-
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
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-
2009
/ 20
10 T
oddl
er M
atrix
Sept
embe
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Dec
embe
rJa
nuar
yFe
brua
ryM
arch
Apr
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ayJu
neJu
lyA
ugus
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onth
ly
Them
eTh
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s O
nly
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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
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pace
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uper
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entis
t
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d to
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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
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mal
s &
Inse
cts
Eve
ryth
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omin
g U
p G
reen
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ico,
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ibbe
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ada,
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ig &
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& D
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ack
& F
ront
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ong
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& E
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t & H
ard
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gh &
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ooth
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, 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
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un, s
tar,
rock
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ky, b
aby,
ba
lloon
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euss
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nis
shoe
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ana,
pea
s,
stra
wbe
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pea
r
car,
hot a
ir ba
lloon
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rpla
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top
sign
, du
mp
truck
, hel
icop
ter,
train
, bul
ldoz
er
goos
e, d
uck,
turtl
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rabb
it, e
gg, c
hick
, hai
r, sp
oon
elep
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er, l
izar
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snak
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on m
onke
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gra
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boat
, fis
h, fl
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, vo
lcan
o, p
anda
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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
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y Si
gns
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k, M
ore,
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ove,
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appy
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ath,
G
entle
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p, B
allo
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Wat
er, A
irpla
ne, A
ngry
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ny, D
uck,
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g,
Turtl
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ird, B
all
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ug, M
onke
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ree,
D
iape
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omb,
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g,
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y, D
irty,
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phan
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iraffe
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lide,
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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?
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Big
Red
Bar
n
D
own
on th
e Fa
rmB
row
n B
ear
I W
ent W
alki
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w D
ay
M
erry
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istm
as B
ig
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gry
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r
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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
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garo
o H
ave
a M
othe
r, To
o?
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berr
y
Bus
y To
es
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ouse
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nt
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gh F
unLa
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eads
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egs
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eg B
oard
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go B
uild
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ting
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ls, C
ups,
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oxes
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zles
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ky B
oard
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ater
Toy
s &
Tur
key
Bas
ters
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ishy
Bag
s
Fun
With
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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)
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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
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a M
ania
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es
Rel
ay F
un
D
ance
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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
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(wk
1)
Sup
er-c
ise
Me
(wk
2)
R
un S
kip
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p
A
erob
ic D
ance
Sum
mer
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mpi
cs
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otba
ll &
Bas
ket B
all
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nam
ent P
lay
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ial D
ays
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r Day
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ndpa
rent
s D
ay
A
utum
n B
egin
s B
ack
to S
choo
l
Fall
Fest
ival
Hal
low
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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
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entin
e's
Day
Pre
side
nt's
Day
Gro
und
Hog
's D
ayS
t Pat
rick'
s D
ay
Spr
ing
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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
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arH
ealth
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odie
s In
Mot
ion
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sh, R
attle
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ing,
Ban
gIt'
s O
nly
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elie
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umbl
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the
Jung
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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
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inos
aur D
isco
very
Blu
ster
y W
inte
r
S
easo
n of
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hts
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entu
res
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pace
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uper
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entis
t
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d to
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s
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lthy
Food
s fo
r H
ealth
y B
odie
s
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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
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ico,
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ibbe
an
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nds,
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ada,
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naU
SA
, Aus
tralia
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an,
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man
yA
frica
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land
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land
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ia
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s Ph
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d, e
, fg,
h, i
j, k,
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ig &
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hort
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all
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ver &
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erIn
& O
ut
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ack
& F
ront
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ight
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ong
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hort
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uiet
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mpt
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t & H
ard
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gh &
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ooth
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onne
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nsc
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, 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
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k, b
ear,
turk
ey, t
ree,
leaf
, dee
r, ow
l,
hat,
boot
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oat,
mitt
ens,
ligh
t, sn
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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
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rrot
, ban
ana,
pea
s,
stra
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rry,
pea
r
car,
hot a
ir ba
lloon
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sign
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p tru
ck, h
elic
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r, sp
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izar
d,
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onke
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butte
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ss
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, fis
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ower
, vo
lcan
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anda
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se,
wat
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and
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garo
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orks
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t, ha
nds,
ric
e, b
owl,
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up,
hipp
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y Si
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ore,
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ank
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ong,
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appy
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ath,
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entle
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ird, B
all
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ug, M
onke
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elp,
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ree,
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iape
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omb,
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idK
anga
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, Son
g,
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side
, Pla
y, D
irty,
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phan
t, G
iraffe
, S
lide,
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se, C
ake,
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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
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a Zo
oms!
A
lpha
Bee
p
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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
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othe
r, To
o?
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berr
y
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y To
es
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ouse
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nt
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ish
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a G
anso
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e en
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elva
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iew
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orP
aper
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ring
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ydou
gh F
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eads
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ottle
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egs
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eg B
oard
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go B
uild
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ting
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oxes
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zles
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ky B
oard
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ater
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s &
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key
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ters
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ishy
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s
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tnes
sM
e, M
ysel
f & I
Fitn
ess
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essi
ons
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ball
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es
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ovin
' to
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Mus
ic
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iatu
re G
olf (
wk
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iatu
re G
olf (
wk
2)
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mal
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ean
Bag
Boo
gie
(wk
1)
Bea
n B
ag
Boo
gie
(wk
2)
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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)
Soc
cer B
onan
za
S
uper
-Bal
l
Gam
es (w
k 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
S
afet
y
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. D
ay
Val
entin
e's
Day
Pre
side
nt's
Day
Gro
und
Hog
Day
St P
atric
k's
Day
S
prin
g B
egin
sE
aste
r
W
OY
CM
othe
r's D
ay
Cin
co d
e M
ayo
Fath
er's
Day
Fl
ag D
ay
S
umm
er B
egin
sIn
depe
nden
ce D
ayE
nd o
f Sum
mer
-
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
TIO
NFI
NE
MO
TO
R
FUN
WIT
H F
ITN
ES
S
GR
OS
S M
OT
OR
BA
BY
SIG
NS
, CO
LOR
S,
SH
AP
ES
,
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
TIO
NFI
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.
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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.
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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.
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Art Explortation
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Phonics Focus
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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
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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.
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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!
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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
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Language Connection
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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