide the numbers 1-13 all over the preschool room. Give children a few minutes to locate all of the numbers. When all of them have been found, sit on the floor and allow them to place them in the correct order. Explain that many people think the number 13 is an unlucky number. Say “I’m curious to know if 13 really is unlucky. Should we find out?”

Tell children to follow whatever you do while you all count to the number 13 aloud. Hop on one foot. On the 13th hop, fall to the ground and say “I fell on the number 13! That was unlucky!”

Lead them in a series of actions, counting aloud to 13 each time. Whenever you get to the number 13, make something silly happen so it appears that it really is an unlucky number. (Trip over something, drop something to the ground, make your hat fall off your head, bonk your nose etc.)

Have children count out 13 stickers to put on the sticker chart. Remind them of what will happen when the sticker chart is filled! (Your choice of reward)

Letter of the Day ‘M’: Display the letter M on a piece of paper or dry erase board. Demonstrate the sound it makes, then pass the speaker bear around and allow everyone to think of a word that starts with that sound. Pass the bear around until children run out of ideas for M words!

Demonstrate how to write the upper and lower case form of the letter. Allow each child to practice in their writing notebooks. Teach the ASL sign for the letter M as well as the signs for Mom, Milk, and Manners (which I think is the same as the word Fine, in case you can’t find it on the browser)

Introduction of Topic: Have children observe while you act out a ‘dinner-time’ scene and behave very badly. You may want to bang your silverware on your plate, reach over the table, pretend to chew with your mouth open, burp, wipe your nose with your hand and then pass a dish of food to the imaginary person sitting next to you, and say “I don’t like this food. This looks gross!”

Ask children what kind of things they saw you do at the table. Ask whether or not they thought you were being polite. Tell them to put their thumbs up if they thought you were having good manners, and their thumbs down if they thought you were having bad manners.

“What are good manners?” Discuss answers.
“When someone has good manners, they act in a way that is kind, patient, quiet, and respectful of those around them. What are some ways that I could have shown better manners at the table?” Discuss answers.

Activity: Write the following phrases on several strips of paper.

Having good manners is:

Being thankful for things people have done for you

Saying kind words

Waiting until others are done talking before you start talking

Taking Turns with people you’re playing with

Saying sorry when you make a mistake

Asking nicely for something, using the word ‘Please’

Covering your mouth if you have to cough or sneeze.

Line up a few stuffed animals next to you, and put the slips of paper in the animals’ laps. Have children one at a time, come up and pick a piece of paper from a stuffed animal and bring it to you. After reading each phrase, give examples of how they can apply these good manners in every day situations. Ask children for their own examples and suggestions. Have children role play giving compliments, saying thank you, and taking turns.

Activity: Collect the following items (before preschool) and place them on a cookie sheet: Kleenex, soap or hand sanitizer, Napkin, picture of an ear, picture of closed mouth, a toy, and two index cards with the words: ‘ Please’ and ‘Thank you’ written on them.
Use the stuffed animals to help act out various situations where they choose to have bad manners. After each situation has been acted out, allow one child to pick an item from the cookie sheet that would help the stuffed animal show better manners.

For example:

Kleenex (to cover mouth when sneezing or coughing)

Soap (to wash hands before eating, or after going to the bathroom or playing in the dirt)

Napkin ( for wiping mouth and hands when dirty)

Ear (for listening when people are talking to you)

Closed Mouth (may be used twice) (For staying quiet until Mom or Dad is off the phone, and chewing with your mouth closed).

Toy (for sharing)

'Please' (For asking to pass something at the table or asking for help)

'Thank You' (For when people give you compliments, help, gifts, etc.)

When a prop has been chosen, act out the situation again with the stuffed animal, using good manners this time.

Story: Excuse Me!: A Little Book of Manners by Karen Katz

Craft: Lead children in creating a sneeze face!
1: Have children draw a face on a paper plate. 2: Trace their hands on construction paper and cut them out. 3: Glue crumbled kleenex over the nose on the paper plate
4: Glue hands over tissue.

Discuss the importance of covering our noses with tissue when we sneeze, and saying ‘Excuse me’.


Service: Teach children to set the table the correct way, according to diagram, and ask them to set the table for the person sitting next to them. Once everyone is finished, have them sit in their own seats, and demonstrate how to place their napkins in their laps.
Tell them that they are going to practice the good manners they learned today. Give each child their snack, and wait for them to say “Thank You.” Place cups of water in the center of the table and wait for each child to ask for one politely.
Be sure to compliment those who are chewing with their mouths closed, those who are sitting still, and those who use their napkins appropriately.



Snack: Anything that begins with the letter M! (Macaroni, Mashed potatoes, Mozzarella cheese, Milkshake, Melons, Mangoes, Muffins, etc.)

Good bye song: To the tune of “If You’re Happy and you Know it”
If you’ve learned a lot today, clap your hands (clap clap)
Here’s the letter of the day (sign the letter M), clap your hands (clap clap)
Oh, we’ve had a lot of fun,
Now our preschool time is done (tap index finger to wrist)
See you next time (wave) and we’ll do it all again! (Clap clap.)

Sharing the Wealth....

Here are some fantastic resources for those who are always on the lookout for more ideas. Hope you can put some of them to use!



Until I find out how to make these actual 'links', you'll need to copy and paste the addresses into the URL destination box above (is that what it's called????) I'm working on it!

Interactive preschool websites:

www.pbskids.org (Highly recommended)

www.kids-pages.com

http://funschool.kaboose.com/preschool/index.html


Craft websites:

www.dltk-kids.com

http://www.first-school.ws/THEME/crafts.htm



Crafts/Games/Activities/Songs:

www.preschoolexpress.com

www.preschooleducation.com

www.perpetualpreschool.com

www.everythingpreschool.com

www.preschoolrock.com


Snack ideas:

www.kids-cooking-activities.com/preschool-snack-recipes.html

www.recipezaar.com/bb/viewtopic.zsp?t=157979


Please feel free to leave a comment and tell about any other websites that you have found helpful. Thanx for reading!

Field Trip # 4: Hospital

Give your children a general tour of a nearby hospital. Point out that the hospital is a wonderful place because it has many people working very hard to help those who are hurt or sick, to feel better.

Tell a story about a time when you, or someone you know, was taken care of at the hospital. Explain that there are different areas of the hospital where patients go when they need help. Someone who had an accident and broke their arm would be taken care of by doctors who know a lot about broken bones, while someone with a really bad stomach ache would be taken care of by doctors and nurses who know a lot about the stomach. There are even special doctors who help Mommies who are having new babies! (Remind them that even though they don't remember, they stayed in a hospital for a few days when they were born.)

"Doctors and nurses are very smart and know a lot about how to fix our bodies when they're not working really well."

Take children through the cafeteria and the gift shop and explain what people do there.

Do your best to make it a calm and happy experience so they will remember the hospital in a positive light. Allow them to ask any questions they might have!

Lesson 12: Laughter

Learning the benefits of a good hearty laugh


For this lesson you will need:
Empty egg carton (one that held a dozen eggs)
soil or dirt in a bowl
seeds (any kind) with seed package (bought or homemade)
Bowl of water
Tablespoon and teaspoon
stickers
Word search page (see below)
Puppet (or stuffed animal)
Mary Poppins sound track (optional)
Items for puppet making (lunch sacks, socks or what's around the house)
Stuff for 'funny' basket...your choice
Jell-O (or other snack item)
Books: Little Miss Giggles by Roger Hargreaves , Don’t Laugh Joe! By Keiko Kasza

Welcome Song: (To tune of Old MacDonald):
Welcome, welcome everyone
So glad that you are here.
Today we’re gonna have some fun
So let’s give out a cheer
Woo hoo!!
Clap clap clap clap
Slap(legs) slap slap slap
Clap clap clap let’s go! (when you shout “let’s go!”, do a group high five in the center)

Question of the Day: What makes you happy? Allow each child to share their answer. Share your answer with the children as well.

Number of the Day: Use an empty dozen-sized egg carton for the following activity Tell children since it’s almost Spring, it’s time to plant some seeds! Explain that since it’s still too cold outside you will be planting them inside, until the plants get a little bigger and the sun starts to shine a little more often outside 
Show a package of seeds (this could even be a homemade package containing apple seeds, sunflower seeds, or anything else that looks like a seed)

Read the back of the packaging where the following instructions have been placed:

“This package of super special seeds will grow into beautiful ________ plants if you follow these very important instructions:

1: Find an egg carton with 12 open spaces (display the egg carton and ask the children how many open spaces there are. Have them count to 12 aloud.)

2: You will need 12 spoons full of dirt or potting soil. Place 1 spoon full in each space in the egg carton. (Show children a bowl full of dirt or potting soil. Allow them to scoop the soil into each space of the egg carton while counting aloud to 12)

3: Count out 12 seeds. (Pour contents of seed packet onto the table and have them count to 12 aloud.)

4: Place each seed into the dirt and cover it up.

5: Pour 12 tsp of water over the seeds (1 tsp over each plant) (Present a bowl of water and a teaspoon and allow them to do the watering themselves while counting aloud)

6: Kiss your finger and touch each plant. This is the magic touch they need to grow big and strong.

7: Put your seeds next to the window and water them every other day!

Display the number 12 and explain that the word “Dozen” is also used to say the number 12. “When someone asks for a dozen eggs, it means they want 12 eggs. If I say I want a dozen donuts, how many do I want?” Pass the sticker basket around and tell them to choose 1 dozen stickers to put on the sticker chart.

Letter of the Day: Present a word search page that looks like this (no words, just letters)



Display the letter L and tell children they must find all of the L's that are hidden in this paper. When they find each L, have them circle it with a pen.
When all the L’s have been circled, discuss the sound that L makes and ask if they can think of any words that start with this letter.

Demonstrate how it is written and allow them to practice in their writing notebooks.
Teach ASL sign for L as well as the signs for love, lion and laugh.

Introduction to topic: Hold a puppet in one hand and pretend that he is the guest for the day. Introduce the puppet as Larry Lafalot. (laugh a lot)

Mr. Lafalot has come to speak to us about one of his favorite things to do, and we’re all going to be able to ask him some questions!

Follow sample dialogue below, or create your own. (Warning: the following interview is rated ABSAR (A Bit Silly And Ridiculous) but we’re all moms… we’re used to it)

You: We’re so glad you could join us for preschool today Mr. Lafalot. What do you think of it so far?

Mr. L: I think this is going to be lots of fun! What smart lookin boys and girls you have here. (Make individual comments about each one.. cute freckles…big smiles..etc.)

You: They sure are smart. Would you believe they can speak in a different language?

Mr. L: WHAT? I don’t believe it. They can’t be that smart!

You: (Turn to Children) Show Mr. Lafalot sign language for the letter L! Can you show him the sign for Lion? And one more sign, you’re going to like this one Mr. Lafalot. Can you show him the sign for laugh?

Mr. L: (Laugh out loud) I love the word Laugh!!! That’s my most favorite thing to do in the whole world! (Laugh some more)

You: Your most favorite thing in the world is to laugh? It must be pretty fun, if that’s your very most favorite thing! (Turn to children) How many of you like to laugh? Show me! (allow children to demonstrate their best laughs)

Mr. L: (whispering something into your ear)

You: (look at Mr. L) Are you sure you want to do that? I don’t know if the children will like that very much. (Turn to children) Mr. Lafalot is asking me if he can tell you a few jokes….but I don’t know if you would want to hear silly things like that. Would you? (YES!) Are you sure? Wouldn’t you have more fun learning about numbers and letters? (NO!) Okay, if you’re sure. Mr Lafalot, I guess they do want to hear some of your jokes!

Mr. L: I’ve been practicing my favorite jokes all day. Are you ready?
“What do you call it when a cow sings?” (Moo-sic!)
“What kind of cookies do baby monkeys have with their milk?” (Chocolate chimp!)
“ Knock Knock” Who’s there? “Lettuce” (Lettuce who?) Lettuce In!!”
“ Knock knock” (Who’s there?) “Doris!” (Doris Who?)
“Door is open come on in!”
“What do frogs eat with their hamburgers?” (French flies)
(Make sure Mr. L laughs at each of his own jokes)

You: Wow. Mr. L. Your jokes are hilarious. I think I know why you like to laugh so much. It feels good, doesn’t it?

Mr: L: It sure does. In fact laughing is actually very healthy for your body!

You: Healthy? How is laughing healthy for my body?

Mr. L: It’s great exercise for your heart and helps you not feel as tired or as worried about things! It helps you to breathe better, it helps your muscles to relax, and it helps you to get better a lot faster when you’re sick! Laughing is kind of like a big spoon full of medicine!

You: Wow, I thought laughing was just fun. I didn’t know it was good for me too! Well thank you for coming to our class today, for sharing your jokes with us and for teaching us all about laughter! Does anyone have any questions for Mr. L? (allow everyone to come up with a question, then have have them wave goodbye to Mr. Lafalot)

Activity: Gather children into a circle and talk to them about what kind of things make them laugh. (Silly faces, Putting clothes on backwards, Being tickled etc) Discuss importance of being able to laugh at ourselves sometimes when we make mistakes, instead of getting angry or frustrated. Tell them a story from your life when you made a silly mistake and learned to laugh at yourself.

Make it clear that although it’s good to laugh at ourselves sometimes, it’s not okay to laugh at other people when they make mistakes or any other time that it might hurt someone’s feelings. Describe different scenarios and ask children to put their thumb up if they think it’s okay to laugh, or down if they think it’s probably not a good time to laugh.

Pass a pen around (to use as a microphone) and have each child demonstrate a different kind of laugh. (Hohoho, Hehehe , PAAAH! Hmhmhm, Quiet, Loud, giggle, belly laugh, etc.) You may need to give a demonstration so they get an idea of what to do. If you have access to the Mary Poppins soundtrack, (at most libraries) play the I Love to Laugh Song. Explain that everyone has their own unique laugh.

Story: Little Miss Giggles by Roger Hargreaves , Don’t Laugh Joe! By Keiko Kasza

Craft: Help children create their own "Lafalot" puppets using paper lunch bags, socks, buttons, construction paper or whatever you have around the house.

Snack: Jigglers Jello (Point out that it moves like your belly when you laugh!)

Service: Make someone laugh today. Deliver a ‘funny’ basket, full of funny things to be distributed to a random patient at the hospital (we dropped ours off at the front desk of the pediatric unit for them to choose who would benefit from it the most) or someone else you know that might need a little dose of laughter. You may choose to include pictures, cards, jokes, toys, or whatever else you think would tickle someone’s funny bone.

Good bye song: To the tune of “If You’re Happy and you Know it”

If you’ve learned a lot today, clap your hands (clap clap)
Here’s the letter of the day (sign the letter L), clap your hands (clap clap)
Oh, we’ve had a lot of fun,
Now our preschool time is done (tap index finger to wrist)
See you next time (wave) and we’ll do it all again! (Clap clap.)

Cooking Day #2: Fun with Popcorn!

Popcorn Snowmen

Ingredients:
10 cups popped popcorn
1 (1-lb.) package large marshmallows
1/4 cup (1/2 stick) butter or margarine
1 teaspoon vanilla
Decorations: sprinkles, licorice, gum drops, cinnamon candies, etc.

Melt marshmallows and butter in a large saucepan. Remove from heat and stir in vanilla. Let stand for 5 minutes.

Pour over popcorn and stir. Butter hands well and form into balls. Decorate as desired.

Yield: 10 balls, 5 Snowmen (2 balls each)
Put these on display while you prepare the next popcorn treat!


Make your Own Popcorn Bar



Topping Options:
Popcorn salt & pepper
Assorted herbs & spices
Nuts (pine nuts, peanuts, slivered almonds, pumpkin seeds, etc.)
Cheese crackers
Pretzel sticks
Dried fruit (raisins, cranberries, apricots, etc.)
Grated cheese
Chocolate chips
Cinnamon, brown sugar, nutmeg

Assembly:
Set out a large bowl of popcorn. Put smaller bowls with various popcorn fixings around the big bowl of popcorn. Let each person fill a paper bag or other container with popcorn and top or mix with their desired flavorings.
Dish up and relax with each other in front of a favorite family movie!


Jumping Kernels:
For even more fun with popcorn, try out this fun science experiment. (Definitely a crowd pleaser)

You will need:
* 2 teaspoons baking soda
* 1/4 cup vinegar
* food coloring
* a clear drinking glass or vase
* about 1 cup water

What to do:
1. Put water into glass
2. Add a few drops of food coloring (your choice)
3. Add the vinegar
4. Add the baking soda
5. Drop in about 20 popcorn kernels

In place of kernels you could also use dried beans, rice, pasta, or buttons.
Sit back and watch what happens!

(When I tried this with a preschool group, one of the girls suggested I add a little bit of hand sanitizer to see what would happen. Try it out!)

Lesson 11: Kings and Presidents

Learning the basics of how the decisions in our country are made


For this lesson you will need:
Small objects (paper clips, marbles etc) see # of day
Paper
Crayons or markers
Tape
Stickers
King’s Crown (homemade)
Small box or other container
Story: Duck for President
Snack items to choose from

Welcome Song: (To tune of Old MacDonald):
Welcome, welcome everyone
So glad that you are here.
Today we’re gonna have some fun
So let’s give out a cheer
Woo hoo!!
Clap clap clap clap
Slap(legs) slap slap slap
Clap clap clap let’s go! (when you shout “let’s go!”, do a group high five in the center)

Question of the Day: Do you have any rules in your home? If you could change one of those rules, which one would it be?
Allow each child to answer and share your answer as well.

Number of the Day ‘11’: Use any small object that you have a lot of. It may be paper clips, erasers, marbles, blocks, candies etc. Display the number 11 on a piece of paper or dry-erase board and ask children if they can arrange the small objects into the shape of the number that is being displayed. Allow them to use as many objects as they need.

Hold up all of your fingers and wiggle them around. Have children touch each of your fingers while counting aloud. When they get to the tenth finger ask “What do we do next? We don’t have any fingers left to count!!” Show children how to close their fists then open them again to indicate that there are more fingers to count. Have them practice counting to 11 on their own fingers.

For more counting practice (or for older children): Draw numbers 1-11 on 11 small squares of paper (a different number on each). Put tape on the back of them and put them on the floor, number side down. Have children take turns picking one and saying aloud what the number is (without help) and sticking it on the window or other surface where they think the number falls in the lineup (left to right). Do not correct any mistakes until the end. When all numbers have been lined up on the window, point to each of the numbers in the order they placed them and say the numbers aloud. They will most likely recognize if a number has been placed out of order. Have them make any corrections that are necessary and congratulate them on a counting job well done!
Have children count 11 stickers from sticker basket and place on the sticker chart.

Letter of the Day ‘K’: Before preschool, write the following K words on pieces of paper. When it’s time for the letter of the day, use stickers or tape to stick these pieces of paper all over your body and clothes. Tell children they will each get a turn to choose a paper from your clothes and act it out for the rest of the class. You may use the following:

Kangaroo
Kiss
Key
Kite
King
Kick
Koala Bear (explain that it likes to climb trees and hug the branches while it sleeps)
Kiwi (bird) (Chances are nobody will guess this one, so when they give up, you may want to show a picture of a kiwi, and explain that that word can mean both a bird and a green fuzzy fruit!)

After each child has a had a couple of turns acting, review the words and ask if they noticed any similarities between them.
Explain that the letter K and the letter C sound the same a lot of times. With more practice we’ll learn which words begin with the letter K and which words begin with C.

Demonstrate how the letter Kk is written and allow children to practice in their writing notebooks. Teach them the ASL sign for K as well as Kiss, Key, and King

Introduction to Topic: “Who decides what the rules are in your family? Who decides what to make for dinner? Who decides when you need to go to bed? Who decides what fun things you will do as a family?”
Allow children to share their answers.
Point out that some decisions are made by the parents, and some of the decisions are made together as a family, with everyone sharing their ideas.

“Who decides what the rules are in our country?” Put on homemade King’s crown.
“Is it a king? Many countries have a King as their leader. A King makes all of the decisions for the country and tells their people what they must do.”

Activity: Do a little role play. “John, stand up and reach to the sky. Now touch your nose. I’m the king, so you must do what I say. I’ve decided all of you must wear garbage sacks instead of clothes from now on! (Tear holes in the bottom and sides of a few grocery sacks and put them on each child.) That’s better. Now I’d like for you to give me your shoes. And no smiling either !”

Ask if they like being told what to do without being able to make their own decisions. “Many Kings have been good kings and have tried hard to help their people and keep them safe and happy, but many Kings have also made some bad decisions which made their people very sad and angry.

Here in our country, the United States of America, we do things a little bit differently. Just as we help make the decisions in our family, we can also help make the decisions for our country.”

Hold up a picture of the President of the United States. Ask children if they remember who it is. Introduce him as the President/Leader of our country and the man who helps to make very big decisions.



“Every four years, the people in the United States, get a chance to choose who will be the leader of our country. This is the person who was chosen.” Share some facts about the President’s family, where he’s from, etc. (Born in Hawaii, has 2 little girls, Doesn’t like Ice Cream, loves basketball etc)

“After we choose our President, he moves into a big house called the White House. (Show picture if you wish)

We also get to choose other men and women to help the President make big decisions."

“These people work together and think of different ideas that might help our country to be a better place to live. They think of ways to make us safe, and to help us learn better at school, and to help us to stay healthy.

They tell us what their ideas are, then ask us what we think about them. We get to tell them if we like their ideas or if we don’t like their ideas. Would you like to see how this is done?

Activity: On several pieces of paper write the following sentences:
1: Children will eat chocolate chip pancakes every Saturday morning.
2: Children will take 4 naps every day
3: Children will do all the chores in the house: cooking, dusting, washing dishes, vacuuming, laundry and sweeping.
4: Children will go the park and play on the playground every day.
(Create as many sentences as you wish)

Give each child 4 small squares of paper and a crayon. Read one of the sentences (bills) to the children and tell them that if they like this rule, they will draw a smiley face on the paper. If they don’t like the rule, they will draw a frowny face on the picture, and then put the paper or “vote” in a box.

After each child has placed their vote, review them. Have children count the number of smiley faces and the number of frowny faces in the box, and decide whether the bill should be made into a rule.

Go through the same process with each bill.
When all bills have been voted on, summarize the results to the children.

The President and his helpers try to do what is best for us, and listen to what we think of their ideas. If most people like their ideas, then they’ll make it a rule. If most people don’t like their ideas then they won’t make it a rule, just like we did with our rules.

Story: Duck for President by Doreen Cronin and Betsy Lewin
Discuss what things duck wanted to change.

Activity: If I were President……..
Ask children to imagine that they are the President of the United States and in charge of thinking of ideas to make their country a better place. What would they do?
Come up with a few ideas of your own.
Have children draw some of their ideas, and share them with the rest of the class.


Service: Help children write a letter to a local leader thanking them for their hard work in helping to make your town a great place to live.



Snack: Take a vote! List a few different items that they may choose for a snack. Have them vote. Whichever item gets the most votes is the snack for the day.

Goodbye song: To the tune of “If You’re Happy and you Know it”
If you’ve learned a lot today, clap your hands (clap clap)
Here’s the letter of the day (sign the letter K), clap your hands (clap clap)
Oh, we’ve had a lot of fun,
Now our preschool time is done (tap index finger to wrist)
See you next time (wave) and we’ll do it all again! (Clap clap.)