To introduce this letter, put a duck in a box or bag and give the kids 3 clues to what’s inside.

• I’m small
• I’m yellow
• I can swim
• I can fly
• I say ‘quack’

Song

5 Little Ducks

Book

Duck reviewed by Pioneer Woman – I didn’t see this book on my library run, but I sure wish I had it when I was teaching the letter Q.  What a cute book.

I liked sharing non-fiction books about Ducks this week.  Check out the 598.4 area of the non-fiction section of your local library.  Look for books with lots of pictures or drawings of ducks.  We talked about how duck families are the same as ours — their parents love them, take care of them, teach them skills, and travel in a group.

Games/Activities

Perfect day for a game of Duck, Duck, Goose.  I’ve noticed that if children haven’t played this game very much it takes a bit of practice for them to get into the routine of jumping up and running around the circle.  For this age group I just have both kids run and the kid who was ‘it’ sits down while the kid he said ‘goose’ to is the new ‘it’.  In my house there’s tears if a kid gets caught and has to sit in the middle of the circle.

Lucky Duck – This cute preschool game teaches kids colors as they match the sticker on the bottom of a plastic duck to the color on their lily pad.  Warning: this game is loud.  We put duct tape over the speaker to muffle the sound.  While I probably wouldn’t spend $25 on this game, I’ve seen it available used at garage sales, and consignment stores like Once Upon A Child.  Grandma gave us ours (picked up used) and the kids have enjoyed it for years.

Paper Plate Duck from Enchanted Learning – this is a cute little activity for young ones.  Since most at this age don’t have the fine motor skills to use scissors, I suggest you break this craft up into 2 days.  Day 1: trace each kid’s hand (and/or let them try to do each others).  Write the kids names on their hands in pencil.  While you’re helping trace hands, have each kid fold a paper plate in half and color it yellow.  Day 1.5: cut out all the handprints. Day 2: Time to glue.  Assemble the duck as per the directions.

If you’re just joining us you may want to read the “How to set up a co-op preschool” post. Each week I’ll be sharing ideas for introducing your preschoolers to the letters of the alphabet. Not all of these ideas will work for everyone. As the year goes on, you’ll figure out what works for your group of kids. To start the alphabet, check out ideas for the letters A and B or just bookmark this page for all my preschool ideas.

This week’s focus comes from a song on the Spash Zone CD I told you about last week.

Songs:
ABC
Penguin Party from the Spash Zone CD
Penguins in Rio from the Spash Zone CD

Books:

My Penguin Osbert by Elizabeth Cody Kimmel about a boy who asks for a Penguin for Christmas…and gets one.

Seven Weeks on an Iceberg: A journey to the coldest place on the planet…Antarctica by Keith Potter — pick out a few pages to show the kids pictures and explain what penguins do all day — swim, waddle, eat, etc.  This book is not good for reading front to back with the kids.

The World of Penguins by Evelyne Daigle.  This book has lots of great information to share with the kids.  They are probably too young for you to read it all to them, so pick out 3-4 pages and share the information with them.  Don’t forget the photos at the end of the book.

Game/Activity:

While listening to Penguins in Rio, lay out beach towels and pretend to be on the beach with the penguins. What would they do? They are used to the cold. Do you think they would go swimming? Build sandcastles? find some ice cream?

Practice writing the letter P. Some practice sheets can be found at First School or this one.

Balloon Games – while listening to Penguin Party, have the kids try to keep balloons up in the air….but….they have to walk like penguins.  Make sure you have a big enough space for this because it’s bound to get a little crazy.  You will probably have to remind the kids to walk like a penguin.

If you’re just joining us you may want to read the “How to set up a co-op preschool” post.  Each week I’ll be sharing ideas for introducing your preschoolers to the letters of the alphabet.   Not all of these ideas will work for everyone.  As the year goes on, you’ll figure out what works for your group of kids.  To start the alphabet, check out ideas for the letters A and B or just bookmark this page for all my preschool ideas.

This week we’ll talk about oceans and the animals and plants that live there.  If you live very near the ocean seriously think about taking a field trip after you’ve talked about ocean life.  I’ve never lived that close to an ocean, but I think it would be great for kids to go together as a class (with their parents in tow, of course).

Songs:

This CD is a great compilation of songs written and performed by Linda Arnold for the Monterrey Bay (CA) Aquarium.  Each song has a catchy tune and teaches kids about the ocean and the animals that live there.  My 4 year old loves this CD and can sing along with all the songs.  You could have this CD playing in the background throughout your class.  Samples of each track are available at Amazon.

Stories:
Non-fiction books about animals that live in the ocean.  Check out the children’s non-fiction section in the 550-590′s

Activity:
Create an ocean – have pictures of different ocean life for the kids to color and glue onto a blue paper ocean.  Encourage them to use colors from the pictures you shared during story time.  Some coloring pages can be found at:

Ocean Animals color pages

Ocean Animals at First-School

Directed Playtime….if you have any stuffed animals that live in the ocean set them out and encourage the kids to make up stories about them.
Fish Tank – if you have a fish tank talk about the differences between the pet fish you have and sea creatures.  You could point out differences like: size, shape, predators, tank size vs ocean size, pet vs wild animals.

Go Fish! During play time play the game with 2 kids at a time.  Ours loved to yell “GO FISH!” at the top of their lungs.  I think that’s the best part of the game.  Trying to play the game with more than 2 kids at a time is difficult because they’re usually not great at taking turns if they don’t know the game.  You may have to help the kids figure out what to ask for.  And don’t expect any  of strategy.  That doesn’t come for a few years.

Snack Ideas: Goldfish,  Oreos,  Gummy Fish

If you’re just joining us you may want to read the “How to set up a co-op preschool” post.  Each week I’ll be sharing ideas for introducing your preschoolers to the letters of the alphabet.   Not all of these ideas will work for everyone.  As the year goes on, you’ll figure out what works for your group of kids.  To start the alphabet, check out ideas for the letters A and B or just bookmark this page for all my preschool ideas.

This week’s focus is the night.   Ask the kids to wear PJs and bring slippers.  Have a mock slumber party on the family room floor.

Songs:
ABC

Where Do My Sneakers Go At Night by Rick Charette (funny song about what our shoes do when we’re sleeping)

Books:

Pick out some favorite bedtime stories.  A few of our favorites are:

Game/Activity:

Have an indoor slumber party with the kids.  Let them “sleep” on the floor with blankets or sleeping bags.  If you have a play tent even better.  Keep the lights off and use flashlights for light.

If you’re just joining us you may want to read the “How to set up a co-op preschool” post.  Each week I’ll be sharing ideas for introducing your preschoolers to the letters of the alphabet.   Not all of these ideas will work for everyone.  As the year goes on, you’ll figure out what works for your group of kids.  To start the alphabet, check out ideas for the letters A and B or just bookmark this page for all my preschool ideas.Co

This week focus on each individual child.  Help them understand some of the things that make them unique and special.  Talk about how some things are the same as their classmates and other things are different.  For example, 2 kids might have blue eyes, but that doesn’t make them the same person.  One kid might love red and another kid hate it.  But, that’s ok  to be different.

Songs:
ABC
Let each kid pick a favorite song to sing.

Books:

Pick out favorite books from past preschool days.  Or pick out a few of your favorites.  Here’s a few that I like to read to this age group:

Game/Activity:

All About Me: In the elementary schools, many classrooms have “Star of the Week” posters.  Make these great posters for each kid. Take a large piece of paper, cardstock, or posterboard and help each kid titled “All About Me.”  Things to include could be:

• name
• favorite color
• favorite breakfast food
• favorite dinner food
• drawing of their family
• self portrait
• favorite cartoon character
• favorite book
• etc

You can use a variety of media for this project and span it over 2 days.  It should be fun to make, not work for the kids.  You might want to put out these supplies:

• Kid magazines (with pictures of cartoon characters and books)
• crayons
• colored pencils
• foam shapes
• colored paper
• construction paper (to denote favorite color)
• glue sticks
• glitter if you’re adventurous

I’d suggest you leave actual cutting to the teacher of the week.  Kids at this age can often get distracted and end up cutting more than they bargained for — like hair, fingers, etc.

Have fun this week learning more about what makes each kid unique.

If you’re just joining us you may want to read the “How to set up a co-op preschool” post.  Each week I’ll be sharing ideas for introducing your preschoolers to the letters of the alphabet.   Not all of these ideas will work for everyone.  As the year goes on, you’ll figure out what works for your group of kids.  To start the alphabet, check out ideas for the letters A and B or just bookmark this page for all my preschool ideas.

Songs:
ABC
Lift Up Your Voice and Sing!

Books:

I see a leaf / story by Grace Maccarone
The Big Leaf Pile (Clifford)

Game/Activity:

Leaf Hunt – take a walk in your neighborhood and look for leaves.  If they are on the ground pick up a variety for a craft.  Point out the different sizes and colors of the leaves.  Also note if some trees still have their leaves.

Leaf Rubbings – for this age group I’ve found that it helps to tape the paper to the table.  This keeps it from moving.   If you want to do this activity, but you’re out of fresh leaves, check out your local craft store for craft leaves.  Once Halloween is over they typically have fall decorations on clearance.  I like to use a variety of leaf sizes and shapes for this activity.

If you’re just joining us you may want to read the “How to set up a co-op preschool” post.  Each week I’ll be sharing ideas for introducing your preschoolers to the letters of the alphabet.   Not all of these ideas will work for everyone.  As the year goes on, you’ll figure out what works for your group of kids.  To start the alphabet, check out ideas for the letters A and B or just bookmark this page for all my preschool ideas.

Songs:
ABC
Here we are Together
Kindness Begins with Me
Lift Up Your Voice and Sing!

Books:
non-fiction books about Kangaroo and Koala Bears in the 599′s
(talk about where each one lives and what they do, what they eat, etc)
Animals Should Definitely NOT Act Like People. by Judi Barrett
Sledding by Elizabeth Winthrop

If you Take a Mouse to the Movies by Laura Numeroff

Game/Activity:
Snowflake matching game (because we had lots of snow this week in the midwest)
Kite making and indoor flying (Thursday) — kids color the kites, add string and try to fly them around the house. Yes, I know that this doesn’t actually work, but it’s fun for the kids to run around the house with their own kite.

If you’re just joining us you may want to read the “How to set up a co-op preschool” post.  Each week I’ll be sharing ideas for introducing your preschoolers to the letters of the alphabet.   Not all of these ideas will work for everyone.  As the year goes on, you’ll figure out what works for your group of kids.  To start the alphabet, check out ideas for the letters A and B or just bookmark this page for all my preschool ideas.

Songs/Rhymes:
ABC
Jack and Jill went up the hill…..

Activities:
Drawing the letter J worksheet

Outside jumping — if the weather is nice, go outside and jump.

• see how high kids can jump (and reach)
• jump over cracks in the sidewalk
• jump over balls, sticks, hoses, etc
• jump rope – many kids this age don’t have the motor skills necessary to jump rope, but they like to try anyway
• hop scotch – use sidewalk chalk to make a hop scotch.  Teach the kids to jump as they count.

Jars

• How much can a jar hold?  fill a jar with one item (marbles, balls, hot wheels, etc) How many items are in the jar?  Guess and then count — works best if the number is under 20.
• Find the lid — have several different sizes of jars with lids.  Let the kids experiment to see which lids go on which jars.  Use baby food jars, spaghetti sauce jars, canning jars, peanut butter jars, etc.  Works best if there’s a wide variety of jar sizes.  Talk about what’s the same and what’s different.

Snack Idea:
Jelly Beans
peanut butter and jelly (if no peanut allergies)
soft pretzels shaped like the letter J

If you’re just joining us you may want to read the “How to set up a co-op preschool” post.  Each week I’ll be sharing ideas for introducing your preschoolers to the letters of the alphabet.   Not all of these ideas will work for everyone.  As the year goes on, you’ll figure out what works for your group of kids.  To start the alphabet, check out ideas for the letters A and B or just bookmark this page for all my preschool ideas.

Songs:
ABC
Leaves are Falling
Once There Was a Snowman

Activities:

Another great day for science.  Let’s learn about ice.

• Melting Ice — put 1 piece of ice in clear cups or bowls.  Then try different ways to melt the ice.  What works best.  Help the kids come up with ideas like tap water, hot water, blow dryer, etc.
• Does it Float? This is one of my favorite things to do with preschoolers.  Ask the question — “Does it float?”  Fill a tall clear cup, measuring cup, or jar with tap water.  Ask the kids if they think an ice cube will float or sink.  After taking a survey, carefully place one ice cube in the cup.  Talk about what happens.  Now ask the kids what do they think will happen if more ice cubes are added to the water.  Add more, one at a time to see the different affects of ice in water.  At this age a “why” discussion often happens, but they are too young to understand the science behind it.
• Make Ice Cream – use the energy of preschoolers to make your own ice cream.  A popular way to do this is with 2 metal cans.  Here’s instructions for Kick the Can Ice Cream.  This works great if you have a yard where the kids can run around and kick the cans like soccer balls.   If it’s already cold outside, kids can roll the cans back and forth.  But most of them get bored of rolling before the ice cream has set up.
• Or, if you’re looking for an excuse to get an ice cream maker….here’s the one I like to use.

Books

Milk to ice cream  by Inez Snyder
From milk to ice cream  by Kristin Thoennes Keller
Nonfiction books about Polar Bears, Penguins, etc — animals that live on the ice can be found at your local library in the 590′s.

If you’re just joining us you may want to read the “How to set up a co-op preschool” post.  Each week I’ll be sharing ideas for introducing your preschoolers to the letters of the alphabet.   Not all of these ideas will work for everyone.  As the year goes on, you’ll figure out what works for your group of kids.  To start the alphabet, check out ideas for the letters A and B or just bookmark this page for all my preschool ideas.

Songs:
ABC
Leaves are Falling

Activities:
Drawing the letter H

• worksheet
• on the floor with blocks, lego’s, or popsicle sticks
• human H- have 3 kids lay on the floor in the shape of a capital H (this is a love it or hate it activity.  Some kids are not fond of being part of a letter while others just take off with it and will be laughing for quite some time. If your group loves it, try some other letters that they know. Easiest are: A, C, E, F, H, I, K, L, T, Z)
• with spaghetti noodles

Heavy vs. Light

This is a great day for science.  Find different objects around the house that are the same size or shape, but very different weights.  Then talk about what heavy means.  At this age numbers for weights don’t mean much, but kids can get the concept of heavy vs. light.  Let the kids pick up pairs of objects and to figure out which is heavier.  Then, for more fun, get out an dial scale and watch the dial move as you place heavy objects on it.  Point out that when the heavier of two objects is placed on the scale, the pointer moves more around the circle.  Here’s some ideas for heavy vs light pairs:

• cereal box vs encyclopedia
• hot wheel’s car vs can of soup
• lego vs large block

If you’re just joining us you may want to read the “How to set up a co-op preschool” post.  Each week I’ll be sharing ideas for introducing your preschoolers to the letters of the alphabet.   Not all of these ideas will work for everyone.  As the year goes on, you’ll figure out what works for your group of kids.  To start the alphabet, check out ideas for the letters A and B or just bookmark this page for all my preschool ideas.