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Creative
Kaleidoscope
of
Learning Blending curiosity, creativity and reflection
through the eyes of children
who are forever learning and changing.
JAnuary Tod dle rTwos
Cur r icu lu m
Blast Off to the New YearBlast Off to the New Year
Adventures in SpaceAdventures in SpaceSuper ScientistSuper Scientist
http://search.aol.com/aol/redir?src=image&requestId=e17de861b884c67a&userQuery=kaleidoscope&clickedItemDest=182212915191727081431552833039144601963&clickedItemMark=1217181694948&clickedItemURN=http%3A%2F%2Fmoonstonemandala.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F20http://search.aol.com/aol/redir?src=image&requestId=cf58d159f130f055&userQuery=kaleidoscope&clickedItemDest=221293126859031100545422741083926954243&clickedItemMark=1217181124566&clickedItemURN=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.theuniversalhorse.com%2Fimages%2Fattributes%http://search.aol.com/aol/redir?src=image&requestId=7f23bab88c4ac2a0&userQuery=kaleidoscope&clickedItemDest=225494937692757791132256479779747566606&clickedItemMark=1217181396211&clickedItemURN=http%3A%2F%2Ffcis.acsu.k12.vt.us%2F%7Ejbailey%2FKaleidoscope.http://search.aol.com/aol/redir?src=image&requestId=5c956b264157306&clickedItemRank=16&userQuery=kaleidoscope&clickedItemDest=4198077697905657940540326588713495821&clickedItemMark=1217178898309&clickedItemURN=imageDetails%3FinvocationType%3DimageDetails%
2009
/ 20
10 T
oddl
er M
atrix
Sept
embe
rO
ctob
erN
ovem
ber
Dec
embe
rJa
nuar
yFe
brua
ryM
arch
Apr
ilM
ayJu
neJu
lyA
ugus
tM
onth
ly
Them
eTh
ere'
s O
nly
One
M
eC
ity L
ife,
Cou
ntry
Life
Ani
mal
Pla
net
Pola
r Exp
ress
Bla
st o
ff th
e N
ew
Year
Hea
lthy
Bod
ies
In M
otio
nC
rash
, Rat
tle,
Bin
g, B
ang
It's
Onl
y M
ake
Bel
ieve
Rum
ble
in th
e Ju
ngle
It's
a Sm
all W
orld
Afte
r All
Focu
s Th
emes
M
y Fr
iend
s &
Me
Me
& M
y Fa
mily
Com
mun
ity H
elpe
rs
Fu
n on
the
Farm
We
Live
in th
e Fo
rest
D
inos
aur D
isco
very
Blu
ster
y W
inte
r
S
easo
n of
Lig
hts
Adv
entu
res
in S
pace
S
uper
Sci
entis
t
Hea
d to
Toe
s
Hea
lthy
Food
s fo
r H
ealth
y B
odie
s
Tran
spor
tatio
n H
ighw
ay
Con
stru
ctio
n Zo
ne
Bre
ak L
oose
with
M
othe
r Goo
se
I Bel
ieve
in F
airy
Tal
es
Ani
mal
s &
Inse
cts
Eve
ryth
ing
is C
omin
g U
p G
reen
Mex
ico,
Car
ibbe
an
Isla
nds,
Can
ada,
Chi
naU
SA
, Aus
tralia
, Jap
an,
Ger
man
yA
frica
, Eng
land
, Ire
land
, Ind
ia
Focu
s
Col
ors
Yel
low
R
edO
rang
e
B
lack
Bro
wn
G
reen
Whi
te
Blu
e
Yel
low
O
rang
e
Pin
k
Red
Blu
e
Bla
ckP
urpl
e
Pin
kG
reen
B
row
nY
ello
w
Pur
ple
Red
, Whi
te a
nd B
lue
Ora
nge
Pin
k
Focu
s
Shap
esS
quar
e
Rec
tang
leC
ircle
Tr
iang
leD
iam
ond
Ova
lS
quar
e
Sta
r
Rec
tang
le
C
ircle
Hea
rt
Tria
ngle
Dia
mon
d
S
quar
e
Ova
l
Circ
le
Rec
tang
le
H
eart
Rev
iew
al
l sha
pes
Rev
iew
all s
hape
sR
evie
w
all s
hape
s
Crit
ical
Th
inki
ngB
ig &
Litt
le
S
hort
& T
all
Up
& D
own
O
ver &
Und
erIn
& O
ut
B
ack
& F
ront
Day
& N
ight
L
ong
& S
hort
Loud
& Q
uiet
Full
& E
mpt
y
Sof
t & H
ard
Rou
gh &
Sm
ooth
Lang
uage
C
onne
ctio
nsc
hool
, mom
, dad
, dog
, ca
t, bu
s, te
ache
r, ap
ple
polic
e, fi
rem
an, d
octo
r, gr
ocer
, pig
, cow
, hor
se,
roos
ter
dino
saur
, roc
k, b
ear,
turk
ey, t
ree,
leaf
, dee
r, ow
l,
hat,
boot
s, c
oat,
mitt
ens,
lig
ht, s
now
, pr
esen
t, pi
ne tr
ee
moo
n, s
un, s
tar,
rock
et, s
ky, b
aby,
ba
lloon
, ear
th
Dr S
euss
, ten
nis
shoe
, ca
rrot
, ban
ana,
pea
s,
stra
wbe
rry,
pea
r
car,
hot a
ir ba
lloon
, ai
rpla
ne, s
top
sign
, du
mp
truck
, hel
icop
ter,
train
, bul
ldoz
er
goos
e, d
uck,
turtl
e,
rabb
it, e
gg, c
hick
, hai
r, sp
oon
elep
hant
, tig
er, l
izar
d,
snak
e, li
on m
onke
y,
butte
rfly,
gra
ss
boat
, fis
h, fl
ower
, vo
lcan
o, p
anda
, hou
se,
wat
er, s
and
flag,
kan
garo
o,
firew
orks
, fee
t, ha
nds,
ric
e, b
owl,
koal
a
Pot
ato,
cup
, hi
ppop
otam
us, p
late
, fo
rk, c
loud
s, ra
in, z
ebra
Bab
y Si
gns
Eat
, Drin
k, M
ore,
Th
ank
you,
Ple
ase,
All
Don
e
Dog
, Cat
, Hor
se,
She
ep, C
ow, P
igB
ear,
Sle
ep, B
ubbl
es,
Hur
t, M
ilk, C
erea
lS
tar,
Sho
es, L
ight
, S
win
g, C
oat,
Hat
Moo
n, S
ong,
Soc
k,
Col
d, B
ook,
Sho
es
Toot
hbru
sh, L
ove,
H
appy
, Sad
, B
ath,
G
entle
Car
, Sto
p, B
allo
on,
Wat
er, A
irpla
ne, A
ngry
Bun
ny, D
uck,
Fro
g,
Turtl
e, B
ird, B
all
But
terfl
y, B
ug, M
onke
y,
Lion
, Flo
wer
, Rai
nH
elp,
Fis
h, T
ree,
D
iape
r, C
omb,
Afra
idK
anga
roo,
Hot
, Son
g,
Out
side
, Pla
y, D
irty,
Ele
phan
t, G
iraffe
, S
lide,
Mou
se, C
ake,
Ic
e C
ream
Lite
ratu
re
Con
nect
ion
Gue
ss H
ow M
uch
I Lo
ve Y
ou
Is
You
r Mam
a a
Llam
a?
The
Big
Red
Bar
n
D
own
on th
e Fa
rmB
row
n B
ear
I W
ent W
alki
ng
Sno
w D
ay
M
erry
Chr
istm
as B
ig
Hun
gry
Bea
r
Goo
dnig
ht M
oon
Eve
ryw
here
Bab
ies
Dr.
Seu
ss B
ook
From
Hea
d to
Toe
Mam
a Zo
oms!
A
lpha
Bee
p
P
at th
e B
unny
Th
e Th
ree
Bea
rsFi
ve L
ittle
Mon
keys
Goo
dnig
ht G
orill
a
Me
and
My
Dad
M
ice
Squ
eak,
We
Spe
ak
Doe
s a
Kan
garo
o H
ave
a M
othe
r, To
o?
Jam
berr
y
Bus
y To
es
M
ouse
Pai
nt
Fine
Mot
orP
aper
Tea
ring
Pla
ydou
gh F
unLa
cing
Stri
ngin
g B
eads
Sha
ker B
ottle
sP
egs
& P
eg B
oard
sLe
go B
uild
ing
Nes
ting
Bow
ls, C
ups,
B
oxes
Puz
zles
Stic
ky B
oard
sW
ater
Toy
s &
Tur
key
Bas
ters
Squ
ishy
Bag
s
Fun
With
Fi
tnes
sM
e, M
ysel
f & I
Fitn
ess
2 S
essi
ons
Foot
ball
Folli
es
Gro
ovin
' to
the
Mus
ic
Min
iatu
re G
olf (
wk
1)
Min
iatu
re G
olf (
wk
2)
Ani
mal
Act
ion
B
ean
Bag
Boo
gie
(wk
1)
Bea
n B
ag
Boo
gie
(wk
2)
Fi
tnes
s A
roun
d th
e W
orld
Fun
Fant
astic
Indo
or
Win
ter S
ports
Le
t's R
ock
Zoo
Pho
nics
Fitn
ess
Fi
tnes
s B
oot C
amp
Yog
a M
ania
Gam
es
Rel
ay F
un
D
ance
P
arac
hute
Pla
y (w
k 1)
Par
achu
te
P
lay
(wk
2)
S
occe
r Bon
anza
S
uper
-Bal
l
G
ames
(wk
1)
Sup
er-B
all
Gam
es (w
k 2)
Wat
er S
ports
Sup
er-c
ise
Me
(wk
1)
Sup
er-c
ise
Me
(wk
2)
R
un S
kip
Jum
p
A
erob
ic D
ance
Sum
mer
Oly
mpi
cs
Fo
otba
ll &
Bas
ket B
all
Tour
nam
ent P
lay
Spec
ial D
ays
Labo
r Day
Gra
ndpa
rent
s D
ay
A
utum
n B
egin
s B
ack
to S
choo
l
Fall
Fest
ival
Hal
low
een
Fire
Saf
ety
Than
ksgi
ving
Vet
eran
's D
ay
Gam
es
Hol
iday
Cel
ebra
tions
W
inte
r Beg
ins
New
Yea
r's
M
artin
Lut
her K
ing
Jr.
Day
Val
entin
e's
Day
Pre
side
nt's
Day
Gro
und
Hog
's D
ayS
t Pat
rick'
s D
ay
Spr
ing
Beg
ins
E
aste
r
W
eek
of th
e Y
oung
C
hild
Mot
her's
Day
C
inco
de
May
o
Fath
er's
Day
Fl
ag D
ay
S
umm
er B
egin
sIn
depe
nden
ce D
ayE
nd o
f Sum
mer
2009
/ 20
10 T
wo'
s C
urric
ulum
Mat
rixSe
ptem
ber
Oct
ober
Nov
embe
rD
ecem
ber
Janu
ary
Febr
uary
Mar
chA
pril
May
June
July
Aug
ust
Mon
thly
Th
eme
Ther
e's
Onl
y O
ne
Me
City
Life
, C
ount
ry L
ifeA
nim
al P
lane
tPo
lar E
xpre
ssB
last
off
the
New
Ye
arH
ealth
y B
odie
s In
Mot
ion
Cra
sh, R
attle
, B
ing,
Ban
gIt'
s O
nly
Mak
e B
elie
veR
umbl
e in
the
Jung
leIt'
s a
Smal
l Wor
ld A
fter A
ll
Focu
s Th
emes
Wel
com
e B
ack
Me
& M
y Fa
mily
Com
mun
ity H
elpe
rs
Fu
n on
the
Farm
We
Live
in th
e Fo
rest
D
inos
aur D
isco
very
Blu
ster
y W
inte
r
S
easo
n of
Lig
hts
Adv
entu
res
in S
pace
S
uper
Sci
entis
t
Hea
d to
Toe
s
Hea
lthy
Food
s fo
r H
ealth
y B
odie
s
Tran
spor
tatio
n H
ighw
ay
Con
stru
ctio
n Zo
ne
Bre
ak L
oose
with
M
othe
r Goo
se
I Bel
ieve
in F
airy
Tal
es
Ani
mal
s &
Inse
cts
Eve
ryth
ing
is C
omin
g U
p G
reen
Mex
ico,
Car
ibbe
an
Isla
nds,
Can
ada,
Chi
naU
SA
, Aus
tralia
, Jap
an,
Ger
man
yA
frica
, Eng
land
, Ire
land
, Ind
ia
Focu
s Ph
onic
s a,
b, c
d, e
, fg,
h, i
j, k,
lm
, n, o
p, q
, rs,
t, u
v, w
, xy,
zR
evie
w a
-iR
evie
w j-
rR
evie
w s
-z
Focu
s C
olor
s
Yel
low
R
edO
rang
e
B
lack
Bro
wn
G
reen
Whi
te
Blu
e
Yel
low
O
rang
e
Pin
k
Red
Blu
e
Bla
ckP
urpl
e
Pin
kG
reen
B
row
nY
ello
w
Pur
ple
Red
, Whi
te a
nd B
lue
Ora
nge
Pin
k
Focu
s Sh
apes
Squ
are
R
ecta
ngle
Circ
le
Tria
ngle
Dia
mon
d
O
val
Squ
are
S
tar
R
ecta
ngle
Circ
leH
eart
Tr
iang
leD
iam
ond
Squ
are
O
val
C
ircle
R
ecta
ngle
Hea
rtR
evie
w a
ll
S
hape
s R
evie
w a
ll
Sha
pes
Rev
iew
all
Sha
pes
Crit
ical
Th
inki
ngB
ig &
Litt
le
S
hort
& T
all
Up
& D
own
O
ver &
Und
erIn
& O
ut
B
ack
& F
ront
Day
& N
ight
L
ong
& S
hort
Loud
& Q
uiet
Full
& E
mpt
y
Sof
t & H
ard
Rou
gh &
Sm
ooth
Lang
uage
C
onne
ctio
nsc
hool
, mom
, dad
, dog
, ca
t, bu
s, te
ache
r, ap
ple
polic
e, fi
rem
an, d
octo
r, gr
ocer
, pig
, cow
, hor
se,
roos
ter
dino
saur
, roc
k, b
ear,
turk
ey, t
ree,
leaf
, dee
r, ow
l,
hat,
boot
s, c
oat,
mitt
ens,
ligh
t, sn
ow,
pres
ent,
pine
tree
moo
n, s
un, s
tar,
rock
et, s
ky, b
aby,
ba
lloon
, ear
th
Dr S
euss
, ten
nis
shoe
, ca
rrot
, ban
ana,
pea
s,
stra
wbe
rry,
pea
r
car,
hot a
ir ba
lloon
, ai
rpla
ne, s
top
sign
, dum
p tru
ck, h
elic
opte
r, tra
in,
bulld
ozer
goos
e, d
uck,
turtl
e,
rabb
it, e
gg, c
hick
, hai
r, sp
oon
elep
hant
, tig
er, l
izar
d,
snak
e, li
on m
onke
y,
butte
rfly,
gra
ss
boat
, fis
h, fl
ower
, vo
lcan
o, p
anda
, hou
se,
wat
er, s
and
flag,
kan
garo
o,
firew
orks
, fee
t, ha
nds,
ric
e, b
owl,
koal
a
pota
to, c
up,
hipp
opot
amus
, pla
te,
fork
, clo
uds,
rain
, zeb
ra
Bab
y Si
gns
Eat
, Drin
k, M
ore,
Th
ank
you,
Ple
ase,
All
Don
e
Dog
, Cat
, Hor
se,
She
ep, C
ow, P
igB
ear,
Sle
ep, B
ubbl
es,
Hur
t, M
ilk, C
erea
lS
tar,
Sho
es, L
ight
, S
win
g, C
oat,
Hat
Moo
n, S
ong,
Soc
k,
Col
d, B
ook,
Sho
es
Toot
hbru
sh, L
ove,
H
appy
, Sad
, B
ath,
G
entle
Car
, Sto
p, B
allo
on,
Wat
er, A
irpla
ne, A
ngry
Bun
ny, D
uck,
Fro
g,
Turtl
e, B
ird, B
all
But
terfl
y, B
ug, M
onke
y,
Lion
, Flo
wer
, Rai
nH
elp,
Fis
h, T
ree,
D
iape
r, C
omb,
Afra
idK
anga
roo,
Hot
, Son
g,
Out
side
, Pla
y, D
irty,
Ele
phan
t, G
iraffe
, S
lide,
Mou
se, C
ake,
Ic
e C
ream
Lite
ratu
re
Gue
ss H
ow M
uch
I Lo
ve Y
ou
Is
You
r Mam
a a
Llam
a?
The
Big
Red
Bar
n
D
own
on th
e Fa
rmB
row
n B
ear
I W
ent W
alki
ng
Sno
w D
ay
M
erry
Chr
istm
as B
ig
Hun
gry
Bea
r
Goo
dnig
ht M
oon
Eve
ryw
here
Bab
ies
Dr.
Seu
ss B
ook
From
Hea
d to
Toe
Mam
a Zo
oms!
A
lpha
Bee
p
Pat
the
Bun
ny
The
Thre
e B
ears
Five
Litt
le M
onke
ys
G
oodn
ight
Gor
illa
Me
and
My
Dad
M
ice
Squ
eak,
We
Spe
ak
Doe
s a
Kan
garo
o H
ave
a M
othe
r, To
o?
Jam
berr
y
Bus
y To
es
M
ouse
Pai
nt
Span
ish
Intro
to S
pani
shC
iuda
d y
Pai
sA
nim
ales
Dia
de
Nie
veN
uevo
Ano
Sal
udTr
ansp
orta
cion
Mam
a G
anso
Viv
e en
la S
elva
Rev
iew
Rev
iew
Rev
iew
Fine
Mot
orP
aper
Tea
ring
Pla
ydou
gh F
unLa
cing
Stri
ngin
g B
eads
Sha
ker B
ottle
sP
egs
& P
eg B
oard
sLe
go B
uild
ing
Nes
ting
Bow
ls, C
ups,
B
oxes
Puz
zles
Stic
ky B
oard
sW
ater
Toy
s &
Tur
key
Bas
ters
Squ
ishy
Bag
s
Fun
With
Fi
tnes
sM
e, M
ysel
f & I
Fitn
ess
2 S
essi
ons
Foot
ball
Folli
es
Gro
ovin
' to
the
Mus
ic
Min
iatu
re G
olf (
wk
1)
Min
iatu
re G
olf (
wk
2)
Ani
mal
Act
ion
B
ean
Bag
Boo
gie
(wk
1)
Bea
n B
ag
Boo
gie
(wk
2)
Fi
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Creative Kaleidoscope of Learning Curriculum Overview
New Curriculum Components
Toddlers and Twos Baby Signs
Each month six new baby signs will be sent to you on cardstock. We encourage you to color them in different flesh tones, laminate and display them on a board where parents can see what signs you are focusing on for the month. Colors and Shapes
One set of flashcards will be sent to you for the year. They will be on heavy card stock and we encourage you to laminate them so that they will last. Colors and Shapes should be incorporated into every day activities beginning with older infants. This can happen simply by identifying the shape or color of an object as its being handed to a baby (Look! Heres your blue bear!) or when offering baby a choice between two objects (Do you want the red ball or the green ball?) There are specific shapes and colors that are the focus of the month and the matrix should be followed with simple activities working to reinforce these shapes and colors. There will be a variety of activities noted in the curriculum resource guide for each month. Teachers should continue to reinforce all shapes and colors as opportunities arise throughout the day. (Look! Your toast looks just like a triangle! or I see a yellow block on the floor.) Display the focus shapes each month around the room at the childrens eye level. This can be on the walls, tables, floor, backs of shelves, etc. **Being introduced to colors and shapes at this age is important because it will help lay the foundation for success as a child advances into learning higher level math concepts.** Opposites-(Critical Thinking)
Each month a set of opposite cards will be sent along with the monthly curriculum guide. They will be on cardstock and we encourage you to laminate them for long term use. They will reflect the focus concept of the month. Opposites can be taught throughout the day as opportunities arise (Im going to put the doll in the crib. Now Im going to take the doll out of the crib.) as well as during planned activities designed to teach specific concepts. Teachers should follow the matrix each month as know which specific concept they will focus on. There will be a variety of activities noted in the curriculum resource guide for each month. Teachers should continue to reinforce the previous concepts as opportunities arise throughout the day. Everyday objects that the baby is familiar with should be used to help teach the concepts. Example: big box / small box, in the box/out of the box, hard block / soft block, etc. **Being introduced to opposites that this young age is important because it will help lay the foundation for success as a child advances into learning higher level math concepts.**
Preschool Rhyming Cards
Each month you will receive a set of rhyming cards to be used with your preschoolers. They will be on cardstock and we encourage you to laminate them for long term use. This is an excellent way to build pre-reading skills. You can use them in many ways. Here are some suggestions: -memory game -find other words that rhyme with the words -find things in the classroom that rhyme with the words Sequencing Cards Each month you will receive a set of sequencing cards. They will be on card stock and we encourage to laminate them. The purpose of these cards is to help develop critical thinking skills. Can children look at the cards and evaluate which would come first? You can use these cards in a file folder game or in circle time asking the children to work together to figure out the order of events. Children should be allowed to use these on their own as well as in a group setting. All Age Levels Labeling cards One set of labeling cards will be included for each classroom, for the year. They will be on heavy cardstock and we encourage you to laminate them before displaying throughout the classroom. The toddlers, twos and threes classrooms should use the cards with the word and picture. The fours and fives should use the cards with just the words. Literature Books
One copy of each literature book will be sent to each school monthly for all age groups. The books, for the most part, reflect the theme of the month, season, holiday or special event. Each curriculum guide will contain activities that reflect each book. If you have more than one classroom per age group, the classrooms will have to share the books. ECERS/ITERS Excellence
Each curriculum guide will include a section that will give some guidelines as to how to improve the classroom to achieve a maximum rating. It will also include the following for the appropriate age group:
A Teacher Task - a goal for the classroom to complete by the end of each month A listening activity that will help children to develop listening skills File Folder game ideas Multicultural curriculum focus to enhance your classrooms Suggestions to add to the art, science and dramatic play areas to increase ITERS/ECERS
rating Partnering With Parents Each month we will include a letter to go home to parents describing what their child will be learning for the month. We will also provide a newsletter type format which will list all components of the curriculum that each age group will be learning that month. It is important that you either e-mail (saves paper) or give each parent a copy of each. If you choose to provide a copy for them rather than e-mail we encourage you to use both sides of the paper and copy one on each side. We will email items per your request on any of the items listed above.
The Curriculum Resource Guides are property of Mini-Skool Early Learning Centers and are not to leave the school.
Bulletin Boards At minimum, all classrooms should include: Parent Board: Should include but not be limited to:
the lesson plan for the month for the specific classroom a snack and lunch menu any documents required by your state licensing standards and a daily schedule.
This Board should be displayed in a location that is easily seen by parents, be interesting and informative and should always be kept up to date. (All classrooms) Circle Time Board: This board should be placed at the childs eye level! It is best to limit the amount of items on this board so as not to overwhelm students. (Twos and Preschool) It should include:
Monthly calendar which should be updated daily (3 year olds an older); A Z Phonics(either letters or characters) Colors, shapes, and opposites being studied that month Numbers 0-20 at the most
Any additional items used during circle time do NOT need to be displayed. Theme Board: This board can contain displays made by both teacher and children. Additional theme related projects may also be displayed on windows, exterior doors, cabinet doors and the backs of material shelves. (All classrooms) Phonics Focus Board: This board should display children art projects reflecting the letters that are focus of the month. It is best to incorporate some sort of scene when possible to display the projects. The board should clearly state which letters of the month are being celebrated. Any project that is not easily identifiable should include a sign that states what it is: We painted hearts for Honey Horse (Preschool only; although may be included in Twos) Math Connection Board: This board should include activities reflecting the math focus for the month. Teachers should also post a sign stating specifically what the children are working on: This month we are working on Sorting and Classifying. Where possible, teachers are strongly encouraged to include pictures of the children as they are working with specific math tools. (Preschool only) Art Gallery:
This can either be a board, wall, window, door, etc. This area should include projects that children have created on their own in the art center. This board should display a variety of mediums of different art projects that the children create. Literature Board: This board should display a sign or picture of the book focus for the month as well as any activities that were completed by the children as an extension of the book. (All classrooms)
Birthday Board: This board should contain the birthdays of all children enrolled in the classroom. Teachers must ensure that they immediately add the name and birth date of a newly enrolled child. (All classrooms) Writing Practice Board: This board should display handwriting projects of all children and should be updated as children spend time in the handwriting center each week. Pictures of children doing the activities are appropriate also. (Preschool only) Colors, Shapes and Opposites: This board should reflect the monthly focus for all of these content areas as well as examples of the activities that the children have completed. (Infants, Toddler and Twos classrooms only) Baby Signs: This board should contain the picture cards of the signs that are being featured for the month. Where possible, photos of the babies actually doing the signs should be included. (Infants and Toddlers only)
All bulletin boards must be changed on a monthly basis or more often if appropriate. Displays should be neat and contain no spelling or
grammatical errors.
Backing items with a contrasting color of paper can make posted items stand out.
Childrens names should be on all projects and ALL children should have
art or activities displayed.
TH
EM
E A
CT
IVIT
IES
, LA
NG
UA
GE
,
SO
NG
S, G
AM
ES
, FIN
GE
RP
LAY
SA
RT
EX
PLO
RA
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NFI
NE
MO
TO
R
FUN
WIT
H F
ITN
ES
S
GR
OS
S M
OT
OR
BA
BY
SIG
NS
, CO
LOR
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SH
AP
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,
CR
ITIC
AL
TH
INK
ING
,
SP
EC
IAL
CE
LEB
RA
TIO
NS
SE
NS
OR
Y /
SC
IEN
CE
M o n d a y T u e s d a y W e d n e s d a y T h u r s d a y F r i d a y
Bla
st
Off
to t
he N
ew
Year
Adventu
re i
n S
pace
January
Toddle
r Lesson P
lan
FOC
US
TH
EM
E, L
AN
GU
AG
E,
SO
NG
S, G
AM
ES
, FIN
GE
RP
LAY
SA
RT
EX
PLO
RA
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NE
MO
TO
R
FUN
WIT
H F
ITN
ES
S
GR
OS
S M
OT
OR
BA
BY
SIG
NS
, CO
LOR
S, S
HA
PE
S,
CR
ITIC
AL
TH
INK
ING
, S
PE
CIA
L
CE
LEB
RA
TIO
NS
SE
NS
OR
Y /
SC
IEN
CE
M o n d a y T u e s d a y W e d n e s d a y T h u r s d a y F r i d a y
Bla
st
Off
th
e N
ew
Year
Super
Scie
nti
st
Jan
uary
Lesson
Pla
n
Cir
cle
Tim
e
Th
em
e F
ocu
sed
Acti
vit
ies
Art
Exp
lora
tio
n
Ph
on
ics
Fo
cu
s
Lan
gu
ag
e C
ard
s-S
pan
ish
-
Sig
n L
an
gu
ag
e
Sen
so
ry a
nd
Scie
nce
Exp
lora
tio
n
Fin
e M
oto
r
Sh
ap
es-C
olo
rs-O
pp
osit
es
Lit
era
ture
Sp
ecia
l E
ven
ts
Fu
n W
ith
Fit
ness
(Gro
ss M
oto
r)
M o n d a y T u e s d a y W e d n e s d a y T h u r s d a y F r i d a y
Bla
st
Off
to t
he N
ew
Year
Adventu
res i
n S
pace
Jan
uary
Tw
os L
esson
Pla
n
Cir
cle
Tim
e
Th
em
e F
ocu
sed
Acti
vit
ies
Art
Exp
lora
tio
n
Ph
on
ics
Fo
cu
s
Lan
gu
ag
e C
ard
s-S
pan
ish
-
Sig
n L
an
gu
ag
e
Sen
so
ry a
nd
Scie
nce
Exp
lora
tio
n
Fin
e M
oto
r
Sh
ap
es-C
olo
rs-O
pp
osit
es
Lit
era
ture
Sp
ecia
l E
ven
ts
Fu
n W
ith
Fit
ness
(Gro
ss M
oto
r)
M o n d a y T u e s d a y W e d n e s d a y T h u r s d a y F r i d a y
Bla
st
Off
to t
he N
ew
Year
Super
Scie
nti
st
Jan
uary
Tw
os L
esson
Pla
n
Cir
cle
Tim
e
Th
em
e F
ocu
sed
Acti
vit
ies
Art
Exp
lora
tio
n
Ph
on
ics
Fo
cu
s
Lan
gu
ag
e C
ard
s-S
pan
ish
-
Sig
n L
an
gu
ag
e
Sen
so
ry a
nd
Scie
nce
Exp
lora
tio
n
Fin
e M
oto
r
Sh
ap
es-C
olo
rs-O
pp
osit
es
Lit
era
ture
Sp
ecia
l E
ven
ts
Fu
n W
ith
Fit
ness
(Gro
ss M
oto
r)
M o n d a y T u e s d a y W e d n e s d a y T h u r s d a y F r i d a y
January
Toddlers and twos have a very limited view of the world since they are not very tall. Take some
time this month to sit down at their level and see what they see. Observe all areas of the
classroom. Ask yourself the following questions:
Is it clean and tidy? Is it bright and colorful? Are there pictures and art work at their eye level? Are there other interesting things to see? Is there a variety of pictures that reflect different ages, abilities and races? Are the Zoo Phonics cards posted at their eye level? Are the shelves clean and clutter free? Are the shelves and containers labeled with a picture so that children can learn
to help put away their own toys and equipment?
Here are some suggestions for items that should be on the wall at the childrens eye level:
Pictures of the children at school and at home Zoo Phonics Cards Pictures of everyday objects so that children can look at and practice their
vocabulary skills.
Multi-cultural pictures Pictures that reflect a variety of ages and abilities Food: real pictures of healthy foods Childrens art work
*These pictures can be set up in different sections of the room by organizing a theme for each
wall instead of random pictures throughout the room.
Here a few things that are not age appropriate to be displayed in a toddler or two year old
classroom:
Calendar Weather chart Alphabet Lines
Art work and pictures can be laminated and attached to the wall or you can add plastic pockets
to protect the items.
Focus Theme
Adventures in Space Im a Little Spaceship (Tune of Im a Little Teapot)
Im a little spaceship tall and round Here is my booster that touches the ground When I get all fired up just like so I blast off and into space I go! Climb Aboard the Spaceship
Climb aboard the spaceship, were going to the moon Hurry and get ready, were going to blast off soon Put on your helmets, and buckle up real tight Here comes the countdown, lets count with all our might 1098...7654321 Blast Off!
Planet Pokey (Tune of Hokey Pokey) For this activity, there should be props the children can use, either a ball for the planets or planets on Popsicle sticks they can use during the song. You put Pluto in, you put Pluto out, you put Pluto in and you spin it round and round You do the Planet Pokey and you turn yourself around, thats what its all about. (clap clap) (Repeat the verse replacing Pluto with another planet each time) Blast Off! 10, 9, 8, hurry up astronauts, dont be late! 7, 6, 5, up the ladder we go high, high! 4, 3, 2, buckle in and hold onto your shoes! 1, 0, Blast Off! Were outer space heroes! Five Little Shooting Stars
(Five Green and Speckled Frogs) Five little shooting stars, Flying right past mars, Sparkling towards the Milky Way, One star flew up to high, leaving the dark night sky, Then there were four bright shooting stars. Spark. Spark. (Repeat versus until there are no stars left, replace the last line with Then there were no more little shooting stars.)
Jump to the Moon
(Tune of Skip to My Lou) Jump, jump, jump to the moon Jump, jump, jump to the moon Jump, jump, jump to the moon Jump to the moon my starling. Comets in the Milky Way, shoo comet, shoo Comets in the Milky Way, shoo comet, shoo Comets in the Milky Way, shoo comet, shoo Jump to the Moon my starling. Jump, jump, jump to the moon Jump, jump, jump to the moon Jump, jump, jump to the moon Jump to the moon my starling. Take a partner and dance on the moon Take a partner and dance on the moon Take a partner and dance on the moon Dance on the moon my starling! The Planets Zippidy Doo
Mercury, Venus, Earth and Mars Then comes Jupiter, oh my stars Saturn, Uranus, Neptune too. Then comes Pluto zippidy doo Climb Aboard the Space Ship
Climb aboard the spaceship, we're going to the moon Hurry and get ready, we're going to blast off soon Put on your helmets, and buckle up real tight Here comes the countdown, let's count with all our might 10 . . . 9 . . .8 . . . 7 . . .6 . . . 5 . . . 4 . . . 3 . . .2 . . . 1 . . . blast off! I'm A Little Robot (Sung to: "I'm A Little Teapot") I'm a little robot, short and strong. Here are my handles, just turn me on. When I get all warmed up, watch me go, Sometimes fast and sometimes slow. Robot Dance Have your children to dance like robots to music.
Orbiting Round the Moon
We'll be orbiting round the moon, yes we will We'll be orbiting round the moon, yes we will We'll be orbiting round the moon We'll be orbiting round the moon We'll be orbiting round the moon, yes we will We'll be landing on the moon, yes we will We'll be landing on the moon, yes we will We'll be landing on the moon We'll be landing on the moon We'll be landing on the moon, yes we will We'll be walking on the moon, yes we will We'll be walking on the moon, yes we will We'll be walking on the moon
We'll be walking on the moon We'll be walking on the moon, yes we will We'll be blasting off again, yes we will We'll be blasting off again, yes we will We'll be blasting off again We'll be blasting off again We'll be blasting off again, yes we will We'll be landing back on Earth, yes we will We'll be landing back on Earth, yes we will We'll be landing back on Earth We'll be landing back on Earth We'll be landing back on Earth, yes we will
Moon Rock Throw
Take sheets of paper (that would have been thrown away anyway) and crumple them it up into balls. Divide your class into two teams line them up about two to four feet apart and have them toss the rocks (crumpled paper) from one end to the other without dropping it. If they drop it they must start from the first person tossing again. Space Gravity
Suspend objects from the ceiling of your classroom using fishing line. This will help your children to simulate the gravity in space. Talk about it during circle time. Stars in a Jar (or Bag)
Put syrup, glitter, blue water, and star confetti in a baby food jar or Zip Loc Bag and glue the top shut. Your children will love this suspended space station. Sam the Robot Man
(by Denise Gagne) I'm Sam the robot man; I'm doing the best I can. Power onto low. Are all systems go? I can keep the beat. I can keep it in my feet. Move my feet to the music's beat, everywhere I go. I can reach up high. I can reach down low. Move my feet to the music's beat, everywhere I go. I can turn around. I can touch the ground. Move my feet to the music's beat, everywhere I go. Move my feet to the music's beat, everywhere I go Class Robot
Have your parents donate different materials that could build a robot (small boxes, Gladware Containers, empty cans, juice jugs, etc) As a class pick where these materials should go and glue them together to form a robot.
Super Scientist You are a Scientist
(Tune of You Are My Sunshine) You are a scientist, a very smart scientist You help explain to me how the world goes round Your experiments and your inventions Help to make life better all around. Lets Experiment with Red and Yellow
(Use the paints to mix in front of the children at circle)
Lets Experiment with Yellow and Blue
(Use paints to mix in front of the children at circle) Lets experiment with yellow and blue When you mix them together it makes a color so true. Wow! Look at that! Its a different color I see! I believe that color is green!
Oh my goodness, what do you see? I think that is orange in front of me! Lets experiment with red and yellow If you mix them together it makes a color more mellow. Mr. Sun (as sung by Raffi)
Oh, Mr. Sun, Sun, Mr. Golden Sun, Please shine down on me. Oh Mr. Sun, Sun, Mr. Golden Sun, Hiding behind a tree These little children are asking you to please come out so we can play with you. Oh Mr. Sun, Sun, Mr. Golden Sun, Please shine down on, please shine down on, Please shine down on me! I Have a Little Shadow (tune of Tiny Tim the Turtle) I have a little shadow It always follows me And when the sun is shining, its very easy to see. I tried to shake it off, I tried to jump around But no matter where I go, my shadow follows me around Will it Sink or Float?
(Tune of Farmer in the Dell) (Use the items in the song or replace the words with your own items and put them into a
container of water at circle for the children to see) Will it sink or float? Will it sink or float? Hi ho the dairy-o, will it sink or float? Lets try a block, lets try a block, Hi ho the dairy-o will it sink or float? Lets try a penny, lets try a penny, Hi ho the dairy-o, will it sink or float? Lets try a feather, lets try a feather, Hi ho the dairy-o, will it sink or float? (Repeat verse using different items to experiment with) My Five Senses
(Tune of Twinkle Twinkle Little Star) I have five senses to use, they can help me pick or choose Fingers have a gentle touch My nose helps me smell so much I have senses to use, they can help me pick or choose I can taste with my tongue; see with my eyes, its so much fun I can hear you with my ears; my five senses deserve some cheers!
Colors in the Rainbow
(Tune of Bingo) Red, orange, yellow, green, blue, purple, Red, orange, yellow, green, blue, purple, Red, orange, yellow, green, blue, purple, These are the colors in a rainbow
The Wind (finger play/poem)
(Hold up 5 fingers and put one down each line) The wind blew in one day when I went out to play, I had a hat on my head, and it blew away. I had kite in my hand and then it blew away. I had scarf on my neck and then it blew away. I had a newspaper in my sack and then it blew away. I had a kerchief in my pocket and then it blew away. Wow, the wind was powerful and blew my things away, I hope turns around and blows things back my way. Apple Survey
Bring in as many different kind of apples as you can find at the grocery store (during peek season usually six+) and let the kids try them and see which one they like the best. With older kids you can chart which ones kids like the best. (You can also do the difference between flavored applesauce or apple cider/apple juice). Counting Apples
Make three apple trees and several apples from felt. Put a number under each tree and have your children put a corresponding number of apples on the tree Baby Sensory
Bring in baby oil, baby shampoo, baby lotion and baby powder. Dip cotton balls in each substance and put in film containers to have a smelling game. See if the children can guess what it is. Baby Food Taste Test
Get a few common snacks (carrots) and their baby food equivalents. Let children try them and compare their texture and taste. What Makes Bread Rise
Show your children what makes Bread rise by mixing one tablespoon sugar, into one cup warm water (warm not hot!). Then add one package of yeast. Watch what happens after a few minutes. Gingerbread Count
Cover a piece of cardboard with aluminum foil (to make it look like a cookie sheet) and paste several gingerbread men on it. Write a different number on each gingerbread man. Let your children count out a corresponding number of gumdrops (or cheerios) and put on each one. This is a great fun math lesson. Bread Taste Test Find as many different kinds of bread as possible and let your children taste the different kinds of bread. Why We Sleep
Talk to your children about why we sleep and how it makes them be able to play longer and have more fun. Water Colors and Balloons
Make balloons out of poster board and laminate them. Then have small containers with colored water in the primary colors. Add small paintbrushes or eyedroppers and let children put the colored water on the balloons to see what color the balloons change to.
Making Brown
Show your children how they can make different brown paint by mixing red, yellow, and blue, orange and black paint. You can then let them write B's with their Brown Paint once they leave circle. Happy or Sad
Make two paper plates. One with a happy face and one with a sad face. Cut many different things out of magazines. Let your children sort them by what makes them happy and what makes make them sad. Expressions Place pictures of children showing different expressions (laughing, surprised, mad, crying, smiling, etc.) Put a mirror next to the pictures and let them try copying the expressions. Smelly Art
Mix one part water to two parts Jell-O and mix and have children paint with fruity smelling water colors. Sensory Trays Take an ice cube tray and fill it with object that have feel different (some example might be sandpaper, slime, net, fur, dough, felt, silk, cork, grass, bark, leaves, sponge) Let your children feel the different objects and talk about the differences with them. Smelling Scents
Put different scents (peppermint, garlic, strawberry, lemon, vanilla, etc) on several cotton balls and place then in separate plastic containers with tops. Have children guess what they are. Smell Sensory
Use a small amount of various spices and let your children smell them. It is a great way for them to smell a lot of unique smells. Texture Book Make a texture book with lots of different items for your children to touch and feel. You can include aluminum, denim, springs, feathers, carpet, grass, and much more. Have them describe the items. Feely Bag In a sturdy freezer bag put syrup with a bit of food coloring and let your children play with it. Note: Super Glue or Tape the top of the bag in order to insure that it does not come open. You can also put play dough, rice, beans, peas, cornstarch, sugar, water, sand, flour, or any other feely substance in the bag. Taste Test Bring in items that taste salty, sour, sweet, and bitter and let your children taste and discuss them. Silly Putty
Step 1: Mix one-tablespoon glue with one-tablespoon water. Step 2: In a separate container mix cup water and one-tablespoon borax Step 3: Mix The solution created in step 1 with one tablespoon of the solution from Step 2 and presto you've got silly putty. Play In Shredded Paper
Ask businesses to donate paper that has been run through their shredders; your children will love to play with it. Body Parts
Everyday go over the various body parts with your children. One fun way to do it is to start with their head and work your way down. For added emphasis, use cute sayings For instance our eyes blink, our nose beeps, our ears hear, our toes wiggle, etc. Talk to them about the different senses that the body parts give them.
Texture Walk Gather several items of different textures and let your children walk on them. My Senses
Oh, with your fingers what do you feel? Oh, with your fingers what do you feel? Oh, tell me what do you feel with your fingers? (let children answer) Oh, with your fingers what do you feel Oh, with your nose what do you smell? Oh, with your nose what do you smell? Oh, tell me what do you smell with your nose? (let children answer) Oh, with your nose what do you smell? Oh, with your tongue what do you taste? Oh, with your tongue what do you taste? Oh, tell me what do you taste with your tongue? (let children answer) Oh, with your tongue what do you taste? Oh, with your eyes what do you see? Oh, with your eyes what do you see? Oh, tell me what do you see with your eyes? (let children answer) Oh, with your eyes what do you see? Oh, with your ears what do you hear? Oh, with your ears what do you hear? Oh, tell me what do you hear with your ear? (let children answer) Oh, with your ears what do you hear? Runaway
I have two eyes to see with, I have two feet to run, I have two hands to wave with, And nose I have but one. I have two ears to hear with, And a tongue to say 'good day!' And two red cheeks for you to kiss, And now I'll run away. The Five Senses
There are five senses we all have; can you guess what they are? See, hear, taste, touch, and smell (point to each corresponding body part as you say them) See, hear, taste, touch, and smell See, hear, taste, touch, and smell And these are our five senses. Bubble Wrap Walk
Whenever you get something wrapped in bubble wrap don't throw it away. Save it and let your children walk across it barefoot. They will love the feel of the bubble wrap.
Smelly Jars Put holes in small jars. Fill the jars with cotton balls and smelly substances (cinnamon, baby powder, garlic, vinegar, coffee, lemon, Kool-Aid, Hot cocoa, etc). Let the children guess what the smells are. Additionally you can ask them what the material is used for. Sound Walk
Take a walk with the children around the school, outside, or anywhere with a variety of sounds. Bring either a tape recorder or a notepad and record the sounds that you hear. When you get back to the classroom have the children mimic the sounds that they heard. Sound Tape Make a tape of various sounds around your classroom or anyplace with a lot of sounds. Play the tape for your children and let them try to identify the sounds. Fish Tank Garden Show your children how things grow by planting seeds in a fish tank. Simply put rocks on the bottom of the tank (for drainage), add potting soil (from a local hardware store) and let your children plant seeds in the soil. Flowers Food
Put a white carnation in a cup of colored water (darker color the better) and let your children see how flowers drink water (the flower will take get its color changed as it takes in the water). Check it each day at circle time to see how it has changed each day. Growing Grass Dampen a sponge and then put grass seed on the top of it. Next pour water over the sponge let your children watch as the grass grows over the next few weeks. Check each day at circle time. Carrot on a String
Core out the top of a carrot and put a hole in order to hang the carrot from a string. Hang it somewhere where it can get sun. Have children put water in the cored out top. In a few days your kids will love the results. Observe each morning. Head of Grass
Take knee high hose, sprinkle grass seed in the toes then add potting soil to make about a baseball size. Knot to bottom and trim off the access hose. Place knotted side in a foam cup. Children can decorate this with a face with wiggle eyes, etc. Encourage children to keep it watered. Children will watch their head grow hair. Dancing String
Attach something metal to a string. Hang the string from a table or the ceiling. Let your children use a magnet to make the objects dance. Demonstrate how this is done during circle time and then let them try it on their own during center time. Magnetic Pans Fill cupcake pans with sand. Put different metal objects in the sand. Cover the top with something so that your children can not get to the sand. Finally, give your children magnetic wands to move the metal objects around with. The Magnet Song
(Sung To:" I'm A Little Teapot") I'm a little magnet can't you see Anything metal comes right to me. If it is not metal you will see. It just will not stick to me.
Art Explortation
Many other Art Activities can be found in both the Special Celebrations and Fine Motor, Shapes, Colors & Opposites tab of this Resource Guide. Stretch the classroom budget by using recyclable materials for art.
Use small boxes, toilet paper rolls, etc for 3-D sculptures. Put all scraps of construction paper in a box to be used for collage art. Ask your parents if their office can donate letterhead that they are updating instead of
throwing it away. Children can practice handwriting and drawing. Suggested Additions to the Art Area in January
yellow and orange paint in various shades rectangles and circles of various sizes, cut from various types of paper (construction, tag
board, wall paper, newsprint, peel and stick paper, etc.) star stickers crayons, markers and paper in a variety of shades of yellow and orange star or space stamps space and star stickers paper cut in shapes of planets, stars, etc sandpaper shapes kitchen tools that can be used for painting: pastry brushes, potato masher star cookie cutters
Painting on an Easel 1. Set up a low easel with some paper, one or two colors of thick paint and short-handled, thick bristle
brushes. 2. Set up a convenient place to dry the paintings: a spare table, a clothesline with clothespins, etc. 3. Demonstrate to the child how to wipe her brush on the side of the cup each time she dips her brush. 4. Talk about the colors she is using: Jamir is using green paint. Hes painting the paper blue. What
other color of paint do you have? 5. When dry, hang the paintings on a low wall where children can see them. Multi-Color Fingerpainting Materials
fingerpaint in four six different colors old muffin tin
What to Do: 1. Place a muffin tin containing several colors of mixed finger paints at a table of 4-6 children. 2. Be certain all participants are wearing a smock or old shirt to protect clothing. 3. Supply a large piece of paper for each child and invite them to fingerpaint for as long as they wish. Yellow and Orange Bold Materials
soap flakes green finger paint heavy sheet of black paper plastic squeeze bottles
What to Do 1. Put soap flake and paint in squeeze bottle. 2. Invite the child to squeeze out interesting green lines on brown paper. 3. Allow to dry thoroughly before hanging up for display. Coloring on Rectangles and Circles 1. Add variety to scribbling by cutting out paper diamond and oval shapes for the children to color on. 2. Let the child choose the crayons he chooses to use and color on the paper shape in his own way. 3. For variation, invite the children to use markers, paint or chalk on these shapes too.
On the Wall Toddlers like to draw with wide strokes using their whole arm. Tape a large piece of newsprint paper on the wall and let them draw with crayons. Check with your local newspaper to see if they give away the end of the new print rolls, most do. Chalk Drawing 1. Cover a low table with newspaper. 2. Wet pieces of dark-colored construction paper and place one in front of the child. 3. Provide her with some brightly colored, large, non-toxic pieces of chalk and encourage her to draw
on the wet paper. 4. Advise the child to press hard to see the lines shes making. 5. In another place of the room, place chalk out to be used on a chalkboard. 6. Talk about the differences between drawing with chalk on paper and on the chalkboard. Great Big Pictures 1. Cover a whole table with a very large sheet of butcher paper. Tape the paper so it will not pull off. 2. Place crayons or markers in several containers where the children can reach them. 3. Let the children work near one another, but be sure to have plenty of work space and enough
materials for each child. 4. Leave the paper out so children can come back to their work. Squeeze Painting Materials:
Flour Salt Water
Food coloring or liquid tempera paint (optional)
Squeeze bottles or small spoons Paper
What to do: 1. Mix equal parts of flour, salt, and water. 2. If working on colored paper, leave the paint white; if using white paper, add a few drops of food
coloring or liquid tempera to the paint. 3. Pour the paint into squeeze bottles or use a small spoon to dribble the paint onto the paper. 4. Let dry, and admire the sparkly results. Dribble Painting Spread lots of newspaper under a cardboard box. Place a thick sheet of the paper in the bottom of the box. Thicken white and blue liquid tempera paint with a little flour. Pour mixture into squeeze bottles. Encourage the children to stand over the box and squeeze the bottles to drop paint on the paper. New Year Handprint Materials:
1 Cup Flour 1 Cup Salt Water Food Coloring (optional)
What to Do: Mix flour and salt, add enough water to get a firm clay-like mixture. Remove 1/2 cup of dough and press it into a circular shape on a lightly greased cookie sheet. It should be large enough for a child's hand or foot to fit onto with the fingers or toes spread out. Push child's hand or foot firmly into dough. Let dough dry for several weeks or put in oven at 225 degrees for 2 to 4 hours, depending on the thickness of the dough.
Painting with Balls
Pretend the balls are planets. Provide various sizes of balls and shallow containers of paint. Pour small amounts of paint in the different containers. Encourage the children to dip balls in the paint and press them on their paper. Encourage them to use different sizes of balls.
Flying Saucer Materials:
Two CDs for Each Child (AOL Free CDs work great) Glue Cup Lid or Milk Cap Construction Paper Paint Various Other Art Supplies
What to Do: Glue the Two CDs together (so that only the shiny parts can be seen). Then paste the lid on so that it looks like the cabin of the flying saucer. Then let your children finish the design of the flying saucer anyway that they can. You can also use cardboard pieces or cardboard pizza bottoms to make the flying saucers. My Spray Bottle Solar System Materials:
Paint Spray bottle Paper Crayons / markers Miscellaneous art supplies
What to Do: Dilute white paint with water and put it in a small spray bottle. Let your children spray this mixture onto black construction paper. This will make the paper look like space. My Own Constellation Materials:
Paper Paint or stickers Chalk
What to Do: Give all of your children black paper. Let them either use paint to make stars or use star stickers.
Blob Aliens Materials:
Paper Paint Crayons / markers Miscellaneous art supplies
What to Do: Help the child drip a few blobs of paint in the middle of a sheet of paper. Next have them fold over the paper (butterfly style). Telescope Materials:
Paper towel tubes Paint Black tissue paper Miscellaneous art supplies
What to Do: Put two pieces of black tissue paper at the end of a paper towel tube and fasten it with a rubber band. Using a small object (pencil, pen, paperclip, etc.) punch several small holes in the tissue paper. Next let the children decorate their telescope however they see fit When your children look through the telescope and hold it up to a light they will see stars!
Rocket
Encourage children to decorate a piece of paper with paint, markers or crayons and stickers. When she is done roll the paper into a cylinder like a rocket and tape the ends.
Walking on the Moon
Provide long pieces of newsprint or bulletin board paper. Encourage children to step into pans of paint and walk on the paper. Have a pan of warm soapy water at the other end of the paper.
Moon Painting
Provide each child with a piece of construction paper cut in a circle and a paper towel. Encourage children to dip the paper towel in paint and press onto the circle. This will give the circle a similar texture of the moon.
Night Sky Materials:
White crayons White construction paper Black or blue water color paint
What to do: Encourage children to make lines, circles and shapes on the paper with white crayon. Then have them paint the paper with black or blue water color. Watch the stars appear in the night sky.
Puffy clouds Make clouds with cotton, white pom-poms, puffy paint, torn scraps of paper, and more! Rainbow Glue Color bottles of glue with the colors of a rainbow (Red, Orange, Yellow, Green, Violet, Indigo, Blue) using food coloring and let your children use it in art. Clouds Materials:
Cotton balls Blue paper Glue
What to Do: Provide children with several cotton balls. Encourage them to pull apart the cotton balls and glue to the page. Talk about clouds in the sky. Sky Painting Materials:
Cotton balls Clothespins White Powdered tempera paint Blue Paper Hair spray
What to do: Clip a cotton ball onto the end of a spring-type clothespin. Sprinkle white powdered paint onto a piece of paper. Show each child how to use the cotton ball to spread the paint around the paper. When the painting is done, spray it with hair spray to set the paint. It will look like clouds in the sky.
Rainbow Painting
Materials
Construction paper Water Sponge Paints or washable markers
What to do: Paint a sheet of paper with water using a wet sponge. Encourage children to paint lines of color across the page with paint or draw on it with washable markers.
Fruit Loop Rainbow Materials:
Yarn Fruit Loops
What to Do: Encourage children to string their yarn with Fruit Loops. They can sort and match the fruit loops or just put them on randomly. Enjoy with milk and toast for a snack. Stars in a Jar (or Bag) Put syrup, blue water, and star confetti in a baby food jar or Zip Loc Bag and glue the top shut. Your children will love this suspended space station.
Rainbow from the Sky Materials:
Paper Crepe Paper Paint
What to Do: Have your children cut a cloud from white paper. Next have them cut raindrops out of different shades of blue paper. Encourage the children to glue these on a piece of paper. You can have them draw squiggly lines for lightning and finally, have them glue trips of multi-colored crepe paper on the cloud to symbolize a rainbow coming from the cloud. They can also draw with crayons if desired. Clouds Collage Materials:
Colored Glue (paint or food coloring mixed with glue) Paper Clouds
What to Do: Provide your children with many different colors of glue. Let them basically paint a picture with the glue (glue must be thick enough to hold Clouds) and then have them press Clouds onto the painted parts. All about the Sky Materials:
Paper plates Blue Sand White Sand Cotton balls
What to Do: Let children paint glue on the paper plates, add cotton balls for clouds and shake sand on. Cotton Clouds Materials
Paper Paint White sand or salt Cotton balls
What to Do: Have the children glue cotton for the clouds and using there fingers dip them in paint to make rain.
Phonics Focus
Most children at this level know their ABCs and can identify each letter by sight. Teaching phonics we focus on the sounds of each letter and we connect it to the childrens everyday life through songs, games, cooking or art activities. Reading begins by learning the sounds of letters and then moves into connecting the letters to form words. When doing each activity, emphasize the letter that is the focus of the week. In addition to the weekly letter, you should include an activity daily that takes the children through the entire alphabet.
Display phonics letters at the childrens eye level in your classroom. Have a set of cards for a-z games and activities. Create a focus boards to display childrens work for each letter being celebrated. Each letter should have a focus poster board created by the children that represents the letter or
character. Hang throughout the classroom or create a phonics big book. Make and add teacher made or children made games to you phonics center. Add books and pictures to your phonics center representing the focus letters of the month.
Words to get you started.
Aa - alligator, adventure, ape, applaud, agree, apron, astronaut, age, acorn, apricot, add, arrive, animal, act, avocado, arrows Bb - Barney, bear, big, blue, boots, blow, bounce, banana, biscuit, brown, black, beach, berries, between Cc - corn, carry, crash, card, cash, cook, cork, cap, catch, can, cry, candy, call, cup, court, creep. Did - deep, different, danger, drag, Dalmatian, dog, dirty, doughnut, dozen, disguise, doze, drop, drive, dinosaur, dad, dangle, dream Eel - everyone, egg, Eskimo, enormous, eat, easy, elevator, elephant, eel, emu, eleven, enter Ff - five, four, fancy, finger, furniture, fire, forget, favorite, fox, fall, flat, friend, fry, funny, fuss Gag - good, goose, game, gate, gallop, gopher, goggles, gone, gallon, golf, gray, go, growing He - hug, help, hundred, hurt, harmonica, hammer, head, house, holler, hop, hippo, hiccups Ii - inchworm, igloo, ink, instrument, ice, ill, island, important, include, imagination, idea, icing Juju - jaguar, jackrabbit, jolly, jewelry, journey, jacket, jug, jeep, job, jingle, jungle, jelly Kaka - kaleidoscope, kangaroo, king, kumquats, kitten, kitchen, kidney beans, keen, ketchup Ll - ladder, liver, lizard, lucky, lovely, light, ladybugs, loaf, leather, luxury, lavender, large, lemon, lime, leprechaun Mm - mule, magician, movie, monster, make, master, microphone, marshmallow, molasses,
memory, moment, movement, meatballs
Nan - nugget, north, navy blue, newt, night, news, nice, nickel, nature, near, none, noise, notice
Oo - ostrich, octopus, olive, October, on, octagon, otter
Pp - pancake, parents, pal, place, popcorn, panic, petunia, peacock, pretty, peach, present, pelican, push, peek, parrot, package, puzzle, porcupine Qq - quail, quilt, quit, quarry, quiz, quack, quarter, queen, quench, quiver, question Rr - raspberry, razor, rope, ridge, river, recreation, rat, raisin, rabbit, robbery, rainbow, refrigerator, roach, reach, roll, relatives, relationship Ss - size, sleep, seven, scatter, slogan, stop, shelf, sheep, stole, score, scare, summer, secret, shark, stretch, strong Tt - table, toboggan, tackle, termite, tooth, try, tell, tomato, thank, tight, terrible, telephone, talk, tulip, trophy, town Uu - ugly, umbrella, uncomfortable, up, unlike, ukulele, use, underwear, upset Vv - volume, volleyball, vampire, visor, virus, visit, viola, valley, van, vote, vanilla, violet, valentine Ww - walrus, wicked, wig, woodchuck, walnuts, waterfall, words, whistle, wheels, wheat, wide, welcome. Xx - x-ray, xylophone Yy - yak, yarn, young, yogurt, yard, yawn, yellow jacket, yolk, yesterday, yes Zz - zipper, zebra, zither, zoo, zinnia, zero, zoo
m Activities Minnie Minnie Moo
Minnie, minnie, moo, I can touch my shoe Minnnie, minnie, me, I can turn, you see? Minnie minnie my, I can jump so high. Minnie, minnie, mo, I can sit just so. The Muffin Man song
Oh do you know the muffin man, The muffin man, the muffin man? Oh do you know the muffin man, That lives on Drury Lane? Yes I know the muffin man, The muffin man, the muffin man. Yes I know the muffin man, That lives on Drury Lane. Minty Milky Way Milkshakes Materials:
Mint ice cream or mint chocolate chip ice cream Milk Medium sized cups Spoons
What to do: 1. Let ice cream soften so the children can easily scoop it 2. Give each child a cup and a spoon 3. Help them to place a scoop of ice cream into their cup 4. Provide them with milk they can pour into the cup over the ice cream 5. Invite the children to mix the ice cream and milk together to make a minty milkshake
Mouse Masks Materials:
Brown or gray construction paper Glue Scissors Black pipe cleaners or yarn Black construction paper Markers
What to do: Make a round cut out for each child out of the brown or gray construction paper and cut out eye holes. Invite the children to use the construction paper scraps to make a mouse mask and use the pipe cleaners or yarn as whiskers. Encourage them to make ears, a nose and any other features they think their mouse should have. Muffin Activity
Make muffins after singing the song March to Music
Invite children to march to music. Try to point out the beat and get them started in a rhythmic pattern with the music.
Mitten Match
Cut several mittens in different sizes and colors out of construction paper. Laminate these to a manila folder, provide your children with different things that can be matched with these (by color, size, length, etc.) Finally provide them with several real mittens (or duplicate cutouts) to match up. Felt Mitten Match Cut out several different mitten colors from felt and features on them so that there are exactly two mates. Let your children match them on a felt board. Mouse Paint
Read the story: Mouse Paint and encourage your children step into paint and then walk across paper, just like the book "Mouse Paint" Myself as a Puzzle
Take pictures of your children with black and white film. Using a copy machine enlarge the picture to fit a normal piece of paper and then put the picture on tag board. Finally, cut the board into several different pieces and give it to your children. They now have a puzzle of themselves. Mouse Snack Invite your children use a heart cookie cutter to cut a piece of bread. Then spread jam on the bread and fold it in half (this makes a mouse shape). Then add a chocolate chip eye and a licorice tail. Enjoy for snack. Mitten Cookies
Using a mitten cookie cutter give each of your children a mitten cookie for snack and encourage them to decorate. "M" Snacks
Muffins Macaroni and Cheese Milk Milk Shakes Marshmallows
Monster Muffins On toasted English muffins, the children spread their choice of softened cream cheese, and then made faces using banana slices, raisins, sunflower seeds etc. Use colored coconut for the children to use as hair. Mice Are Nice
We think mice are nice. Oh, we think mice are nice! Mice have noses that twitch and sniff. We think mice are nice!
We think mice are nice. Oh, we think mice are nice! Mice have whiskers that wiggle and jiggle. We think mice are nice!
We think mice are nice. Oh, we think mice are nice! Mice have feet that hurry and scurry. We think mice are nice!
What Would You Munch
Materials:
Paper Plate Grocery Ads Paste Paper
What to Do: Provide items cut out from a grocery story ad or magazines. Allow the children to choose their favorite foods and glue them on their plate. Musical Hula-Hoops Play just like musical chairs only have children dance around several hula-hoops as you play music for them. When the music stops everyone must run and get into a hula-hoop. The catch is that no one looses because more than one child can get into one hula-hoop Musical Freeze Dance
Have your children dance to music. When you yell "FREEZE" they have to stop and hold the position they are in. Skate to the Music
Give each child two paper plates. Have them stand on the plates. Turn on some classical music and have your children pretend to be ice skaters as they skate to the music Magical Scarf Dancing
Provide your children with different color scarves and let them dance to different types of music with them.
n Activities Do You Know the Numbers Man?
Do you know the numbers man, the numbers man, the numbers man? Do you know the numbers man who likes to count with me? Oh, he loves the letter N, the letter N, the letter N, Oh, he loves the letter N and likes to count with me. 9 Nifty Neckties
(you can make felt neckties for a flannel story) 9 nifty neckties hanging up til late Daddy took one and then there were 8. 8 nifty neckties hanging up waitin The grocer took one and then there were 7 7 nifty neckties hanging on a stick The policeman took one and then there were 6. 6 nifty neckties hanging up high The postman took one and then there were 5 5 nifty neckties hanging above the floor The chef took one and then there were 4 4 nifty neckties hanging by a tree My grandpa took one and then there were 3. 3 nifty neckties hanging near the shoes My brother took one and then there were 2 2 nifty neckties hanging in the sun A teacher took one and then there was 1 1 nifty necktie hanging all alone I think I will take it home! The Night Sky Simulation Materials:
String of small white lights (holiday lights) Star cut outs Fan Nature sounds (night time crickets or frog noises, streams or creeks) Large blankets
What to do:
1. Hang the lights and stars up around the room. 2. Set out blankets on the floor 3. Explain to children that we are going to pretend it is a warm summer night and they are going to
gaze at the night sky. 4. Invite them to sit down on the blankets or lay on their backs to look up at the lights and stars in
the sky. 5. Turn on the fan for a light breeze and turn off classroom lights 6. Play the nature sounds 7. Ask children about what they see, hear and feel during the summer night.
Newspaper Collage Materials:
Newspaper Paper Glue Scissors Crayons or markers
What to do:
Invite children use the materials to make their own newspaper collage. Ask them about the parts of the newspaper they are cutting out and why they chose them. Nacho Snack
Melt velvetta cheese and let your children dip Nacho's in it. Noisy Time
Take a time during "N" Week and let your children make a whole lot of noise. It was so much fun. Make Your Own Bird Nest
Provide you students with mud, sticks, grass, leaves, twigs, pine needles, and pebbles. Let your children create their own bird nest.
O Activities Octopus
An octopus has Eight long arms (Hold up four fingers on each hand) It lives in the sea, but don't be alarmed (Wave hands back and forth to show no worry) He squirts out ink (Clap hands), when he is the prey And grows a new arm when it's torn away.(Hold up arm as high as you can) Olives, Onions and Oranges Oh My! Olives, onions and oranges, oh my! I chopped them up to make a pie. The olives were slimy and the oranges were juicy My eyes teared up cause the onions got to me Olives, onions and oranges, oh my! They didnt taste very good in the pie. My tummy is hurting and my mouth tastes yucky Maybe my dog will finish it if Im lucky. Im a Tall Oak Tree
(tune of Im a Little Tea Pot) Im a tall oak tree look at me This is my trunk strong as can be When I get sun and water I like to grow My branches get big and up I go Outer Space Orbit Race
Place a ball in the middle of the floor or play yard and tell the children to pretend it is the sun and they are all planets that will orbit around it. Spread them out in a line and let them each take a turn running their circle around the sun. Ask them about what happens when you are further away and if it takes longer to run around. Variation: You can also place masking tape circles round the ball so children have a specific path to follow. Orange Octagons Materials:
Orange paint Paint brushes Orange construction paper Orange tissue paper
What to do:
Make octagon cut outs for each child. Provide them with the paint, tissue and paint brushes to decorate their octagon. Paper Plate Octopus Materials:
Paper plates (one for each child) Crepe paper streamers Crayons Scissors Glue
What to do: Invite children to create an octopus with eight arms using by cutting the crepe paper streamers and gluing them onto the paper plate. Provide crayons so children can color on or decorate their octopus.
The Office
Make your dramatic play area into an office. Ask parents or local businesses to donate old keyboards, telephones, notepads, tape dispensers, sticky notes, suit jackets and button up shirts or blouses. Place the items in the dramatic play and let children pretend to be working in an office when they use that area. Ask children if they know someone that uses these things at home or at work. Owl Materials:
Paper Paint Glue Pine Cones Feathers
What to Do: Provide your children with a cut out of an owl. Add to the effect by using broken pine cones for the wings and painted feathers for the breast of the owl. Paper Plate Owls Materials:
small plates crayons glue fasteners google eyes feathers half circle (for a head)
What to Do:
1. Begin by coloring two small plates brown 2. Next take one plate and cut in half 3. Attach at the top with fasteners and then glue feathers on 4. Glue half circle on top and add google eyes..now you have a feathered friend...
The Opposite Bus
Line up all of your chairs to create a bus. Put pictures of opposite words on the chair. Help the children find their opposite and sit next to them. Once everyone has found their partner you can go on a pretend bus ride around the room looking for opposites. This game can be played for a train or plane ride also. Match the Opposites
Make cards with opposite actions and have your children match them or pair up and act them out. Some ideas are: (Stand, Sit), (Up, Down), (Left, Right), (Fast, Slow), (Forward, Back), etc
Language Connection
Toddler Language Cards: A How To Guide The purpose of the language cards is to give teachers a tool that they can easily use in the classroom with the children. At this age, children are rapidly developing language skills. By providing them concrete pictures, we give them the opportunity to connect the spoken word with a picture which allows them to more easily absorb and retain the information. Who? The cards are designed to be used by infants and toddlers of all ages. Teachers can start exposing the children to the pictures cards as early as four months of age. If you notice that a child has mastered all of the cards designed for their age group, try using the cards designed for the next age group. It is important to meet the needs of each individual child. If a child doesnt show an interest in the cards, dont force their usage. Bring them out a few days later and see if the childs interest level has changed. What? Utilize the cards at all different times of the day. You can work with children individually or in small groups. You can show the card and ask the children to name the object or if they dont yet have the verbal skills, you can just point to the card and name the object for the child. If the child has beginning verbal skills, you can ask them to repeat the word. Whenever possible you should always attempt to have a real object that matches the card and ask the children to match the object to the picture. You may also have two sets of cards, mix up the cards and ask the children to match the cards. This is a more advanced skill that would be appropriate for use by Twos. Be creative and come up with your own games and uses for the cards. When? These can be used at any time throughout the day: for a short transition activity, at circle time, as a child is waking up from nap, a quiet time in the infant room, meal time, etc. 23 24
Where? Anywhere! They can be kept on a shelf for the children to look at when ever they want to. They can be taken outside and enjoyed on the grass with infants or toddlers. They can be talked about at the table during meal time or while sitting on the floor enjoying some down time. Why? Language skills are a vital part of each childs development at this age. Babies learn language in stages. From birth they receive information about language by hearing people make sounds and watching how they communicate with one another. At first they are most interested in the pitch and level of your voice. By four months, they'll begin noticing not only the way you talk but the individual sounds you make. They'll listen to the vowels and consonants, and begin to notice the way these combine into syllables, words and sentences. Your participation in each child's language development will become even more important after 6 or 7 months, when he begins actively imitating the sounds of speech. They will become much more responsive to the sounds they hear you make
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