BOO!

Wishing you aBOOtiful and SPOOKtacular day!

Don’t worry!  It's not a real alien.  It's just my grandson K.J.!

HALLOWEEN HOMEWORK!   Tell your kids to start saving theircandy wrappers and bring them to school on Friday.  Tomorrow I’ll have some superactivities to do with all those recycled wrappers.

I'M A BALLERINA!

Here’s a storythat explains why I like children better than most adults I know.  Children look at the world throughrose-colored glasses and always see the best in us.

I recently gave aneighbor one of my DVD’s for her granddaughter.  When the little girl watched me she said, “Grandma, Dr. Jeanis like a ballerina.”  Now, thereis nothing about me like a ballerina – not the body, nor poise, or grace!  The reality is I’m a 64 year old,fluffy (nice way for saying fat around the middle), grandmother.  But in her eyes I’m a ballerina.  Bless her!

Here are somesweet pictures I received from children at Ballston Spa.  They didn’t give me wrinkles or grayhair, but they did give me a smile!  

THE CANDY STORY

With Halloween afew days off, I’ve had “candy” on my mind. 

Balance is a keyto life, and balance is what I try to provide on my blog.  Now, I know sugar is bad for you and Ithink we should keep it at a minimum in children’s lives.  However, I also think it can become the“forbidden fruit” if we don’t remember “all things in moderation.”

As adults we oftenhave “childhood amnesia.”  By thatI mean we forget what it’s like to be a child and think like a child.  Children love candy.  They just do!  I was on a plane one time and a little girl was screamingbloody murder and driving all the passengers crazy.  I happened to have a small bag of M&M’s with me and Iasked the mother if I could give them to her child.  The mother said, “Yes, and get me a gin and tonic whileyou’re at it!!!”   I leanedover to the little girl and said, “I like candy, do you?  What’s your favorite kind?  Would you like some of my candy?”  Well, she stopped crying and became ahappy little camper.  And the restof the plane was happy as well!

K.J. and I weretalking about Christmas and he said he could hardly wait for the toys andcandy.  I asked him which one heliked best and he emphatically said, “Candy!  Candy is better than toys!”  Go figure!

Nutritionists andpsychologists are probably cringing if they are reading my blog.  But that’s the way it is.  You teachers who are on the front lineevery day in your classroom know exactly what I am talking about.

So, where am Igoing with all this?  I have acandy story for you.  I would NEVERuse this with children.  In fact, Ihad forgotten all about this story until someone emailed recently asking for acopy of it.    It mightbe fun to use at a faculty meeting to add a little energy and laughter.  And, you might be surprised thatgrown-ups like candy as well!

A DAY IN THE LIFEOF A TEACHER

(You will need tobuy Twizzlers, Snickers, Twix, a Tootsie Roll, Crunch, 100 Grand, Starburst,Sugar Babies, Baby Ruth, 5^th Avenue, Watchamacallit, Mounds, Hugs,Kisses, Skittles, 3 Musketeers, Good and Plenty, Lifesavers, and Pay Day.  If you can’t find everything just eliminateit from the story.  The firstteacher to raise her hand when a candy bar is mentioned gets the treat.)

Your alarm goesoff long before you are ready to get up. It really doesn’t matter what time it is – you still are not ready toget up.  But you go through themotions of getting ready and before you realize it you are already atschool.  You walk in the door andare twisted and pulled in ten different directions – just like Twizzlers.  The sink in the room is stopped up, amother wants to have a long discussion with you, and here come the twins, alsoknown as the Sugar Babies, who are on a sugar high.  It’s barely 8:30 and you can tell it’sgoing to be one of those days.

As you settle intothe morning routine, out of the corner of your eye you notice the school guineapigs, Skittles and Snickers, are trying to break out of theircage.  Luckily, Ms. Baby Ruth,your wonderful team teacher, catches them and secures the cage.  The Three Musketeers, Todd,Robert, and Jeremy, are having a contest over who can run the fastest and Annaand Maria are arguing over who’s coming to their birthday party.  You smile and pat yourself on the backfor “rolling with it” just like a Tootsie Roll.

Twixanswering an email and welcoming a new child, the teacher next door wants youto come see the store she set up in the math center.  “Oh, Miss King,” you exclaim, “It looks just like 5^thAvenue.”  The books you orderedthree months ago have just arrived and the children thank you for Good andPlenty things to read.  Onechild is looking for a particular book, but he can’ seem to remember thetitle.  “You know, you know, theone with the Watchamacallit on it.”  He’s getting really frustrated when one of the otherchildren finds it.  “You’re such a Lifesaver,”you say.

The day proceedswithout a major incident.  Well, ifyou don’t call Kevin dumping a jar of glitter all over the floor.  Every time you walk you feel a Crunch.  After lunch you get a Starburstof energy and begin on the Mounds of testing that must be done. 

When the childrenfinally leave there is a knock on your door and in walks your principal.  Today is Pay Day!  You open your envelope and realize youwill never be paid for what you are worth – even if they paid you 100 Grand.  So here are some Hugs and Kisses (passthese out to everyone) to thank you for what you do!

TELL TEDDY, TELEPHONES, AND TATTLE TALES

Choose a stuffedbear or other animal to listen to children’s complaints and tattles.  Explain that when you are busy they canalways tell Teddy their problems. He’s always there waiting to be their friend.

Here’s anothergreat idea for tattle tales.  Put a photograph of the President on your wall and say, “I’m just yourteacher.  Why don’t you tell thePresident?”  You won’t believe it,but the children will walk over and talk to the picture!

You can also putan old cell phone on your desk for children to tell their concerns.  Explain that you’ll listen to yourmessages at the end of the day.

Or, get a spiralnotebook and write “Things the Teacher Needs to Know” on the cover.  When children come to tattle hand themthe book and say, “Write it all down and don’t leave out a thing.”  If they say, “I can’t write,” respondwith, “Well, just draw a picture and don’t leave out a thing!”

One of my favoritestories about tattle tales came from a teacher many years ago.  When her students tried to tattle she’dsmile and say, “I’m sorry.  Today’snot tattle tale day.  Wait untilMay 14^th and then you can tell me.”

Another teachersaid she used the concept of an Oreo cookie for tattle tales.  The child reporting had to say one nicething, then the tale, then another nice thing.

Hope one of theseideas will work for you!!!

BODY SPELLING

Spell out children’s names, high frequency words, or spelling words with this technique.

Tall letters (b, d, f, h, k, l, t)  - touch your head

Tummy letters (a, c, e, i, m, n, o, r, s, u, v, w, x, z) – touch your tummy

Toe letters (g, j, p, q, y) – touch your feet

H – touch head

O – touch tummy

P – touch feet

Clap as you say the word “hop.”

*Slowly say the alphabet as you touch the appropriate body part.

HAND SPELLING

Hold up your hand and stick your thumb out to the side.   The index finger will be where tall letters start.  The knuckle represents the middle dotted line.  The thumb represents the bottom line.  Practice writing invisible letters and words using your hand.

LA - A "HAPPY" STATE!

Several years agothere was a study of the “happiest” states.  Before I even read the report I guessed that Louisiana wasthe happiest state.  And I wasright according to the study!  People from Louisiana love their families, their friends, their food,and they LOVE to have a good time! Maybe the rest of us need to take some lessons from them because they’vegot it figured out for sure!

And I was happy tospeak at the LA Early Childhood Conference last week!  Here are some students from LSU who came ready to sing,dance, and learn.

I also got to singwith some precious children in Alexandria.  Take a look at this cute shirt that one class waswearing.  The teacher explainedthat her families didn’t have enough money to buy expensive school shirts, soshe asked them to go to Walmart and get a package of three white T-shirts.  Each season they make a different shirtto wear on field trips.  Superidea!

Another thing Ilearned has nothing to do with early childhood, but it was so clever I have toshare it with you.  I hope younever drop your cell phone in water, but if you do remember this.  Empty a small bag of rice in a zip bag,place your phone in there, and zip it up. Apparently, the rice will absorb the water and your phone will be goodas new.  See, you learn somethingnew every day!

LETTER POPS

For a few dollarsand a few minutes you can create some great LETTER POPS for yourclassroom.  You will need a set ofmagnetic letters and jumbo craft sticks. Glue a magnetic letter to each craft stick.  (I LOVE E6000 glue that you can get at Walmart or hobby stores.)  Pass these out to thechildren to hold up as you sing alphabet songs, such as “Alphardy,” “Who Letthe Letters Out?” “Letter Pops”, etc.

 *Have childrenmatch letter pops to classroom print and letters in alphabet books.

*Call outsounds.  Children come to the frontof the room when they hear their letter sound.  Blend the letters together to make words.

*Play “LetterPokey” which is similar to the “Hokey Pokey.”  For example:

“You put your H in.  You take your H out…”

BUS BOOKS

I was lucky to beinvited to share at the Southwest Virginia Reading Conference last week.  Dr. Heidi Mesmer gave the openingsession which  focused on “ruralreaders.”  One of her ideas was toprovide “bus books” for children who have a long bus commute.  What a great project for a service clubor Sunday school class.  Get aplastic crate and invite people to donate old children’s books ormagazines.  Put these on a bus andyou’re all set!

Dr. Mesmerpointed out that children at risk are low in vocabulary, which can be addressedindirectly by reading and talking – high quantity and high quality.  Vocabulary instruction should also be directand systematic.  And, wouldn’t thisbe a perfect season to expand vocabulary by discussing “scary” words and “spooky”things.  Use an attribute web tobrainstorm scary words.  Letchildren draw pictures of ghouls, ghosts, or monsters and challenge them to useas many words as they can to describe their drawings.

In discussingliteracy in families, Dr. Mesmer suggested children interview their parents andgrandparents on how they learned to read. What were their favorite books or magazines when they were young?  (You’ve got to love HIGHLIGHTS becausethat magazine has spanned many generations.)

Of course, Iembraced her final comment – LOVE THESE KIDS!  That’s our most important job as educators regardless ofdemographics!  City, rural, urban –they are all children in need of our love and support!

KEEP EATING CHOCOLATES!

Pick yourself up,brush yourself off, and start all over again!

I bet you didn’tknow that I got turned down for the doctoral program in early childhood educationat Georgia State University the first time that I applied.  It wasn’t my grades or test scores.  The advisor I happened to talk to 40years ago said, “I don’t think you are going to contribute to our field, andthat’s what we are looking for.” (Surprise!  Surprise!)  One door closed, but I went and foundanother open door at Emory University where I earned a specialist’sdegree.  When I went back toGeorgia State to pursue my doctorate I chose Curriculum and Instruction ratherthan early childhood, and it ended up being a perfect fit for me!

Things don’t alwaysturn out the way we want them to the first time.  Maybe you didn’t get that job.  Maybe you didn’t get that grant.  Maybe you didn’t get that scholarship.  Keep on keeping on!  Put it behind you, move on, and try,try, try again!

THE LITTLE ENGINETHAT COULD offers one of life’s best lessons for children.  The little engine’s self talk – “Ithink I can.  I think I can…”  is something that children canpractice.  I love this song to thetune of “If You’re Happy and You Know It.”

         Ithink I can are words I like to say.

         Ithink I can are words I like to say.

         IfI try with all my might in time I’ll get it right.

         Ithink I can are words I like to say.

As Forest Gumpsaid, “Life is like a box of chocolates. You never know what you’re gonna get.”  But you’ve got to keep eating those chocolates!

MI BAMBINO

Here’s our angelgranddaughter Kalina with her first piggy tails!  We could eat her up!

Kalina goes to afamily home day care with 8 other toddlers and two loving teachers.  They only speak Spanish, which we aredelighted about.  I gave Kalina’steachers my Spanish CDs and our daughter Holly says the teachers and childrenlove them.  Most of the childrencan’t talk and don’t have a clue what the words mean, but Holly says they dancearound and have the best time with the music.

Those littletoddlers are testament to the power of music.  All those wonderful sounds and all that beautiful languageis getting stored in their brains. Who knows when or where or how it will be retrieved, but it’s all upthere.  And, that’s a powerfulthing!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

My brother turned70 recently and I’ll tell you a funny story about him.  On his big day he could go any place orhave anything he wanted to eat. Jack chose to go to his local convenience store and have a Coke and ahotdog.  I think it’s in our genesbecause my siblings and I all love junk food.  We’re all very health conscious and try to eat things thatare good for our bodies, but when it’s a special day we’ll choose potato chips,Coke, and a hotdog every time! Jack’s birthday was September 5^th and he told me that fromnow on every month on the 5^th day he was gong to splurge and have ordo something special.  I like theidea of celebrating each month, don’t you?

I think it’simportant to celebrate children’s birthdays in your classroom as well.  If you go to my website you’ll find aYouTube or Teacher Tube video you can watch with an idea that won’t cost you athing and there’s not one ounce of sugar in it.  But it sure is a sweet idea!

When a child has abirthday you let them choose friends to be the candles on their cake.  If they are five years old they selectfive friends; six years old six friends, etc.  The candles/friends stand around the birthday child and thenthe rest of the class makes a human birthday cake by holding hands and standingaround them.  Say this chant:

         Todayis child’s name birthday.

         Let’smake her/him a cake.         (Circlearms to make a bowl.)

         Stirand mix and mix and stir,         (Pretendto stir.)

         Theninto the oven to bake.         (Pretendto put cake in the oven.)

         Here’sour cake so nice and round. (Circle arms.)

         We’llfrost it with icing white.         (Spreadfrosting with palm.)

         We’llput age candles on it.         (Holdup fingers.)

         Tomake her/his birthday bright.

After singing thetraditional birthday song, let the birthday child “blow” out the candles.  The candles slump to the floor whenthey are blown out. 

What else can youdo?

*Make thetraditional paper birthday crown for the child to decorate.

*Make a “HappyBirthday” book.  Each child in theclassroom draws a picture of something they would like to give the birthdayfriend.  A simple sentence like “Mywish for you is_____.” could be added to the page.  The birthday child decorates a large sheet of constructionpaper in which the pictures from their friends can be stapled to make a book.

*Give the birthdaychild one special wish.  She canchoose a game, book, song, friend to sit by, etc.

*Spray paint achair gold and decorate with fake jewels. The “Fancy Nancy Chair” can be used for birthdays and other classroomcelebrations.

Hint!  Be sure and celebrate summer birthdaysin May.

I DON'T WANT TO DO THIS!

Have you everheard one of your students say that? I love what Barbara Brown (a fabulous kindergarten teacher in Orlando)told me.  She said when herstudents say, “I don’t want to do this!” She responds, “I don’t want to do it either, so let’s just get it doneand then we can do something fun.”

There’s animportant life lesson here.  We allhave to do things we don’t want to do. The best thing is just to do it and then you can focus on the things youwant to do! 

About 50 years agoI was grumbling about my first job. My father said, “Let me tell you something.  There is no such thing as the perfect job.  There are good things and bad thingsabout every job, so just deal with it.”  I’m smiling just thinking about my father and the wisdom heshared with me.  J

In keeping withtoday’s thought, here is a song to sing when children complain about notgetting the color or item they want. It goes to the tune of “The Farmer in the Dell.”

You get what youget.

You get what youget.

Just like in thegum machine,

You get what youget.

Camille sent this comment:

Too funny! Last year I had a kinder girl that had a complete meltdown whenever she didn't get what she wanted. A Mick Jagger song sprang into my mind and I began singing, "You don't always get what you want; You don't always get what you want; You don't always get what you want; But you get what you need." The little girl was so surprised that she stopped her wailing to listen to me. (I sing off key, but with spirit.) I began to use the song again and again and it seemed to help. Thanks Mick! Thanks Dr. Jean!

THERE'S A HOLE IN MY PAGE!

A long time agowe did more art projects in our classrooms.  Why?  Accordingto Eric Erikson, elementary age children are in the age of“industriousness.”  They like toMAKE things and use their IMAGINATIONS. Here are a few art projects that are simple and fun for all ages andabilities.  Use them as a "bonus" for children who finish their work early, put them in a center. or tie them in with your lesson plans.

Negative Space

Materials:           paper,scissors, markers or crayons

Directions:          Cuta hole out of the middle of each sheet of paper.  Challenge children to look at the hole and then create anobject out of it.

*Extend theactivity by having children write about their pictures.

Complete thePicture

Materials:         paper,magazines, glue, markers or crayons

Directions:        Askchildren to cut a large object out of the magazine.  Next, cut the picture in half.  Glue one half to their paper and then draw the other halfwith crayons or markers.

Alphabet Art

Materials:         paper,marker, crayons

Directions:        Drawan alphabet letter in the middle of each page with the marker.  Each child chooses a letter and thentries to incorporate the letter into a picture.  Challenge them to draw something that begins with theletter.

*Put theirpictures together to make an alphabet book.

Little toLarge

Materials:         paper, crayons

Directions:        Drawa small shape or seasonal object in the middle of the paper.  Children trace around the object withdifferent colors of crayons.

*Reinforcegeometric shapes with this project. Younger children can do triangles and older students can tracetrapezoids or pentagons.

DOLLAR WORDS

This idea for “saving”high frequency words came from a precious teacher in Louisiana. Ask children tobring a wallet from home.  Writehigh frequency words (aka “dollar words”) on green paper cut 4” x 2”.  When children learn a new word they getto “save” it in their wallets.

Younger childrencould save letters or numerals in their wallets.

Older childrencould save vocabulary words.

 *If childrenfinish their work early they can play games like “memory” or “go fishing” withtheir dollars with friends.

*Children can alsomake simple wallets from construction paper.  Fold up a sheet of construction paper to 1 ½” from thetop.  Glue the sides and then foldin half.

HAPPY TEACHERS = HAPPY CHILDREN!

Last Saturday Idid a workshop for Kids Country Child Development Centers near Cleveland.  What a fun group!!!  What happy teachers!  You’ve probably seen the magnet thatsays, “If momma ain’t happy – ain’t nobody happy!”  Well, if teachers aren’t happy, then how can they make theirchildren happy?

They invited someof their kindergarten students to introduce me.  Talk about charming! The children sang “The Fifty States” taking a deep breath between each chorus.  Can you believe those five year oldscould learn the 50 states in our country? Only with a song!

 Sheryl Herter andJami Eshelman shared this idea to encourage kindess in their classroom.  They cut two hearts out of paper.  One heart gets wrinkled up as theydescribe things children say to each other that hurt feelings.  Once the heart is all crinkled up theytry to smooth it out.  It remindsthe children that once you say something unkind you can never take itback.  They hang up both hearts asa reminder to think before they tattle or say hurtful things.

Beth Moreharttold a story with a coffee filter. Fold the coffee filter into fourths before you begin.

This is a storyabout a family of Eskimos who lived in a house made of ice.  They were snuggled in their igloo andthey wanted to watch the snow falling outside so they cut a little door out oftheir house.  (Tear a door.)  They couldn’t see the snow very well,so they cut a window out of the side of the house.  (Tear a window.) Then they decided to cut another window out of the other side.  (Tear another window.)  It was getting very cold so they builta fire.  And when you build a fire,you know you need some place for the smoke to escape, so they cut a hole in thetop.  Then they went outside andwhat do you think they saw falling from the sky?   (Open up the coffee filter and throw it in the air tolook like a snowflake falling.)

Ann Maleckyshowed us how to make a slice of pizza out of a lunch bag.  First, crinkle up the bag and then“sculpt” it to look like a slice of pizza.  Children will enjoy decorating their pizzas withconstruction paper and they can even write a “how to” recipe.  Perfect for singing the “PepperoniPizza” song!

TREATS

HalloweenMedley

(Tune:  “I’m a Little Teapot”)

Halloween iscoming when we’ll be

Dressed in funnyclothes and then we’ll see

Pumpkins in thewindow shining bright.         (Puthands over head like a pumpkin.)

Oh, we’ll have agood time                           (Claphands.)

On Halloweennight!

We’ll put on ourcostumes, walk down the street,  (Walkin place.)

Hold out our bagsand say, “Trick or Treat!”          (Pretendto hold out a bag.)

Then we’ll say“thanks” and run away.                    (Runin place.)

We can hardly wayfor Halloween Day.                  (Claphands.)

Goodie Bags– Decorate paper grocery sacks for “trick or treating.”

Paper PlateMask – Cut eyes out of paper plates, then let children decorate them withpaper scraps, markers, yarn, etc. Tape a jumbo craft stick to the back so children can hold up to theirface.

?Treats? –This is a good time to tie in a little nutrition.  What are some good foods that are treats?  Raisins, grapes, cheese, berries,pretzels, etc.  What are some foodsthat are not good for your body? What will happen if you eat too much sugar or junk food?  Make a T chart with healthy treats andjunky treats.

JACK O' HAPPY

This has got tobe one of my all time favorite finger plays!

Jack O’ Happy

This is Jack O’Happy.              (Handscircle head and smile.)

This is Jack O’Sad.                  (Handscircle head and frown.)

This is Jack O’Spooky.             (Openmouth and eyes wide.)

And this is JackO’ Mad.           (Makea mean face.)

This is Jack inpieces small.       (Holdup palms.)

But in a pie he’sbest of all.       (Circlearms in front as if holding a pie.)

If you go to thislink you can download a book for the children to read and color.  Or, better yet.  Download the version with just thewords so the children can make their own illustrations.

 http://www.drjean.org/html/monthly_act/act_2010/10_Oct_css/pg00.html

SPIDERS AND BATS

The Five Daysof Halloween

(Tune:  “Twelve Days of Christmas”)

On the first dayof Halloween

My monster gave tome,                  (Holdup 1 finger.)

A bat in an old,dead tree.         (Flaparms like a bat.)

On the second day…2 creepy spiders         (Wigglefingers like spiders.)

On the third day…3howling cats                 (Strokewhiskers.)        

On the fourthday…4 silly scarecrows         (Jigglelike a scarecrow.)

On the fifth day…5jack-o-lanterns            (Handsover head like a

                                                                 jack-o-lantern.)

Dramatize –Choose one child to be the bat, 2 to be spiders, 3 to be cats, etc. to act outthe song.

Step Book –Take 3 pieces of paper and stagger them 1” apart.  Fold backwards. Staple at the top to make a book. Children write the title of the book on the first page and thenillustrate each verse on the following pages.

 

Spider Puppet– You will need paper plates, construction paper, an old sock, markers, and astapler to make this project. Decorate two plates to look like a spider’s body.  Cut eight 8” x 1 12” strips for thespider’s legs.  Glue 4 legs oneither side of the body.  Staplethe plates together around the sides where the legs are glued.  Draw a face on the sock and then stickit through the center of the plates.

Spider Soup– This was one of my favorite Halloween activities!  Get a large industrial size can of chicken noodle soup.  Remove the wrapper and cover withconstruction paper.  Write “spidersoup” on the label.  Take twopackages of ramen noodles and crush. Put in a  paper lunch sackand write “spider webs” on the front of the sack.  Explain to the children that you’ll be having spider soupfor snack.  Show them the can andjust LISTEN to their comments. Open the can and put it in a crock pot.  (Someone will be sure to comment that they see spider legsand meat!)  Show them the sack andexplain that you will end crunchy spider webs to make it better.  Dump those in and slowly cook until itis warm.  Serve in paper cups.

PUMPKIN PATCH

Once I Had aPumpkin

(Tune:  “Lassie and Laddie”)

Oh, once I had apumpkin, a pumpkin, a pumpkin. (Hands over head like

Oh, once I had apumpkin with no face at all.         a pumpkin.)

With no eyes andno nose and no mouth and no teeth.

                                                               (Pointto facial features.)

Oh, once I had apumpkin with no face at all.

So I made ajack-o-lantern, jack-o-lantern, jack-o-lantern.

                                                          (Draw a jack-o-lantern in the air.)

So I made ajack-o-lantern, jack-o-lantern, jack-o-lantern.        

With big eyes anda big nose and big mouth and big teeth.        

                                                      (Drawfacial features in the air.)

So I made ajack-o-lantern with a big funny face.                 

*Draw ajack-o-lantern on the board or on an overhead as you sing the song.

Pumpkin Paint– Mix equal parts of flour and salt. Stir in orange tempera paint. (Obviously, if it’s powdered, you will need to add some water, too.)  Add a spoonful of cinnamon or pumpkinpie spice to the paint and stir. Children can paint a pumpkin, pumpkin pie, or whatever they want.  Their painting will be textured andsmell good, too!

Pumpkin Seeds– Before carving your pumpkin, have the children estimate how many seeds theythink it will contain and write down their estimations.  Have the children separate the seedsand count them.  Who guessedmore?  Who guessed less?  Who guessed the closest amount?  Cook some of the seeds by rinsing themand frying them in a little butter and salt.  Save some of the seeds to plant in the spring.

Five LittlePumpkins

(You can say thisor sing it to the tune of “Five Little Ducks.”)

Five littlepumpkins sitting on the gate.         (Holdup 5 fingers.)

The first onesaid, “Oh, my it’s getting late.”         (Holdup thumb.)

The second onesaid, “There are witches in the air.”(Hold up index finger.)

The third onesaid, “But I don’t care.”                           (Holdup middle finger.)

The fourth onesaid, “Let’s run and run and run.”         (Holdup ring finger.)

The fifth onesaid, “I’m ready for some fun.”                  (Holdup pinky.)

Ooooo!Went the wind, and out went the light.         (Blowand then clap.)

And the fivelittle pumpkins rolled out of sight!         (Rollhands behind back.)

Paper PlatePumpkins – Make pumpkins out of paper plates.  Choose five children to hold the pumpkins as you say therhyme.  You could also cut pumpkinsout of felt and use on a flannel board.

Pumpkin PlayDough – Make play dough using the recipe below.  Add red and yellow food coloring to make it orange.  Let the children knead in pumpkin piespices.  They’ll have fun makingpumpkins, pies, and other characters.

                  2cups all purpose flour

                  1cup salt

                  2TB. cream of tartar

                  2TB. vegetable oil

                  2cups water

                  foodcoloring

Mix all theingredients together in a pan and stir until smooth.  Cook over medium heat stirring constantly until the mixtureforms a ball and sticks to the spoon. Cool and knead.  Store inplastic bags or covered containers.

Math Games - Make games where children seriate pumpkins from large to small or put pumpkins in numerical order.

PUMPKIN STORIES

PumpkinHouse Cut and Tell Story

Materials:    orangepaper, scissors

Directions:   Placethe orange paper and scissors in your lap.  As you tell thestory cut out the different parts with the scissors.  At endof the story, the children will be delighted with the pumpkinhouse!

Hint!   Youcan also tear out the paper with your fingers.

Oncethere was a little old lady who lived in a funny orange house near name ofyour school.  Her house wasshaped like half a circle with the chimney at the bottom.

Thislittle lady had a cat named child’s name in your room.  This cat had a long, curved tail, sothe old lady had a special door cut just for the cat’s tail.

Thelittle lady always wore a pointed hat. She had a special door built for herself, too, so her hat would not falloff every time she went in and out the door.

Thelittle lady had two pet birds. Their names were child’s name and child’s name.  She had a window cut just for them sothey could fly in and out and in and out.

Itwas getting close to Halloween, so all the children in teacher’s nameclassroom went to her house and knocked on her door.  The little lady came to the door and said, “Close youreyes.”   SURPRISE!  It’s a jack-o-lantern!

Go to www.drjean.org/html/monthly_act/act_2009/02_Feb/pg00.html

to downloaddirections.

Iwas lucky to be invited to share with the teachers at Kids Country ChildDevelopment Centers near Cleveland last Saturday.  We did this story and they were so cute with their pumpkins!  I have done this story for years, butthe magic is still there!

PumpkinMan Tell and Draw Story

Materials:large sheet of paper, marker 


Directions:Explain that you will needeveryone to help you tell this story. Demonstrate the movements below. When yousay the words in the story, then the children should make the motions.

 

“Knock” –pretend to knock on adoor
                              

“Rock” – movebody back andforth
                              

“Spin” – twirlhands around eachother
                              

“Come In” – makemotion with hand



Draw the bodyparts on the paper as you come to them in the story.

       Once there was a little old lady who would just sit all dayand rock and spin and wait for somebody to come in.
 One day as she rockedand spun she heard a knock at the door. “Come in,” she called. In came two big,black boots. (Draw boots on the board.) “I can’t talk to you big, black boots,”said the little old lady.  So she just sat there and rocked and spun untilshe heard a knock at the door. “Come in,” she called. And in came two bonylegs. (Draw two skinny legs coming out of the boots.) “I can’t talk to two bonylegs,” said the little old lady.
 So she just sat there and rocked and spununtil she heard a knock at the door.
 “Come in,” she called. And in came afunny body. (Draw a pear shaped body on top of the legs.) “I can’t talk to afunny body,” said the little old lady.
 So she just sat there and rockedand spun until she heard a knock at the door. “Come in,” she called. And incame two wiggly arms. (Draw wiggly arms coming off the body.) “I can’t talk towiggly arms,” said the little old lady.
 So she just sat there and rockedand spun until she heard a knock at the door. “Come in,” she called. And incame two big hands. (Draw hands at the end of the arms.) “I can’t talk to twobig hands,” said the little old lady.
  So she just sat there and rockedand spun until she heard a knock at the door. “Come in,” she called. And incame a big pumpkin head. (Draw a pumpkin head on the figure.) “Well, I can talkto a pumpkin man,” said the little old lady. And she did! 


Adaptations:  End by singing “Do You Know the Pumpkin Man?” to the tune of“Do You Know the Muffin Man?”