Memorial Day Activities for Preschool and Kindergarten

Posted on May 15, 2012 by pschooltoolbox
Translation

Many will celebrate Memorial Day with friends and family to remember those that have fought and died for the United States of America!  Below are a few activities to help introduce young children to one of the symbols of American Freedom:  our FLAG.  For more ideas for family fun on Memorial Day, please visit our Memorial Day post on Squidoo!

 

Patriotic Craft Stick Puzzles for Kids

Materials needed:  Large Craft Sticks, Red/White/Blue Paint, Paintbrushes, Pencils, and Smocks (or an old T-shirt) to protect clothing.

Each flag puzzle will need 7 craft sticks.  On 3 of the craft sticks mark a line vertically to divide the craft sticks that will be painted with TWO colors (to form the blue area of the flag).  Have the children paint 2 craft sticks WHITE, 2 craft sticks RED, 2 craft sticks BLUE/RED, and one craft stick BLUE/WHITE.  Allow the craft sticks to dry thoroughly.  When dry, scramble the craft sticks and ask the children to put the “flag” puzzle together.

If desired, the children can use foil stars to decorate the blue area of the flags.

For younger children:  numbering the back of the craft sticks will help with placement.

FLAGS in a Jar Snack for Kids

Ingredients:

3 Tablespoons Butter

4 Cups of Miniature Marshmallows

6 Cups of Crispy Rice Cereal

Red/Blue Food Coloring

In 3 large microwave bowls, put one tablespoon of butter and 1 and 1/3 cups of miniature marshmallows.  Microwave each bowl for approx. one minute (or until marshmallows are melted – watch closely so the mixture doesn’t scorch.)  Stir each of the bowls well.  In ONE bowl, add 6 drops of red food coloring and stir well.  In another bowl, add 6 drops of blue food coloring and stir well.  The third bowl should not have any food coloring added.  In one bowl at a time, stir in 2 cups of crispy rice cereal.  *Hint:  it is easier to handle the mixtures with hands that are wet with cold water.

Layer the colored cereal mixtures into small glass jars.  The treats can be made in advance and will stay fresh.  The jars also make nice gifts from kids for Patriotic celebrations.

Patriotic Roll and Cover Math Game - Patriotic Roll and Cover

Materials needed:  One Patriotic Roll and Cover (linked above) for each child, miniature marshmallows (or other small counters), and 2 dice for each child.

Have the children roll two dice, count the number of dots on the dice, and use the miniature marshmallows to cover the corresponding numbered flag.

For more summer activities (beach, patriotic, bubbles, and a general summer theme), please see The Preschool Toolbox!

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Painting Cakes, Candies, and Pies – Wayne Thiebaud for Young Kids!

Posted on May 9, 2012 by pschooltoolbox
Translation

Great Artists and Masterpieces are fun to present to young children.  The key is to help children learn about the artists and artworks in a way that isn’t all “lecture and listen.”  Art is meant to be hands-on;  for children, the presentation of artists and art  should be too! 

Wayne Thiebaud (pronounced “Tee-bo”) 

Wayne Thiebaud was born in Mesa, Arizona on November 23, 1920 (show the children on a map where Arizona is located in relation to where they live.)  While still in school, Wayne took at job at Walt Disney Studios where he drew cartoon characters (ask the children if they know what a cartoonist does – allow time to let the children share their favorite cartoon characters.)  Later, Wayne drew pictures of candies and other treats.

Three Machines (1963), by Wayne Thiebaud. De Young Museum, San Francisco.

Have the children use markers, crayons, or paints to make their own gumball machine - Color a Gumball Machine  The children can also roll “gumballs” out of different materials:  clay, play dough, moon sand, etc.  Have the children compare the textures of the different gumballs.  Do some gumballs look more appealing than others?  Why?

As Wayne’s drawing and painting techniques improved (remind the children that even great artists practiced a lot), he found that he loved to paint pies and cakes - “Cakes they are glorious, they are like toys.” – Wayne Thiebaud

Wayne’s paintings of pies and cakes look so delicious because he used thick paints and shadows to make them appear to be real!

Neapolitan Meringue by Wayne Thiebaud - Smithsonian American Art Museum

NEAPOLITAN MERINGUE by Wayne Thiebaud

Have the children look at a picture of the Neapolitan Meringue by Wayne Thiebaud.  Ask the children if they have had Neapolitan ice cream before?  What is unique about Neapolitan ice cream?  What colors did Mr. Thiebaud use in the painting?

Ask the children if they know what a meringue is.  Have the children look at the meringue in the picture.  What makes the meringue look real?

Have the children point out the shadowing in the painting.  Does it look like a real shadow to them?  Place objects in the classroom near a light source or a window. Help the children make shadows with different classroom objects.

 The children can also explore the concept of meringue with shaving cream.  Let the children use disposable pie plates and make “meringues” with shaving cream.

Make Neapolitan Ice Cream Pies with the children.

Ingredients needed:  Neapolitan Ice Cream (slightly softened), an ice cream scoop, vanilla wafers, whipped topping, and cupcake liners.

Have the children place one vanilla wafer inside of a cupcake liner.  Help the children put one scoop of Neapolitan ice cream on top of the vanilla wafer.  Top the ice cream with whipped topping (to resemble the “meringue”).  Freeze the pies until ready to serve.

The children will love learning about Wayne Thiebaud and his paintings.  For MORE resources visit any of the links below.

Smithsonian American Art Museum

MetroArtWork

Counting with Wayne Thiebaud

Delicious:  The Art and Life of Wayne Thiebaud by Susan Goldman Rubin

Images for Wayne Thiebaud’s Art Online

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Magnet Experiments and Games for Young Kids!

Posted on May 1, 2012 by pschooltoolbox
Translation

Do you remember playing with Wooly Willy?  Wooly Willy is a classic magnetic game where children (or adults) manipulate the metal fillings with a magnetic wand to give funny facial features to Willy.  Children can play to see who can create the funniest beard and eyebrows!  If your children have not experienced the magic of magnets, this is a great introductory game to offer!

What items are Magnetic?

To help children understand what objects are magnetic, go on a scavenger hunt around the classroom (or house) and find items to test.

  Materials needed:  assorted items from the scavenger hunt, a magnet, and one recording sheet for each child (or small group). - Magnetic Recording Sheet

Lay the assorted items out on a table or the floor.  Help the children write down the names of the items on the recording sheet.  Pick out an item to test and ask the children whether they THINK the item will be magnetic or not.  Test the item with a magnet to find out.  The children can circle YES on the recording sheet if the item IS magnetic (or circle NO if the item is NOT magnetic).  Repeat the process above for each of the items the children found.

Magnetic or Non-Magnetic Sorting Bin

Place all of the items found on the scavenger hunt into a bin or drawer.  Make two containers:  one labeled “MAGNETIC” and one labeled “NON-MAGNETIC.”  Let the children use magnets to sort the items into the appropriate containers.  Add different items to the bin daily for the children to test.

Exploring Magnets and Water

Have the children pick a couple of items from the scavenger hunt.  Fill a glass half-way with water and insert one of the items.  Let the children take turns trying to get the item out of the glass with the magnet.  Have the children try different positions with the magnet to see if one postion works better than the other.  Our class chose paper clips and pipe cleaners for our water experiment.  The paper clips worked great in water, but the pipe cleaners absorbed the water and made them too heavy for our classroom magnets to pick up.

We tried the pipe cleaners in a DRY glass and our magnet worked!

Discovering a Compass

Let the children explore a compass and a map with a compass rose.  Show the children the map and explain that there are 4 main directions on a map:  North, South, East, and West.  Point out the compass rose and see if the children can find the N, S, E, and W letters.  Help the children locate where THEY live on the map.  Find cities/states/countries or other points of interest on the map that are North, South, East, and West of where the children live.  Show the children a compass and have them locate the N, S, E, and W letters on the compass.  If desired, have the children make a simple compass:  draw a circle (or use a paper plate) and have the children put the letters N, S, E, and W on the circle.

Explain to the children that a compass has a magnet inside that makes the compass work.  Let the children use a magnet to try and move the needle inside the compass.  What happens to the needle when the children move the magnet around the outside of the compass?  What happens to the compass needle when the magnet is set on a table below or above the compass?  While very young children may not fully understand how to use a compass, offering them tiny seeds of knowledge and discovery will go a long way toward future explorations!

Large Motor Directional Game:  Make signs with the letters N (North), S (South), E (East), and W (West).  Ask the children to perform different large muscle movements to “travel” in one of the directions (for ex:  Hop to the East, Jump to the South, Tip-Toe to the North, etc.)  Play the game outside if the weather permits!

Move the “Caterpillar” Magnet Game

Materials needed:  Ball Magnets (the “Caterpillar”) and a bar or wand magnet.

*Note – DO NOT let younger children who still put objects in their mouth play with magnet balls without very close supervision as they pose a choking hazard!

Have the children line the magnet balls up to form a “caterpillar.”  Let the children discover how they can “push” or “pull” the caterpillar around a table or the floor using a wand or bar magnet.

Our kids had a blast playing with magnets.  We hope that your children enjoy some of the activities, too!  For more experiments to try with your own children this summer, see the Summertime Thematic Unit at The Preschool Toolbox!

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Celebrating The Week of the Young Child™ 2012

Posted on April 9, 2012 by pschooltoolbox
Translation

The Week of the Young Child™  (April 22-28, 2012) is an annual celebration sponsored by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC).  The purpose is to focus on the needs of young children, their families, and to celebrate those who work and care for our nation’s youngest children.  

There are many ways to celebrate and join with others who wish to acknowledge families, caregivers, teachers, and others who work diligently to help young children grow and learn.  Last year our children made drawings – we’ll share with you our project!

Voicethread Pictures and Explanations –  The Week of the Young Child™ 

*hint – you may need to adjust the sound from your speakers as some of the children speak softly:)

Other possible ways to celebrate:

1)  Bring a small gift or note of gratitude to your young child’s teacher or caregiver.

2)  Encourage community leaders to honor early childhood professionals in your own city.

3)  Write an article to your local newspaper about the things your family, school, childcare, or homeschool might be doing to celebrate.

4)  Check with your local Child Care Resource and Referral Network to see if there are ways you can help celebrate in your own area.  Visit:  National Association of Childcare Resource and Referral Agencies/Child Care Aware to find your own CCRRN by entering the correct zip code.  In IL, visit: Childcare Resource and Referral Network.

For MORE information and ideas on how YOU might get involved, visit the NAEYC!

 

 

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Busy Bumblebee Song, Color Words and Numbers, and Bee Crafts!

Posted on April 16, 2012 by pschooltoolbox
Translation

Bottle Cap Beehive and Play Dough Bees Craft for Kids

Bottle Cap Beehive - have the children use bottle caps to make circle prints on yellow paper.  We used yellow and brown tempera paint, but the children could make their hives any color desired.  When the children are finished printing with the caps, cut the paper into a hive shape.

Laminate (or cover with clear contact paper) the painted beehives above (make sure the bottle cap paint prints are thoroughly dry) and let the children make play dough bees to play with on the beehive.

I’m a Busy Bumblebee Song (to the tune “She’ll be Comin’ Around the Mountain)

I’m a busy, busy, busy bumblebee, BUZZ! BUZZ!

I’m a busy, busy, busy bumblebee, BUZZ! BUZZ!

As I sit on a flower all day long,

I’ll grab that pollen and SING THIS SONG!

I’m a busy, busy, busy bumblebee, BUZZ! BUZZ!

~adaptation to traditional by The Preschool Toolbox

Bee Color Words and Colors - Bee Color Words and Color Match

Materials needed:  One Bee Color Words and Color Match printable (linked above) for each student and scissors.

Print the file for each of your children onto heavy paper and laminate.  Have the children cut out each of the cards (assist younger children).  Read the color words to your children and see if they can match the color word to the corresponding color.  For younger children, print two copies of the colors only page and have the children match the colors without the color words.  As the color words are introduced, it helps to have the children look at the beginning letter to help them decide what color word it is:  begin with the primary colors and expand as the children catch on (BLUE, BLACK, BROWN and PURPLE/PINK are going to present the same beginning letter and the children will have to look beyond the FIRST letter or two in those color words.)

Extension:  Print several copies of the file and have the children play a matching game (memory style) with either the words only, the colors only, or both.  Have the children turn the cards face down and pick two cards at a time.  If the cards match, the player gets to keep those cards. If they are not a match, the player turns the cards face down again and play continues to another student.

NUMBER WORDS and NUMBERS – Print the NUMBER WORDS and NUMBERS file – Bee Number Words and Numbers for the children and have the children match numbers to the corresponding number words.  Younger children can match numbers to numbers.  There are several blank bee cards for use with any numbers/number words your children might be working on.

Wikki Stix© Bees and Bee Stick Puppet Crafts

Materials needed:  Yellow and Black Wikki Stix© and crafts sticks (if making stick puppets).

Demonstrate for the children how to make a spiral out of the yellow Wikki Stix©.  We used three Wikki Stix© to make the bee’s body.  Make black spirals for the bee’s head.  Fold black Wikki Stix© and made the antennae, body lines, and the bee’s stinger.  The Wikki Stix© have an adhesive property that allows the body parts to stick together without using glue.

Extension:  have the children wrap a craft stick with yellow and black Wikki Stix© and press the bee (made above) to the craft stick.  We use the bee stick puppets when we sing the “Busy Bumblebee” song above.

Wikki Stix© Bee Stick Puppet Craft

Kids love to learn and talk about insects!  For MORE great teaching ideas see: 

The Organized Classroom Blog

 

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Mother’s Day Food and Flower Crafts!

Posted on April 17, 2012 by pschooltoolbox
Translation


Triple Chocolate Chip Jar Cookies for Mother’s Day!

Materials/Ingredients needed:  large bowl, mixing spoons, 1 1/2 qt. large-mouth jars, ribbons and recipe/gift card - Triple Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe and Gift Tag

For the jar:

2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

1 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 cup sugar

1 cup brown sugar

1 cup dark chocolate chips

1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips

1 cup white chocolate or milk chocolate chips

Mix the flour and baking soda together and have the children put the flour mixture into the jar using a small measuring cup or large spoon to transfer.  Next layer the white sugar and brown sugar.  The chocolate chips can be mixed together to form the top layer of the jar.  Print the recipe card/gift tag above and attach with a pretty ribbon to the jar for a Mother’s Day gift from your students.

Handprint Pipe Cleaner Flower Craft

Materials needed:  Assorted Pipe Cleaners, Crayons, Paint, Paint Trays or Paper Plates, Smocks or old T-Shirts to protect clothing, Cotton Swabs or Paintbrushes, Poster Putty or Tape, and Construction Paper.

Have the children trace their non-dominant hand and forearm with a crayon or marker onto construction paper (assist younger children).  The petals are formed by bending the pipe cleaners in half and shaping.  We attached all the ends of the pipe cleaners to one ball of poster putty.  The children can also tape the flowers to the mounting sheet of paper, but the poster putty worked well.  Press the ball of poster putty to the mounting paper and the flower is ready for the handprint stem.  Place the handprint stem over the flower and press into the poster putty (additional putty may be needed to secure the stem).  The children can then chose paint colors to add inside each of the petals. The flower craft makes a cute craft for Mother’s Day.  If desired, purchase frames and add the child’s name/age/picture to the flower craft.

Cardboard Tube Flower Crafts

Materials needed:  Cardboard tubes, scissors, paint, paint trays or paper plates, smocks or old t-shirts to protect clothing, paper, and paintbrushes or crayons/markers.

Prior to the activity, make slits all the way around a cardboard tube.  Fold the cut pieces up to form separate “petals” on the tube (see photo above).  Have the children choose the color of paint they wish to use to make their flower crafts.  Use the slit cardboard tube to make flower prints on the paper (the prints look better after the cardboard absorbs some of the paint.)  Let the children use paintbrushes or crayons/markers to make the stem and leaves for the flower craft.  Let the prints dry thoroughly.

We wish all MOMS a blessed Mother’s Day!

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Ice Cream Math, Paper Plate Aquariums, and a Bubble Hunt for Kids!

Posted on April 23, 2012 by pschooltoolbox
Translation

Squishy Paper Plate Aquariums

Are YOUR children looking forward to SUMMERTIME?  With the warmer days, children anticipate all the wonders and joys that summertime offers!  Going to the beach, eating ice cream, playing outside, and making bubbles are just a FEW of the fun-filled summer activities that our children look forward to.  We hope the suggestions below will allow parents, teachers, caregivers, and kids to spend some creative and FUN time together!

SQUISHY PAPER PLATE AQUARIUMS 

Materials needed (per child):  2 Paper Plates, a Stapler, Craft Foam Fish or Ocean Foam Stickers, Blue Hair Gel, Gallon Zippered Bags, an old T-Shirt (or paint smock) to protect clothing.

Prior to the activity (adult only):  Use a bowl to trace a large circle onto each of the paper plates. Cut the circles out so that each of the plates has a large opening in the center.

Give each of the children a gallon size bag and have them transfer the blue hair gel (resembling water) to the bags (*we tried using spoons to transfer the gel, but it was difficult for the children to hold the bag open AND transfer the gel – what DID work was to fill a separate gallon bag with hair gel and push into one corner.  We snipped the corner of the bag and let the children “pipe” the gel into their bags (frosting bag style).

After the gel is “piped” into the individual plastic bags, let the children add foam stickers or cut-outs.  Close the bag and make sure the zipper is completely closed (for extra protection from gel leaks, we placed duct tape over the zippered closure on the bags.)

Place the gallon bags inside of the two paper plates and assist the children in stapling around the outside edges of the paper plates (the gels bags will have to be tucked under the paper plate rim and stapled together with the paper plates.)  The children can then use any left-over stickers to decorate the outside of the aquariums.  As the children squeeze the bags, the fish change places.   It is a FUN sensory experience for children (and adults!).

Upcycle a water bottle into a BUBBLE BLOWER

A HUNT FOR NON-TRADITIONAL BUBBLE MAKING TOOLS 

Materials needed:  Commercial or homemade bubble solution and a variety of household or classroom items.

We set out to discover what items we could find in our classroom (or in the house) that would make bubbles.  It was fun to watch the children THINK about the project and look for items that could potentially be used to MAKE BUBBLES.  Some of the items we gathered were: a pastry brush, a spatula, a plastic water bottle, a wire whisk, and a potato masher.

A pastry brush, a water bottle, a potato masher, a whisk, and a spatula

It was interesting to try the different items to see which ones would successfully make bubbles. We cut the water bottle in half and it was, BY FAR, the best bubble maker of them all!  The spatula and potato masher worked well, especially when we ran fast and waved them in the air.  The pastry brush and whisk were bad for bubble making!:)  What items can YOUR children find that they could experiment making bubbles with?

ICE CREAM CONE MATH ACTIVITY - Ice Cream Cone Roll and Color

Print the file (linked above) for each of your children.  Have the children roll two dice, count the dots on the dice, and then color the cone with the corresponding number! The children could also use the file as a “count and cover” activity and place counters over the “scoop” when the corresponding number is rolled.

For more FREE RESOURCES AND ACTIVITIES for a Summer, Ocean, or Beach Theme, visit us on Squidoo!

For an entire summer of learning and play activities, see the Summertime Thematic Unit which contains 4 entire themes:  BUBBLES, PATRIOTIC, BEACH, and GENERAL SUMMER.  The Ocean Thematic Unit also provides over 100 pages of learning and FUN!

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Transforming Preschool “BAND AID” love into a Butterfly’s Life Cycle!

Posted on April 26, 2012 by pschooltoolbox
Translation

Using band Aids for a Butterfly's Life Cycle

Most kids WANT to use band aids (even for those imaginary “ouchies” that sometimes arise!)  While our kids were in a particularly long phase of “band aid love,” we transformed the interest into a “Butterfly’s Life Cycle” (and practiced our fine motor skills with all of the peeling and sticking).

Materials needed per craft:  One paper plate, 2 colored band aid strips, 3 circle band aids, 1 fingertip butterfly band aid, 1 small white gauze pad and first aid tape (or the children can roll two regular band-aid strips for the pupa stage), markers or crayons, scissors, glue sticks, and one life cycle printable - Life Cycle of a Butterfly

Help the children draw lines to divide their paper plate into 4 sections (or do prior to the activity).  Print the Life Cycle of a Butterfly labels (linked above) and have the children cut  apart.  Explain to the children that their are 4 separate stages to the butterfly’s life cycle.

1.  The Eggs – the female butterfly lays eggs and attaches them to leaves.

2.  The Caterpillar – the worm-like stage of the butterfly is the caterpillar.  The caterpillar eats leaves and grows.

3.  The Chrysalis (pupa) – after the caterpillar has grown it forms a chrysalis (or pupa) where changes take place within to transform the caterpillar into a….

4.  Butterfly – the butterfly then emerges from the pupa and the life cycle starts all over again.

After discussing the 4 Stages of a Butterfly, have the children place the circle band aids (eggs) at the top (left corner) of the paper plate.   The children can then glue the label (EGGS) from the printable under the band aids.

In the right corner (top) have the children use one of the colored band aid strips to resemble the caterpillar.  The children can adds legs or antennae with the crayons or markers, if desired.  Glue the label (CATERPILLAR) under the band aid strip.

The chrysalis stage can be made using a small gauze pad (rolled and sealed with tape) or by rolling two regular size band aids.  Some of the children colored the white gauze rolls green with markers (to more closely resemble the chrysalis).  Have the children glue the CHRYSALIS label under the bandages.

We made the final stage of the life cycle with a fingertip BUTTERFLY bandage and one regular strip band aid.  Have the children put the regular bandage on the plate vertically (to resemble the butterfly’s body).  The butterfly bandage is put across the butterfly’s body to form the wings.  The children should glue the strip with the word BUTTERFLY into the last section of the paper plate.

Have the children use markers/crayons to add any additional features they wish to make.

Our kids loved using the band aids to make the butterfly life cycles!  For more lesson ideas and files to print:  See the BUGS and INSECTS Thematic Unit at The Preschool Toolbox!

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Memorial Day Activities for Young Kids!

Posted on April 29, 2012 by pschooltoolbox
Translation

Each year on the last Monday in May, we celebrate Memorial Day (a day to remember all the soldiers who have fought and died for the United States of America!) Young children may have fears associated with death and dying (especially if the subject has not been discussed at home).  Keep the discussions about Memorial Day light and offer a celebration of the soldiers who have fought for us to live in a country that has freedoms (personal choices). 

Flag Napkin Snack 

Have the children create fruit flags on napkins for a special snack.  Prior to snack time, wash the blueberries/strawberries and cut the strawberries into slices.  Set out miniature marshmallows along with the fruit.  Let the children use the fruit and marshmallows to create a “flag” on their napkins (it may be helpful to make a flag snack for the children to have a “visual” or post of picture of the U.S. Flag).  Serve the flag snack with a cheese stick for a fun “Patriotic” treat!

Stars Patterning -Stars Patterning

Materials needed:  One stars patterning file (linked above) for each child and red/blue crayons or markers (if desired, the children can use white crayons for the white stars in the pattern or leave the paper as is.)

Print the stars patterning page for each of your children.  Have the children complete the patterns by coloring the LAST star in each row either red, white, or blue.

Extension:  Have the children use foil stars to create their own patterns.  Make a pattern  for younger children and see if they can copy or extend the star pattern.  Older children can use the foil stars to create more difficult patterns.

For a free printable flag template see other Patriotic Activities for Kids!  Have the children use white paint or white crayons and foil stars to create their own U.S Flags.

For a Wikki Stix Flag Craft Idea visit us on Squidoo!

The Summertime Thematic Unit at The Preschool Toolbox contains:  a complete PATRIOTIC UNIT, Beach Unit, Bubbles Unit, and General Summer Unit.  There are 4- themes-in-one for a summer filled with learning and play!

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