The Father's Day Feely Box

Fathers Day is quickly approaching and to get prepared I wanted to create a feely box. What's a feely box you say? A feely box in a sensory box with objects inside that may or may not relate to a theme. 

The Purpose:
The purpose of the feely box is promote critical thinking, sensory and vocabulary skills while having fun.

How to create:
Find a box. I like to cut a hole on the top or on the side of the box, so my students can't see what's inside.
Grab items related to your theme to go in your box.

How to play:
Have a child feel inside the feely box. Ask them to grab an item in their hand. What does if feel like? Your class may ask questions too. "Is it squishy?" "Is it sticky"? Once the child guesses what's in their hand, they can pull it out for the big reveal! Was it what they thought it was? Why'd they think it was something else?

When to play: 
I usually introduce the feely box in Circle Time. This gives me an opportunity to model the correct way to use the feely box. After Circle Time the feely box can be placed near the Dramatic Play area, Science or it can certainly stand alone.

Items to place in your Fathers Day Feely Box:
Comb                             
Shaving Cream                   
Keys    
Toothbrush                     
Deodorant                           
Wallet
Brush                            
Belt                                     
Watch            
Cologne                        
Remote Control   
Tie                                 
Wallet                                         
Golf Ball                       
Cell Phone                                                                                  

Memorial Day Craft Hat

To create these Memorial Day hats all you need is various collage materials. I used scraps of paper, yarn, stickers, ribbon and sequins. 

First, I created bands with construction paper. 

Then, I placed random items on the table to choose from. 

Last, I used the child's head to measure. 

For more Memorial Day activities, check out my Memorial Day Pinterest board here. 

          

Memorial Day Math

For the Math Center I created these simple pattern strips. I cut out more than enough pieces just in case we lost any. These aren't laminated but I plan on laminating them to keep them sturdy and lasting a long time.

For more Memorial Day ideas, visit my Pinterest Board here. 

Memorial Day Pom-Pom Toss

I made these patriotic pom-poms a year ago for my Girl Scout Troop to wear during the Veterans Day Parade.
The girls wore them in their hair and on their shoes.

When I pulled out my patriotic box I wondered how I could reuse these. I came up with the perfect little game. It's called the Memorial Day Pom-Pom Toss. I'll arrange these little dollar buckets in the center of the floor and place two pieces of tape a good distance from the bucket. The kids will take turns tossing the pom poms in the bucket.

A great way to have fun, celebrate the holiday and promote gross motor skills. 

Hooray for the holiday, 

To make cheering pom-poms for the Memorial Day parade see my pinterest page here.

  

Celebrating Memorial Day in the Block Center

There's always this great teacher who covers her blocks, or add numbers and shapes on them. Not me, I'm always "thinking", that's a great idea; I'll have to do that sometime. I rarely have time cover our blocks for the Block Center. But, this year I decided I wouldn't plan on covering blocks, I'll reuse boxes instead. I collected a few random food boxes. I taped them shut and covered them with patriotic colors.

These are smaller boxes that can be covered with construction paper.  

The final result was really cute boxes that will be a great addition to my Block Center. 

Find this activity and more from my friends on

 

Memorial Day and Dramatic Play

It has been months since I've been able to sit down and write a post for my blog. Just last year we moved into a new home and then my Mom fell ill. I've been out of the classroom and thankfully no Center and Circle Time events scheduled. I prepared myself to jump back in when I was a little more stable. Memorial Day is right around the corner and I thought it was the perfect time to get back in the swing of things.

This week I'll be working on Preschool Activities for Memorial Day. Whenever I start a new lesson one of the places I like to start is in my Dramatic Play area because it is one of the busiest centers. Here are a few items to put in your Dramatic Play area for Memorial Day.

Patriotic Center:
Flags
Red, white and blue beads
Red, white and blue bandanas
Plastic Patriotic cups, plates, etc
Picnic Basket

Barbecue Center:
Create a play grill using a card board box
Plastic Barbecue utensils: Spatula, Tongues, etc.
Play Food
Play Dishes
Apron
Chef Hat

You could also do a picnic theme, or a beach theme to celebrate the holiday as well.
Send me pictures of how you transformed your Dramatic Play area for Memorial Day and I'll add them to this post.

Have a Digital Camera Field Trip in Preschool

Yesterday, I mentioned using your digital camera as an alternative to taking a field trip outside the classroom. Today, I had an opportunity to create a neighborhood field trip using my digital camera. I took the photos and I'm considering turning them into a book to put in our library. This would be the perfect addition to the unit on "Community" we do at the beginning of the school year. I've added some ideas and questions I might want to ask.

What is this sign? Can you see a number? What does it make you think of? 

Have you ever been to a 7-11? What was your reason for going? 

Have you been here before? Some friends go here when they are sick. 

Some friends go here when they need shots to keep them well. 

What can you tell me about your visit here? 

What do you think this place is for? Why? 

Do you remember passing one of these? What is it? 

What does the red and white striped pole remind you of? 

This is a place where people might sit and wait. 

What might they be waiting for? How do you know? 

What else could you do while you're waiting? 

I chose most of these familiar places because of the location of the center. Most of my students live near or in the area and would have been to or at least seen these places before. 

I look forward to hearing about your alternative to field trips. 

Your Friend, 

            

Preschool Alternatives to Field Trips

Its becoming more and more common that Child Care Centers are taking less field trips. For one, field trips require additional time, money and staffing. Second, field trips are a liability. One missing child, or a child left on the bus could be the end of a thriving center. Last, transportation is a big issue for small and large centers alike.

Don't let the fact that your facility cannot provide field trips stop you from finding field trip alternatives. Here's a few ideas to get the ball rolling.




Bring the field trip to you. 
I've had many field trips in my classroom over the years. People in your community are more than happy to stop by and share their passion with your class.
-The Zoo (ask what animals they may be able to bring)
-The Library
-The local supermarket
-The bakery (ask for a discount or coupons for your parents)
-The fire station (ask them to bring stickers and hats)
-The local police department (ask them to bring deputy stickers)
And many, many more!

Create the field trip in your classroom. 
Find props, recruit parents and friends to send items related to your field trip.
-If you're class is studying a specific culture: 
 Encourage your parents to bring in painting, pictures, mugs, or anything that represents that   
 particular unit of study.
-If you're studying a particular place:                                                                 
  What items can you find that are associated with the place? 
  For example, if you're studying the beach you might want to                                    
  bring in shells, a big umbrella, beach towels, swim suits, sunglasses, etc.

Take advantage of technology.
Make use of your dvd player, ipod, video camera, the internet, and digital camera.
-The dvd player
 The library has a great collection of dvd's about places, people and events especially for children.
-The Ipod
 Find music related materials of even stories about your field trip. 
-The Video Camera
  You go on the field trip and shoot video of the place you'd like to share. Enjoy it with your class. 
-The Internet
  There's a fantastic site called KidvisionVPK. The teacher Mrs. Peggy and her students go on 
  exciting field trips and invite you to come along. 
-The Digital Camera
  Take still photos of the place. Bring the photos to school and share them in circle time, 
  create a photo center or even use them to make a slide show. 


Keep in mind field trips are fun. They help children tie together the lessons you've been teaching. They provide valuable learning experiences and promote an expanded vocabulary.

Even if your school or childcare facility shy away from field trips. You can still provide some rewarding field trip alternatives right in your own classroom.

Preschool Painting With Celery

Welcome Back Friends from your Thanksgiving vacation. I hope you all had a fabulous holiday. I spent a few hours in the kitchen on Thanksgiving morning preparing a big dinner for my family. One of my tasks was to dice the vegetables for the stuffing. When I got to the celery I notice what a beautiful flower it made inside once the stalks were removed. Of course I couldn't wait to see what it would look like covered in paint. This project is perfect for younger preschoolers whose fine motor skills aren't fully developed.

 This is how the celery looked when I cut the stalks off. Isn't that pretty? 

I put orange paint in the bottom of a plastic bowl, and dip the celery inside. 

Celery is usually inexpensive especially around the holidays. You could use the stalks for some yummy snacks dipped in Ranch dressing or make Ants On A Log. 

       

Preschool Thanksgiving Hats and Head Pieces

It's almost Thanksgiving! In this unit we learned about the Pilgrims and the Native Americans. 

We talked about the clothes they wear, the food they prepared and how they lived. 

We planned our own Thanksgiving  feast and enlisted the help of another teacher to pull it all off. 

We created some hats and headpieces to wear for our Thanksgiving feast. 

Here a some of our creations. 

The Native American girls used crayons and markers to decorate their head piece. 

They chose feathers to tape in place and finish the look. 

The boys did similar head pieces using more feathers. 

 The Pilgrim boys used black, white and yellow construction paper to make their hats. 

We measured the bands around their head. 

Then, the students glued the front of the hat to the band. 

The Pilgrim girl hat was a little more tricky and required more adult help. 

We used butcher paper to fold in place and added string to secure along the bottom. 

What a great addition to our Thanksgiving unit! 

Feel free to link your Thanksgiving ideas below.  

The Class Tepee

Tepee:
noun: tent of the American Indians, made usually from animal skins 
laid on a conical frame of long poles, having an 
opening at the top for ventilation and a flap door.

Last year one of my pretty handy dads built a tepee for our class. During our Thanksgiving unit we talked all about what it must have been like to live in a place with no running water, no bathrooms and no TV to watch. The tepee was considered a classroom center. 

The kids were allowed to take books and toys inside when was their turn.

 

Click here to view these pictures larger

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.

Would you like this cereal box link list to appear on your blog? 

Grab the "blog hop" code at the end of this post.

Preschool Native American Vests

It's always a great idea to get acquainted with the neighborhood grocery store. One of my favorite places is my local Winn Dixie Supermarket. I make regular visits and the manager is never surprised when I ask for classroom help. I went in and asked for brown grocery bags for each of my students to create indian vests for our Thanksgiving Feast. As usual, they were more than happy to help. 

Here's what we did. I carefully opened each bag from the top and along the side seam. I opened them up and laid them flat. Then, I turned the Winn-Dixie logo on the inside. 

I made a u-shape for the neck and openings for the arms. My assistant taped each shoulder strap, and wrote the child's name on the inside. We made little slits along the bottom to create a fringe look. 

 The children chose 2 different colors to make handprints on their vests. 

While some students created handprints others were busy with markers and crayons decorating. 

We decided to take some early photos of the finished product since I'd be too busy to remember the day of the feast. 

We're "thankful" for our local Winn-Dixie for supporting our class and Early Childhood Education.