Preschool pieces got you puzzled?

During my underwater theme I checked our resources and found a puzzle that fit perfectly. There was one problem, it had 48 pieces! I knew there may only be one or two of my students that would sit long enough to even attempt a puzzle of that magnitude. I put the puzzle out anyway and naturally everyone was drawn to the bright beautiful colors and the sea animals that seem to float on the pieces. After several failed attempts the puzzle was left scattered amongst the table where it sat for two days. During Centers on the third day I sat and carefully numbered the back of each piece and the board they sit on. Unlike tracing the pieces which I've done in the past, I had hopes that matching the numbers would spark a conversation and possibly get some progress with the puzzle. As soon as I was done adding the numbers again they flocked to the puzzle. This time there was a little more success. I was happy to see them carefully looking at the numbers and trying to find it's matching place. I sat with a few of them and talked about the numbers "3 and 1 is 31, where is that same number on the board". Even after numbered pieces and assistance no one completed the puzzle. Next step, trace the pieces!

I figured this is how toy makers and early childhood specialist conduct their research for age-appropriate toys.

Preschool "Sports" week

Last week we had "sports" week. I requested my parents bring in any sports memorabilia, hats, jerseys, and/or favorite team posters. We ended up having tons of stuff to explore. Each day I would pull out of our bag and ask the class about the ball, or item and how they thought that sport was played. Then, I would do my best to demonstrate the sport and how to use the equipment. We got an opportunity on Thursday to take all of our items outside and attempt to try out everything. What a riot! There were golf clubs, basketballs, footballs, tennis balls, frisbees and soccer balls all over the play yard. Boy, were we tired. The next day we all brought our bikes, trikes, and big wheels with our protective gear for "bike day". I am still surprised when there are students who can't peddle. I spent quite a bit of our outside time coaching the peddling technique. What a great way to work those gross motor skills and an even better way to end the week.

"Listening Ears" are on in my Preschool class

Last week we talked all about the moon, the stars, the sun and space. I asked my Facebook friends for suggestions since this theme was all new to me. Bobbi sent me a link to her blog "Casa Camacho" with a few ideas she had already done. I loved the "phases of the moon" activity and thought it would be easy, fun and yummy to do. However, the day of the activity our class had guests. A dad brought in his daughter to meet me and to give her a feel for her new class. I invited them both to stay for the activity as we both could tell she was engrossed in the centers and clearly was not ready to leave. Well of course you know how a class can be when guests are in the room, kinda distracted; paying attention but barely; fascinated with the new girl, etc. I was able to hold their attention long enough once the oreos were open and I began to demonstrate how they should complete the "phases of the moon". Still, I wasn't convinced it went over well, until this week that is. During lunch, Brianna bit her turkey slice from the Lunchable into a "crescent" and she was so proud she held it up for me to see. If that wasn't enough she was busy showing me her "whole" moon when Eric held up his nibbled off turkey "crescent" too.

Be careful what you say...they just might be listening!

Thank you Megan, Nancy and Bobbi.

Preschoolers and Hula-Hoops

You probably can tell I love being outside. Yes, sometimes our Florida heat is unbearable, still we venture out each day to see what wonderful experiences await us. One day while shopping for my own little girls, I picked up some hula-hoops for my class. I wasn't sure if four-year olds could master the complex timing and rhythm it takes to hula-hoop. Regardless, I thought it'd be fun. I've watched my own 7-year old go at it for the longest time on her hips, on her arm, down on her knees and back up again. I purchased the hoops with the thought that if they didn't master it my kid would have enough hoops to last her until middle school.

On Friday, each child came in and asked about the hoops and everyone couldn't wait to go outside to get their turn. They each took turns trying. I demonstrated the technique then coached as they tried. Eventually, some ran away to more familiar territory, the slide, the swings and the balls. But, there were a few that stuck around and was determined to keep that hoop on their hips. I called for the class to line up and still they were trying. No one ever quite got the hoop to stay up, although a few were very close.

I decided not to give the hoops to my daughter because with just a few determined faces It's worth it for them to try and try again. Here's an A for Effort!

Preschool Camping

"A camping we will go, a camping we will go. Hi ho the cherry-o, a camping we will go". Last week our theme was camping. On Friday, we strapped on our backpacks and paraded around the center on a nature hike. We found an orange tree, beautiful leaves for rubbings, pine cones, twigs, and logs for our indoor campfire. Since it was so hot outside it didn't take long for them get tired and long for the comfort of our classroom and a cool drink.

  

 








Once we settled in, we discussed the dangers of being outside, the sun, bug bites, scrapes, etc. I passed out plastic baggies, gloves, band-aids and alcohol pads for the kids to create their own first aid kit. While they worked at getting the items in the bag and securing it closed (great fine motor skill activity). I printed labels to place on their bags. I taped each label on with clear box tape.

 
















After lunch, we sat around our campfire to sing songs and listen to a spooky story. We ended the afternoon with smores of course!



Happy Trails,

Preschool Art Activity: Sandy Hands

While browsing Michael's for my beach theme I picked up these cute cards that were blank inside. Of course I had no idea what I might do with them, but since they were a dollar I couldn't very well pass them up. At the end of our lesson I took a photo of each child in our housekeeping area. One of my parents loaned us a huge colorful beach umbrella that served as a great back drop for the photos.

Each child make a handprint on the left side of the card. Then, we sprinkled colored sand on the wet hand print and placed their picture on the right side. It turned out to be one "cool" summer keepsake to send home.

Preschool Snack: Cream cheese water and goldfish

It's no secret, I'm fond of goldfish. They're small, colorful and yummy. When I was planning our beach theme I wanted to incorporate my little fishy friends. Here's how we did it.

I placed a spoon full of cream cheese in each child's bowl. I added a couple of drops of blue food coloring in each bowl and allowed them to stir. They loved watching the cream cheese turn blue exactly like our milkshakes the week before. I came back around and placed goldfish in their bowls of "water".

Some of the students ate the goldfish one at a time by using a single fish to scoop the cream cheese water, and others used the spoon to scoop the fish and water at the same time, before gobbling them up.

The recipe was inexpensive, quick and easy to clean up. My kinda recipe!

B for Boundaries?

In every classroom, there is one student who leads the class. This is the child who keeps every one else in check. He could run your circle time without you. She always tattles when the kids are out of line. Yes, they're the ones who set the standard for everyone else in the class. Usually, it's no big deal. Normally, I shrug him off and tell him "it's okay, go and play." But this day his list of demands were just too overwhelming. Honestly, here's him early that morning before class even started.

"The job chart fell off the wall."
"Oh no, the color yellow fell off too!"
"I don't hear any music."
"Can you play Boom-Boom Pow?"
"You didn't write my "f" word on the board."
"They're running."
"Look at me, I'm having a party."

Yes, my friends this was in less than an hour! I finally said, "Will you please, stop?" "I'm working as fast as I can, I'd like you to play and not call on me for the next few minutes so I can finish setting up our centers." He sort of cocked his head and stared at me blankly. I turned and worked while he played quietly for the next few minutes.

There is nothing wrong with setting boundaries of your own that your students may not cross. When you set boundaries for them and yourself it certainly keeps the peace. Lesson for today...Gimme a "B" for boundaries!

Patriotic Hats in Preschool

I think hats are like shoes, you can never have too many. I found this neat little template from a book and blew it up to fit a standard piece of paper. To keep the children from super-soaking them with paint, I handed out really small tipped brushes this morning. It was hard for them to over-do it even with the tried. Since there was so little paint, it cut down on the drying time allowing us to wear them by noon! Whoo Hoo!

Preschool Activity: "F" is for Fireworks

I'm a big advocate for using and re-using what you already have. In my Valentines theme box, I had red streamers left. From our Father's Day theme we had blue streamer left. We tore off pieces of the streamers and pinched them into little balls. The children took turns squeezing glue onto the large letters and pressing down their balls. This activity reinforced the letter "Ff" we were working on, and gave them and opportunity to work on their fine motor skills. You'll see these several times throughout my themes as I find it's one good way to evaluate which of my children still need more fine motor skill activities.

See a snapshot of some pieces below. Which ones would you say could use more fine motor skill activities?

Preschool Goldfish Math

I remember in High School bringing home my Math homework and my mom scratching her head as I explained to her how my teacher told me I was to arrive at the correct answer. Not long ago, my daughter brought me her homework and I understood my mothers frustration as I had to visit my daughters teacher to be taught myself how to do the lattice method. Although, the methods may change over the years, math remains the same. I find it a challenge to weave Math in our lesson throughout the day, steadily moving away from the routine of just counting and number recognition.

On this particular day we were having goldfish for snack. I asked the kids to sort the goldfish by color. Explaining further that all the red ones go together, all the green ones go together and so on. I did not specify how to do it just as long as they were separated.

What I learned was that each child grouped their goldfish differently which made it so clear in my mind, there will always be many ways to getting to the answer. I am so glad we don't all get it the same way, what is important is that we get it. "A method by any other name, produces the answer just the same."

Preschool Fourth of July Fence Weaving

Yesterday we took some streamers outside to do some fence weaving. I explained and demonstrated the technique. While they worked, I could hear one of my students saying, "in and out", "in and out".



I watched as my little guy diligently tried to figure out what he was doing wrong. After many attempts he looked back said, "Why wont it stay?" Even after I explained it to him again, he still couldn't get the hang of it. He was excited to see streamer still on the fence today for him to work at it again.



Here's my version on the flag.



Happy Weaving,

Preschool red, white and blue decorations for you

My daughter and I were headed for a mini shopping spree this weekend at Michaels looking for items for my beach theme. One of my AWESOME parents had given me a $25 gift certificate and I couldn't wait to spend it! I was telling her what items I thought I might pick up when she innocently asked, "Well, what will you do for the Fourth of July?" Huh! Somehow during lesson planning I'd skipped right over the beloved holiday! She suggested I combine the two themes but after considering I thought America's birthday should have it's own themed week. Here's what I picked up from the Target isle on Sunday for less than $8 bucks.

A Fourth of July Banner.



Tin cups for our writing table.



A package of stars.



And 2 packs of stickers.



Check back tomorrow to see how I've incorporated my new dollar treasures in my classroom.

Preschool Sensory: Our Colored Pasta

Colored Pasta and Cups

I know you’re super busy and don’t have time for fancy sensory activities. But here is one you can't refuse.
No messy fingers, no food coloring, no alcohol, or vinegar for this pasta. Most of these are from a box of Wal-Mart brand Garden Rotini. They are cheap, colorful and fun to play with.

The green shells were left overs from St. Patricks day. I threw them in at the last minute.

Preschool Nursery Rhyme Activity: Jack Be Nimble

For our unit on Nursery Rhymes we did Jack Be Nimble.
Here are our candlesticks.

Jack Be Nimble, Jack be quick,
Jack jumped over the candle stick.




Our candle sticks were made from white card stock paper.
The kids painted them and glued pre-cut flames inside.




During Circle Time, we sang the Nursery Rhyme and jumped over our own candle sticks.

Our Preschool Class and "The Tooth Fairy"

I learned last week that a visit from the tooth fairy is not all that it's cracked up to be. On Friday we have show and tell. I forgot to pick something out at home and was desperate for a show-and-tell item for my class. I remembered my daughter recently lost her tooth and I had stuck it in my school bag for safe keeping! Yippee, I was saved. When it was my turn for show-and-tell, I told the kids in a couple of years they would lose their baby teeth and get a new big tooth in it’s place. Most of my class already knew and chattered loudly about putting it under their pillow and the tooth fairy coming. I went on to complete the tooth fairy story by telling them yes, it was true sometimes you get money and sometimes you get small gifts under your pillow. Then, I pulled out my cell phone and showed them a picture of my daughter cheesing proudly with her new “spacey” smile that I love so much. Everyone was delighted and thought her tiny tooth was very cool.

Once show-and-tell was over Mary was still asking about my daughters missing tooth. This gave me an indication she was not happy with the whole tooth fairy idea. I explained to her indeed she would lose her baby teeth too but she had a while before it would happen. Then I “played up” the gift she would get under her pillow.

At recess, while everyone was laughing and playing wouldn’t you know it...Mary was back; asking about that tooth again!! I got down eye level and told her my daughter was fine and she was very excited that she would be getting a visit from the tooth fairy.

Usually, I’m gone by the time my parents pick-up. Fortunately, Mary’s dad had to drop off cupcakes for her early birthday celebration. While Mary passed out the cupcakes, I pulled him to the side and explained the day’s events. I expressed to him she may have some questions as she seemed very concerned all day. No sooner than our conversation ended Mary walked up and told her dad all about my daughter and her missing tooth. Her dad again told her she would lose hers someday too. Why oh why? She began to cry hysterically during her birthday celebration saying, “I don’t wanna lose my teeth” all the while holding her mouth. You would have thought we were at the dentist office looking at the shiny tools he would use for the extraction! Today as I write, I am literally laughing out loud. But Friday, I was so sad for her! I kept thinking I don’t wanna lose my teeth either, I won’t get any more! That is even more traumatic.

If your child is losing his/her tooth check out what this guy does to make it a memorable event. Losing a tooth can't get any sweeter than this. http://www.icaughtthetoothfairy.com