Busy Bees

I started teaching preschool last week and it went wonderfully! Every couple of months, we will talk about one of the four seasons, and since fall is almost here, I decided that SUMMER had better be our theme soon.

I thought I'd post some of the fun we're having this week. Don't be jealous that I get to play all morning!

Art:
Each time we do a Four Seasons Theme, the kids will get a tree template. When I did this activity with older students, they used blank paper, but since this class is a younger one, I'm giving them something to work with.
For summer, they will add green leaves and bright red apples to their tree. Once all four seasons are complete, I will laminate them and create a book for them to keep.

Literacy:
This book has great pictures of things we do in the Summer. We will read the book, and talk about what things we like to do in the Summer with our families.
I love this book. Roxanne wants to go to the beach with her baby, but the car breaks down. She wants to take 5 things with her: her BABY, the yellow UMBRELLA, the thick blue BOOK of stories, the BALL, and her pet TURTLE. Each time she thinks of a new way to get there, something can't go...the book will get wet if they take a kayak, turtles aren't allowed on the bus, there is no room on her bike for a ball, etc.

Math: Cognitive Activity-What's Missing?
A toy ball, a toothpick umbrella, toy baby, a Littlest Pet Shop Turtle, and a board book get covered with a blanket and I take a way one item. Just like in the story, the children get to guess which item is missing! Memory activities are a great exercise for getting the kids ready to count and eventually solve equations.

Dramatic Play: A trip to the beach!
I created a "Beach" prop box filled with sunglasses, hats, beach towels, sand toys, etc. I'm also including a book, baby doll, ball, umbrella, and turtle

Sensory: Water Water Everywhere
I purchased a sensory table last month and I am super excited to let the kids get soaked playing with water.

Fine Motor: Summer Sun
The kids will glue a yellow circle onto a piece of paper and use yellow crayons to draw lines around it to create a Sun. Drawing a sunburst is one of the first things children learn to create when they begin drawing symbols that are meant to represent objects.

Cooking: Fruit Smoothies!
Each child will wear aprons and chef hats while they take turns adding ingredients to whip ourselves up a cool and refreshing Summertime smoothie. Served with tiny paper umbrellas, of course!


Gross Motor: Beach Balls
I have several beach balls blown up for the kids to throw around.

Science: Hot & Cold Chart
I have a big striped bag that I use for several activities and games called "the feely bag". I've filled it with several items that are "hot"(warm) and "cold". The kids can reach inside the feely bag, select an item, and describe whether what they feel is "hot" or "cold" then place the item on the appropriate side of our HOT/COLD chart. Some of the things I have in there are: an ice cube, the bed buddy rice bag, a hand fan, a cold water bottle, a blankie, frozen vegetables, and a mitten)

Sharing: Bring something shaped like a circle

Snack: Yesterday, the girls and I made these "ice cream cone" cupcakes!
Aren't they cute? I think my Busy Bees will love the funny little trick and be surprised when they bite into frosting and a strawberry cupcake instead of cold ice cream. Yummy! We'll also snack on our fruit smoothies and some sliced watermelon.

Practical Life: I Can Get Myself Dressed
What kind of clothes do you wear in the Summertime? Why?
I also have a lacing shape Bear and lacing shape clothes to put on him set up as an open center.

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It's been a good day