Using Cereal Boxes in Preschool

A few days ago I noticed I had a some left over cereal boxes. I thought I'd share with you some ideas to incorporate cereal boxes in your class.




Try putting rice or beans inside and tape the box. Using them in your housekeeping area is always fun. They don't last very long but they can be replaced easily with a few good parent volunteers.

Here's some other ideas.
Environmental Print: Pre-Reading Skills
First, carefully cut the front, back and sides of the cereal boxes.
These are just fun to post on the walls and use as environmental print.
Or, have students match the fronts with the backs.

Cereal Box Puzzles
Next, try using the front of the box to make a puzzle.
Place your puzzle in the quiet area or dramatic play.

Book Marks
Then, trim the sides of the box to make book marks.
Why not punch a hole in the top and add yarn for a tassel?
These inexpensive book marks can be used in your library or reading center.

Books and Journals
Last, try creating books or journals.
Take the front and back of a box, use a hole puncher to punch holes in both. 

Use construction paper or writing paper for pages. Secure your book with yarn, string, etc.

          

Have any cool cereal box creations? Feel free to link your cereal box ideas below.

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A Preschool Hideaway: My Own Space

In your classroom there should always be a place for children to "escape". Some teachers refer to this as the "quite area" or "cozy corner". In our class there is a little corner between our cots and library that the students have designated on their own as their "hideaway". Yes, we have a designated "quiet area" but this is something quite different. This is a place to be secretive, to drag toys, to hide dolls, to talk to yourself, or to create with a friend. In the beginning, I used to discourage their quaint little space since it was by the back door (which we never use) and if they ducked down, it was hard for me to monitor their activities. However, each day one, two, sometimes three students would squeeze in the space and they seemed to be having the best time ever! Obviously, they really loved the space and I really love them so I strategically position myself near the space so I can monitor them and the whole class and we're as a happy as a school family can be.

If there's not enough space in your classroom for a hideaway, You can always create one. Here's a few ideas to get you started. 

Place two chairs far enough apart that a sheet will fit over them both. Fold the sheet back enough that you can still see inside. 

This little hideaway I created outside, using small chairs. 

I used clothes pins to secure the sheet. 

This big one I created inside using adult sized folding chairs. 

The clothes pins are secured under the backs of the chairs. 

And, this cute little structure was abandoned outside a church on the curb. I was more than happy to take it off their hands. It's made from PVC pipe. I keep it at my house, but I will occasionally bring to school to use as a hideaway. 

Happy Hideaway!

Milk Crate Cubbies

The Center I work at is a new facility. The resources are limited and the budget is tight. I do consider myself quite thrifty and pretty resourceful when I have to be. The cubbies that were purchased for my classroom simply did not fit all of my kids belongings. I decided to make my own and you can too. Here's how...

Ask your local grocery store to donate crates to your classroom for your project. Apparently, you're not allowed to wander behind the grocery store and stock up on them. I figured this out when my husband and I looked up into the security camera behind our local Publix Supermarket...hee, hee. We kindly stacked them back neatly and high tailed it outta there. Can you imagine the morning newspaper, "Preschool Teacher caught on camera stealing crates for her class!" We decided the proper thing to do was ask.

You'll need:
crates and zip wire (can be purchased at your local hardware store)
spray paint (optional)

Place the one crate on top of the other. Use the zip ties to secure them tightly. Add additional crates as needed. Here's how it looked with 6 crates.

Then I added three additional ones.

There is a safe spray paint made especially for plastic if you want to change the color. I chose red crates so I wouldn't have to paint.

Ideas you might want to consider:
*Place a picture of the child on the back side of the crate.
*Choose other colors. I did see blue, green and black crates too.

Go Ahead, Make it yourself,


Feeling pretty motivated? See here how to make your own clothes rack for your class.

Build your own Circle Time Stand

When I host birthday parties and special events, I usually sing songs and do some fingerplays. Most parents aren't always familiar with fingerplays so I usually write them on a white board or chalk board so they can cheat. I thought it would be nice if my cheat sheet sat right next to me. Unfortunately, I couldn't find a stand I was happy with. I visited my local teacher store to specifically find a suitable stand. One of the sales ladies suggested I create something of my own out of PVC pipe. "I dunno," I told her. She assured me it was possible and I left empty handed. It took me another two months before I decided It had to be done.

My husband and I stood in the PVC aisle of Home Depot for almost an hour putting pieces together until we finally constructed what I wanted. It took some cutting from one of their employees (who was less than happy with my determination to get it just so) before I thought it was perfect.

The PVC websites I visited suggested you get all the words and letters off before painting or they will show up. I used sandpaper, I wasn't happy with the results. I suggest trying the acetone instead. Or, painting over the letters and barcodes with Kilz. I didn't get all of the words and letters off and yes, they did show up through the paint.

Here's what it looked like before adding the paint.

See here how the barcode started to show through during the painting process.

Here what it looked like right after the paint.


Here are some of the websites I visited before beginning my project. Warning, there is some really cool creations out there!
PVCPlans.com
pvcworkshop.com

Happy Building,


Need cubbies for your classroom? Build your own. See my cubbies here.