WRITE ABOUT IT IN RECYCLED BOOKS

Cracker Jack Book- Cut the front and back off a box of Cracker Jacks.  Cut paper the size of the box and giveeach child a piece to draw a picture of what they’d like to find for aprize.  Punch a hole in the upperleft corner and tie with a ribbon.

Animal Cookie Book- Cut the front and back off a box of animal cookies.  Cut paper the size of the box and askchildren to draw a picture of their favorite zoo animal.  Staple their drawings between the frontand back of the box.  Re-attach thestring handle.

Pets –Cut the front and back off a box of dog biscuits.  Cut paper the size of the box and give a sheet to eachchild.  Children draw pictures oftheir pets and write stories about them. (If they don’t have a pet, encourage children to draw a picture of a petthey would like to have.)  Puttheir pictures in between the front and back of the box , hole punch, and bindtogether.

Cereal Box Book – Ask each child to bring in the box from their favorite cereal.  Cut off the front of the box.  Write “Child’s name eats name of cereal.” on a strip of paper and glue it on the bottom of the box as shown.  Make a cover for the book that says, “What’s for Breakfast?”   Hole punch the cereal boxes together and bind with book rings.

Hint!  Trim the boxes to a standard size before making the book.

Grocery Sack Book- Cut the fronts and backs off grocery sacks.  Let each child decorate a page with anursery rhyme or song they like. Add the words to each illustration, and then hole punch and bind together.

Hint!  Collectsacks from fast food restaurants. Glue a sack on each page of a grocery 

sack book and write “We eat…”

Gift Bag Book-Cut the front and back off a gift bag.   Cut paper the size  of the gift bag and give a sheet to each child to draw apicture and write a  story.  Staple children’spictures between the back and front of the gift  bag. 

Hint!  Buy aseasonal bag each month and make a class book.

Phone Book– Cut the front and back off your local phone book.  Have each child write her name and phone number and draw herpicture on a sheet of paper.  Bindtheir pictures between the cover of the phone book.  Place this book on a shelf with an old cell phone so theycan practice calling their friends.

Hint!  Older children could write their lastname and then their first name just like it would be in a phone book.  Alphabetize these to make your phonebook.

THE SNEEZE SONG

Lucky me!  I got to present at the South DakotaAEYC Conference last week in Spearfish, SD.  The teachers were awesome Spearfish was so COOL!  I can’t wait to go back.  Anyway, a teacher came up and asked meto write a song for when children cough of sneeze.  Your wish is my command!

The Sneeze Song

(Tune:  “Pop Goes the Weasel”)

When I have tocough or sneeze

This is what I do.  (Point finger.)

I hold my elbow up  (Hold up elbow in front of face.)

And in to itkerchoo!  (Pretend to sneeze inelbow.)

KKEERRCCHHOO!   (Say this line as youdramatically pretend

                              to sneeze in your elbow.)

LITTER PATROL

Litter PatrolRap

(Clap and snapto the beat.)

Here I go.  (Stand up as you begin clapping andsnapping.)

I'm on thelitter patrol.

I'm going towork all day to put the trash away.

The planetearth, you see, is my habitat.

I'm going toclean it up.

Well how aboutthat?

Join me now…

Here we go.

We're on thelitter patrol.

We're going towork all day to put the trash away.

The planetearth, you see, is our habitat.

We're going toclean it up.

Well, how aboutthat?

All by yourself.

Here we go.

We're on the...

*Have childrensuggest other movements you could do to the rap.

*Ask children tobring in empty food boxes.  Cut offthe top panel and punch holes in the two narrow sides.  Tie on a piece of string so the box canbe used as a trash receptacle in the car.

*How about a“trash snack”?  You will need flatbottom ice cream cones, Cheerios, miniature marshmallows, pretzel sticks, andpeanuts.  Take 4 lunch sacks andput a different item in each sack. Write “old tires” on the sack with Cheerios, “Styrofoam” on the sackwith marshmallows, “Sticks” on the sack with pretzel sticks, and “Stones” onthe sack with peanuts.  Take alarge bowl and make up a story about collecting trash.  As you name the different items, invitedifferent children to dump the contents in the bowl.  Stir with a large spoon and then serve the “trash” in trashcans (ice cream cones).  The coolthing about this snack is that there is NO trash when the children havefinished eating! 

Hint!  Substitute raisins for peanuts if youhave students with food allergies. You can also use fish crackers, sunflower seeds, or other snack foods.

EARTH DAY

Earth Day is a week away, but you'll find a blog for the next seven days that will help you reinforce some important environmental concepts in your classroom.

 

Earth Day -April 22nd

Earth Day, EarthDay!  Let’s all come together.         (Claphands.)

Earth Day, EarthDay!  To make this world muchbetter.

‘Cause we love ourplanet Earth, beautiful and blue.    (Makea circle with arms.)

We want to takecare of it with everything we do.       

We can recycle –tell your friends and neighbors!    (Pretendto pick up paper.)

Glass, aluminum,plastic and paper.                        

‘Cause we love ourplanet Earth, beautiful and blue.   (Makea circle with arms.)

We want to takecare of it with everything we do.        

We can plant atree or two, to create green spaces;(Pretend to dig.)

Walk or ride ourbikes to go different places.         (Pretendto ride a bike.)

‘Cause we love ourplanet Earth, beautiful and blue.   (Makea circle with arms.)

We want to takecare of it with everything we do.                 

Download the book to go with the song at drjean.org/April, 2007, monthly activities.

RecycledProducts – For homework,ask children to look around their house and make a list of recycledmaterials.  Have them practiceidentifying the “recycle logo” so they can help conserve materials.

 Brainstorm- Have children brainstorm all the ways theycan reduce, reuse, and recycle 

 materials.

  

 Visit these websites to get other ideas for Earth Week:

 EarthDay.net

 childrenoftheearth.org

 keepearthbeautiful.org

 kidsforsavingearth.org

 kidsgowild.com

NATIONAL POETRY MONTH

Did you know that April was National Poetry Month?  Time to sneak in a poem or two!

A Poem

By HollyKarapetkova (Yep, that’s my girl!)

A poem, a poem

Is a very specialthing.

It takes the words

And makes themsing.

A poem is apresent,

A poem is a treat

With words piledlike ice-cream

In your bowl toeat!

A poem, a poem

Is a treasure andan art

So always carryone

With you in yourheart.

Poetry Club - Write “Poetry Club” onthe poster board and decorate with glitter and glue.  Explain that anyone who stands up in front of the class andrecites a nursery rhyme or poem can be a member of the poetry club.  (You might want to model reciting apoem for them.)  After they’verecited their poem, let them sign their name on the poster.

*Trace around a child’s body.  Hang it on the wall and call it the “PoetryPerson.”  Use as you would theposter for letting children signtheir names after reciting a poem.

Poetry Café - Plan a poetry partyfor your students called the “Poetry Café.”  Involve children in planning refreshments, makingdecorations, writing invitations, etc.  Encourage each child to learn andpractice reciting a poem.  Explainthat in the coffee houses instead of clapping, the audience would “snap” theirfingers for the poets.

Go to my April, 2011, monthly activity to get lots of other ideas for integrating poetry in your classroom

NEWSPAPER TREE

I learned how tomake this newspaper tree when I was a little girl, and I bet your students willget a kick out of it as well.

Open three sheetsof newspaper and lay on the floor as shown.

 Roll up and tape. Cut down several strips from the top about 8” long.  

Reach into the middle of the roll, grabthe center, and slowly pull up. Taa daa!

DIG A HOLE

Diga Hole

Diga hole.             (Make ahole by making a fist with right hand.)

Plant a seed.         (Stickleft index finger in the hole.)

Up comes aflower.  (Bring left hand upthrough right fist.)

Pull out theweed.    (Pretend topluck a weed.)

Seed Snack - Invite children to bring in seeds that you can eat and have a tasting party.  What's their favorite seed that they eat?

Seed Hunt - Have children hunt for seeds in theirkitchen at home.  Bring these inand plant them in plastic cups.  Besure to label.  Water and watch.

Planting JellyBeans - Have childrenbrainstorm other things they would like to plant, such as jelly beans orpennies.  Purchase carrot seeds,radishes, and other seeds that germinate quickly and plant.  Predict what will happen.  Watch and record data.

Dirt Cake – Give each child a clear cup.  Let them put a layer of chocolatepudding in the cup, then sprinkle with crushed Oreo cookies.  Add a gummy worm and a paper flowerstapled to a straw. (Yeah, I know it’s junky, but it would be fun for abirthday party or if you’re a grandparent!)

THE PLANTING SONG

The PlantingSong

(Tune:  “The Farmer in the Dell”

Let’s all plantsome seeds,  (Pretend to dig.)

Let’s all plantsome seeds.

Hi, ho, it’sspring you know,

Let’s all plantsome seeds.

The rain begins tofall…    (Wiggle fingersdown.)

The sun warms theearth…(Arms over head.)

The seeds begin togrow… (Pretend one arm is a plant.)

Growing,Growing!  What does a seed need to grow?  Brainstorm with the children and writetheir responses on the board.  Takefive cups and draw the following as shown:

1. soil, water, sun, air
2. soil, water, air
3. soil, water, sun
4. soil, sun, air
5. sun, air, water

Plant several beanseeds in each cup.  Encourage thechildren to predict what will happen. Observe.  Evaluatepredictions after several weeks.

Popcorn Plants – This is the coolest experiment.  You will need a plastic jar, papertowel, popcorn kernels, and sand. Roll up the paper towel to fit down in the jar.  Fill the center of the jar withsand.  Place 5-10 popcorn kernelsbetween the inside of the jar and the paper towel.  Water.  Set in asunny window and observe. 

Hint!  Encourage children to draw picturesdaily to record plant growth.

VOICES FROM VIRGINIA

Last week I was inRoanoke and Richmond and here are some super ideas the teachers shared with me.

Criss CrossApplesauce

Harry has come upwith another great adaptation for getting children to sit quietly.  Check it out at:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bMfhlMdbzlE

Let’s LookImportant!  (Diane Ringer)

Use this ideainstead of criss cross applesauce.

Would you like toknow how to look important?  Putyour right hand over your heart like this.  (Demonstrate)

Put your left handacross your chest and fold your arms like this.  (Demonstrate)

Lift up your chinand smile importantly.  Now look atall my important people!

Song Requests  (Heather Cline)

Make a box forsong requests.  Children writetheir favorite song on a sheet of paper and put it in the box.  Pull requests each morning and sing.

End of DayChant (Linda Wood)

Sit in a circlecriss cross applesauce and start the chant with this rhythm:

Slap knees twotimes

Clap two times

Snap two times

Clap two times

“Linda, Linda,what do you say?

What did you likeat school today?”

The child has totell what they liked best that day. It’s a good way to remember what they learned as you reinforce orallanguage.

WeightliftingCount to 100 (Amy Gibson)

Pick up yourweights and count 1-20 as you do bicep curls; 21-40 for shoulder press; 41-50tricep press; 61-80 butterfly press; 81-100 overhead. 

Wipe brow!!!

CaterpillarFinger Play (Linda Drake)

Here comes thecaterpillar on the green leaf.

         (Placeone hand flat and use one finger from the other hand to wiggle          acrossthe flat hand.)

Inside thechrysalis for two whole weeks.

         (Squeezehand around caterpillar with thumb up.)

Out he pops aspretty as can be!

         (Lockthumbs and flutter fingers.)

He is a butterflyas you can see!

         (Movehands like a butterfly in the air.)

Portable WordWall (Winter Babko)

Get someMcDonald’s French fry containers. Cut yellow strips and write words on them and put them in the fry box.

*Adapt forletters, shapes, numerals, etc.

Diagraphs(Heidi Brunner)

Teach childrenthese gestures to help them remember the sounds of “th”, “sh,” and “ch.”

“TH” – Stick yourtongue out at the teacher.  It isthe only time you are allowed to stick your tongue out at a grown up!

“SH” – Hold yourfinger next to your lips like you are going  to tell someone to be quiet.

“CH” – Put onehand down flat and use the other hand to pretend to chop something.

Sing the blends tothe tune of “The Wheels on the Bus.”

The T and H say/th/ /th/ /th/…all the time.

Who Let theLetters Out?  (Diane Woods)

As you sing thissong and other alphabet songs make the motions from “No More Letter of theWeek.” 

Hint!  You can also use sign language,Animated Literacy, Visual Phonics, or Zoo Phonics motions as you sing alphabetsongs.

Soul TrainScramble (This was such a cute idea, but I lost the name of the teacher whoshared it with me.  Email me and I’llmake it right!)

Place letters instudents’ names or sight words on a magnetic board.  Play the ABC song by the Jackson Five.  Students have until the end of the songto unscramble the letters to make the word.

It’s aWonderful World (Celeste M. Jones)

1. Sing the song “It’s a Wonderful World” by Louis Armstrong with the children. 
2. Write the words to the song on chart paper and track as you sing.
3. Write the words on sentence strips so the children can place them in a pocket chart. 
4. Students illustrate the words to the song to create a class book.

Rules Rap HandSignals  (Sharon Walston)

Review the “RulesRap” daily using these motions:

1. Point finger for “follow, follow, follow directions.”
2. Hold up hands and point to feet for “feet and hands to yourself.”
3. Stoop down and cup hand over mouth for “small voices.”
4. Stand up with hands in the air for “tall voices.”
5. Clasp hands for “work together” and shake head no for “don’t fight.”

Rhyming Game (KimThurston)

Teacher says, “I’mthinking of a word that rhymes with “hat.” 

The students can’tguess using the word.  They have todescribe the word. 

Students say, “Isit an animal that says meow?”

Teacher says,“Good guess, but that’s not it.”

Students say, “Isit an animal that flies?”

Teacher answers,“Yes, it is a bat.”

Color Game  (Maureen Goonan)

You will needmagnetic crayons.  Review colorsand then have the children close their eyes as you take one away.  Can they tell what color is missing?

What are youwearing?

Red – just standup and touch your head.

Blue – touch yourshoes.

Green – look realmean.

Yellow – wave to afellow.

Purple – draw acircle.

Brown – act like aclown.

Black – pat yourback.

Pink – blink,blink, blink.

White – look atthe light.

Orange – peel anorange.

You’re great causeyour colors are straight and

you’re coolbecause you learn at school!

The Robot Game(Valona Markovich)

Teacher stands infront of the room and stiffly mimics a robot.

Students have togive the writing strokes to make a letter.

For example D:

Start at the top

Come down

Back to the top

Curve around tothe bottom

The key is noyelling.  They have to speak invoice with the group or the robot shuts down!

Letter Pointers(Mindy Pierson)

Make pointers withcraft letters on the tip.  (You canbuy these at Michael’s)

Play BINGO usingchildren’s names and googly eyes. “I spy the letter R “ and the children cover it up with a googlyeye.

Place alphabetletters or numerals in a pocket chart. Put a hand behind random letters or numbers.  Children clap when there is a hand behind the card.

White BoardClipboard  (Suzi Burton)

Attach a largebutterfly clip to individual white boards for each child.  Voila!  Clipboards!

FishbowlFamilies (Robin Singleton)

Write wordfamilies on fishbowls (an, op, ill, etc.).  Write words using the different rimes on fish shapes.  Children pick a fish out of the pondand put it on the correct bowl.

Adapt for colorwords (word on fishbowl and fish of different colors), number words (number onbowl and dots on fish), or letters (letter on fish bowl and pictures of objectsthat start with that sound on fish).

Category Game

The childrenrepeat after the teacher:

“Pink is acolor.”  (Children repeat.)

“Purple is acolor.”  (Children repeat.)

“A square is acolor.”  (Children yell NO!)

Adapt for shapes,objects in a house, rhyming words, numbers, and other categories.

Dot on theClock (Peggy Smith)

Put a dot on theclassroom clock at the numeral 2 and then teach this poem”

Tick tock, 2 onthe clock.

Up and over andaround you go.

This is the way tomake an “O.”

Heidi and Nellie  (Ginny Van Keuren)

nellieedge.com and heidisongs.com are two great websites with lots of free downloads.  The Kid Writing videos on nellieedge.com are fantastic.  
ASL also has free downloads with signs for alphabet letters and heart words/aka high frequency words.

LEFTOVER EGGS???

What can you dowith all those plastic eggs now that the Easter egg hunt is over?  Here are a few “egg-cellent” ideas!

Write an uppercase letter on one half with a permanent marker and the lower case letter onthe other half.

Write onsets(consonants or blends) on one half and rimes (word endings) on the otherhalf.  Children twist around andread words.  You could also askchildren to write the words.

Practice makingand reading two letter words by writing a letter on each half.

Write numerals ornumber words on the eggs.  Childrenfill with the appropriate amount of beans or pennies.

Make compoundwords with eggs.

Let children drawpictures of all the animals that come from eggs.

Write a poem aboutspring on a small sheet of paper. Fold it up and put it in the egg.

Practice additionand subtraction with eggs.

Write words on theeggs.  Write the same word on a 1½” x 3” sheet of paper and cut between the letters to make a puzzle.  Place puzzle pieces in the egg.  Children shake and then open and putthe pieces together to make the word.

Hint!  I have tried both Sharpies andpermanent markers and they rub off. I would suggest just putting clear tape on top of the marker.

IT'S A BEAUTIFUL DAY!

My friend SharonMacDonald sent me this link and said, “It will make your heart sing!”  Indeed it did!  So, on this Easter, what better gift togive all of you than something that will put a smile on your face and a song inyour heart!  All creatures greatand small love their young just like you and me!

 http://www.youtube.com/watch_popup?v=SkY03n0_sD8&vq=medium

WHAT YA' DOING THIS SUMMER?

Looking for something exciting to do thissummer?  Well, here are a fewthings I’ll be doing, and you know I’d love to see you!

June 18      Billings, MT                              SDE

                 Rocky MountainConference      sde.com/rockymtn/index.asp

June 21 & 22  Charleston, SC                      ecsummit.cofc.edu

                   Early Childhood Summit

                   (This is filling up quickly!)

June 27 & 28  Atlanta, GA.                       SDE

                   Learn, Laugh, and Teach         sde.com/drjeanLLT

                   (Formerly Camp Kindergarten)

August 7 & 8  Manchester, NH                   SDE

                  Learn,Laugh, and Teach          .sde.com/drjeanLLT

                  (FormerlyCamp Kindergarten)

MORE RAINY DAY GAMES

DETECTIVE

One child is the “detective.”  The detective describes a “missingchild” (classmate), giving their eye color, hair color, description ofclothing, likes, etc.  The firstperson to identify the missing child gets to be the new detective.

Hint! Here is another variation of this game.  Send the detective out in the hall.  Select one child and hide him or her underyour desk or behind a shelf.  Thedetective returns to the classroom and tries to identify the missingchild.  (You can also let twochildren exchange seats and see if the detective can spot the switch.)

TOWER TOPPLE

Every child will need one block from theblock center for this game.  Thefirst child places their block on the floor.  The second child places his or her block on top of the firstblock.  The game continues as eachchild adds their block to the tower. When the “tower topples,” children get a block and the game begins allover again.

Hint! Have children count the blocks and see if they can beat their previousrecord.

SILENT BALL

You will need a small, soft ball for thisgame.  Explain that the object ofthe game is to see how many times you can toss the ball without talking.  Look at the person you are throwing theball to so they will be ready. Silently count how many times we can throw the ball without talking ordropping it.  If someone talks ordrops the ball, then the game begins all over again.

RAINY DAY GAMES

SILENT TOUCH

This is a great game to quiet children andbuild memory skills.  The firstchild gets up and touches an object and then sits down.  The second child gets up, touches thefirst object, then touches an additional object.  The third child touches the first object, second object, andadds a third object.  The gamecontinues as classmates touch what the previous children have touched insequential order and then add a new item. When a child forgets, simply begin the game all over again.

FOUR CORNERS

(Every year this was my class’ favoritegame!)

Number each of the corners in the room ~ 1,2, 3, 4.  Choose one person to be“it.”  “It” hides their eyes andslowly counts from one to ten as the rest of the class tiptoes to a corner inthe room.  When “it” says “freeze,”everyone must be in a corner.  “It”then calls out a number (1, 2, 3, or 4) and the children in that corner are outof the game.  They sit down in the“stew pot” in the middle of the room. “It” counts to ten again as everyone moves to a new corner.  The game continues until there is oneperson left.  That person becomesthe new “it.”

Hint! Shorten the game by having “it” call out two corners at a time.

If there is no one in the corner, ask “it”to call out another number.

KNOCK!  KNOCK!

(You're going to think this is stupid, but the kids loved it!)

Place flash cards face down in a pocket chart or on the chalk tray.  Pretend

to knock on one card at a time as you say, “Knock!  Knock!”  Children say,

“Who’s there?"  Turn over the card as children say, “It’s….” and identify

the information

RAIN ON THE HOUSETOP

Rain on the housetop,

rain on the trees.

Rain on the umbrella

but not on me!

This was always one of my favorite bulletin boards.  You could make it a little more creative by letting children use wallpaper scraps for the umbrellas.  They could also spatter paint or make collages on the umbrellas.

What If  - Have children draw pictures and write stories of what theywould do if they were a raindrop.

Webbing – Make an attribute web of all the thingsthat benefit from rain.                  Use aT-chart to brainstorm positive and negative things about rain.

Make Rain – Make “rain” as a transition activity toquiet children.  Hold up one palmand tap with one finger from the other hand.  Next, slowly add another finger and tape with two, thenthree, four, and five.  (At thispoint you can also stomp your feet to make thunder.)  Reverse the process by tapping with five fingers, then four,three, two, one.  Quietly placeyour hands in your lap.  It willreally sound like a rainstorm is coming and then going away.

IT'S RAINING GREAT IDEAS!

Rain

(Traditional Tune)

It’s raining, it’spouring,                         (Makerain by wiggling fingers

The old man issnoring.                           ina downward motion.)

Hewent to bed,

Andhe bumped his head,                       (Pretendto bump hand with palm.)

And he couldn’tget up in the morning.    (Shakehead “no.”)

Rain, rain, goaway,                                (Makerain with fingers.)

Come again anotherday.

All the childrenwant to play.

Rain, rain, goaway.

It’s raining, it’spouring,

The old man issnoring.

He went to bed,and he bumped his head,

And he couldn’tget up in the morning.


*Download this book at drjean.org/ April, 2007, monthly activities.

Old Man Snoring– Have children drawpictures of the “old man snoring.” Put them together to make a book.

Rainy DayReading  - Put a golf umbrella in the corner ofthe room and invite children to read books under it.

What If  - Have children draw pictures and write stories of what theywould do if they were a raindrop.

Webbing – Make an attribute web of all the thingsthat benefit from rain.  Use aT-chart to brainstorm positive and negative things about rain.

Make Rain – Make “rain” as a transition activity toquiet children.  Hold up one palmand tap with one finger from the other hand.  Next, slowly add another finger and tape with two, thenthree, four, and five.  (At thispoint you can also stomp your feet to make thunder.)  Reverse the process by tapping with five fingers, then four,three, two, one.  Quietly placeyour hands in your lap.  It willreally sound like a rain storm is coming and then going away.

SOUTH DAKOTA STAMPEDE

Oh, what a week Ihad in South Dakota!  The weatherwas incredible and the teachers were amazing!!!  From the beautiful Black Hills through the Badlands and theprairies to Sioux Falls, it was an exciting week.  If you’ve never seen Mt. Rushmore, it will take your breathaway!!!

South DakotaSong (Shirley Whitney)

(Tune:  “Frere Jacques”)

Are yougoing?  Are you going?

To South Dakota,to South Dakota?

Buffalo are agrazing

Pheasants are aflying.

Come, come, come!

Come, come, come!

The Word on theBus (Laura Gerlach)

Draw the outlineof a bus and place flashcards on the bus as you sing:

The word on thebus is was, was, was.

The word on thebus is was.

That’s the word onthe bus.

Counting inSpanish (Judy Knodel)

Sing to ten inSpanish to the tune of “I Had a Little Turtle.”  Flip and clap your hands as you wiggle your hips.

Uno, dos, tres,

cuatro, cinco,seis,

Siete, ocho, neueve, diez.

Earworm (KathyLiesinger)

When a song gets stuck in yourbrain it’s called an “earworm.”

Use the letter bus song to singthe different sounds one letter can make. For example, the “A” on the bus says /a/ /ay/ /ah/.

Attention Grabber(Vanessa Prasnicki)

Teacher sings to the tune of“Old MacDonald”:  (Teacher’s name)had a class.

Kids respond:  “A – E – I – O – U”

Eaglets

Search “decorah eagles” and youcan watch eagles hatching and growing.

Buggy (Denise Harford)

Write letters of the alphabeton popsicle sticks.  On some of thesticks have a picture of a bug. Children pull a stick out of a bag and tell the name and make the sound.  When they pull out a picture of a bugthey stand up and go “buggy” until you swat (clap hands) the bug down.

Hugs and Bubbles (Jo AnnHittle)

Before going in the hall remindchildren to give themselves a hug (cross arms over body) and put bubbles (puffout cheeks) in their mouths.

Tisket A Tasket Letters(Pam Uecker)

I can make a letter.

I can make a letter.

I use my arms (or hands),

I use my legs,

And I can make a letter.

(Call out a letter for thechildren to make with their bodies. You could use these for sign language or other signs from your phonicsprogram.)

Cell Phone (Janet E.)

You will need a picture of acell phone for this activity. Children can practice punching in their phone numbers, lunch accountnumbers, etc. on the phone.

Picture Walk (MelissaRoel)

Invite your students to take a“picture walk” through a new book. Ignore the words and have them focus on the pictures as you askquestions:

“What’s happening?” 

“Who is that?”

“Where are they?”

“What do you think this storyis about?”

You can use this for vocabularydevelopment, prediction, and other pre-reading skills.

Post It Letters (LisaMiller)

Teach the children to recognizetheir name and learn letters with this activity.  Put their name on a folder or poster board andlaminate.  Write letters on post itnotes and have them match the letters in their names.

Singing Names (ErinRempfes)

Teach children how to spelltheir names using the tune of “BINGO.” Write their names on flash cards and have them hold them up as you sing:

I have a friend who has a nameand child’s name is his/her name-o.

(Spell out), (spell out),(spell out),

And child’s name ishis/her name-o.

Stove Burners (RuthStabile)

Give children stove burners touse as their “work station” with magnetic letters.

Spinners (Ann Parsells)

Make a circle board with aspinner.  Divide into pie wedgesand put letters, colors, shapes, pictures, etc. in the wedges.  Children can spin and identify theinformation.  Adapt for categories,math, vocabulary, phonics, etc.

Letter Chart (KathyBarren)

Pass out cards with thechildren’s first names.  Place aletter you are working on in a pocket chart.  If their name has that letter they place it on the pocketchart.  If their name does not havethe letter, place it under the “no” sign. Count the number of names with and without the letter.  Repeat for last names.

Names (Pam Bonenberger)

Make flash cards withchildren’s first and last names and their picture.  Place 8 names at a time in a pocket chart and sing to thetune of “Are You Sleeping?”

Joe Smith,

Frank Wilson,

Amy Craft,

Susan Wells….

Pumpkin Teeth (SusanKraemer)

Draw a pumpkin face with teethusing a permanent marker and laminate. Color in some of the teeth with a water soluble marker to make themdirty.  Let children brush theteeth with a toothbrush and water as you sing, “This is the way you brush yourteeth…”