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.)
