LittleLearnersLessonPack1 8752 PDF

Table of Contents
Unit 1 PETS ………………………………………………………………………………….. 2
Unit 2 ANIMALS…………………………………………………………………………… 18
Unit 3 SEASONS……….…………………………………………………………………… 32
Unit 4 TRANSPORTATION……………..…………………………………………………44
Unit 5 EARTH SCIENCE….………………………………………………………………. 56
Unit 6 ALPHABET…………………………………………………………………….…… 69
Unit 7 PHYSICAL SCIENCE……………………………………………………………… 83
Unit 8 NUMBERS/COUNTING….………………………………………………………… 96
Unit 9 TEDDY BEARS…………………………………………………………………….. 110
Unit 10 FOOD & NUTRITION………………………………………………………….. . 123
Unit 11 SELF-ESTEEM/SELF CONCEPT…………………………………….…….…...135
Unit 12 GEOGRAPHY…..……………………………………………………….…………149
Unit 13 FRIENDSHIP………………………………………………………………………164
Unit 14 FAMILY ……………………………………………………………………………176
Unit 15 DR. SEUSS……….………………………………………………………………... 191
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Unit 1
Pets
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Materials for Unit 1
Felt
Markers
Glue sticks
Stuffed animals for parade
Puppy Chow Snack: creamy peanut butter or butter if allergies are a problem, chocolate chips,
butter, crispy cereal, powdered sugar
Old magazines
Tail Mix Snack: cereals, chocolate chips, nuts or small pretzels and raisons
Grocery sacks
Construction paper
Carrots
Celery
Radishes
Vegetable dip
Ink stamp pad
Stuffed fish/fish diagram
Fish crackers
Paper fish cutouts
Generic coned party hats
Venus Fly Trap Snack: Graham cracker squares, cream cheese or peanut butter, raisons, nuts,
dried fruit, or chocolate chips
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Unit 1-Pets
Day 1
Circle Time: Weekend in Review

Give each of your students 1-2 minutes to tell the most exciting or memorable thing that
happened during their weekend. Be prepared to get all sorts of answers, including unpleasant
ones, such as, “Mommy and Daddy got in a fight and Mommy left.” You should always be
aware of the situation and be ready to interject with your own comments before other students
have the chance to respond. This activity will take 15-20 minutes, depending on the number of
students in your class.
Crafts: Felt Puppies

For this project, give each student with a piece of felt. They can choose whatever color
they want. You will need a cut-out puppy shape to serve as a guide for your students. Show the
guide to your students and have them create their own puppy shape in pencil on their piece of
felt. You and an assistant should go around and cut out each student’s shape to make sure that
your students stay safe. If your students are old enough to cut the shapes themselves, let them to
help them develop confidence in their skills.
After all your students have their shapes cut out, give them with markers, glue sticks, and
extra felt that they can use to decorate their puppies. They can draw on eyes, a nose, a mouth,
spots, and whatever else they may want to use to make their puppies original.
If you have a felt board available in your classroom, you can let your students display
their creations for the entire class to admire. Finally, they can take their puppies home to show
their families.
Theme Activity
Stuffed Animal Parade

For this activity, bring in lots of stuffed animals, preferably animals that are generally
thought of as pets, such as dogs, cats, hamsters, gerbils, fish, or frogs. If you cannot find enough
domestic animals to bring in, add whatever other stuffed animals you find and ask your class to
pretend they are pets. They may even like this better because it is unusual and exotic. Once
everyone has a stuffed animal, ask your students to give it a name and come up with a story
about their animal. Encourage students to think of their animal’s family, their likes and dislikes,
or whatever else might make an interesting story. Each student gets a few minutes to think of a
story to introduce their animal to the class.
When everyone has had time to think of a story, have them line up as if they are going to
be in a parade. They can sit on the floor in their line so they can walk their animals in front of
everyone. Put on your best announcer voice and introduce each student, inviting them to walk
their animal down the parade line. While the students show their animals, they can tell their
short story about the animal.
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Class-Created Animal
Use a giant, easel-sized notepad if you have one with markers. Have the class sit around
the easel and tell them that each of them gets to create a part of the animal. Pick one student and
give them the marker. Tell them to draw something small, such as the ears or the head. That
student, after drawing their part, gets to pick the next student to draw. Your students get to
decide what animal they want to draw, as well as what it will look like, if it has any spots or
unusual coloring, etc. If there are still students left when the animal is finished, those students
get to draw scenery around the animal, such as grass, birds, flowers, and clouds. Everyone
shares in creativity and takes pride in a group accomplishment.
Pet Sounds
Write pets on small slips of paper and put them in a hat or a bowl. Tell students to pick
one piece of paper and don’t show anyone. After everyone has a paper, go around and whisper
in their ear what their paper says. Then, students get to stand up and act out that animal,
including movement and sound while the others try to guess what the animal.
Snack Time: Puppy Chow

This snack is made from crispy cereal, preferably Chex or Crispix or another similar
cereal. You will have to make this at home the night before, but it is simple and delicious! See
the recipe below for instructions.
Ingredients:
¾ cup creamy peanut butter (or butter if there are allergies)
1 cup chocolate chips
¼ cup butter
8 cups cereal
2 cups powdered sugar
1. Melt the peanut butter or butter, chocolate chips, and butter together.
2. Pour over the cereal in a large bowl and stir well.
3. Pour the powdered sugar in a separate, large bag and add the cereal.
4. Shake the bag until the cereal is coated in the sugar.
Music: How Much is that Doggie in the Window?

For this song, split your students into two groups. Make up a rhythm for the lyrics below
and sing it for your students to give them an example. Have them stand in two groups with a
space between them. One group will be your singers; the other group will be your “doggies.”
The group that is singing should repeat each line after you. When it comes time for the “doggie”
group to do their part (singing “woof woof!”) they can do so. When they are not singing, they
will be acting like puppies. They can pant, chase their tails, scratch their ears, or whatever else
they think a puppy might do.
When you get to the verse, the “doggies” can act out the parts of the other animals
mentioned, such as hopping for a bunny, “meow-ing” for a kitty, saying “hello!” for a parrot, and
making a “fish face” for the fishies.
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You should sing the song twice, switching parts, so that each group gets a chance to both
sing and act out animal parts.
Lyrics:
How much is that doggie in the window? (Bark! Bark!)
The one with the waggely tail
I do hope that doggie's for sale
I don't want a bunny or a kitty,
I don't want a parrot that talks,
I don't want a bowl of little fishies;
He can't take a goldfish for walks.
The one with the waggely tail
I do hope that doggie's for sale.
(Bob Merril)
Story Time: The Poky Little Puppy by Janette Sebring Lowrey

This book is a classic story about a puppy and his brothers, who all go out for a day of
adventure. It has a great lesson, that kids need to listen to their parents and other authority
figures in order to stay safe. It is also a gentle admonishment for any poky kid who might need a
little motivation in getting moving.
After reading this story to your students, ask them what they think the point of the story
is. Build off what your students tell you to get to the main points listed above. As with all
lessons, you can keep your students from realizing they are learning by asking them questions
and expanding on their answers. They will feel like they are helping you instead of learning, and
you can impart several lessons at once.
Make sure all your students know that when one person is talking, everyone else has to
be silent. This teaches them patience and to respect someone who is speaking.
Reasoning/Thinking Skills
You can continue the discussion of your story here. Questions you can ask include:
“What is a problem with being “poky” like the puppy? What happens if you don’t listen to your
parents like the puppy? Who can think of a time when they didn’t listen to their parents and it
got them in trouble? Have you ever gotten to get exploring like the puppies? What did you
think of it?”
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Day 2
Circle Time: Good Day, Bad Day

During this activity, students can say the best and worst thing that has happened to them
during the day. It is a good chance for students to state their accomplishments as well as share
their hardships. It will give you insight into their attitudes and behaviors, and it will give all the
students a chance to learn about each other.
Crafts: Pet Collages

Provide students with plenty of old magazines that you no longer want. Home magazines
or women’s magazines work best, because they tend to have lots of pictures of houses and the
animals that accompany the houses. They can cut or tear out pictures of animals to make a
collage. Give each student a piece of construction paper and a glue stick. They get to choose
how many animals they want and what kind. This is a chance for students to express themselves
by choosing what animals they want and designing their own project. When everyone is finished
with their project, display them around the room until the day is over, when students can take
them home.
Theme Activities
Caring for Pets

All students need to know how to care for their pets, and you can help them learn. Bring
in a stuffed animal, preferably a dog or a cat, and display it for your students. Ask them what
they would do to help take care of the animal. You can bring in cat and dog food for students to
look at and smell. Make it clear that students cannot eat the food. Make a verbal list with the
help of your students; they should be able to tell you that each animal needs to eat food and drink
water each day. Talk about how animals need to sleep and play, and cannot be left outside when
it is too hot or too cold. Ask your students what they would want to do if they were a pet.
Write a Story about What You See

Take a picture from a magazine or a coloring book and pass it around for all the students
to see. Begin writing a story with the classic introduction: “Once upon a time…” and point to a
student. That student gets to come up with the next line of the story. It needs to make sense and
describe the scene in the picture the students have viewed. However, it is up to the students to
decide what the animal is thinking, feeling, and doing. Together, your students will be able to
create a coherent, linear story that they can all be proud of.
Types of Cats, Dogs, Fish, and Birds

This activity will help kids learn about categories. Give students a big category, such as
dogs. They can call out members of that category, such as “collie,” “golden retriever,” and
“beagle.” Make a list on the board of all the names you hear from students. Then, take out an
animal encyclopedia and show them pictures of the animals you named. Ask them if they know
which name fits with which dog. You can also show them pictures of animals they do not know.
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Use it as a teaching experience so that they can become familiar with other types of dogs, cats,
fish, or birds. This lesson can be repeated with the other animals mentioned.
Snack Time: Tail Mix

Instead of “trail mix,” why not “tail mix?” Set up stations of different ingredients,
including cereals, chocolate chips, nuts, and raisons. Give each student a plastic bag or other
small container and let them mix their own “tail mix.” Each student should get about 1 cup total,
so watch how much each student puts together. REMEMBER: If anyone has an allergy to nuts,
you can substitute using cereal or pretzels also.
Music: Hey Diddle Diddle

Although this song is short, you can do lots of different activities with it to teach kids
rhythm. Come up with a short rhythm, such as slapping your knees and clapping your hands
twice; it should be something that can be repeated over and over at the same speed. Bring in the
items mentioned in the song, such as a plate and a spoon, a picture of the moon, and a picture of
a fiddle (or a real one if you have it.)
Have the students sing the song over and over with different rhythms that you develop.
Show them how to clap out the rhythm while singing the song; work with them on multi-tasking
and hearing a difference in the rhythms.
You can also introduce the concept of rhyme, showing them that words like “fiddle” and
“diddle” sound almost the same.
Lyrics:
Hey diddle diddle, the cat and the fiddle,
The cow jumped over the moon,
The little dog laughed to see such sport,
And the dish ran away with the spoon.
Story Time: Little Cats by Zoobooks

This book is a non-fiction account of cats, talking about what they eat, how long they
live, and how they hunt. Students are always interested in real-life animals, so be sure to show
them the pictures. After the story, ask them what they know about cats. What characteristics
make cats different from dogs? For example, they are smaller, they have pointed ears, they have
whiskers, etc. Ask anyone who has a cat to describe what their cat likes to do. Then, talk about
the similarities between dogs and cats and introduce the concept of mammals.
Reasoning/Thinking Skills: Which Ones are House Pets?

Bring in pictures of all kinds of animals. You can often find books in the library for this.
I prefer ones that have one animal per page if possible. Have the students decide which animals
can live in a house and which ones cannot. It will be a short activity, but you can expand on it by
showing students pictures of other animals and asking them aloud if the animals are house pets
or not. There are many ways to engage them in conversation and thinking skills about animals
and their needs.
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Day 3
Circle Time: Show and Tell

For this week’s show and tell, students can bring in pictures or favorite items of their
pets. Each student should get the chance to describe their pet and tell a short story about it. For
the students who have no pets, they can bring in their favorite stuffed animal or other animal
item and describe why it is important to them.
Crafts: Pet Mask

Each student gets a paper grocery bag that will become their mask. Either you or your
students can poke eyes into the bag that they can see through. Students should also have
construction paper and glue sticks at their disposal so that they can create ears and faces for their
pets. They can make half circle ears for dogs and pointed triangle ears for cats. They can make
fins for a fish or whatever will make them happiest.
With markers, students can draw on stripes, spots, or whatever other markings they
would like on their pets. Then, students can wear their masks around and play for a while. Make
sure to move any sharp or valuable objects out of the way so that students don’t bump into them
with their limited sight.
Theme Activities
Animal Math
To help show your students how math can be fun, ask them what their favorite pet is.
Make tally marks for each type of animal. When everyone has responded, draw a graph on the
board or on an easel-sized notepad. Make it large enough for everyone to see, and label the
vertical side with numbers to represent the number of students who have answered for that
animal. On the horizontal side, write the names of the animals. Then, tell students how many of
them chose cats as their favorite pet. For example, say that 5 students chose cat as their favorite
pet. Ask students which number on the vertical side is the number 5. When they respond
correctly, draw a bar graph for that animal to the correct number. Repeat that exercise for the
other animal choices until you have a complete bar graph. Then, ask students to read the bar
graph by telling you which line is highest. Work with them so that they understand that the bars
represent the number of students, etc.
Animal Adjectives
Pick a pet and ask students to come up with words to describe that type of animal. When
students have given you 8-10 words for the type of animal you have given them, ask them if they
can say something about the animal using one of the words their words. You can help them get
started by doing the first sentence for them. If the word is “friendly,” your sentence could be
“This is a friendly dog.” Or “That dog looks like he is friendly.”
Label the Pets

With this activity, all students should get a large cut out of a pet. Everyone should have
the same pet so that there is no confusion. Point to a part of the animal and ask what it is called.
For example, if you have a bird, point to the beak and wait until they tell you what it is. This can
be a lot of fun and may be introducing them to new words. You can make a game by pointing to
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a human foot and then ask what word we use for a dog’s foot or a duck’s foot and continue
making comparisons to our bodies and the animals’ bodies.
Snack Time: Bunny Food

Baby carrots, celery, and radishes are some of the best food for growing bunnies as well
as growing humans. Give your students different dips to try with their snacks, such as ranch
dressing, vegetable dip, and peanut butter. This will ease the thought of eating healthy food for a
snack. You can even let them hop around like bunnies after eating it if they wish!
Music: Knick Knack Paddy Whack

With this song, you can pass around one new plastic dog bone to serve as a percussion
instrument. As the students sing, one student can beat the dog bone in time with the song. With
each new verse, the bone gets passed from one student to the next so that everyone gets a chance
to play with it.
The students who are not playing with the bone can act out the words in the song,
pointing to the body part mentioned or sticking up the right number of fingers for each verse. It
will be up to you to lead them in this activity, since you will know the words and they will not.
Lyrics:
This old man , he played one, (1)
He played knick knack on his thumb,
With a knick, knack, paddy whack,
Give the dog a bone;
This old man came rolling home.
This old man , he played two, (2)

He played knick knack on his shoe,
This old man , he played three, (3)

He played knick knack on his knee,
This old man , he played four, (4)

He played knick knack on his door,
This old man , he played five, (5)

He played knick knack on his hive,
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This old man , he played six, (6)

He played knick knack on his sticks,
This old man , he played seven, (7)

He played knick knack with his pen,
This old man , he played eight, (8)

He played knick knack on his gate,
This old man , he played nine, (9)

He played knick knack, rise and shine,
This old man , he played ten, (10)

He played knick knack on his hen,
This old man , he played eleven, (11)

He played knick knack up in heaven,
This old man , he played twelve, (12)

He played knick knack, dig and delve,
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Story Time: Tails Are Not for Pulling by Elizabeth Verdick
This book helps teach students about the behaviors of pets and their ways of
communicating. You can talk to your students about the importance of communication by
asking them how they let their parents know when something is wrong. Obviously, they talk to
them. But what about babies? How do babies communicate? And pets? What do they do?
This book helps students understand that when a cat swishes its tail, it is not very happy. When a
dog wags its tail, it is happy! This fun book explains pets and gets kids interested in paying
attention to their animals.
Assign half yours students an animal, but tell them their animal is a secret. Try to avoid
overlapping animals so that there is no confusion. For the other half of the students, give them
an animal that they are trying to find. For example, one student will be assigned a dog and a
corresponding student will be assigned to find the dog. The students looking for a particular
animal must go around to the students who have an animal and ask them questions to get the
answers they need. However, students may not ask directly, “Are you a dog?”
Students can get creative in their questions, asking things like, “Do you walk on 4 legs?”
or “Do you have a tail?” The students assigned to each animal must answer the questions
honestly but not give away too much information.
This activity should be done actively, with students moving around the room to ask their
questions. It will tie into the previous story by making students ask questions about the habits of
their pets, which is something talked about in Tails Are Not for Pulling.
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Day 4
Circle Time: Student Spotlight

With this activity, one student will be spotlighted each week. During the spotlight, that
student gets to talk about him/herself. They can answer questions about their likes and dislikes,
their favorites, and their families. This is a chance for students to feel special, to feel like they
are important, and for other students to learn more about them. This should be a time of listening
and respect for the other students, because it will be their turn at some point and they are also
going to want respect.
Crafts: Finger Print Fish

Have students press their fingers into a stamp pad and make stamps on a piece of paper.
They should decorate their paper like an underwater scene, with water and underwater plants and
the fish that their fingerprints make. They will have to put fins and faces on their fish. They can
make their fish in many different colors, depending on how many colors of ink you have.
Theme Activities
Here Fishy Fishy

Bring in a fish stuffed animal or a fish diagram, etc. Your visual aid should be something
that students can see, touch, and play with, but also something that will help you teach. Talk
with students about the differences between fish, which are amphibians, and dogs and cats,
which are mammals. You can point out the differences in movement, habitat, and breathing
abilities. Name the different parts of the fish and talk to them about their functions. Then,
students can yell, “Here Fishy Fishy!” If you throw the fish to them, they have to answer your
question, which should be related to the material you just told them, such as, “Where are the
gills?”
What Color Fish Does ___ See?

In this game, you will need to put up different colors of fish on a felt board. There should
be lots of colors and sizes to keep the students searching. The class should clap out a rhythm
with their hands and their laps, and you should sing, “So many fish in the big, blue sea. What
color fish does ___ see?” The student whom you name will have to call out, “So many fish in
the big, blue sea. I see a _____ fish in the sea.” Then, that same student will start out the rhythm
and call on another student. Everyone sits in a circle for this game, and if anyone names the
same color of fish as someone else, then that person has to sit in the center of the circle. The
game goes on until all the colors are named or everyone gets in the middle of the circle by
naming the wrong color.
Fishy Says
With this activity, you will need to cut out enough paper fish for all the students in your
class. Together, you should come up with activities that fish might do, such as flap their fins,
gulp seaweed, or any other funny movement. Your students will get to come up one by one and
pull out a fish from a bag. With your help, read the activity on the card to them and let them act
it out for the class. That person has to continue doing the activity while all the other children
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pull out their activities, until you have a class full of student “fish.” You will all be laughing
when you see your students swimming on the floor, making a fish face, and gulping imaginary
seaweed.
Snack Time: Fish crackers

Serve students cheesy fish crackers for a snack. It will go along with the theme and is
healthier than chips or some other cracker options.
Music: I’m a Fish and Fish Are Swimming

While you and the students are singing this song, you should pair students up to play a
handclap game while they sing. It can be as simple as clapping together, clapping the other
person’s hand (right to right), clapping together, clapping the other person’s hand (left to left)
and repeating throughout the whole song. For the last three words, students can do a “double
high five” on each word.
Lyrics:
I'm A Fish
Author: Unknown
Sung to: "I'm A Little Teapot"
I'm a little fishy, I can swim
Here is my tail, Here is my fin
When I want to have fun with my friends,
I wiggle my tail and dive right in.
Fish Are Swimming

Author: Unknown
Sung to: "Frere Jacques" / "Are You Sleeping"
Fish are swimming, fish are swimming,
In the sea, in the sea,
A-spishing and a-splashing,
A-spishing and a-splashing,
Look and see, look and see.
Story Time: The Rainbow Fish by Marcus Pfister

This is a fantastic story with excellent illustrations about a fish who is vain about his
beautiful scales. It has a great message about staying humble and appreciating the inner beauty
of the people behind you. After reading the story, talk to your students about vanity and beauty.
Ask them who the most beautiful person they know is and why that person is so beautiful. Talk
to them about how being a nice person and helping people out makes you a beautiful person.
This discussion can go so many ways. Let it take you where it will.
Reasoning/Thinking Skills: Compare and Contrast

Here is an activity that can be done with so many topics. For this one use
illustrations of all types of fish and creatures that live in the water. Include the typical fish
children know about, and be sure to include dolphins, whales, jellyfish, mussels, sharks, etc.
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Next ask them to point what is similar about them and what is different. You can talk
about size, types of water they live in such as ocean (salt water) or lakes. Then ask them to tell
you what is different. No answer is wrong…the main point of this activity is to get them to
observe, think and get them to think about what they are seeing and what they know.
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Day 5
Circle Time: Telephone

On Day 5, students can play telephone in a circle. You can start with a message about what the
day will hold, or any other message you might want to deliver to your students. This is always a
popular game because of its hilarity. The message never gets delivered correctly, which leads to
a funny message at the end, but it is also a good way to teach your students about the importance
of listening and relaying messages correctly.
Craft: Cat Party Hat

Give each student a party hat, like the coned ones with elastic under the chin. They
should be as plain as possible. Each student should draw a circle for cat’s head with two triangle
ears. Students can decorate the head and ears the way they want and then glue them on to the
party hat, which they can also color to look like a cat. Then, have them make two legs to glue on
to the hat as well. Finally, have them make a tail and attach it to the back of the hat. Then, the
students can wear their hats for the rest of the day.
Theme Activities
Leap Frog
This can be a race, a game, or whatever you want it to be, but it will certainly be fun!
Pair your students into teams of two and have them line up together. You can make this a
learning game by asking your students questions about the pet facts they have learned throughout
the week. Whenever a team gets a question right, they get to leap frog one step further. The first
team to reach a designated finish line wins! Everyone should receive a small prize or recognition
for their efforts.
Cat Collage
A take on the earlier collage idea, this collage creates one complete animal instead of a
collection of other animals. For example, students can cut out shapes from magazines, such as
triangles for the ears of the cat. Provide them with a paper that has the outline of a cat on it and
they can fill in the picture. They can make their cat whatever color they want. Let’s say they
want a white cat with black spots. They would cut out pictures or sections of pages from a
magazine with which they would make the body. Then, they would cut out black sections to
form the spots. They might want to cut out a pink section for the nose. When everything is
glued together, the students have a complete animal to show, built from many different parts of a
magazine. Let their creativity reign as they choose the size, shape, and markings of their animal.
Paw Print Path

Begin by telling your students a short story. Your class has been given the mission of
helping a little lost kitten find her way home. To do that, you have to draw paw prints from
where she is to where she wants to go. On the board, you can draw a kitten and a house. Ask
your students what a cat’s paw looks like, and draw several on the board. The twist to the story
is that the kitten can only find the next paw print to follow if she does a good deed. Each paw
print has a new act she has to complete, such as, “hold the door for someone” or “compliment a
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friend.” Brainstorm ideas of kind acts with your class and write them on each paw. Ask your
students to complete these acts of kindness throughout the day so that the kitten can get back
home before nighttime. Watch your class and move the kitten closer to home each time you see
a student complete an act of kindness.
Snack Time: Venus Fly Trap

For this fun snack, students need a few graham cracker squares. They can spread cream
cheese or peanut butter on top, whatever they prefer. Then, they drop raisons, nuts, dried fruit,
or chocolate chips on top, making sure they stick. When they go to eat it, nothing will fall off—
just like a Venus Fly Trap! This will lead right into the frog activity, since frogs eat flies!
Music: Siamese Cat Song by Peggy Lee and Sonny Burke

The Siamese Cat song comes from the movie Lady and the Tramp and can teach students
about Siamese cats and where they come from. Before or after the song you can show students a
picture of a Siamese cat and talk about where Siam is in the world. It would be good to have a
map available to point out. When students sing this song, they should sing it with whatever
accent they want.
Lyrics:
We are Siameeiz if you pleeiz
We are Siameeiz if you don't pleeiz
We are former residents of Siam
There are no finer cats than we am
We are Siamese with very dainty claws

pleeiz observing paws containing dainty claws
Now we lookin' over our new domicile
If we like we stay for maybe quite a while.
Story Time: Meow: Cat Stories from around the World by Jane Yolen
In this book, your students will find the answers to many questions about cats. There are
true stories about cats from around the world. As with any true book, your kids will love hearing
facts about an animal they already know and love. You will love the diverse nature of the
stories.
Reasoning/Thinking Skills: Animal Addition

Bringing all the students together around a felt board, stick up different animals. There
should be multiples of every animal. Then, ask students to help you with simple addition. Put 1
felt bird on one side of the board and another felt bird on the other side. You can ask simple
questions such as, “I have 1 bird over here and 1 bird over there. If I take that bird and bring it
over here, how many birds to do I have over here now?” Show them visually by moving the bird
from one side to the other. You can also help count on your fingers. This can be done with
different animals and different amounts, but the math should always be kept very simple.
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Unit 2
Animals
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Wildlife magazines
Construction paper
Glue
Markers
Cotton Balls
Googly eyes
Paper plates
Popsicle Sticks
String
Animal crackers
Ants on a Log Snack: Celery, peanut butter, raisons or chocolate chips
Paint and brushes
Animal pictures
Play Dough Snack: creamy peanut butter, dry milk, honey
Craft feathers
Glitter
Safety pins
Bird sounds CD
Pipe cleaners
Cheerios
Shredded wheat cereal
Candy eggs
Bird Seed Bread Snack: bread, peanut butter, assorted nuts
Clay
Food coloring
Mini hot dogs and squares of bread
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Unit 2-Animals
Day 1
Circle Time: Weekend Review
Invite each student to talk about their weekend. Ask them about any exciting thing they
may have done that involved animals, whether it was their pets or a wild animal.
Crafts: Bear Masks

Give students wildlife magazines and ask them to look for bears. Give them plenty of
time to pick their favorite bear. They should pay attention to size and color. When they have
picked a bear, students can use its face as a guide for making a bear mask. They can make the
mask from a paper plate that they color to look like a bear. They should cut out ears and glue
them on the underside of the plate. Students can decorate their bears with cotton balls, coloring
utensils, googly eyes, or whatever other craft supplies you may have on hand. When the plates
are finished, you can poke holes in the plate and tie string around the kids’ heads, or you can
glue popsicle sticks to the sides to hold the plate up to the face.
Theme Activities
Outside Investigation
Take your students outside and ask them to observe the animals around them. Give them
a few minutes to take in the scenery. If you can, take them to a park or otherwise sheltered area,
where more animals might migrate. When you get inside, ask students to name the animals they
saw. You can discuss a little about each animal as you go.
Animal Imitation
Take an outdoors or nature magazine and find pictures of different animals. Ask
different students to name the animal and act out what it does, what sounds it makes, and how it
moves. If students cannot name an animal, help them out and tell them about the animal.
Guess the Animal

Put a bunch of animal crackers in a bag or a bowl and have each student pick one out.
The student must act out the animal for the other students to guess. This works best if you do it
in teams, such as charades. When the animal is guessed, the student gets to eat the animal
cracker!
Snack Time: Ants on a Log

Each student should get a few sticks of celery, cut short. They should spread peanut
butter, or cream cheese if anyone has an allergy to nuts, inside the hollow part of the celery.
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Then, they can stick raisons or chocolate chips in a line down the peanut butter to resemble ants
walking up and down on a log. This will make eating celery much more fun!
Music: Five Little Froggies

With this song you can talk about the habits of frogs, which many of your students may
not know much about. This can also be a time of movement for the students, because they can
jump like frogs to demonstrate the song.
Lyrics:
Five little froggies sitting on a well
One looked up, and down he fell.
Froggies jumped high,
Froggies jumped low.
Four little froggies sitting on a well

One looked up, and down he fell.
Froggies jumped high.
Froggies jumped low.
continue with two and three froggies then.....
One little froggy sitting on a well

He looked up and down he fell.
Story Time: Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What do you See? By Bill Martin
This book is a great book for preschool children learning to read and interested in lots of
pictures. It will help your students identify different animals and colors, as well as see their
names in written form. Because of the repetition, you can start to teach your students to
recognize a written word and its spoken equivalent. When the story is finished, discuss with
your students whether the book is realistic or not. Ask them if the colors listed in the book are
actually found in real-life animals. This will help students identify animals in their natural
habitat and give you a chance to distinguish between fantasy and reality.
Reasoning/Thinking Skills: Matching Babies with Adults

With this activity, your students will learn the names for baby animals that they do not
already know, such as a kangaroo or a seal. Provide students with pictures of adult and baby
animals and ask someone to come up and show which of the two animals are the same kind.
You can talk through the names of the babies. Animals to include are cow, horse, kangaroo,
elephant, goose, sheep, whale, fox, seal, goat, bear, etc.
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Day 2

During this activity, students talk about the best and worst thing that has happened to
them during the day. It is a good chance for students to state their accomplishments as well as
share their hardships. It will give you insight into their attitudes and behaviors, and it will give
all the students a chance to learn about each other.
Crafts: Painted Lion

Have a template of a lion cut out of cardboard. It also helps to have a picture of an actual
lion so that they can use it later in the project to see what a real lion looks like. Let your students
trace around the template on yellow or light brown construction paper so that they end up with
an outline of a lion. With paints, students should decorate their lions however they want. Their
lions will need eyes, manes, and coloring. After the paintings dry, students can take them home.
Theme Activities
Zoo Animals
Talk to your students about what zoos are and what kind of animals they house. Ask
students if they have been to a zoo and what they thought of their time there. Chances are,
students will have lost of stories to tell about seeing exciting animals. Talk to your students
about the different habitats that animals need and how zoos have to make things seem real for the
animals. You can teach them that it is important to provide the animals with a healthy
environment.
At the Zoo
Have a parade of zoo animals, such as lions, tigers, bears, penguins, elephants, giraffes,
and other exotic animals. Show pictures of each of these animals beforehand and let students
pick their favorite animals. They can parade around the classroom making the noises and
movements of their chosen zoo animals.
Lily Pad Launch

This game lets your students show their engineering skills as they design a lily pad and
launch it like a Frisbee. Each student should get a piece of green construction paper. They can
cut out a circle or whatever shape they want for their lily pad. Then, they can decorate it with
colors and other craft supplies that you have. This should not take long, because the point of the
exercise is to throw the pads, not create them. Each student should make their pads memorable
so that they will know which one is theirs. On your count, students should throw their pads like
a Frisbee disk.
Snack Time: Animal Crackers

Because most of the animals found in animal crackers are from the zoo, this is a cute,
easy way to tie your snack into the lessons for the day.
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Music: Five Little Speckled Frogs
This song describes speckled frogs, which are an exotic type of frogs usually found in the
rainforest. Because this is a type of frog most of your students will be unfamiliar with, you can
use this as an opportunity to show pictures of different frogs, talk about how these frogs are
different from the green frogs your students are used to seeing, and help them identify frogs
when they see them.
Lyrics:
Five 5 little speckled frogs,
Sitting on a hollow log,
Eating some most delicious bugs,
Yum, Yum.
One frog jumped in the pool,
Where it was nice and cool,
Now there are four 4 speckled frogs,
Glub, glub.
(This song can be repeated until there are no frogs left)
Story Time: Lions by Zoobooks

This book goes in depth about the history of lions and their habits. Students will love the
realistic pictures and real-life information contained in the book.
Reasoning/Thinking Skills: Puzzles!

Take different pictures from a wildlife magazine and cut them into squares. Mix up the
squares so that they become a puzzle to complete. It should be a simple enough puzzle to
complete without too much difficulty, but it should be something that pushes your students to
work and think and problem-solve. For three year olds cut the picture into 6 squares. The older
they are the more squares you can cut.
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Day 3

Ask students to bring in any exotic animal items they may have. It could be a stuffed
animal from a trip to the zoo or a t-shirt with a poison-dart frog printed on it. Let each student
describe their item and why it is important to them.
Crafts: Elephant Noses

Have them fold grey construction paper into a triangle to form the base of the elephant’s
nose. Poke two holes in the sides of the nose and tie string into it so that you can secure it on
each student. Cut another long piece of grey construction paper to make the trunk of the
elephant’s nose. Fold it like an accordion so that it sticks out. This section of the nose should be
stapled or glued to the triangle section to create an entire elephant trunk.
Theme Activities
Mud Dough
It is best to do this at a large work table so that all the children can watch and help to stir
the dough. They will also get a chance to knead the dough—always a hit with this age group.
You will need ½ cup of cold water, 1 tablespoon cooking oil, 2 tablespoons brown tempera paint,
½ cup of salt, 1 tablespoon cornstarch and 1 ½ cups of white flour. You can decide how much of
the measuring and pouring can be done by your kids depending on their abilities. Put all of the
ingredients in a large bowl to stir together and then turn it out onto the table to knead until it is
totally mixed. This really resembles mud and the children enjoy using their Mud Dough to make
shapes. Tell them they can make animal shapes, like the ones they might find in a zoo. It always
helps to have cookie cutters available to help with this especially for the younger children.
Memory
Elephants are rumored to have excellent memories, so students can practice their memory
skills by playing the game Memory. To play this game, similar pictures should be mixed up and
placed face-down in a grid shape. All the students should sit around the game and pay attention
to which pictures have already been turned over. The point of the game is to turn over two
matching pictures. The student who turns over the most matching pictures wins the game.
Because your students are young, there need to be few pairs so that students can remember
where things are.
Who Lives at the Zoo?

Split your students into two teams. Hold up a mix of pictures in random order. You
should shuffle through the pictures quickly so students do not have a lot of time to think. They
should shout out “yes” or “no” and you should keep track of how many animals they get right
and wrong. At the end of the game, total up which team wins.
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Snack Time: Animal Sandwiches
Wash off your animal cookie cutters to use for this snack. Give each child a slice of
bread and let them use the cookie cutters to cut out animal shapes. Next they can spread them
with cheese spread, butter or jam and have a snack with juice. They love making their own
special treat.
Music: Hey Elephant!

Hey Elephant is a song that involves another student each time you sing the song. The
first student should walk around the room, singing the song with you as they swing their “trunk”
(their arms) from side to side. The student picks another student, who joins them in walking
throughout the room until all the students are swinging their trunks.
Lyrics:
One elephant went out to play
all on spider’s web one day
they had such ENORMOUS fun
that they called for another elephant to come
HEY ELEPHANT
(other student) HEY WHAT?
(first student) Come play, come play, come play!
(other student) Ok, ok, ok!
Story Time: The Story of Babar by Jean de Brunhoff

The book focuses on Babar, an elephant who goes from the country to the city and grows
up while he is there. It is a great chance to talk about the differences between cities and rural
areas. Depending on where you live, you can discuss with your students the characteristics of
the place you live. You can also discuss the life cycle of elephants.
Reasoning/Thinking Skills:
Continue with the story of Babar that you just read. Ask them if they have ever been on a
trip or lived somewhere else where people did things differently. Ask if they noticed if the
houses were the same, the food in the stores, schools, cars, etc. Getting them to think about
where they have been or what they have seen encourages them to use their skills of observation.
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Day 4

Crafts: Feathery Wings

Give each student a large piece of construction paper or poster board. Fold the poster
board in half then draw a heart shape on it starting at the fold. Cut out this shape to make the
wings. Then, students can decorate the wings however they want, preferably with craft feathers
that they can glue on to cover the wings fully. If students would like, they can also sprinkle
glitter on the feathers and the wings to make the design their own. When everyone is finished,
you can safety-pin the wings on to the students’ shirts if they want.
Theme Activities
Bird Calls
Ask students to make the bird sounds that they know of. Most students will not know
much more than “tweet tweet!” Get a tape or CD of different bird sounds and play it to the
students. Ask them if they can identify any of the sounds. Have pictures available to show them
what the different types of birds look like when you name them.
Bird Feeder
Teach your students to care for birds by creating a bird feeder that you can display
outside your classroom. Take a pipe cleaner and curl one end up to form the letter “J.” String
Cheerios on the pipe cleaner until it is full. If you leave a little room at the top of the pipe
cleaner, you can wind it around a circular object so that it hangs outside the window.
Cozy Nest
Food makes this project super fun! Each child needs a bowl and several large pieces of
shredded wheat cereal. Students will line the bowl with glue before crumbling the cereal into the
bowl. It should stick to the glue and hold on the sides of the bowl to make the look of a bird’s
nest. Students can then add candy eggs to their nest to give it a little more excitement.
Snack Time: Bird Seed

This snack is a human’s version of bird seed. It is simply assorted nuts stuck into peanut
butter on a piece of bread. Explain to your students that it is like the bird suet many people put
outside to feed their local birds. ***If there are allergies to nuts, you can substitute a variety of
dry cereals and raisins.
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Music: Little White Duck
Students can get into this son by making a beak with their hands. Every time that the
song says, “quack,” students should flap their thumb and four fingers together as if it were a
beak.
Lyrics:
There's a little white duck (quack)
Sitting' in the water
There's a little white duck (quack)
Doing what he oughter.
He took a bite of the lily pad
Flapped his wings & he said,
"I'm glad, I'm a little white duck
Sitting' in the water."
(Quack, quack, quack)
Story Time: Stellaluna by Janell Cannon

This story focuses on a different type of bird, a bat! Students probably do not know
much about bats and their habits, and this story is very informational while being heartwarming.
After the story you can talk about what students know about bats and what they think of them.
Many students will be scared of bats without really knowing anything about them, so you can
take this opportunity to tell them more about bats’ habits and lifestyles.
Reasoning/Thinking Skills: Name That Bird!

Use the book or books that you may have used for the bird lesson. Hold up a picture of a
particular bird and see if any of the children remember which type of bird it is. You can add a
picture of a penguin reminding them that these are birds also! For younger children, try to use
common birds that they may have seen on TV or in zoos or pet stores, for example an eagle,
crow, cardinal, even a hummingbird.
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Day 5

On Day 5, students can play telephone in a circle. You can start with a message about
what the day will hold, or any other message you might want to deliver to your students. This is
always a popular game because of its hilarity. The message never gets delivered correctly,
which leads to a funny message at the end, but it is also a good way to teach your students about
the importance of listening and relaying messages correctly.
Crafts: Clay Pigs

Give each student a small hunk of clay. Let them form the clay into a pig, a rooster, or
whatever farm animal they wish. You may want to have cookie cutters of common farm animals
for your younger students to use. Sculpting with clay is always a hit with even the younger
children. Be sure to ask them what their animal is if they try to make one of their own. You
should let them add food coloring to the clay before it hardens if you like, or, when it hardens,
you can let them paint their sculptures. Make sure to have little bowls of water available to act
like glue when your students are molding pieces together.
Theme Activities
Magazine Scavenger Hunt

Give each student a magazine with plenty of farm scenes in it. Give them a list of things
they need to find, such as a barn, a tractor, a cow, and a pig. Students begin looking when you
give the word, and they should all have the same amount of time. When the student finds the
item, they should tear that page out of the magazine as proof.
What Color am I?
Start by telling the class: “I am a chicken. What color am I?” Your students will have to
yell out what color they think a chicken is. For an animal like a chicken, where there is often
variety in the coloring, you should have pictures on hand to show the differences in coloring. Do
this with as many animals that you think they will know. This is a good way to help them use
their memory to come up with an answer. They will be remembering what the animal looks like
and then the name of the color that it is.
Mmmm, Grass
To teach students what farm animals eat, go on an exploring trip outside. Tell students to
pick up whatever they think animals eat. You will have students bring in grass, leaves, acorns,
sticks, and whatever else they might find. If you can, bring in hay or grain to show them what
horses and other large farm animals eat. Several of your students may never have seen hay
before, so give them a chance to look, touch, and smell all the items you find.
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Snack Time: Pigs in a Blanket
Take mini hot dogs and wrap them in squares of bread. You can put them together
yourself or let your students create their own snacks, but it is a favorite everyone will love!
Music: Old McDonald Had a Farm

Everyone loves this classic song. Your students can get involved by acting out the
animals in the song or just making the noise of that animal. You may want to sing this several
times—it just never gets old!
Lyrics:
Old MacDonald had a farm
Ee i ee i o
And on his farm he had some chicks
Ee i ee i o
With a cluck-cluck here
And a cluck-cluck there
Here a cluck, there a cluck
Everywhere a cluck-cluck
Ee i ee i o

Ee i ee i o
And on his farm he had some cows
Ee i ee i oh
With a moo-moo here
And a moo-moo there
Here a moo, there a moo
Everywhere a moo-moo
Ee i ee i o

Ee i ee i o
And on his farm he had some pigs
Ee i ee i o
With an oink-oink here
And an oink-oink there
Here an oink, there an oink
Everywhere an oink-oink
Ee i ee i o
Add in other animals that you teach on the farm like :

dogs - woof-woof
cat - meow-meow
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sheeps - baa-baa
horses - neigh-neigh
Story Time: The Little Red Hen by Unknown

In this story, students will see the importance of hard work and the reality of natural
consequences. It is a fun story your students will love, and you can tie in the hard work of the
little red hen to your next lesson, talking about where our food and resources come from.
Reasoning/Thinking Skills: Where Does Milk Come From?

You will need either a felt board or a large easel where you can hang up pictures of
animals on one side and foods on the other. One side will have food products, such as milk,
cheese, steak, chicken, eggs, and bacon. The other side will have animals that produce those
foods. Ask the students to make the connection between the animal and the food it produces.
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Unit 3
Seasons
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Paper plates, assorted sizes

Markers or other colors
Pipe cleaners
Paint supplies and brushes
Cotton balls
Cherry Blossom Popcorn Snack: popcorn, cherry flavored gelatin
Construction paper
Poster or a 3-D model of the solar system
Small plastic cups filled with water
Watermelon cubes
Sunflower seeds
Apples and container to bob them in
Caramel Apple Snack: caramel, hot water, cider mix, sprinkles
Gourds
Unpopped corn or other shakeable material for the gourds
Buttons
Pictures of trees
White paper
Sugar Cookies: sugar cookies, icing, sprinkles, candies, hot chocolate mix, hot water, mini
marshmallows
Colored play dough
Cookie Cutters
Pictures of nature
Ice cream sandwiches
Unit 3-Seasons
Day 1
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happened during their weekend. This activity will take 15-20 minutes, depending on the number
of students in your class.
Crafts: Paper Plate Umbrellas

Give each student a large paper plate. Have them turn it over so that the side that holds
food is down. Let them color and decorate their umbrella however they want. When everyone is
finished, have them poke a hole in the middle of the plate. Give them several pipe cleaners to
stick through the hole as a handle. They can twist the pipe cleaners to make sure they stay
through the hole and they can bend the handle into a “J” shape if they like, just like a real
umbrella. When everyone is finished, you can sing with them, “It’s raining, it’s raining / oh me!
Oh my! / But my umbrella will keep me dry!”
Theme Activities
Springtime Mural
Secure a large piece of blank paper to the wall or the board, within reach of your
students. Provide them with coloring utensils or paint supplies and ask them to help you create a
springtime mural. Each student can come up and add something to the creation. Everyone’s
addition should have something to do with spring. You might want to start with a basic outline
of a field with a tree or some other structures your students can fill in and add to.
Flower Hunt
Spring is predominantly known for rainy days and blossoming plants, so take your
students outside to see what they can find! Ask them to pick flowers, as long as they are not
flowers from a manicured lawn. All the flowers they bring in should be growing wild. They
might bring in dandelions or honeysuckles.
Types of Clouds
Ask your students to draw on the board different cloud shapes. Some will draw large,
puffy clouds. Others will create more layered, pancake-like clouds. When everyone has had a
chance to draw a cloud, bring out pictures of cloud types. Go through their names with the
students. Then, give everyone several cotton balls. Ask them to make clouds with their cotton
balls. They can make a tall, puffy sculpture for a cumulonimbus cloud or a flat, stretched-out
cirrus cloud. Let your students display their work to the class.
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Snack Time: Cherry Blossoms
Give each student a bag with popped popcorn. Then, pour a little dry cherry flavored
gelatin mix in and close the bag. Let students shake the bag around until the popcorn is coated
with the sugar. Then, let them eat their cherry blossoms!
Music: Raindrops Keep Falling on my Head

You can lead your students on a parade through the “rain” with this song. Have them all
line up and hold an imaginary umbrella. Lead them on a trail through the room as you sing this
song about having a good attitude and not getting sad. You can wind around objects and make it
like a train as everyone goes singing in the rain.
Lyrics:
Raindrops keep fallin' on my head
But that doesn't mean my eyes will soon be turnin' red
Cryin's not for me
'Cause I'm never gonna stop the rain by complainin'
Because I'm free
Nothin's worryin' me
Story Time: It’s Springtime in my Backyard by Kathy Mazur

With this book, children will see the different components of springtime and how the
world changes from winter to spring. It is a fun way to point out the evolution from cold and
dead to warm and full of life. It will also encourage your students to pay attention to springtime
in their own backyards!
Together, write a story about springtime. Create a main character. This can be a person
or an animal, but it should be something your students can agree on. Then, let each student come
up with the next line in the story. You can do this activity from scratch or you can base your
story on a picture you find in a magazine. Your students can create a story that describes the
picture they see in front of them. This will teach them to look for important details in pictures
and describe them.
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Day 2

Crafts: Sunflower Garden

Reserve a space on the board for your students to insert their sunflower art. You can
have it already decorated like a garden or a flower patch with stalks ready for the flowers. Give
each student a paper plate to serve as the center of the sunflower. Show them pictures of this
summery flower and ask them to decorate their plate to look like the flower. Give them
construction paper as well so that they can cut out petals for the flower. In the center of the
plate, write each student’s name so that everyone knows whose is whose. (If they know how to
write their name or even their initial, let them do this part.) This will also help your students to
recognize their own names in written form. When everyone is finished, display the flowers on
the board until the end of the week.
Theme Activities
Why is it so Hot?
Bring out a poster or a 3-D model of the solar system. Ask them if they know which one
is the Earth and where the sun is. Ask students if they know why it is hot in summer and cold in
winter. Use the poster or the model to show students that in certain times of the year, Earth is
closer to the sun than at other times. When we are closer, the weather is warmer. When we are
farther away, the weather is colder.
Evaporation Mystery
Explain the idea of evaporation to your students. Let them know that the air absorbs
moisture, especially in the summer. Give each student a small plastic cup and fill it with water.
Have your students make a mark on the cup to tell where the water is that first day. Over the
next few days, have your students re-check their cups and make new marks to measure the water
level. At the end of the week, see whose water has evaporated the most. Your students will be
astonished!
What I Like about Summer

Ask all your students what they like best about summer. Write all their answers on the
board. When everyone has had a chance to tell their favorites, turn the comments into a song
that everyone can sing along to. It can start out, “What I like most about summer time, is ___!”
Snack Time: Watermelon and Sunflower Seeds

What screams summer more than watermelon cubes and sunflower seeds? While this
may seem like an odd combination, you can show your students that the sunflowers they
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decorated earlier produce seeds that many people like to eat! You can also give them
watermelon. Talk about the seeds that are in the watermelon and that these will grow into
watermelons next year if they are planted.
Music: Summertime Fun

Have students act out each item mentioned in the song to keep them active and involved.
Lyrics:
These are my sun glasses.
(circle eyes with fingers)
This is my great sun hat.
(Hands over head)
This is the way I fold my hands
(Fold hands)
And rest them, just like that.
(Place hands into lap)
Pack the paper plates and napkins.

(Pretend to pack)
Don't forget the food and drink:
(Shake head no)
Hot dogs, potato salad, cake, and lemonade pink.
It's fun to go on a picnic.
I simply cannot wait
To eat and play, have fun all day!
Story Time: Hotter than a Hot Dog! By Stephanie Calmenson

Use this story to talk to your students about going to the beach to escape the summer
heat. Ask for stories from students who have been to the beach. Tie this into the next activity by
making students think about life at the beach.
Reasoning/Thinking Skills: Caring for the Beach

This is a good circle time discussion activity. You can cut out a beach scene from a
magazine and use this to start the conversation. Ask them if they can think of good things that
happen at the beach and then some things that are not so good to find on the beach. Good things
might be a little boy picking up a piece of trash. Bad things might be a mother dumping a soda
can into the water from a boat. Children are usually keen observers of things that they like to see
at a beach and things that might scare them or bother them to find. Then ask if they have ideas
on how to prevent the bad things or how they might help to fix them to keep the beach a fun
place to play.
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Day 3

For this week’s show and tell, ask students to bring in items from a trip to the beach.
Several may have seashells or flip flop sandals that remind them of a trip. For those who have
not been to the beach, ask them to bring in pictures of the beach or an item from their parents’
trip to the seashore. Beaches can be at the ocean or a lake.
Crafts: Leaf Print Mosaic

This project should be done after the first Theme Activity, when students go outside to
collect leaves. With the leaves that you have collected and discussed, students can make exciting
prints on paper. Distribute the leaves, as well as paint supplies and blank paper. Students can
brush paint onto the leaf or dip the leaf directly into the paint. Then, the students can use the
leaves as a stamp on their paper. They should pick different leaf shapes and different colors to
get a unique design.
Theme Activities
Leaf Shapes
Take your students outside and ask them to collect as many different types of leaves as
they can find. Each student should come back with something, and you can discuss why some
leaves look different from others. Tell them that leaves are like the faces of trees—just like all
humans have different faces, all trees have different leaves. You will then use these leaves for
the craft project.
Bobbing for Apples

Try this alternative to bobbing for apples which has been a traditional party game over
the years but not up to current health standards today. Instead of filling a pan with water and
filling it with apples for children to bob for them, use dental floss or string and hang the apples
from the ceiling or a bar that is firmly attached to the ceiling. They should be hung at an
appropriate distance so that the children can reach the apple with their mouth without using their
hands. Give them a turn to try to take a bite out of their apple without using their hands. This is
harder than it looks. Once they succeed, cut down the apple and give it to them to keep for their
snack time activity below.
Uses of Pumpkins
Brainstorm with your students about anything they can think of that might be made out of
a pumpkin. Most kids will only think of jack-o-lanterns and pumpkin pie, but there are so many
more uses for the pumpkin! It can be cooked like a squash. Its seeds can be baked and salted for
a snack. It can be dried and hollowed out for a musical instrument or a water jug. It can be
painted and displayed as artwork. There are so many uses for the pumpkin! Help your students
expand their knowledge.
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Snack Time: Caramel Apples and Apple Cider
With the apples that your students have bobbed for in the earlier activity, they can now
decorate them with caramel and sprinkles. If you think that is too messy, cut up each student’s
apple and give them caramel dipping sauce. Get hot water and cider mix and give each student a
drink of cider to accompany the apple.
Music: Gourd Shakers

Find inexpensive gourds at a craft store and bring in something small to fill the gourds
with that will make a sound when shook in the gourd. Let your students fill their gourds and stop
up the hole. Then, create rhythms with your class as they discover the musical possibilities of
gourds!
Story Time: Gracias the Thanksgiving Turkey by Joy Cowley

This is a multicultural Thanksgiving story about Thanksgiving celebrated by a Hispanic
family. It will give your students a look at how important this fall holiday is to many different
cultures in America.
Reasoning/Thinking Skills: Thanksgiving

During this time, you can talk to students about the history behind Thanksgiving (if you
are in the US). The most important thing to emphasize is the importance of working together
with our neighbors, just like the Native Americans and the Pilgrims did. You can talk about
what kinds of food are eaten at Thanksgiving and what people at the first Thanksgiving might
have eaten. There are so many ways to discuss Thanksgiving as a holiday and also as a
sentiment for the season, so use your imagination and let your class guide the discussion. The
foods are traditional foods that are harvested at the end of the growing season with the emphasis
on cooking and sharing foods with friends and relatives.
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Day 4

Crafts: Snowman Delight

Give students several different sized paper plates to serve as the main parts of the
snowman. Students can glue the plates together to make the small, medium, and large sized
balls. Then, students can cover the snowman with cotton balls and glitter, add buttons
construction paper, and whatever else they want to create a snowman that is all their own.
Theme Activities
Deciduous vs. Coniferous

Explain this difficult tree concept to young people with lots of pictures. You can show
different trees and talk about why some of them lose their leaves in the winter while others do
not. Then, you can show different pictures and ask students which type of tree it is, depending
on whether or not it has leaves. See if they know what kinds of trees are in their yards or
neighborhoods.
Hibernation
Ask students if they know what hibernation is. Ask them to demonstrate. Several of
your students may fall out of their chairs and pretend to snore on the ground. Ask everyone why
animals hibernate and how it helps them. Show them pictures of different animals and ask them
which animals hibernate. Talk about storing food, sleeping, and conserving energy as life
processes of certain animals.
Snowflake Cutout
Have students fold a piece of white paper twice, so that it is ¼ its normal size. They can
cut the edges how they like, cutting out triangles, circles, or whatever else they think of. When
they have made it how the want, they can open it up and look at their unique snowflake.
Younger children will need help cutting since this can be difficult for three year olds. The best
thing is that any shape of cut or tear will result in a beautiful patterned snowflake.
Snack Time: Hot Chocolate and Sugar Cookies

Give your students winter-shaped sugar cookies that they can decorate. Shape ideas
could be snowmen, snow flakes, stockings, or trees. Let them decorate with icing, sprinkles, and
small candies. Give each student a small mug of hot chocolate and have mini marshmallows
available as well.
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Music: Let it Snow
Have your students sing with you on this song, because they will probably know many of
the lyrics already. There are not body movements assigned for this song, so let your students
dance around as they wish.
Lyrics:
Oh the weather outside is frightful
But the fire is so delightful
And since we've no place to go
Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!
It doesn't show signs of stopping
And I've bought some corn for popping
The lights are turned way down low
Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!
Story Time: Animals in Winter by Ronald M. Fisher

This book reinforces everything you already taught students about hibernation habits and
other landscape changes in winter. It talks about what animals do in winter to survive and give
real-life stories.
Reasoning/Thinking Skills: Winter Wonderland

Continue the topics of the theme activities above. If you can, find a picture of a winter
scene or several winter scenes. Put them up for all to see and then ask different questions such
as: “Did the trees lose their leaves or didn’t they?” “What animals in the picture will hibernate
for the winter?” “Does this scene show a place where there might be snow or is this a place
where there isn’t snow?”
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Day 5

Crafts: Play Dough Shapes

Students should have several different colors of play dough at their disposal for this
activity. They will need cookie cutters from all the seasons. They can cut out shapes with their
play dough, decorate them with craft supplies, and watch them harden throughout the day. As
students are playing, go around and ask them which season goes with the cookie cutter they
have.
Theme Activities
Weather Reporters
Take your class on a “field trip” throughout the room as they serve as weather reporters
for the local news station. In one corner of the room, it is summer. Give students a chance to
report what the temperature is and what it looks like outside. As they move to different corners,
make sure students understand that the weather patterns change, so their reporting must change.
Help them with the seasons and the typical weather that happens with each one and give hints as
they need them.
Picture Identification
Hold up different pictures of nature and ask students which season the picture displays.
Let students describe different aspects of the picture that lead them to think it is one season or the
other.
Dress for Success

Come up with a packing list for a fictitious character going on vacation to different parts
of the country with different weather. Ask students what they wear in different seasons and let
them find examples in magazines. You can put together a visual packing list for your character
to help them remember everything they need.
Snack Time: Ice Cream Sandwiches

Everyone loves summer food best, so treat your students to ice cream sandwiches. They
can have two small cookies and you can scoop ice cream between. They can squish it together
and have a fun, summery treat.
Music: Squirrel Song
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Since squirrels are found year-round in some areas of the country, this song is a great
way to teach a little about this very common animal. Let your students act out the parts as you
sing the words.
Lyrics:
Gray Squirrel, Gray Squirrel
Shake your bushy tail (pretend to shake tail)
Gray Squirrel, Gray Squirrel
Shake your bushy tail (pretend to shake tail)
Wrinkle up your funny nose (act out line)
Put a nut between your toes (pretend to eat a nut)
Gray Squirrel Shake your bushy tail (Pretend to shake a tail)
Story Time: The Reasons for Seasons by Gail Gibbons

This book sums up the entire unit you have been teaching, with pretty pictures and easy-
to-understand concepts.
Reasoning/Thinking Skills: Changing Seasons Worksheet

Give students a piece of paper with four equal squares on it. Tell students they can draw
a scene for each of the seasons. They can include whatever nature things they want as well as
animals. Give everyone a chance to describe their drawings and why they think it represents the
seasons.
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Unit 4
Transportation
44
White paper
Markers or other coloring utensils
Model airplane
Airplane Snacks: packaged peanuts or crackers with cheese, milk, water, or juice, and plastic
cups
Construction paper
Glue
Fruit snacks in the shape of trains
Egg carton tops
Paint and supplies
Magazines to be cut up
Graham Cracker Bus Snack: graham crackers, yellow frosting, Oreos, Golden Graham cereal,
and teddy grahams
Clay
Toothpicks
Container of water
Pictures of different kinds of boats
Inexpensive wooden paddles
2-liter empty beverage bottle
Pennies
French bread, lunch meat, cheese, and condiments
Cardboard
Picture of the Ford Model T
Twinkies, M&Ms, Twizzlers, and gummy snacks
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Unit 4-Transportation
Day 1

Crafts: Paper Airplanes

Give each student a piece of paper. There are several ways to make a paper airplane, so
pick the template you feel most comfortable with. Here is one of the easier designs. Fold a
standard size 8 ½ x 11 paper in half and make a crease, then unfold the paper with the crease in
the middle. Take the right side of the paper and fold it so that the edge lines up with the crease
and repeat on the left side. This makes the nose of the airplane. Next fold the bottom portion of
the sheet in toward the crease. Do this with the other side. Now you have the wings for your
Airplane. You want to end up with a pointed nose in front and two wings. Students can decorate
their planes once they are folded so that they will be able to identify their own plane. When
everyone has their planes finished, line up your students for a race. Have students throw their
planes several times to see whose goes the farthest.
Theme Activities
Airplane Adventure
Line up your students’ chairs 2-3 in a row with an aisle in between. They should
resemble the cabin of an airplane. Pretend to be the flight attendant and tell your students how to
be safe on an airplane. Explain to them that they cannot move around when the seatbelt sign is
turned on because the ride may be bumpy and they could hurt someone. Also, talk about how
airplanes are specially made so that we can breathe like normal even when we are high up in the
air.
Airplane Parts
Bring in a model airplane to pass around to the students. Let them hold it and see it so
that they feel more involved in the activity. Name the parts of the airplane with the students.
Many of your students will have never been in an airplane before, so it is important that you give
them a chance to learn the parts of the plane and get to experience it like the other students.
Amelia Earhart Biography

Teach your students a little about Amelia Earhart and how she was the first woman to fly
alone over the Atlantic Ocean. She was a very face aviator and deserves respect. You can talk
about how her plane was very different than our planes now because we have much better
equipment. If you can, show pictures of Amelia, her plane, and perhaps a newspaper article
reporting the events.
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Snack Time: Airplane Food
To keep your students in the airplane mode, serve them packaged pretzels or cheese
crackers, like they might find on an airplane. Give them drink choices of milk, water, or juice,
and serve it to them in plastic cups like the airlines if possible.
Music: The Airplane Song by Phillip A. Parker

Students can run around the room with their arms outstretched like the wings of an
airplane if they wish during this song. They can search for the tiny little buildings and cars
during that part of the song, but they may rather fly like an airplane for the entire song.
Lyrics:
Oh, we are flying in an airplane,
Looking out the window,
Watching the clouds go by.
Flying in an airplane,
Up so very high.

We can see the wings.
Down below we see other things.
Like little tiny buildings

And cars so small,
It makes me feel
Like I'm really tall.
Oh, we are flying in an airplane,

Watching the clouds go by.
Flying in an airplane,
Up so very high.
Story Time: Young Amelia Earhart by Sarah Alcott

This is a biography geared at young learners. It will talk about Amelia’s childhood, her
dreams of being a pilot, and how she learned everything she could about airplanes. It is a great
way to inspire young people to pursue their own dreams, no matter how big they seem.
Have students color in different airplane parts. Give them a sheet with an airplane
outline. Name a part and ask them where this is on the outline. Next tell them to color the nose
blue, the wings green, and the wheels black. You can use whatever colors you want, but this is
an easy way to help students remember which part of the plane is which. When your students
forget what name goes with what part, get your model airplane back out to show them.
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Day 2

Crafts: Train Car

Each student can make a train car that will join with everyone else’s to make a full-length
train. You can have an engine already displayed on a wall or bulletin board. The students can
add their cars when they finish. Each student starts with a piece of colored construction paper.
They can cut out a rectangle for the car (or you can help them cut.) Then, they can cut out
several small, white rectangles to serve as the windows of the car. Once those are glued in place,
students can cut out two small, black circles for the wheels. When everything is glued together,
students may decorate their car however they wish. **(Remember that cutting can be difficult
so depending on the ages of your children, you may want to precut some of the shapes or
you can use stickers and labels of varying sizes. Mailing labels will make great window
shapes.)
Theme Activities
Off the Track

Have all your students line up behind you with their hands on each others’ shoulders to
form a train. Tell them that something broke on the train and that it is going out of control!
Walk or run around the room in whatever zig-zag pattern you like. Everyone has to follow
exactly the path that you come up with. They will love the unconventional way of walking
around the room and you will use up some of their energy before the day is out. Of course, you
will want to make the “chug, chug” sound of a train while you lead this activity.
How Big is a Train?

For this activity start by asking students if they have ever been on a train. Most probably
have not. Ask them if they think all trains are the same size or different. This will get them to
think about all the kinds of trains they may have seen and what is carried in the train. Talk about
how heavy a train is in comparison to a car! That puts this into their world. A locomotive is
about the size of 3 automobiles. Talk about the whistles on the train and that the conductors
blow these in a certain pattern to mean different signals. Is this different from car horns?
What Goes in Trains?

Ask your students for examples of things that trains carry. They will not know about
many of the important things that are moved around the country by trains, such as coal, people,
and goods for stores. You can talk about how refrigerated train cars let farmers and butchers
move meat around the country. Your students will be amazed at the things that are currently,
and were in the past, moved about by trains.
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Snack Time: Train-Shaped Fruit Snacks
Each student will get a packet of fruit snacks shaped like train parts. It is easy, quick, and
they will love it!
Music: The Train Song by Phil Rosenthal

This song talks about the parts of the train and where it can go. Let students run around
like engines while you sing this song.
Lyrics:
The train is rolling down the track,
Listen to the wheels go clickety clack,
Over the bridge, around the bend,
Taking me for a ride.
The engine's up at the front of the train,

Pulling all the cars through the sun and the rain,
Over the bridge, around the bend,
Taking me for a ride.
Story Time: The Little Engine that Could by Watty Piper

This beloved classic will help your students learn to keep going even when things are
hard. They will probably have already heard the story and loved it, so everyone will be excited
to hear it once more.
Reasoning/Thinking Skills: Number Train

Put five train car outlines on the board. Place the numbers 1-5 in a random order. Ask
the students to look at the board and silently decide if the numbers are in order on the train. You
can call on a student to help you put the numbers in the right order. Next is the WHISTLE signal
for a train approaching.—2 long blasts, 1 short, then 1 long to tell people that a train is
approaching the crossing. Have the children listen to the correct way then change the signals to
see if they can hear the difference. You can use your arm as a pretend gate coming down when
you make the right signal noise.
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Day 3

Ask students to bring in any transportation items they may have, such as model airplanes,
toy trucks, or trains. Each student can share what they brought in and why it has to do with
transportation.
Crafts: 3-D School Bus

Each student should get the top of an egg carton. They should paint it yellow, like a
school bus. While it is drying, they should find pictures of people in magazines and cut out their
heads to fit in the windows of the bus. These pictures should be glued onto a piece of paper,
making sure that they can be seen through the openings in the egg carton if it is one that has
holes in it or just glue them on the top of the egg sections. When the “bus” is dry, students
should cut out two black circles from construction paper and glue them on to make wheels.
Theme Activities
School Bus Safety

Talk to students about school bus safety. Ask if anyone has ever been on a school bus
and listen to their experiences. Explain to students that school buses are big, but there is only
one driver. Everyone must listen to the driver and follow their instructions or someone might get
hurt. Just like in a car, you have to stay sitting down at all times. You cannot hang out the
window or jump around because you might distract the driver and cause an accident.
Drama—After School Scene

Have all your students line up like they are on a school bus. They should be in groups of
two, with an aisle between them like on a bus. You are the driver and you will walk with them
throughout the room. When you put on your breaks and make a screeching sound, one
designated students will step off the bus and hold their hand up like a stop sign. This student is
the safety patrol officer. At least one student will get off at each stop and walk home. When
everyone is home, you can gather back together and change parts if you wish.
How is a School Bus Different?

Take ideas from your students about how school buses are different from other types of
transportation, like cars or trains or boats. There are the obvious color and size features, but also
talk to your students about how everyone knows that school buses are special because they are
carrying children. Everyone watches out for school buses so that they do not harm the children
entering and exiting the bus.
Snack Time: Graham Cracker Bus

Your students will love creating a school bus out of a graham cracker! Break one corner
off a graham cracker to make the shape of the bus. Frost it with yellow frosting. Put two Oreos
at the bottom for wheels. Create windows with Golden Graham cereal and use a teddy graham
for the driver.
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Music: The Wheels on the Bus Go Round and Round
This is a great song for students to act out, because there are so many fun action words
used in the song. Have everyone sit with you and do hand motions for the words described in the
song.
Lyrics:
The wheels on the bus go round and round,
round and round,
round and round.
The wheels on the bus go round and round,
all through the town.
The wipers on the bus go Swish, swish, swish;

Swish, swish, swish;
Swish, swish, swish.
The wipers on the bus go Swish, swish, swish,
all through the town.
The horn on the bus goes Beep, beep, beep;

Beep, beep, beep;
Beep, beep, beep.
The horn on the bus goes Beep, beep, beep,
all through the town..
Story Time: Bus Stops by Taro Gomi

This book teaches students counting and attention to details as they look at the different
pictures. The bus progresses along different stops and lets off different people before finally
parking for the night.
Reasoning/Thinking Skills: Components of a Bus

Together as a class, create a drawing of a school bus. Draw a bus from the side and also
from the front so that students can learn everything that makes a school bus. Ask students what
is missing about the picture and let them draw it in if they are able or you can draw it in where
they tell you to insert it. Make sure to get headlights, windshield wipers, windows, the door,
wheels, the bus company name, etc.
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Day 4

Crafts: Clay Boat

With a little clay, some toothpicks, and some paper, your students can create a boat that is
all their own! Show them how to make a hollow middle in their clay as they form the boat.
They can make it whatever shape they want, from a round, almost inner-tube like boat to a
pointed, canoe-type boat. There should be no holes in the boat, so that it will float. When the
boat has been shaped, students should create a sail with construction paper. It will usually be
triangle-shaped, but it can be whatever the students want it to be. It should be secured to the
toothpick. The toothpick can then be stuck into the clay so that the sail stands up straight. When
everything is completed, have your students try out their creations in a tub of water.
Theme Activities
Name That Boat!

Show the students pictures of different kinds of boats. Talk through the differences with
them, especially in size, design, and propulsion. Ask students if they know the names of the
different boats, or it they have been on boats themselves. Talk about how some boats can only
go in deep water and how other boats are designed for shallow waters or rivers.
Boat Race
Provide inexpensive paddles to your students for this race activity. Have the students sit
on the floor in the midst of stuffed animals, toys, and whatever other debris you can find. The
first student to paddle all the items out of the way wins. You can pair up your students and have
a tournament until you have a definitive winner.
Submarine Sink
Take an empty 2-liter soda bottle and let your students decorate it with markers. It
should still be sheer enough to see through the bottle, though. Let students fill it with one penny
apiece. Screw on the lid and place it in a tub of water. Continue to do this until the submarine is
submerged just below the surface. You can take it out and fill it with more pennies, changing the
weight to determine how low the sub sinks. Use this chance to talk to your students about the
concept of buoyancy and how submarines work.
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Snack Time: Sub Sandwich Bites
Give each student a section of French bread, cut long ways. Let them fill the sandwich
with lunch meat, cheese, and condiments. To make clean-up easy, you can give them condiment
packets. They will love getting to mix and match their favorites.
Music: Row, Row, Row Your Boat

As your students sing this song, they can pretend to row their boats from side to side.
You can sing this song in rounds if your students are old enough to understand and keep up with
a song in rounds.
Lyrics:
Row, row, row your boat,
Gently down the stream.
Merrily, merrily, merrily, merrily,
Life is but a dream.
Story Time: Boats, Boats, Boats by Joanna Ruane

This charming story introduces students to all kinds of boats with rhymes and pictures
that are sure to keep the interest of your young crowd.
Reasoning/Thinking Skills: What Floats

This activity will help them understand first hand what will float and what won’t. Have a
variety of objects such as a rock, cork, spoons, plastic bottle cap, foam trays, bar of soap, etc.
Use your water table or large tub of water. Let the children decide what will float when they put
it in the water and what will sink, then let them do this on their own. They can also use the tray
to see how much it can hold and still float before it gets too heavy and sinks.
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Day 5

Crafts: Design Your Own Car

Give each student a sturdy piece of cardboard about the size of a license plate and let
them decorate the background however they like. They should decide what they want their
license plates to look like. You can print out labels with each child’s first name in large bold
print (or if they are older and know how to write their own name or initials they can do so.) They
can put their license plate on their chair, take it home, whatever works best. A personalized
license plate is such a cinch!
Theme Activities
Vehicle Observation
Take your students outside to see how many of each type of vehicles they see pass by.
Split your class into groups and assign them to a type; you will have a truck, car, van, SUV, and
bus group. Ask that group to keep track of how many times they see their type of vehicle. When
everyone gets back inside, report the results and talk about why one type of vehicle might be
more popular than another.
Model T to the Present

Show students a picture of the Ford Model T, the first mass-produced car available to the
average person. Ask students how people got around before there were cars. Ask students if
their family has a car, and talk about the differences in cars around the world. Do they know if
cars are different in Europe than in the US or in Asia? Try to have pictures of all types and ages
of cars and ask them if they have ever seen any of these and where they saw them. Fun
discussions usually come up here.
Future Travel
Let your students’ imaginations run wild when you ask them to think up an idea for
transportation in the future. Take ideas from everyone and, as a class, draw a vehicle for
transportation in the future. There should be no limits on what is or is not possible in this future
vehicle, so go with the flow and see what the future holds for us!
Snack Time: Go Cart Twinkies

Give each student a Twinkie or other long, skinny snack cake. They should have
decorative materials, such as M&Ms, Twizzlers, and gummy snacks. They should make a go
cart with their Twinkies, making sure to have some sort of round candy for the wheels. After
marking their go carts with their candy, they can eat it!
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Music: Driving in My Car by Peter and Ellen Allard
When the lyrics describe what the person has in the car, your students can also pretend to
have those things. For example, when it says, “sunglasses,” your students can put on their cool,
imaginary shades. They are in Hollywood, of course!
Lyrics:
Chorus:
Driving in my car
driving far
I'm a movie star
Driving in my car
vroom vroom vroom
Driving in my car
driving far
I'm a movie star
Driving in my car
vroom vroom vroom
I've got my sunglasses on...
Chorus
I've got my scarf 'round my neck...

And I've got my sunglasses on...
Chorus
I've got my hat on my head...

And I've got my scarf 'round my neck...
And I've got my sunglasses on...
Story Time: Big Book of Cars by DK Publishing

This is a flashy book with lots of great pictures of futuristic and unusual vehicles. There
is not much reading going on with this one, but it is sure to hold their attention. These are cars
like you’ve never seen before!
Reasoning/Thinking Skills: Build Your Own Vehicle

Taking that inspiration from an earlier activity, have your students create their dream
vehicle for the future. It can have any features they want, such as a swimming pool in the back
or a soda fountain in the dashboard. Let them go wild as they draw and design. This can be done
on paper or they can use 3-D objects such as blocks, empty cartons, recycled items, etc.
Everyone should have a chance to share their ideas. Who know? One day you just might find
those ideas a reality!
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Unit 5
Earth Science
56
Construction paper
Sand
Dirt
Pebbles
Plastic dinosaur bones
Plastic dinosaur figures
Plastic flowers of varying colors
Fake teeth and/or bone-shaped animal treats
Swampy Salad: applesauce, peanuts, raisons, mini marshmallows
String or yarn
Pictures from the air of the Amazon River
Bananas and chocolate
Cookie cutters, white bread, jelly, peanut butter, honey, and Twizzlers
Paint and supplies
Different sizes of round fruits
Model of the solar system
Cupcakes, jawbreakers, and gummy ring candies
Large Styrofoam ball
Snow cone cups or cone-shaped Styrofoam structures
Empty soda bottle
Funnel
Baking soda
Vinegar
Dishwashing detergent
Red food coloring
Cupcake and chocolate sauce
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Unit 5-Earth Science
Day 1
Crafts: Dinosaur Place Mats

You will need dinosaur cookie cutters, plastic dinosaur toys, tempera paint and large
sheets of paper for these. Put green and brown paint into different plates. Have the children dip
the cutters into the paint and then stamp on the paper anyway they wish. Next have them dip the
feet of the toys into the paint and stamp out footprints around the dinosaurs. Once the paint is
dried, they can decorate their dinosaurs however they want, adding horns, scales, eyes, teeth, etc.
This will vary depending on the age and abilities of your kids. Once these are totally dry, cover
with clear contact paper and use for the week for snack time.
Theme Activities
Archaeology Hunt
Fill a large tub with sand, dirt, and pebbles. Hide plastic dinosaur bones, fake teeth,
and/or bone-shaped animal treats in the tub for students to find. Instead of giving them tools,
teach them to sift through the dirt with their hands, uncovering one layer at a time. Let them
discover all there is to find in the dirt, just like a real archaeologist.
Don’t Wake the Dinosaur

In this game, one student is the dinosaur and pretends to be asleep. The other students
creep up and ask the dinosaur, “Are you asleep?” The dinosaur answers, “yes” several times
until he/she is ready, then answers “no!” The dinosaur then jumps up and runs after the other
students, trying to tag them. The first one tagged becomes the new dinosaur. With this game
you can teach students about the fierceness of dinosaurs and how large and frightening they
were.
How Many Dinosaurs Can You Name?

This game is a rhythm game. Every student should slap their left knee, then their right
knee, then clap their hands together twice. This helps everyone stay on the same beat. Everyone
says together “What kind of dinosaur do you see?” You pick the first student and put their name
in front. That student answers with the name of a dinosaur and calls on the next student.
Students are out of the game when they cannot think of a dinosaur type within a reasonable
amount of time.
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Snack Time: Swampy Salad
Students will love mixing this salad together as if they were eating it in a swamp!
1 cup applesauce
¼ cup peanuts (or dry cereal if there are allergies)
¼ cup raisons
¼ cup mini marshmallows
Music: Dinosaurs by Meish Goldish

With this song, students can shrug their shoulders on the question lines or search for the
dinosaurs throughout the verses.
Lyrics:
Sung To: "Pussycat, Pussycat"
Dinosaurs, dinosaurs,
Where have you been?
I've only seen you
In books that you're in.
Why aren't you here?
I want to know what
Made you all disappear!
How you would roam!
Forests and beaches
Were your private home.
How you could eat!
Dining on plant life
Or dining on meat.
Where did you go?
Once you were giants,
And how you did grow!
What made you die?
So many guesses,
But no one's sure why.
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Story Time: Dinosaur (Curious Kids Guide) by Rod Theodorou
Cartoons and pictures abound in this informative book about dinosaurs, their lives, and
their cause of death.
Reasoning/Thinking Skills: Where are Fossils Found?

Bring out a map of the world and show students where in the world dinosaur bones are
found. Let them know that there are many important sites right here in the U.S. Ask them what
it means if dinosaur bones are found. Help them make the connection that dinosaurs lived
everywhere that their bones are found. Then, talk about what kind of weather dinosaurs needed
to survive. Explain what extinction is and the proposed reasons for dinosaur extinction. Let
students express their opinions about why dinosaurs died out.
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Day 2

.
Crafts: Liana Vine

Each student can pick something representative of the rainforest for this craft. First talk
about what a rainforest is. Tell them that it is a jungle in a warm wet climate and many flowers,
snakes, bugs, animals, etc live. It is helpful to have a globe or world map to show them where
most tropical rainforests are found. You need a long, dark green piece of string or yarn to hang in
the room. Each student can cut out and color an animal or plant in the rainforest, such as a
butterfly, a snake, a big leaf, an exotic flower, a lizard, or a big, leafy tree. Have them poke a
hole in the top of their creation and string it on the vine to create an entire liana vine, one of the
most common plants in the rainforest.
Theme Activities
Create a Rainforest Corner

Talk about what a rainforest is—there are layers which include the trees and the canopy
that they create, the middle section or Understory, and the forest floor. The trees reach very high
to reach the sunlight and the branches then create a type of umbrella ceiling of leaves. This is the
canopy and this shades everything below. Leaves, flowers, monkeys, birds live at the top of the
canopy closer to the sunlight. The floor of the forest is bare because light can’t get through to
help grass to grow. Choose a part of the room or use the entire classroom to decorate. Hang your
liana vine from above to the ceiling. Next have the students draw and decorate large leaves or
flowers and hang these from the vine as well. The children can help decide what to add to create
their forest. This is a wonderful opportunity to allow your children to use their imaginations and
create their space.
Amazon River Expedition

Introduce students to the Amazon River and that this is the location for one of the
rainforests of the world. Show them pictures from the air of the Amazon River. Talk about what
kind of animals live in and around the river. Line the chairs up two by two as if they are
passengers on a boat. Take them on a make-believe trip down the river and point out what you
are seeing and ask them to watch out for things on the river you may have missed. They are your
helpers and let their imaginations soar to help you navigate the river.
What Comes from the Rainforest?

Go around the room and have each student name something they think comes from the
rainforest. Make a list. When students run out of ideas, give them more ideas like wood and
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medicine, fruits, and nuts. There are plenty of things that come from the rainforest without us
even knowing it.
Snack Time: Chocolate-Covered Bananas

Bananas come from the rainforest, and cocoa plants grow there as well, so chocolate-
covered bananas are pretty close to the real thing! Give students a banana and some chocolate
sauce to dip it in and they will feel like they are really there.
Music: Rainforest Animals
Lyrics:
Sung to: Take me out the ball game
Take me into the rain forest,

Take me into the green.
Show me the monkeys up in the trees,
Show me butterflies, parrots, and bees!
Let me look, look, look for a tiger,

With a coat of yellow and gold,
For it's fun to see all the creatures
Our rain forests hold!
Take me into the rain forest,

Take me under the leaves,
Lizards and pythons are on the ground.
Sloths are hanging from trees upside down!
Let me look, look, look for a toucan,

With a beak of red, blue, and green.
Yes, it's fun to see all the rain forest
Sights I've seen!
Story Time: Over in the Jungle by Marianne Berkes

Students will sing, clap, and chant along to this entertaining and informative book about
life in the rainforest.
Reasoning/Thinking Skills: Save the Rainforest

Students might not know that the world’s rainforests are in danger of extinction. Talk to
them in simple terms about why the rainforest is shrinking and why it is harmful to the world.
Then, take suggestions about how to save the rainforests. This will teach your kids problem-
solving skills as well as concern for the environment.
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Day 3

Ask students to bring in any exotic animal item they may have. Some may have a stuffed
snake or a shirt with an unusual flower printed on it. Talk about the items and how they
represent what lives in the rainforest.
Crafts: Handprint Flower Photo Frame

For this craft, students need a piece of construction paper and paint. They should stick
their thumbs in paint and make “petals” on the paper, leaving a big white space in the middle
where a picture will go. They may need to do their thumb prints several times to make it look
like a real flower. Students should then paint a stem and leaves on their flowers.
Theme Activities
Garden Center Planting

Use your sand table for this activity. You will need many plastic or artificial flowers (the
$1 store has many or you can make your own with paper and attach them to popsicle sticks).
Have containers the children can use to plant their garden. Use a die and have each child roll the
die to see how many flowers they need to plant in their container. They can do this over and
over to see if they know their numbers and then to count out what they need. You could also
make a die with a square box. Have each side a different color as well as add the numbers so
that they will have to match the color as well as the number.
How Plants Work

Walk your students through the life cycle of plants. Ask them if they have ever seen the
roots of plants. Show them what the point of roots are and how plants use light to create energy.
If you can, pull up a plant and show the roots to students. If possible, let them start their own
seeds and watch them over the weeks as the seeds sprout and begin to grow. Another idea is to
take cuttings from vines and put them in water to observe as they send out roots.
Edible Plants
Do your students know that fruits and vegetables are actually plants? Describe how
different foods come from the ground, and why that makes them healthy. Show different kinds
of fruits and vegetables and ask students to name them. Help them understand that all kinds of
edible plants grow just the same as traditional plants like trees and flowers.
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Snack Time: Flower Sandwiches
Give students flower cookie cutters and two pieces of white bread. Let them choose their
filling. They can pick between jelly, peanut butter, honey, or whatever else you can think of.
They can stick a Twizzler in between for a stem if they like.
Music: The Flower Song by Nancy Stewart

Have your students act out the idea of planting the flowers by digging, putting in the
flower, and covering it with dirt. They can then imitate the rain that comes down and the sun
that shines.
Lyrics:
Sow the seeds in the ground below
Add the sun and the rain
See the flowers grow
I can see in front of me
A daffodil as pretty as can be

A yellow rose as pretty as can be

A tulip just as pretty as can be

An iris just as pretty as can be
Story Time: The Magic School Bus Plants Seeds: A Book About How Living Things Grow
by Joanna Cole
The magic school bus will enter a flower to talk about how things grow and the cycle of
plants. It’s a great, entertaining, imaginative way to learn about plants!
Reasoning/Thinking Skills: Seed and Plants

Bring in many different types of seeds—sunflower, pumpkin, watermelon, avocado,
apples, flower seeds, etc. Talk about seeds being there to provide the next cycle or generation of
plants for the next season. Ask if the size of the seed determines the size of the plant, for
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example—an apple seed is small but the tree is large, watermelon seeds are small but produce
long vines, and continue to get them to think about the seed, what it comes from and the size.
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Day 4

Crafts: Pet Rocks

Take your class outside and have them pick up rocks that interest them, whether in shape,
color, or size. When they get their rocks inside, you should help them wash them off so they are
nice and clean. Then, let your students paint a face on their rock. Once the paint is dry, the
students can carry their new friends around with them for the day.
Theme Activities
Solar Fruit System

Bring in different sizes of round fruit and show students the difference in size between
the planets. Show a model of the planets and tell the students the names of the planets. Ask
students to match up the sizes of the fruit you brought with the sizes of the planets in the model.
Talk to them about how the planets orbit the sun and what makes the planets the colors that they
are. ** DO THIS ACTIVITY WITH THE SONG BELOW TO HELP WITH THE NAMES OF
THE PLANETS.
Unique Earth
Why is Earth so different from the other seven planets in the solar system? Can they tell
you what is special about Earth that makes it possible for life to thrive, while other planets are
inhabitable? Let your students brainstorm about what makes Earth so unique. Give them hints
about what we need to live, such as the right temperature, composition of air, and food which
needs good soil to grow.
Total Eclipse
With the fruit you used earlier, show students what causes an eclipse, whether it be of the
sun or the moon. Ask them if they have ever seen an eclipse, and what it looked like. Explain
why it happens and let students come forward to move the fruit to line up correctly.
Snack Time: Galactic Cupcakes

Give your students cupcakes. They should also get jawbreakers and gummy ring candies.
They can spread the gummy ring around the jawbreaker and stick it on the cupcake.
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Music: Planets
Remind students of planet names with this catchy song.
Lyrics:
There are eight planets that we know.
Round and round the Sun they go.
Mercury, Venus, Earth, and Mars,
These are the planets near our star.
Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, too.

Little Neptune, we can't see you.
These are the eight planets that we know.
Round and round the Sun they go.
Story Time: The Planets in our Solar System by Franklyn M. Branley

This book explains the solar system, but it includes Pluto, which has since been demoted
from a planet.
Reasoning/Thinking Skills: Paint the Earth

Get a giant Styrofoam ball that you have already painted blue, like the ocean. Bring in a
globe for the students to look at, and have them help you paint your own class globe. Your
students can work in teams to paint the different continents. The landmasses should be green,
but they can also be brown or white, for Antarctica.
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Day 5

Crafts: Create Your Own Volcano

Give students conical shaped objects. It can be snow cone cups turned upside down or
cone-shaped Styrofoam structures, but students should have one to resemble a volcano. Let them
gather rocks and dirt from outside to glue onto the sides of the volcano. When the glue is dry,
students can paint a red stripe down the volcano to represent lava coming from the volcano.
Theme Activities
Where in the World are Volcanoes?

Your students will probably have heard of volcanoes, but they might not know that we
have several volcanoes in the U.S. Talk to your students about the results of eruptions. Ask
them if they can think of any islands that were created by volcanic eruptions. If they cannot
think of any, tell them about Hawaii, parts of Central America, and most islands in the world. It
will be helpful to bring out a world map for this section.
Make a Volcano** (This project is quite in-depth, so only two theme activities will be presented
for this day)
Take your students outside if possible for this project. Start with an empty soda bottle.
Have your students help you cover it with clay. You should leave the top of the bottle clear so
that the volcano can erupt. They can decorate it with sticks and leaves if they like to make it
look more realistic. Using a funnel, put 3-4 tablespoons of baking soda in the bottle. Fill the
bottle half-full with water and add a few drops of dishwashing detergent. Add a few drops of red
food coloring. When your students are ready to watch the eruption, quickly add ½ cup vinegar
and remove the funnel. The volcano will erupt immediately, so be ready!
When the eruption is finished, talk to your students about what causes an eruption. It is
the right mixture of gases, pressure, and magma in the volcano. For your volcano, it is the right
mixture of baking soda, water, and vinegar. Talk about how your volcano erupts from the top,
because that is where the pressure can be released. This is how volcanoes work as well.
Continue explaining the similarities until your students understand the basics of a volcano.
Snack Time: Cupcake Volcanoes

Give each child a cupcake, but tell them to hollow out the middle. Come around and
squeeze chocolate sauce in the middle of the cupcake until it almost overflows. Students should
eat this with a fork, so that when they cut into the cupcake, the “lava” flows out, just like a
volcano.
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Music: Volcanoes
Before you sing this song with your students, talk to them about the process of a volcano
eruption. Show them that when pressure builds up inside the volcano, there is not enough room
for the lava and the gas. Since the only way out is up, volcanoes tend to erupt through the top.
Lyrics:
(To the tune of Mary Had a Little Lamb)
There was a little volcano
volcano, volcano
There was a little volcano
And this is how it grew...
One day it became a hill

a hill, a hill
One day it became a hill
And then it formed a mountain...
Over the years it grew, grew, grew

Grew, grew, grew, grew, grew, grew
Over the years it grew, grew, grew
Into a volcano...
Then one day there was some gas

Was some gas, was some gas
Then one day there was some gas
And then it started to roar...
When it roared it spit hot magma

Spit hot magma, spit hot magma
When it roared it spit hot magma
And then it trickled down...
Story Time: Time for Kids: Volcanoes by Editors of TIME for Kids
TIME explores the many volcanoes around the world and their effects on our planet.
Reasoning/Thinking Skills: Layers of a Volcano

To help your students understand that volcano creation and eruption is a process, work
together as a class to draw your own volcano. Have each student draw a layer of rock and
sediment to form the base of the mountain. Inside, there should be a chamber where magma
rests. Students can take turns coloring the chamber red, until the magma has reached the top of
the volcano. Then, everyone gets to draw the magma (now lava) spewing from the volcano to
cover the land below.
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Unit 6
Alphabet
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Wooden capital letters

Sandpaper cutouts of each letter of the alphabet
Paint brushes, foam or bristle
Colored flashcards
Fruit slices or fruit salad
Magazines to cut up
Uncooked noodles
Paper plates
Glue
Pictures of simple objects
Alphabet cereal
Clay
Magnets
Paint and supplies
Pretzels
Sandpaper
White paper
Flashcards with alphabet letters
Pipe cleaners
Yarn
Sidewalk chalk
Gelatin
Alphabet cookie cutters
Biscuits, sugar, sprinkles, and sesame seeds
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Unit 6-Alphabet
Day 1
happened during their weekend. Be prepared to get all sorts of answers, including unpleasant
ones, such as, “Mommy and Daddy got in a fight and Mommy left.” You should always be
aware of the situation and be ready to interject with your own comments before other students
have the chance to respond. This activity will take 15-20 minutes, depending on the number of
students in your class.
Crafts: Wooden Names

Have a pile of capital letters for your students to sort through. Ask them to pick one with
the first letter of their own names. They might be able to tell the difference between their letter
and other letters, but they may need help, so be ready to explain. When everyone has a letter, let
them paint it and decorate it how they wish. When it is dry, they may take it home to hang in
their room.
Theme Activities
First Name Game

Write all the letters on the board with space behind to finish a word. Ask students if
anyone in their family has a name that starts with that letter. For example, if you are on letter
“A,” find a student who has someone in their family whose name starts with “A.” If there are
several students with family member names, write all the names up on the board so students see
the different words that start with each letter.
Letters and Colors

Hold up colored flashcards for the students to see. Ask them what color the card is --let
them yell it out loud. Ask students what letter that word starts with, and then write the word on
the board in colored ink. Ask students if they can think of another word that starts with that
letter. Combining the written word, the colored ink, and the colored flashcards will help cement
the connection in your students’ minds.
What Starts With “__”

To keep students thinking about word-initial sounds and letters, give them a letter,
written on the board, and ask them to think of a word that starts with that sound. Give them
some easy words that they already know well and can use as a model when they are creating
their own words that start with that sound.
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Snack Time: Alphabet Fruit
Give students fruit slices or a serving of fruit salad, and talk with them about what letter
the fruits start with. Tell them they cannot eat that particular fruit until they can tell you what
letter the fruit begins with.
Music: The Alphabet Song

This alphabet classic is the best way to start off a week of alphabet learning. Your
students will already know the song and can sing along. Feel free to sing the song in different
accents or different tempos to shake things up for the students who are already comfortable with
the song.
Lyrics:
A-B-C-D-E-F-G
H-I-J-K-L-M-N-O-P
Q - R - S - T - U and V,
W - X - Y and Z
Now I know my A - B - C's
Next time won't you sing with me?
Story Time: Alphabet Adventure by Audrey Wood

This exciting story personifies the alphabet letters and follows their journey of growth and
education.
Reasoning/Thinking Skills: Magazine Race

Hand out magazines to the children and give them a sort of scavenger hunt. Tell them to
find two pictures of things that start with an “A,” three things that start with “B,” etc. They can
make their own bulletin board Letter Chart with their pictures.
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Day 2

Crafts: Noodle Names

Give students a variety of uncooked noodles in different shapes. They will also need glue
and a surface to adhere the noodles onto, such as a paper plate. They should arrange the noodles
in the shape of their own name or one of their family member’s names. They can glue the
noodles in place and continue decorating the plate as they wish. ** FOR YOUNGER
CHILDREN JUST HAVE THEM MAKE THEIR FIRST NAME INITIAL AND BE SURE TO
HAVE YOUR ALPHABET CHART THERE FOR THEM TO USE AS A REFERENCE.
Theme Activities
Letters on the Board

Give students practice writing their letters by having them come to the board. With
chalk, you write a capital letter on the board, repeating this as many times as you need to, to go
across the board. Be sure to space them far enough apart so that children can stand in front of
their own letter, usually about 4 or 5 across. Have the same number of children come up as there
are letters and gives each one a paint brush dipped in water. Then have them erase the letter you
have made. Be sure to leave one sample letter at the top! Then see if they can make the same
letter again with chalk so that another student can come and erase the letter then make it again.
Great repetition and memory of how the letter looks.
I Spy
With this game, students will have to look throughout the room for something you see.
You will start by picking an object in plain view of the students and saying, “I spy something
that starts with the letter __.” They will have to start guessing things they see in the room that
starts with that letter. You can give them clues if they seem to be struggling, such as color, size,
or general location in the room.
Letters by Flashlight
To do this activity, turn off all the lights in the room and pull the shades. Have the
children look at a wall or lie down and look up at the ceiling for Letters to appear. Use a bright
flashlight to make a letter on the wall or ceiling. Do this as many times as you need to until they
can guess what letter you are making. Younger children will need hints or even to be told what
the letter is but this uses their observation and listening skills.
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Snack Time: Alphabet Soup
Everybody loves a little cereal during the day, so serve your students dry alphabet cereal
and have them sort out the letters before eating. It can be a game to see who has the most “A’s,”
“B’s,” etc. Let them play and snack at the same time!
Music: Alphabet Jungle by Andy Henley and Tym King

When your students sing this song, they can pretend to be jungle animals while they learn
their ABC’s.
Lyrics:
ABCDE I'm in the jungle in a coconut tree
FGHIJ Do you want to come and play?
KLMNOPQ I will bring a friend or two
RSTUV A zebra and a chimpanzee
WXYZ We'll play until it's time for bed
Story Time: Chicka Chicka Boom Boom by Bill Martin Jr.

The letters of the alphabet race each other to the top of a tree in this story until the weight
of all the letters makes the tree snap and everyone goes “boom, boom!”
This is a game I like to use to reinforce the letters that they have learned. Write the
letters of the alphabet randomly on the chalkboard or whiteboard. Be sure not to put them in
order. Use only the letters that they have learned thus far or all of them depending on your their
abilities. Next let each child have a turn at being “It”. They can close their eyes or use a
blindfold. Spin them around and then have them point to a place on the board, open their eyes
and tell you the letter they have pointed to. Kids love doing this.
Day 3
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Have students bring in their favorite item that starts with the same letter as their first
name. If they do not have a favorite item that starts with their name, they can bring in an item
that matches someone else’s first name, like their mother’s or father’s. They should describe
what the object is and what letter it starts with.
Crafts: Magnet Letters

With clay or playdough, students can create a magnet in the shape of a letter. Because
they will be taking this home, it makes sense to have students make the first letter of their first
name. When they have formed the letter in clay, they can stick a round magnet into the back of
the soft clay, making sure that it is not covered completely. When the magnet dries, students can
paint or decorate it to personalize it.
Theme Activities
Missing Letters
Make a set of Flash cards of the alphabet with one letter on each card. Be sure that you
have the alphabet posted somewhere in your classroom for all the children to see. Show the
children the cards and then shuffle them like a deck of cards. Have 4 children take one card each
out of the deck but NOT to look at the card. They hand you the cards. Next they turn over the
remaining cards on the table and as a group put them in the correct order. They have to tell you
which ones are missing. Do this as many times as you wish. The children like being the
alphabet detectives!
Alphabetical Order
Put a list of 10 or more words on the board, all starting with different letters. Tell
students they must put the words in alphabetical order. Make sure to explain the concept of
alphabetical order. They can work together as a class or individually, however you think they
will work best. Younger children will need help with this but it is great for identifying beginning
letters.
Mail Sorter
This is a fun game for groups of children. You will need 4 or 5 boxes depending on how
many letters you wish to teach for this lesson. Cut a slit on top of the box which is large enough
to put a small envelope into. Using Index cards write one letter on each card and then set it on
one of the boxes. Next address several envelopes (5 of each letter) using those letters. Mix them
up and put them in a basket for the children to sort and distribute to the right box. You can
change the letters easily and for older children address the envelopes with first names that begin
with a particular letter.
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Snack Time: Alphabet Pretzels
Give students pretzels in a variety of shapes. Some can be the normal twisted kind, some
can be pretzel sticks, or whatever else you find available. Tell them to make as many letters as
they can with the pretzels that they have before they eat them. They will learn how to make all
the letters that do not have curves in them.
Music: Be My Echo
For this song, you can vary the letters of the alphabet and the items you pick. Students
will love being your echo, because it lets them imitate you and be part of the action.
Lyrics:
(to the tune of "Are You Sleeping?")
Be my echo (teacher)
Be my echo (students)
E says /e/ (teacher)
E says /e/ (students)
Elephant and enter (teacher)
" " " (students)
Eggs and elevator (teacher)
" " " (students)
/e/, /e/, /e/ (teacher)
/e/, /e/, /e/ (students)
(Can be used for any letter of the alphabet.)
Story Time: The Icky Bug Alphabet Book by Jerry Pallotta

This fun book looks at the alphabet by describing different “icky bugs” that start with the
letters of the alphabet. It also teaches a bit about the bugs. For some reason, the “ickiness” of
this book is sure to keep your students enthralled.
Reasoning/Thinking Skills: Musical Chairs

Have enough chairs for each child. When the music starts begin passing around a letter.
When the music stops, the child with the letter must say what the letter is. For older children,
pass around a word card with the beginning sound in capital letters. They need to say the sound
of the beginning letter.
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Day 4

Crafts: Alphabet Rubbing

Cut out the letters of the alphabet in sandpaper. Give each child a letter and have them
place a blank paper on top of it.. They can then color over the blank piece of paper with their
favorite color. This will make the shape of the letter appear on the blank piece because of the
raised surface of the sandpaper. Tell students this art form is called making a “rubbing,” because
you rub something over the blank piece of paper to create the shape cut out of the sandpaper.
Theme Activities
Alphabet Scavenger Hunt

Hide flashcards with letters on them throughout the room, preferably near an object that
starts with that letter. Have a master list of all the letters and let the students loose in the room to
find the letters. When they find one, it can be crossed off the master list until all the letters have
been found. When everyone is finished, ask students what object they found the letter near.
Hopefully, they will remember that they found “L” by a lamp, and make the connection between
the letter and word for the object.
Pipe Cleaner Letters

Pass out pipe cleaners to all the students. Ask them to form as many letters with their
pipe cleaners as possible. Have them show you and the class when they have formed a letter.
You can put all the letters together on a piece of yarn and hang it in the room for a reminder of
the alphabet if you wish.
Sidewalk Chalk Letters

Send your students outside for a little relaxation and play time. Give them sidewalk
chalk and let them draw whatever they want. Ask them that to try to label their creations with
the beginning letter of what they have drawn. Younger children will need help with this. Or,
they can simply draw alphabet letters on the sidewalk.
Snack Time: Jello Jigglers

Give students jello cutouts of letters and let them have fun, or let them cut their own
letters out of a sheet of jello. If you have alphabet cookie cutters, this can be a fun way for
students to write their names in food.
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Music: If You're Happy and You Know It
Students will love acting out this song, and they probably already know the tune, so it
will be easy to get them excited about these motions. They will learn without knowing it!
Lyrics:
If you're happy and you know it,
Bounce around “b” “b”
Bounce around “b” “b”
Then your face will surely show it
Bounce around “b” “b”.
Catch a ball “c” “c”...

Dance with me “d” “d”...
Fall down “f” “f”...
Gallop like a horse “g” “g”...
Hop on one foot “f” “f”...
Jump so high “j” “j”...
Kick in the air “k” “k”...
Laugh out loud “l” “l”...
March in place “m” “m”...
Nod your head “n” “n”...
Paint a picture “p” “p”...
Run in place “r” “r”...
Sit on the floor “s” “s”...
Talk to me “t” “t”...
Vacuum the rug “v” “v”...
Walk around “w” “w”...
Yawn right now “y” “y”...
Zip your zipper “z” “z”...
Story Time: The Turn-Around, Upside-Down Alphabet Book by Lisa Campbell Ernst
While there is no reading involved in this book, its fun nature of turning learning upside
down and all around will keep your students interested. They will see what items a letter can
make when it is turned different ways, and it will help them recognize letters in everyday objects.
+
Reasoning/Thinking Skills: Rhyming Words
Help students work through the alphabet and practice rhyming by giving them a simple
word, such as “at.” Then, they should try to come up with rhyming words that start with every
letter of the alphabet. You can do this as a class or individually, but all students should practice
writing the different words for themselves.
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Day 5

Crafts: Finger Paint with Letters

Let students practice creating letters with their fingers in this fun and simple activity.
Provide them with plenty of paper and different colors of paint and let them go crazy with letters,
words, and objects that they label with their first letters.
Theme Activities
Gathering Letters
Provide one box for each letter of the alphabet. The boxes should be empty. Tell the
class that the boxes need items in them that begin with the letter on the box. The children can
search the classroom in groups, individually or a class to look for items around the classroom,
sound them out listening for the first letter and putting them in the appropriate boxes.
Human Letters
Split your students into teams or a few members each and tell them that they must make
letters with their bodies. They should look at the letters on the board and recreate them only
using their bodies. They may have to curl up into a ball or lay out straight to make the shape.
Have the other groups watch while each group “performs” their letters so that everyone gets
excited.
A is for __
Create a simple rhythm with your class by clapping your hands and slapping your knees.
Sit in a circle and start with the beginning of the alphabet, singing, “A, A, A is for __.” The next
student will have to do “B,” and so on. You can make it harder by speeding up the rhythm or
jumping from student to student so they do not know which letter is theirs.
Snack Time: Alphabet Biscuits

Take simple refrigerated biscuits and form them into shapes or words. Brush them with a
little melted butter and sprinkle on whatever your students want on top. It can be sugar,
sprinkles, sesame seeds, or whatever else you have available.
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Music: Daily ABC’s
This imaginative song walks students through a typical day, while making them say their
ABC’s. They can take turns singing verses, or they can sing part of the verses and you can sing
part.
Lyrics:
ABCDEFG
School time, learning time,
For you and me.
H I J K L M N O P,
Recess time, book time,
For you and me.
Q R S T U V,
Gym time, sing time,
For you and me.
X, X and Y and Z
Dinner time, sleepy time
For you and me!
Story Time: Merriam-Webster's Alphabet Book by Ruth Heller

This book identifies the sounds associated with letters, as well as presents pictures,
rhymes, and other exciting learning tools.
Reasoning/Thinking Skills: Before & After

Place a set of alphabet cards face down on a table. Be sure to have the Alphabet Chart on
display for all to see. Let each child have a turn to pick up one card, look at it and then say the
letter. Next ask them if they can say the letter the comes before and after the letter. They can
use the chart for reference. They can ask another student for help or work in teams of two to do
this. For younger children, only use the letters they have been taught.
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Unit 7
Physical Science
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Paint and supplies

Paper towels
Conical shaped object, such as paper snow cone cup
Construction paper
Voice or video recording of first moon landing
Moon Balls: Peanut butter, Honey, Raisins, Dry milk, Graham cracker crumbs
Cotton balls
Glitter
Blender
Crock Pot or large dutch oven with glass top
Watermelon cubes and vanilla frozen yogurt
Clay
Dirt
Sand
Grass
Paper plates
Styrofoam ball
Oreos, chocolate pudding, gummy worms or other chewy item, such as dried fruit
Small trinkets or plastic toys
Glycerin soap
Pot to melt soap in
Paper cups
Glitter, food coloring, or scented oil
Oreos
Plastic bug toys
Picture of an ocean scene
Canned tuna, mayonnaise, mustard, and lemon juice
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Unit 7-Physical Science
Day 1

Crafts: Rocket Tube

For this craft, students will need a paper towel tube. They can paint or decorate it
however they want; it will be the main part of their rocket. They will also need a conical shaped
item for the nose of the rocket. This can be construction paper, part of a paper snow cone cup, or
whatever else you can find around. Then, students will also need construction paper for the
bottom of the rocket. Slit the bottom of the paper towel tube in four places. Your students will
slide two triangular pieces of construction paper in the slits to form the base of the rocket. .
Theme Activities
Mission to the Moon

Re-enact the first moon landing with your class. You can provide them with videos of
the first moon landing or a voice recording of Neil Armstrong’s famous first words on the moon.
Have your class sit as if they are in the lunar module and have them land on the moon. Talk
them through it as if you were a scientist with NASA and they were the commanders of the ship.
Once they have docked, let them get out of their ship and walk around on the moon. They can
explore life without gravity, so make sure they are hopping around as if they cannot keep their
feet on the ground.
Moon Landscape
Talk to your students about what the surface of the moon looks like. Most students will
not know that the moon has craters, mountains, and valleys, just like the earth. It is a different
size and composition, but the basics are the same. Talk about why our moon is a moon and not
its own planet. Then, you can talk about other moons in our solar system.
Moon Rock Expedition

Send your students outside to collect their own samples of moon rocks and moon dirt.
When they bring their findings back inside, treat the specimens as if they were really from the
moon. Talk about how moon rocks are similar and different from Earth rocks and dirt, and talk
about why this might be so. You can share a lot of information about the moon without much
work with this activity.
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Snack Time: **Moon Balls or Stars
Moon Balls – these contain peanut butter which some children have allergies to. An
alternative is to make the Stars snack which is below.
Ingredients: 2 C. Peanut butter, 1 1/3 C. Honey, 2 C. Raisins 2 C. Dry milk, 3 1/2 C. Graham
cracker crumbs (keep 1/2 c. separate)
Mix dry milk, raisins, and 3 c. graham cracker crumbs
Add honey and peanut butter, mix will (hands do best)
Roll into small balls
Place remaining 1/2 c. of graham cracker crumbs in a large baggie. Place several balls at a time
into the baggie and shake, then place on a cookie sheet.
Chill then eat.
Stars
Ingredients: bread, jams of various flavors, honey. Have cookie cutters of star shapes, moon
crescents, circles.
Give each child a slice of bread and choice of cookie cutters to cut out their space shapes from
the bread. Next let them spread the bread with different jams to look like the stars. Red stars or
planets are usually “hot”, blue ones are very far away, honey could be a harvest moon.
Music: I Don’t Want to Live on the Moon by Jeff Moss

With this song, your students can learn a bit more about the moon, though this song is
more fun than it is educational. It was originally sung in the “Ernie” voice from Sesame Street,
so feel free to incorporate that voice if you feel comfortable.
Lyrics:
Well, I'd like to visit the moon
On a rocket ship high in the air
Yes, I'd like to visit the moon
But I don't think I'd like to live there
Though I'd like to look down at the earth from above
I would miss all the places and people I love
So although I might like it for one afternoon
I don't want to live on the moon
So if I should visit the moon

Well, I'll dance on a moonbeam and then
I will make a wish on a star
And I'll wish I was home once again
Though I'd like to look down at the earth from above
I would miss all the places and people I love
So although I may go I'll be coming home soon
'Cause I don't want to live on the moon
No, I don't want to live on the moon
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Story Time: The First Moon Landing by Thomas K. Adamson
This book has plenty of pictures to keep your students interested as it discusses the first
moon landing. Your students will be fascinated by the clothing, vehicles, and other space gear
used by the astronauts. Leave plenty of time for questions after this lesson, because there are
sure to be many.
Reasoning/Thinking Skills: Create Your Own Moon

Scientists have just discovered a new moon orbiting the earth. It is your class’s
responsibility to name it and describe it to NASA scientists. Work with your class to come up
with a name, what your planet looks like, and its basic descriptions. Talk about gravity,
weightlessness, temperature, etc.
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Day 2

Crafts: Cotton Ball Storm

Show your students how to pull cotton balls so they are long and thin. Show them
pictures of what a hurricane cloud looks like. Next, let students arrange their cotton balls in the
shape of a hurricane. It should be round with an empty center and wisps coming out the edges.
You can have them put it on blue construction paper to make it look like the ocean. They can
sprinkle glitter on the cotton balls or do whatever else they want to make it their own.
Theme Activities
Naming Hurricanes
Teach your class about how hurricanes are named. Then, come up with a list of names
from A to W that could be used to name hurricanes (hurricane names do not go past W).
Students can use their own names or a name they like, but everyone will like seeing their name
written on the list!
Different Kinds of Weather

Preschoolers are fascinated by the weather. Have them name all the kinds of weather
they know. Have 4 large sheets of paper hung on the board with each of the four seasons on the
paper. When a child gives the name of a weather condition, ask if they know what season it
occurs in. Next ask them to look through magazines for pictures which illustrate the kind of
weather they named. They can cut or tear out the pictures and attach them to make their own
weather boards. Children can take turns being the “weatherman”. They will tell their classmates
the temperature, rain or sun, and ask them what will be happening or what season it is. Fun
game with a lot of variability depending on the age of you children.
Wind and Bubbles

All preschoolers love to play with bubbles. Now you can use bubbles to do a science
experiment to help them tell which way the wind is blowing. First talk about the wind and the
signs of windy weather—hair blowing in their eyes, leaves blowing off trees, rain blowing in
their face, etc. Go outside to ask them how they will tell where the wind is coming from. They
can use a small flag or piece of paper, wet finger held up to the wind, or BUBBLES. Blow
rather large bubbles into the wind and have the children watch and to run in the direction of the
bubble. That is the direction of the wind!
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Snack Time: Pink Hurricane
You will need a blender for this snack, but your students will love it! Take 1 cup of
seeded watermelon cubes and 2 scoops of vanilla frozen yogurt. Blend together and serve! It
will taste great and come out of the machine looking a bit like a hurricane.
Music: Rain Patterns

Split your students into several groups. Everyone should be totally silent in this game.
Go to the first group and rub your hands together fast so it makes a sound. The students should
follow. Move to the second group and have them start rubbing their hands. Go to every group
until everyone is rubbing their hands. Then go back to the first group and have them snap their
fingers or clap softly. Move to the second and third groups like before. When everyone is doing
this, go back to the first group and have them pound the floor with their hands. Go to the other
two groups until everyone is pounding on the floor. Then, reverse the entire thing by starting at
the last group and having them go back to snapping or clapping softly. Keep reversing the
process until the room is silent again.
Story Time: The Fury of Hurricane Andrew, 1992 by Karen Bush Gibson
You may want to edit sections of this book before your read it, because it is geared
toward older students, but it is a great way to teach students about a hurricane that destroyed
homes and lives in America. They can learn about how the hurricane built up speed and power,
where it traveled, and what kind of damage is left when a hurricane is done.
Reasoning/Thinking Skills: Rain Clouds

You will need a crockpot and flashlight for this activity. Fill a crock pot half full of
water. Show the children that the lid is dry. Turn on the pot and let it heat the water. Be sure
this is out of the children’s reach. Once the water has heated enough to cause condensation on
the lid, turn off the crockpot and have the children observe that the lid is now covered with
water. Talk about how rain clouds form. Next, talk about the water droplets forming together
and getting too heavy to stay up on the lid. Lift the lid and tip it so that the water rolls down and
falls back down; this is just like the rain. If you are able, turn off the lights, darken the room, and
shine a flashlight over the pot and they can see the water evaporating.
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Day 3

Students can bring in any science-related item they may have, such as a favorite tool they
use for helping with yard work, a rock they think is really pretty, a mobile of the solar system, or
whatever else they can find and want to describe.
Crafts: Layers of the Earth

This will be a messy craft, so get ready! Students are going to make the layers of the
earth on sheets of construction paper or paper plates. They should start by smearing clay on the
plate or paper. Then, they should sprinkle dirt over glue that is already on the paper. They may
have to press the dirt into the paper to make it stick. Then, if you wish, they can add upper layers
like sand or grass. Finally, they should draw a tree at the top to represent the part of the earth
that we see most often.
Theme Activities
Layers of Soil
Teach students about the different kinds of soil and why they are layered. Explain that
over time, pressure from upper layers grinds rock down to soil. Then, let the kids go outside and
dig in the dirt a little. Ask them what they see. Is all the dirt the same color? Does it feel the
same? What else is mixed in with the dirt?
Inner Earth Project

Get a Styrofoam ball that you can cut. Cut away ¼ of it, so the very middle is exposed.
Talk with your students about the layers of the earth’s crust. Color in the different parts with
them as you talk about the layers. Pass it around so everyone can see and hold it.
Layers of the Earth Theater

Send your students through the earth with this drama. Tell them that you are venturing to
the center of the earth, but that they have to act out what it is like at each layer. Since they have
just talked about what the different layers are, they should have a good idea of what each one is
like. They should sift through imaginary dirt, shovel clay out of the way, dodge falling bedrock,
and tiptoe across very hot layers.
Snack Time: Mud Pies

The bottom layer of this snack is crushed Oreos. The middle layer is chocolate pudding.
Gummy worms or other chewy item, such as dried fruit, can be stuck inside. The top layer is
more crushed Oreos and any other treat you might want to include.
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Music: Mud, Mud, Mud
Celebrate the fun of mud with this exciting song!
Lyrics:
Mud, mud, mud. What a glorious thing is mud!
Mud, mud, mud. What a wonderful thing is mud!
It sticks and stacks, it squeezes through cracks, Between your toes goes mud.
It plops and drops, and oozes and goozes, Thick or thin it's Mud!

It's mud pie, in your eye,

The cake it makes are grand.
It covers your feet, it covers your face, Stir it with both hands.

Up to your elbows, up to your knees,

It slips and slops around.
It's easy to make a chocolate cake,
Take water and add some ground!

Mud, they say, has a way

Of changing clean to dirt.
But after all, you tell them all,
What can a little dirt hurt?

Story Time: 50 Simple Things Kids Can Do to Save the Earth by The EarthWorks Group
Teach your students environmental responsibility with this book. They can learn fun
trivia, get ideas to help take care of the planet, and have a great time looking at pictures and
learning funny facts.
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Reasoning/Thinking Skills: Soil Layer Worksheet
Reinforce the soil layer learning by giving students a worksheet with the same pattern
they created in their craft. The different layers of soil should be distinguished by different drawn
characteristics and there should be a clear distinction between the layers. Talk with students
about what all the layers are and what they look like. Then, students can write in the names and
color in the picture.
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Day 4

Crafts: Soap Fossil

Let students pick between small trinkets or items you provide or they find outside. When
everyone has an item, talk to students about how fossils are made. You will have to do much of
this project because it involves heating glycerin soap. When the soap is a clear liquid, you
should pour it into paper cups, one for each student. They get to decide what goes in their soap,
such as glitter, food coloring, or scented oil. Then, they should drop their object into the soap
and watch it be suspended in the glycerin. When the soap is completely dry, students can tear
away the paper cup and examine their fossils!
Theme Activities
Archaeology Hunt
Send students on a hunt around the room to gather “specimens” that might give you some
idea of how people live in your classroom. You should act like an outside group coming in to
investigate what habits the people have who use your classroom. Students can gather writing
utensils, flashcards, snack items, or anything else representative of your daily activities.
Mummy Theater
Assign one student the role of a mummy. Everyone else should be a team of
archaeologists who have just discovered this mummy. You are the team leader. Students should
make guesses about the age, gender, and habits of this mummy based on what they can see.
Then, they can present a report to a group of scientists and suggest that this mummy be displayed
in a museum for everyone to see.
Fossil Treasure Hunt

Before your class arrives, bury a few noticeable items in the ground outside. Cover your
tracks as much as possible, but do not make it too difficult for your students to find things. Take
them outside and tell them that there are artifacts and fossils buried in our own backyard. Let
them dig around until they find things. Then, you can talk to them about how real archaeologists
conduct their digs and what they have to watch out for when working.
Snack Time: Fossil Cookies

Before your class arrives, twist Oreos apart and make imprints on the icing with clean
shells or bug toys. Then, when your class gets their snack, tell them to twist it apart to discover
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what fossils they have. They can compare fossils before eating them! (You could also use
frosting and sugar cookies and make imprints on the frosting to create the fossil effect.)
Music: The Fossils Song by Science Court

This song has dance moves incorporated, so let the students move around and act out the
motions at the end.
Lyrics: He says a fossil is just an old bone.

Don't forget that they can turn to stone.
He's gonna tell you not much can be known...
But the court has already shown...
Chorus
These remains of an ancient world are all we have today.
The first few pieces in the puzzle of life
...must not be ...swept away.
...let's do the bump ...now touch the feet and now do the slide.
Story Time: The Fossil Factory: A Kid's Guide to Digging Up Dinosaurs, Exploring
Evolution, and Finding Fossils by EldredgefNiles
Entertain your students with this fun and informative guide to fossils and archaeology.
Reasoning/Thinking Skills: Pattern Matching

With this worksheet, students will match artifacts or living organisms with the fossils
they will make. Students should draw lines between the two matching parts until they get
everything matched up.
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Day 5

Crafts: Paper Plate Fish

Students should get a paper plate. Show them how to cut out a pie-piece section that will
become the mouth. That same section of cut out can be used to make a tail at the back. Students
can draw on eyes, fins, color it how they wish, and add other fish around it.
Theme Activities
Oceans and Animals

Show your class a world map and point out the major oceans are. Talk about how much
water there is on the planet. Then, brainstorm about what kind of animals live in the ocean. Talk
about what they do to breathe and eat, and how they move around. Do not limit yourself to fish.
There are many other animals that live in the ocean that are not fish. Your students may be
unaware of these, so it is a good idea to talk about the mammals that live in the ocean—dolphins,
whales, etc.
Coral Reef Divers

Before you begin, make sure to explain what a coral reef is and why they are important to
sustaining life. Have students lie on their stomachs and pretend to be scuba divers. They should
wiggle their arms and legs as if they were going through the water. You should narrate their
journey and they can yell out what animals and plants they “see” during their trip. Since they are
going to a coral reef, there should be plenty to talk about.
Water Story
Show students a picture of an ocean scene. It can be underwater with lots of plants and
animals or it can be above water with landforms and other attractions. As a class work together
to come up with a story about the scene, describing the elements of the ocean that they have
learned and explaining why things are the way they are.
Snack Time: Tuna Salad Bites

To keep students in the theme, make tuna salad from canned tuna, mayonnaise, and
lemon juice. You can add other ingredients like mustard to taste. Spread them on snack crackers
and serve to your students. You can act as if you are on a ship in the ocean or any other scene
you can imagine.
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Music: Slippery Fish
Students can make different hand movements for the different fish mentioned in this
song. They can swim around as they wish.
Lyrics:
Slippery fish, slippery fish
swimming in the water
A slippery fish, a slippery fish
Gulp, gulp
OH NO! He's been eaten by a
Jellyfish, a jelly fish
A jelly fish, a jelly fish
gulp, gulp
Tuna fish, a tuna fish
A tuna fish, a tuna fish
gulp, gulp
Great White Shark, a great white shark
A great white shark, a great white shark
gulp, gulp, gulp
OH NO! He's been eaten by an
Enormous Whale, an enormous whale
Spouting in the water
Enormous Whale, enormous whale
Gulp, gulp, BURP!
Excuse ME!
Story Time: Oceans (Curious Kids Guides) by Anita Ganeri

Lots of questions are answered in this comprehensive guide to the underwater world.
Reasoning/Thinking Skills: Underwater Color Sheet

Have the students draw their own detailed underwater scene. They can identify the
different elements in the scene before coloring them, and narrate their picture it if they want.
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Unit 8
Numbers
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Photo frame
Thin colored foam
Construction paper
Cheerios or another bite-sized cereal
Yogurt, flavored jelly, granola, and a clear plastic cup or bowl
Flashcards with numbers on them
Macaroni, beads, feathers, and other craft items
Pictures with everyday scenes on them
Flashcards with different amounts of items on them
Bite-sized candies
Popsicle sticks
Pennies
Flashcards with numbers
Picture of nature with hidden numbers
Bread, cheese, meat, condiments
Cocoa Puffs
Dominoes
Bowling pins
Ball
Carrots
Grapes
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Unit 8-Numbers
Day 1

Crafts: Number Match Up Game

Give each student 2 sets of 10 index cards. Write the numbers 1-10 on the board for all
to see and say them with the class. Have them take one set of cards and write one number on
each card. **If they are not yet able to write the number, have stickers or stamps available with
the numbers and they can select the correct number and put that on the card. Next take the
second set of cards and have them put one picture sticker on one card, two on the next card, and
so on until they get to a card with 10 pictures or stickers on it. Preschoolers can then play their
own matching game by placing the cards face down, (4 rows of 5 each is easiest), then turn over
two cards. If the card with pictures matches the corresponding number, they keep them and try
to match all the pairs of pictures and numbers.
Theme Activities
Number Cruncher
In this game, one student is the cruncher and everyone else is a number. Give each child
a number to hold and the cruncher must go around and try to tag the numbers, but they must get
the numbers in order. For example, the cruncher must get 7 before he can get 8 or 9. When all
the students have been “crunched,” you can pick a new cruncher and start from scratch.
Number Animals
Give each student a piece of paper with a number written on it in large font. Tell them
that they must create an animal out of their number. It is up to the students if their animal is a
real thing or a creation from their imagination, but they must use the entire number to create part
of the animal. When everyone is finished, have them share their designs.
Number Hunt
Make a set of number cards, 1-5 or 1-10, depending on your children’s abilities. I like to
make the cards resemble a shape, for example I use circles and decorate them to look like
cookies and put one number on each card. Hide these cards around the room before they arrive.
To start this, tell them that the number cookies are hidden around the room and that they need to
find them. Once they find the numbers, they will need to decide if they have found them all. To
do this they will need to put them in order. For older children, they will know how to count to
ten but for younger ones you can have the numbers on the board and they can match their
“found” numbers to the ones on the board to see if they have found them all.
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Snack Time: Number Cereal
Give students cereal they can use for designs, such as Cheerios or another bite-sized
cereal. Have a race to see which student can create the numbers the fastest. The student who
wins gets a little extra snack or some other treat. When everyone is finished playing with their
cereal, they can eat it!
Music: Counting 1-20 by Jack Hartmann

With this song, students can throw their hands in the air on “high” and reach for the
ground on “low.” You can also have them hop for each number they count.
Lyrics:
Let's count numbers from 1-20
Ready, let's go
1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20
1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20
Counting numbers up high

Counting numbers down low
Counting numbers up high
Counting numbers -- all right!
Story Time: Numbers & Counting: Grade K by: Disney Workbooks

This fun counting book combines learning with fun Disney characters! Students will
love seeing their favorite characters helping them learn on each page.
Reasoning/Thinking Skills: Graphing Ideas

Graphing is an excellent way of illustrating numbers and what they represent. You can
have the children form their own human graph. Clear an area in the room. Make a line with
masking tape and write the numbers 1-10 on the line. Ask each child how many people are in
their family and have them stand on the floor above the line for the correct number in their
family. After everyone has their place on the line on the floor, make a vertical line with the tape
on the right side of everyone with the numbers 1-10. Make a mark on the correct number for the
number of the people in the first line, then proceed for each line of students. Show them that
they have formed a human graph to represent the numbers. You can then draw the same graph
on the board to show them how it would look on paper. When they do the actual activity, they
grasp the concept.
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Day 2

Crafts: Telephone Time

Give each student their phone number if they do not already know it. Have them draw a
picture of themselves and decorate it how they wish. Then, they should draw a telephone and
write their phone number underneath it to help them remember it. **Younger children may need
help with writing the numbers but saying it with them as you write is helpful. When everyone
has their picture finished, they should tell their phone number to the class to practice saying it out
loud.
Theme Activities
Finger Numbers
Have a race with students to see who can create numbers with their hands fastest. Shout
out a number and look for the student that can create it using only their hands the fastest. This
student should get to call the next number being created.
Body Numbers
Like the body alphabet, numbers can be a fun way to use energy and make students work
together. Put students in groups of three or four and tell them to practice making as many
numbers as they can using only their bodies. On your mark, they will have a specified period of
time to make as many numbers as possible. You will be the judge and will have to decide which
students’ numbers look the most realistic and who creates the most numbers.
How Many __ Do You See?

Send students on a hunt throughout the room to find different quantities of items. Tell
them they must find 1 of something, 2 of something, etc. until they have items in quantities of 1-
9.
Snack Time: Patterned Parfait

Students get to create their own layered snack with yogurt, flavored jelly, and granola.
They should put it in a clear plastic cup or bowl so they can see the layers they create and count
them. Ask them to count in different ways, such as all the layers there are, or all the layers of
jelly, etc.
Music: The Number March by Hap Palmer

Students can form a circle for this song and march around it, much like the game Duck
Duck Goose.
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Lyrics:
One person march around the circle;
March, march, march.
One person march around the circle,
Now, let’s have two.
Two people march around the circle;

Two people march around the circle,
Now let's have three...
There are five people marching,

Round and around,
1, 2, 3, 4, 5 people march.
There are five people marching,
Round and around,
1, 2, 3, 4, 5 people march.
Five people march around the circle;

March, march, march....
Two people march around the circle;

Two people march around the circle,
Now let’s have one.
One person march around the circle;

One person march around the circle,
Now there is none.
There were five people marching

Round and round.
Now there is none,
Now there is none.
Story Time: Underwater Counting: Even Numbers by Jerry Pallotta

This book introduces the concept of even and odd numbers in a fun, underwater
environment. Students will not only learn about numbers, but they will also learn about different
types of fish and their characteristics.
Reasoning/Thinking Skills: Hidden Numbers

Take your class around the room and look for numbers hidden in items around the room.
Make them look for numbers in unconventional places, like finding a 1 in the base of a lamp or a
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0 in the door knob. This will help them recognize numbers in everyday places and cement the
shapes of the numbers in their minds.
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Day 3

For this week, students can bring in any quantity of an item that they want. For example,
they can bring in 6 pictures of their family, or 3 of their favorite sports memorabilia, or 9 of their
favorite polished rocks. They should tell you how many they have and why they brought that
many, and then describe why it is important to them.
Crafts: Macaroni Numbers

Give each student a strong piece of construction paper or other background for their
noodles. Give students macaroni, beads, feathers, and other craft items that they can use to make
their numbers. Let them pick which number they want to create. When everyone is finished,
you can post the numbers above the board as a reminder of the numbers and their order.
Theme Activities
Numbers in Pictures
Show your class pictures from everyday life and have them identify numbers in each of
them. Ask students to tell you what the numbers are used for and how many times they see each
number.
Number Uses
Make a list with the class about all the times you might use numbers. Talk to them about
how numbers show up everyday, from things like telephone numbers, street addresses, prices on
things in stores, radio stations, etc.. Ask them when they remember seeing numbers and if they
remember their own telephone numbers from the activity the day before.
Counting Items
Hold up flashcards with different amounts of items. You can have 7 hats or 3 ice cream
cones, etc. Ask students how many items they see and walk them through the counting process.
You can hold up signs or book covers and ask them how many of a certain letter they see, for
example: How many “A’s” do you see on this page?
Snack Time: Candy Count

Give students different quantities of bite-size candy and have them create patterns with
the candy. They should count all the items of each type of candy they have as well as how many
types they have total. There are lots of pattern games you can lead with this snack as well, so get
creative and have fun!
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Music: Ten in the Bed by Jim Rule
Students can sit in a circle and pretend to “splat” on the floor with their hands to make
this an interesting song.
Lyrics:
There were ten in the bed,
And the little one said,
“Roll over! Roll over!”
So they all rolled over and one fell out.
“Ooooooooooh!”
Splat!
Then there were just 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8,

Nine in the bed ...
Then there was just one in the bed,

And the little one said,
"Hey! Where did everybody go?
Mom! Dad!
I want to sleep in your bed!"
Story Time: Hello Kitty, Hello Numbers!: Counting 1 to 20 with Your Favorite Friend! by
Higashi/Glaser Design Inc.
This book uses the classic children’s animation Hello Kitty to lead audiences through
numbers 1-20. The graphics are great, even if the boys in class pretend not to like Hello Kitty.
Reasoning/Thinking Skills: Number Word Recognition

Write the numbers 1-6 on the board. Under each number, write the word for that number.
You will also need each number and each word written on separate pieces of paper. Have your
class say the number and point out the word to them as they say the number. Next, cover the
board (or erase it) and take your individual papers out. Hold up a number and ask what the
number is. Then take a word and ask them if they can remember the word or the number it
represents. You can actually place these in random order on the floor and ask the children to put
them in order with the correct word under the correct number. (With older children, you can
use as many numbers as they know.)
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Day 4

Crafts: Popsicle Structure

Give students Popsicle sticks. Everyone should get the same number. They should color
their sticks as they wish, such as making 10 red ones, 3 green ones, and 6 blue ones. They must
make some sort of shelter out of their sticks, and try to use all of them. Give them extra
materials such as glue and construction paper if they wish. At the end, students can count to
make sure they have used all the sticks and count how many of each color they have. Display
the shelters throughout the room so students can be proud of their creativity.
Theme Activities
Pretty Penny
Teach students to count by tens by giving them lots of pennies. Have them put the
pennies in columns, 10 pennies high. See how many columns they can make, then ask them to
count how many pennies that makes. With older children you can do this with different amounts
in each column to teach them to count by fives or whatever number you like.
Nature and Numbers

Have students help you draw a picture of nature with hidden numbers inside. They can
use the numbers they know so it is easy to modify this activity to all age levels. When the
picture is complete, ask students to find all the numbers.
Spatial Concepts
This is a game that will teach spatial concepts or shapes such as circles, squares, etc. and
also teaches directions such as in, out, around, and through. This uses their motor skills to learn
abstract concepts. Have your children hold hands while standing in a circle. They need to stand
far enough apart so that their arms are outstretched. If they hold their hands out to the side tell
them they have created a window and if they hold them up above their heads, they are making a
door. Pick one child at a time and tell them that they can only go through a door and not a
window. The children in the circle decide if they are going to be a door or a window while the
person who is “it” tries to go around the circle in and out of doors. Lots of fun and they learn
directions and space.
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Snack Time: Sandwich Count
Help students learn to count by asking them to make a sandwich with different numbers
of ingredients. You should start by cutting pieces of bread in half. Ask students to grab two
pieces of bread. They should also collect one piece of cheese and three slices of meat. Then,
they should pick one type of dressing to put on their sandwich. When everyone has their favorite
ingredients, they can build and eat their sandwiches.
Music: Chicken Count by Jack Hartmann

With this song, your students can pretend to be chickens running around, or you can work
with students on how many fingers to hold up when they want to indicate a number. Everyone
should make the animal sounds as they are called out.
Lyrics:
1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10
1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10
Chickens out of the chicken pen!
Chicken 1 and Chicken 2

Chicken 1 and Chicken 2
Let's all do the chicken chew
Let's all do the chicken chew
(Make chicken sounds)
(Kids repeat the chicken sounds)
Chicken 2 and Chicken 3...
Chicken 3 and Chicken 4...
... Chicken 9 and Chicken 10

Let's all strut back to our pen.
1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10
1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10
Chickens back to the chicken pen!
Story Time: Sunny Numbers: A Florida Counting Book by Carol Crane

Your students will learn about numbers and the geography, animals, and characteristics
of Florida in this book. They will love looking at pictures of the beach and water animals and
they will learn to count things on the page.
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Reasoning/Thinking Skills: Time and What comes next?
Progression of time is related to numbers and is difficult for preschoolers to grasp.
Give the children some magazines and have them find pictures of everyday tasks such as
someone getting dressed, eating breakfast, having dinner, riding a bus, going to work, shopping,
going to bed, etc. Then take the pictures they have found see if they can put them in correct
order for when they take place during the day. Talk about the time it takes to do these things.
Ask such questions as “what do you do after you get dressed in the morning?, what comes after
dinner?, what comes first your bath or bedtime? Letting them see the activities helps them to
understand how to track the passage of time.
.
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Day 5

.
Crafts: Coconut Tree Count

On a piece of construction paper, have students draw the base of a tree and some leaves.
They can make it a beach scene, because they are drawing a coconut tree. Then, students can
glue puffed corn cereal, such as Cocoa Puffs, onto the tree to represent coconuts. They can glue
as many as they want, but next to each one, they have to write a number, until they have all the
coconuts accounted for.
Theme Activities
Domino Math
Bring out a set of dominos for the class. Have everyone sit close by so seeing is not a
problem and line up different dominos. Ask students to count how many dots are on each
domino separately. Then, make one long chain with the dominos and ask students to keep
counting all the dots until they arrive at the end of the chain. Mix and match dominos so
students must keep their counting skills sharp. This is easy to modify depending on the age and
abilities of your class.
Ice Cream Cone Tower

Have each student cut out a circle in their favorite color. One by one, students should
come add their “scoop” to the cone you have already posted on a bulletin board. As the students
come forward, you should write the number that they are in the tower. However, they should tell
you what number they are. When everyone is on the board, ask students how many scoops there
are in all. This represents the number of students you have.
Bowling with Numbers

Set up soft bowling pins for students to knock over. They get to roll a soft ball at the pins
in order to knock them over. Each student gets several chances to knock the pins over. Each
time there are pins knocked over, the class counts the number down and the number left.
Snack Time: Carrots and Counting

Give students a few baby carrots. Give them some other healthy bite-sized snack, such as
grapes. Have students mix the number of carrots and grapes they have and count how many they
have. Then, they can count the number of bites it takes to eat each item.
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Music: Follow Along by Hap Palmer
In this song, students can touch the body part in the song to get themselves up and
moving around.
Lyrics:
Step in place, step again
Shake your hands high over your head
Step in place, step again
Shake your hands so high
Pick it up, quicker now, ready set go:
Step, step, shake your hands
Join the joyful song
Now let's count to sixteen

With the moves you've just seen
Following a pattern as we go:
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16
Touch your knees, touch your shoulders

Touch your head and clap your hands
Touch your knees, touch your shoulders
Touch your head and clap
Pick it up, quicker now, ready set go:
Knees, shoulders, head, and clap
Join the joyful song
Now lets count to twenty, whispering the first three

Shouting every fourth beat as we go
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12
13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20
Story Time: Together We Learn: Numbers and Counting by Disney

This book uses Disney characters as well to teach students to count. It is just as fun but
with a bit of a twist.
Reasoning/Thinking Skills: How Long Will It Take?

Challenge your class to guess how long it will take to accomplish a certain task. Use
something they all understand as the basis for measurement. For example, use an hourglass; turn
it over and have them sing “Mary had a Little Lamb”. If the hourglass stops before they are done
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turn it over and continue doing so until they are through singing. Next give an idea such as
walking up stairs. Have them guess how many times the hourglass will be turned over for that
person to go up the stairs. Will it be as many times as it took to sing the song or less? Then
select someone to do this and see if their guesses are correct. This is a concrete way for them to
understand how long it takes to do something. You can use any activity and have them guess
which takes longer or shorter time.
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Unit 9
Teddy Bears
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Construction paper
Cotton balls
Paper plates
Markers or colors
Glue
Encyclopedia
Teddy grahams
Popsicle sticks
Nice teddy bears
Old tattered teddy bears
Gummy bears
Cinnamon and sugar
Dishes for a tea party
Bear cookie cutter
Peanut butter or cream cheese, M&Ms, peanuts
Elastic
Teddy grahams or gummy bears
Crackers with honey
Sponges
Biscuits and fruit filling
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Unit 9-Teddy Bears
Day 1

Crafts: Teddy Bear Head

Give students a paper plate and lots of cotton balls. They should pull the cotton balls so
they are long and thin, and they should glue them to the paper plate. They can color them to look
like the fuzzy face of a teddy bear and add different colors for eyes, noses, and mouths. They
can also glue some cotton balls at the top for ears and color the insides pink. Students should
end by naming their bears.
Theme Activities
The Lost Bear

Tell your students a story about a teddy bear that is lost and cannot find his way home.
He should be hidden somewhere in the room, and students must figure out where he is based on
the clues in the story. When they find him, they must bring him back home. Once the students
find the bear, you can finish the story by telling them that the bear was reunited with his friends
and family and that everyone in the village gives your class many thanks and good wishes.
Teddy Bear, Real Bear?

Generate a list of differences between real bears and teddy bears. Ask about size,
lifestyle, eating habits, and other characteristics of real bears. This will help your students learn
about the animals that teddy bears are based on, and show them that real bears are nothing like
teddy bears.
Encyclopedia Hunt
Have your students gather around an encyclopedia, preferably an encyclopedia for kids.
Show them how to look up the word “bear” in a reference book like this one. They will need to
know the beginning letter by recognizing the sound of the letter B. Show them the page in the
encyclopedia and read the entry to them.
Snack Time: Teddy Grahams

What better snack to go with teddy bears than teddy grahams? Students love these sweet,
bite-sized crackers.
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Music: Teddy Bear, Teddy Bear by Jack Hartmann
Students can act out the motions mentioned in the song to play along.
Lyrics:
Teddy bear, teddy bear - turn around,
Teddy bear, teddy bear - touch the ground
Teddy bear, teddy bear - shake your hips,
Teddy bear, teddy bear - blow a kiss
Teddy bear, teddy bear - jump up high,

Teddy bear, teddy bear - see me smile
Teddy bear, teddy bear - give a hug,
Teddy bear, teddy bear - lots of love
Oh la, la, la, la, la love my teddy bear
Story Time: Teddy Bear Encyclopedia by Pauline Cockrill, Paul Volpp, Rosemary Volpp,
Peter Anderson, Jim Coit
This encyclopedia has all different kinds of teddy bears, each with a history, pictures, and
all the information your students might ever want to know about teddy bears. You should allow
extra time for them to browse the book.
Reasoning/Thinking Skills: Teddy Bear Connect the Dots

Give students a page with dots creating the outline of a teddy bear. They should be able
to follow along the numbers next to the dots so they know what connects with what. This will
help their number skills as well as their thinking skills to make sure they do not make a mistake.
When they have connected the dots, they can color their bear however they want.
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Day 2

Crafts: Bear Puppet Show

Have students draw and cut out teddy bear heads. Next glue them onto popsicle sticks
and decorate them any way they want. Then, have a puppet show with the bears. Students can
interact with their bears, have their bears tell stories, make jokes, or whatever else they want to
do.
Theme Activities
Teddy Bear Story

Bring in a teddy bear and set it in front of the room. Tell your students that it is there job
to decide what the story of this teddy bear is. They should come up with a name, a history, an
age, likes and dislikes, and any other personality traits that a bear might possess.
Teddy Bear Fix-Up

Bring in some old teddy bears or ones with ripped seams and have your class work to
refill them and make them look good again. They can use markers to fill in bare spots in the fur
and put extra stuffing in so they are nice and snuggly again. When you are finished, you can
donate them to a local hospital or orphanage. Your class will have a fun time as well as learn the
importance of helping people.
Teddy Bear Island

In this drama, your students will act like inhabitants of Teddy Bear Island, a place where
teddy bears are as sophisticated as people. Everyone should take the name of a teddy bear.
Someone is elected king, and the other bears must serve that person. The king (or queen) should
tell the others what they like to eat, how much rest they like to get, and other things they think
are characteristic to a teddy bear. The other bears may play with each other, serve the king or
queen, and basically act like bears for a while.
Snack Time: Gummy Bears

These sweet and chewy bear snacks are always a crowd pleaser!
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Music: Teddy Bear’s Picnic
Send your students on a picnic with this imaginative song!
Lyrics:
If you go out in the woods today
You're sure of a big surprise.
If you go out in the woods today
You'd better go in disguise.
For every bear that ever there was

Will gather there for certain, because
Today's the day the teddy bears have their picnic.
Picnic time for teddy bears,

The little teddy bears are having a lovely time today.
Watch them, catch them unawares,
And see them picnic on their holiday.
See them gaily dance about.
They love to play and shout.
And never have any cares.
At six o'clock their mommies and daddies
Will take them home to bed
Because they're tired little teddy bears.
If you go out in the woods today,

You'd better not go alone.
It's lovely out in the woods today,
But safer to stay at home.
For every bear that ever there was

Will gather there for certain, because
Today's the day the teddy bears have their picnic
CHORUS
Every teddy bear, that's been good

Is sure of a treat today
There's lots of wonderful things to eat
And wonderful games to play
Beneath the trees, where nobody sees

They'll hide and seek as long as they please
Today's the day the teddy bears have their picnic
CHORUS
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Story Time: The Teddy Bear by David McPhail
This is a sweet fiction story about a man who adopts a teddy bear. Your students will
love this tale and you will love the message of compassion that it promotes.
Reasoning/Thinking Skills: Teddy Bear Poem

As a class, you should think of a short (no more than 4 lines) poem and write it on the
board. Then, students can trace an outline of a teddy bear on construction paper. They can color
in the bear and take a copy of the poem home to show their family. (For younger children, you
will have to help write them poem on their picture for them.)
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Day 3

Have each student bring in their favorite teddy bear. They should introduce it and tell
how long they have had it, where it came from, and why they like it so much.
Crafts: Cinnamon Sugar Bears

Have students cut out a bear shape. They can use a pattern or draw one by hand. Then,
they should cover it in liquid glue and dip it first in cinnamon, then in sugar. It will smell
delicious and look just like the real thing!
Theme Activities
Teddy Bear Tea Party

Since all the students have their bears at school, they can have a tea party for their bears.
They should get dishes, cups, and snacks that their bears can eat (then the students get to eat
them).
Goldilocks Drama
Have students act out a scene from Goldilocks and the Three Bears. Students can pretend
to stretch out in the huge bed or squish to get into the little bed. The same goes for the chairs.
They can pretend to eat horribly hot porridge and ice cold porridge. Because this is all
imaginative, your students should be as expressive as possible so other students understand the
story.
Teddy Bear Roster

Since your students have their favorite bears in class, you can help them catalogue their
bears. Students should trace around their bear. Next to it, you (or they) can write its name, its
height (teach them how to use a ruler), and its age. Put all these information sheets together and
you have a complete teddy bear roster.
Snack Time: Bear Bread

Let students use a bear cookie cutter to cut out bear shapes. They can cover it in peanut
butter or cream cheese and add decorations for the facial features, such as M&Ms, peanuts, or
other snacks.
Music: 5 Little Bears

This song is a great finger play for younger students. They can work with numbers, make
their fingers fall over, or do anything else to demonstrate the song through actions.
Lyrics:
5 little bears were dancing on the floor
one fell down and that left 4
4 little bears climbed up a tree,
one found a bee hive that left 3.
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3 little bears were wondering what to do,
one chased a bunny rabbit that left 2.
2 little bears were looking for some fun,
one took a swim that left 1.
1 little bear sitting all alone
he looked all around then ran home.
Story Time: Goldilocks and the Three Bears

Since your students have acted out this story, they will love to hear it read from you. Be
just as expressive as they were during their drama time and they will never get bored.
Reasoning/Thinking Skills: Organize the Roster

Now that you have a roster of teddy bears, have the class put the sheets in order in
different ways. You can start by having them alphabetize the bears. Then, they can arrange the
bears by height. Then, they can arrange the bears by age. There are several different ways you
can work with the class to learn the skills of alphabetizing, arranging, and recognizing patterns.
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Day 4

Crafts: Teddy Bear Mask

Have students use a paper plate to draw the face of a teddy bear. They can cut out
sections for eyes and tie a piece of elastic to the back to secure it to their head. They can color
the plate however they like to make it look like a real bear. Let students wear their masks
around.
Theme Activities
Estimate the Bears

Fill different containers with teddy grahams or gummy bears. Have students look into
the container (no touching!) to estimate the number of bears inside. They should have the
number in their head. When you ask for estimates, they should yell them out and you write them
on the board. See what the difference is when you change containers.
Teddy Bear Body Parts

Go through the different body parts of teddy bears with your students. Then, do it all
over again in different languages. This is a great way to expose your students to different
languages. They will like the vocabulary they learn and their parents will be nothing short of
impressed.
Teddy Bear Picnic

Have your students grab a teddy bear and head outside for some outdoor fun and games.
The bears can come with the students to the swings, the merry-go-round or to lay on a blanket in
the sun. You can bring your snack outside and have students sit around a picnic basket to get a
true picnic experience.
Snack Time: Honey and Crackers

Drizzle honey on crackers for this quick and easy bear-related snack. What bear doesn’t
love his honey?
Music: Counting Bears

Students can do a finger play with this song as well, holding up the number of fingers as
bears in the song.
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Lyrics:
One little bear
Wondering what to do
Along came another
Then there were two!
Two little bears
Climbing up a tree
Along came another
Then there were three!
Three little bears
Ate an apple core
Along came another
Then there were four!
Four little honey bears
Found honey in a hive
Along came another
Then there were five!
Story Time: The Teddy Bears' Picnic by Jimmy Kennedy

This is a great book about a village of bears getting ready for a day outside and all the
activities the bears are involved in.
Reasoning/Thinking Skills: Weight Comparison

Help students understand the concept of weight differences by providing them with
different teddy bears. Ask a student to hold two bears and determine which one is heavier.
Then, give a different mixture of two bears to another student and ask them the same thing.
Keep switching up the bears until everyone has had a chance to compare. You can check their
accuracy by providing a balance scale to put the bears on. Whichever one is lower is the heavier
bear.
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Day 5

Crafts: Bear Sponge Paintings

Cut sponges in the shape of a bear head and give them to students. They can make a card
by stamping the front of a piece of construction paper with the sponge and folding the card in
half. Or, they can simply sponge as many times as they like and make a creative expression.
Theme Activities
Teddy Roosevelt History

Teach your students about this president with lots of pictures and descriptions. Tell them
that the teddy bear is named after this president.
Teddy Roosevelt Search

Look up Theodore Roosevelt in an encyclopedia and read through some of what the
source has to say about the man. Talk about his importance and why the teddy bear is named
after him.
Teddy Roosevelt and the Rough Riders Drama

After talking to your students about Teddy Roosevelt and his involvement with the
Rough Riders, have your students act out his part and the “riders.” They should gallop around
the room on their horses and have a very simple and inoffensive war.
Snack Time: Bear Claws

Take refrigerated biscuits and fill them with fruit pie filling. Fold the biscuit in half and
make two slits on the edge of the biscuit to resemble a bear’s claw. Bake them according to the
package directions and enjoy!
Music: Teddy Bear Actions

Have students do the actions in the song with a teddy bear.
Lyrics:
Pick your teddy bear up from the ground,
Then go dancing all around.
Hold him high and hold him low,
As round and round and round you go!
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substitute other words/actions for the poem...
...Hold him left and hold him right,

Hold him tight with all your might!...
...Hold him close and hold him far,

Pretend that he can drive a car!....
...Hold him in front and hold him in back,

sit down with him on your lap!.....
Story Time: Time For Kids: Theodore Roosevelt: The Adventurous President by Editors of
TIME For Kids
This is a great book for kids about Theodore Roosevelt. It is geared to their age level but
still informative and accurate.
Reasoning/Thinking Skills: Poem Time!

Write “teddy bear” vertically on the board. With your students, come up with adjectives
that describe teddy bears that start with each letter. For example, “t” could be “terrific,” “e”
“exciting,” etc.
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Unit 10
Food and Nutrition
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Vegetables for stamping

Bite-size veggies for a snack
Milk
Lime gelatin
Crushed graham crackers
Magazines for cutting up
Paper clips
Dowel rod
Magnets
Construction paper
Glue
Rice, beans, and salt
Various foods for the students to smell and taste and try to identify
Blindfold
Uncooked pasta
Paint and supplies
Flashcards with food on them
Melons and melon scoops
Assorted beans
Fruit snack packs
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Unit 10-Food and Nutrition
Day 1

Crafts: Vegetable Stamps

Bring in different types of vegetables like onions and peppers and cut them in large
pieces, length-wise. Pass them out to students and let them dip them in paint and make a collage
or whatever else they might wish to paint. The different shapes and markings of the vegetables
make this a fun project.
Theme Activities
Food Groups
Explain the food groups to your students with examples of foods that fit in each category.
Ask them to come up with other foods that would fit in one group or the other. Explain the
difference in the groups and why it is important to each food in each group to stay healthy.
Pyramid Challenge
You will need 5 sheets of construction paper—one each of orange, green, red, purple, and
blue. Cut each in half diagonally to create pyramid shapes. Label them with the 5 food groups:
Orange will be grains, Green for vegetables, Red for fruits, Blue for Milk, and Purple for meats
and beans. Ask students if they have ever heard of the food pyramid before or what it means.
Tell them about it and list the different food groups and talk about which ones are the most
important. Have an assortment of food flyers, magazines, etc so that they children can find
pictures of all foods. Challenge them to help you find pictures for the different groups.
Grocery Shopping Drama

Send your students to the “grocery store” to pick up a few items. You should assign roles
to different students. One student can be the person who loves healthy food and only wants to
buy fruits and vegetables. Another person can be on a diet and only want diet products. A
different student can be a junk food addict and want chips and candy. You can make up roles as
you wish. Send them through the “store” and have them report back to you about what type of
food they brought, based on the character you gave them.
Snack Time: Veggies and Dip

Serve bite-size veggies and dip for today’s snack to stay in line with healthy vegetables.
Good vegetables to serve are carrots, celery, cherry tomatoes, and peppers.
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Music: The Vegetable Song
Sing this song to the tune of “Twinkle Twinkle Little Star” and your kids will know
exactly what rhythm it is.
Lyrics:
Carrots, Peas, and Broccoli,
Vegetables are good for me.
For my snack and in my lunch,
Veggie sticks are great to munch.
Carrots, Peas, and Broccoli,
Vegetables are good for me.
Story Time: Good Enough to Eat: A Kid's Guide to Food and Nutrition by Lizzy Rockwell
(Illustrator)
This book has lots of information and pictures to teach kids about nutrition without
boring them. It is great for preschoolers and those beginning to read.
Reasoning/Thinking Skills: Which is Healthy?

Before class, find pictures in magazines of children eating different foods. These should
represent all meals, snack events, parties, etc. Then talk about whether the foods they are eating
are healthy or not. Ask for the reasons they think a food is healthy and if they know why a
particular food is good for them. The sooner you start discussions about food choices when they
are young the better!
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Day 2

Crafts: Favorite Foods Index

Have students draw a picture of themselves on construction paper. Around the picture,
they should draw pictures of different kinds of foods that they love to eat.
Theme Activities
Food Riddles
Take advantage of the multitude of funny jokes about food. Bring in a list of jokes to tell
to your class about food, such as “What type of fruit travels in groups of twos?” “Pears!” Jokes
like this, whose answer sounds the same as the answer in real life, are funniest to young children
who cannot comprehend more complex jokes.
Favorite Food Graph

Take a poll in your class about what foods your students like the best. Make a list and
put tally marks by any foods that get multiple votes. When all the students have voted, make a
bar graph showing the different kinds of foods preferred by your class. Each type of food should
have a different bar and a different color. Students can help out by telling you how tall the bar
should be, etc.
Food Safety
Let your students know that some foods can be dangerous if you do not use them
properly. There are certain sicknesses they can get if they do not clean up properly when they
are finished cooking. Ask students what are some good ways to clean up when they are finished
cooking. Brainstorm about washing dishes, wiping off the countertop, using different cutting
boards, making the oven or stove hot enough, etc.
Snack Time: Key Lime Milk Mixer

Students get one cup of milk, 2 tablespoons of lime gelatin mix, and 2 tablespoons of
crushed graham crackers. Mix it all up and you have a healthy, yummy milk mixer!
Music: Food Safety Song

This song is to “Row, Row, Row Your Boat” and talks to students about staying healthy
in the kitchen.
Lyrics:
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Wash, - wash, - wash, - your hands
With soap - and wa - ter, too
Drawing of washing fruits and vegetables
Rinse - your fruits - and vege - tables
and make - them clean - for you
Drawing of a refrigerator.
Put food - in the - refrig - er - ator
Do - it right - away
Drawing of a clean counter.
Keep count - ers clean - where food - is prepared
And chase - those germs – away
Story Time: Dog Food by Saxton Freymann and Joost Elffers

This imaginative book takes food and turns it into animals! It is a book without much
reading, but it is great to look at with kids. They will love how foods they recognize become
animals they know!
Reasoning/Thinking Skills: Food Collage

Give students magazines and let them cut out pictures of foods that are good for them.
Together as a class, build a collage of healthy foods and display it for everyone to notice.
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Day 3

Have students bring in their favorite recipe from Mom’s cookbooks. They can explain
their favorite food, what goes into it, and why they like it so much.
Crafts: Food Fish

Give students magazines to cut apart. They should cut out pictures of foods that belong
to all one food group. Then, they can take a piece of construction paper and cut out a fish shape.
Have them glue the magazine clippings to the construction paper until the fish is entirely
covered. This craft will be used in one of the theme activities to come.
Theme Activities
Fishing for Health

Slip a paper clip onto each of the fish that your students have just made as crafts. Make a
fishing pole with a dowel rod and a magnet. Put all the fish together in a bucket and let students
go fishing. When they catch a fish, they should pull it out and decide which food group it
belongs to. There should be 5 other buckets, labeled for each of the food groups. When students
have made the correct decision, they should put the fish in that bucket.
Separate the Foods

Give students a mixture of rice, beans, and large kosher salt. Tell them to separate the
mixture into three different groups. When they have finished sorting, they should count to see
who has the most of each type of food. This helps their motor skills, problem solving, and
counting.
Blindfold Taste Test

Blindfold one student at a time and bring them to a table with different types of foods.
Have them smell and taste different foods, making sure to describe them before they say what
they think the food is. The other students will get to watch and tell them if they are right.
Snack Time: Fruit Face

Give students different types of fruit and have them make faces out of it before eating.
They can use grapes for eyes, apple slices for eyebrows, a kiwi for a nose, and a banana for a
mouth. Let them rearrange as they wish before they eat their edible face!
Music: Go Bananas!
Students can jump around during this song, so let them stand up and move around!
Lyrics:
Bananas unite!
(Put hands together over head)
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Bananas split!
(Hands at side)
Go bananas!
Go go bananas!
Go bananas!
Go go bananas!
(Turn in circle, moving arms up and down
during these four lines)
Bananas to the left

(Point left)
Bananas to the right

(Point right)
Peel your banana and, mmmmmm, take a bite!

(Motion of peeling banana and biting it)
Story Time: Gregory, the Terrible Eater by Marjorie Weinman Sharmat

This is a hilarious book about Gregory, who wants to eat fruits and vegetables, and his
parents, who are more excited about tin cans and tires. It is sure to get a laugh from your
students.
Reasoning/Thinking Skills: Food Grouping

Cutout pictures of different ethnic foods some that most children will recognize such as
tacos, spaghetti & meatballs, pizza, hamburgers, and others which may not be as familiar. Then
start a dialogue about what food group or groups the food belongs to. They can talk about the
ingredients and if something is in more than one food group.
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Day 4

Crafts: Pasta Madness

Give students different types of pasta with which they can create patterns, textures, and
designs. When students have the design they desire, they should glue the creation to a paper
plate and paint the pasta in different colors. During this craft, ask students what food group pasta
fits into and how much food we should eat from that group each day.
Theme Activities
How Do I Eat This?

Show a type of food and talk to your class about how you eat that food. Do you have to
cut it? Can you eat the entire food or are there parts that don’t get eaten? If everyone in the class
wanted a piece, how many pieces would we need? What type of food is this? Is it good for you?
Can you think of other types of food like this that are eaten the same way?
Refrigerator Decisions
Show students flashcards of different items. Ask them to tell you which items belong in
the refrigerator, the freezer, or the cupboard. Talk about what happens if food that is supposed to
be refrigerated is not, and how to avoid letting food go bad.
Find the Mistakes

Pass out a picture like the one at http://www.foodsafety.gov/~dms/cb-09.html for your
students to look at. Have them tell you what food mistakes are being made in this picture. Then,
talk about what the girl in the picture should be doing. Finally, let them color the picture.
Snack Time: Melon Bowl

Students will love these fancy, bite-sized fruit snacks. Cut open different fruits and let
them use a melon scoop to create tiny fruit balls. They can put the balls into a bowl and have a
colorful, healthy, sweet snack!
Music: Basic Food Groups

This song reinforces the food group learning your class has been doing all week.
Lyrics:
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Here are the food groups:
Dairy, bread, and meat
And don't forget that vegetables
Are important for you to eat.
Have a food from each food group
Each and every day,
And you'll grow strong and healthy -
Good nutrition is the way!
Story Time: Popcorn at the Palace by Emily Arnold McCully

This story is a historical fiction book about a girl and her father who travel to England to
teach people about the phenomenon of American popcorn. You can serve popcorn during the
story or talk to students about what other foods are native to America.
Reasoning/Thinking Skills: Kitchen Happenings

Find a picture of a kitchen scene to show the class. Together as a class you will talk
about what is happening in this scene, what the person is doing to make sure they are cooking
safely, and what food items they see. When the discussion is finished, you can talk with them
about how much they have learned about food and nutrition over the week!
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Day 5

Crafts: Bean Scene

Provide students with assorted dry beans. Tell them to make a picture with the beans on
construction paper. They can draw a farm scene, a house, an animal, or any other picture they
can think of. They should use different colored beans for different parts of the picture.
Everything should be glued down so that the picture stays intact.
Theme Activities
What is a Calorie?
Teach your students what calories are and what they mean for being healthy. Introduce
the concepts of calories in fat, carbohydrates, and protein. Then, help students figure out how
many calories they need each day. Finally, hold up food items and tell students how many
calories are in each one, so they get a better idea of how much they can eat and stay healthy.
Calorie Math
Put up a picture of different types of food. Tell students how many calories is in each
serving of it. Show them how many calories would be in two servings of the same thing. Using
the information from the activity above, talk about whether it would be a healthy idea to have all
of the same thing (for example: all cookies) to meet their calorie needs for the day. Interesting
things for them to think about to stay healthy in life.
Table Manner Drama

Pretend that your class is at a fancy dinner party, perhaps hosted by a king or queen.
Have them act out how they would enter the room, greet the king or queen, and behave at the
dinner. You can act as the king or queen and should lead by example with good table manners.
They will enjoy the chance to act like royalty and go to an important party.
Snack Time: Fruit Snack Packs

Give students fruit snack packages. This is an extremely simple snack, but it tastes just
like gummy candy and students will love it. It is healthy as well, so everyone is happy!
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Music: Apples and Bananas
Students will love changing the sounds of these words as they sing along.
Lyrics:
I like to eat, eat, eat apples and bananas
I like to eat, eat, eat apples and bananas
I like to ate, ate, ate ay-ples and ba-nay-nays

I like to ate, ate, ate ay-ples and ba-nay-nays
I like to eat, eat, eat ee-ples and bee-nee-nees

I like to eat, eat, eat ee-ples and bee-nee-nees
I like to ite, ite, ite i-ples and by-ny-nys

I like to ite, ite, ite i-ples and by-ny-nys
I like to ote, ote, ote oh-ples and bo-no-nos

I like to ote, ote, ote oh-ples and bo-no-nos
I like to oot, oot, oot oo-ples and boo-noo-noos

I like to oot, oot, oot oo-ples and boo-noo-noos
Story Time: How Do Dinosaurs Eat Their Food? by Mark Teague and Jane Yolen
This is a great story to teach students about table manners. It describes some dinosaurs
who have trouble acting properly at the table and what is done to teach them how to behave
appropriately. After reading this, you can discuss with your students a time when they have
gotten in trouble for acting inappropriately at the dinner table.
Reasoning/Thinking Skills: Which is More?

Put two items up on the board and put the number of calories in each item on the board.
Ask students to tell you what the numbers are. Then, they have to tell you which number is
larger. Change pictures until all students have a chance to answer.
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Unit 11
Self Esteem and Self Concept
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Paper plate
Construction paper
Markers or coloring supplies
Glue
Magazines to cut up
Paint and supplies
Pringles
Circular shaped cookies, yellow frosting, twizzlers
Bread with different toppings
Aluminum foil
Fruit salad
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Unit 11-Self Esteem and Self Concept
Day 1

Crafts: Duck Bill

This craft will be used during the story time, and it is a fun way to get kids thinking about
an “ugly duckling.” Each student gets a paper plate. They should fold it in half and color it
yellow, like a duck’s bill. Then, with construction paper, they should cut out a tongue and glue it
in the hollow part of the mouth. Help them attach string or elastic to the bill and tie it over their
mouths. You will soon have a class full of duck bills!
Theme Activities
Define and Discuss Self Esteem

Most of your students will not have a word in their vocabulary for this concept yet, so
talk about it with them and let them develop ideas about what it is and why it is important. Ask
if there has ever been a time when they have felt really good about themselves or something they
have accomplished. You can also ask the opposite question, if anyone has ever made them feel
bad about themselves and why.
Round of Compliments
Put a student’s name on the board. Ask other students to describe nice things about that
person. They should be nice things that people are saying about the person in the spotlight.
Rotate until everyone has had a chance to hear positive things about themselves.
Duck Duck Goose

In preparation for the day’s story time, play duck, duck, goose with your students. They
will love running around, and you can turn it into a learning experience by telling them that
positive self esteem is built by doing something successfully, such as reaching your seat again
before the other person, or tagging the “goose.”
Snack Time: Pringles Chips

Students can make duck bills from Pringles chips and quack along as they eat their
snacks. They will have fun with this treat, and it is extremely fast and easy for you.
Music: Express Yourself by Jan Nigro

This song helps students understand the importance of speaking their minds when
something is bothering them and will help them build confidence and a good attitude.
Lyrics:
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If you've got a song, sing every note,
Don't let someone make you keep it in your throat!
If you've got a dance, go on and move,
Don't let someone tell you you're not in the groove!
If someone's got a notion to squash your emotion,
You've still gotta let it shine through...
Don't disappear for someone else,
CHORUS:
Express yourself! - your smile, your voice,
Express yourself! - your gifts, your dreams,
Express yourself! - your hurts, your joys,
Don't disappear for someone else, express yourself!
The thoughts in your head, feel free to share,

Show the world you've got some good ideas in there.
If something's unfair, maybe it's time,
To do the world a favor and speak your mind!
Someone may be thinking that they'll have you shrinking
To less than what you really could be...
Don't disappear for someone else.
Story Time: The Ugly Duckling by Hans Christian Anderson

This classic story about an ugly duckling who grows up to be a beautiful swan will give
your students hope about their futures and the confidence to turn into beautiful people, just like
the swan in the book. Talk to your class about changing as a person and the importance of
becoming a good citizen and confident member of society.
Reasoning/Thinking Skills: What is a Compliment

Have a role play time where you, the teacher, are the one to provide compliments. The
student you choose will draw an activity from a list of activities that you have written on index
cards. (These should be positive things such as write the word “Hi” on the board, erase the
board for you, water a flower, hold a door for someone, put a book away, etc.) After that person
has done the action, give them a compliment. Ask the other students how it feels to receive a
compliment or a notice that they have done something good. Ask them for other ways to give
compliments so that they are beginning to think about saying positive things to others.
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Day 2

Crafts: Sunshine and Happiness

The sun is often related to self esteem and positive self image, so help students create
their with this sun craft. Give them a paper plate and tell them to color it like the sun. They can
draw a face on it, blend colors, and get as creative as they like. Then, they should cut slits in the
edges of the plate and bend every other one up in the air, to look like the rays of the sun. If you
have pictures of the students available, they can paste their own picture in the middle of the
plate.
Theme Activities
List of Good Behaviors

Come up with a list of things that people can do to raise other people’s self esteem.
Pretend that you know someone who is feeling down about themselves, and think of ways to
help that person realize how special they are.
Theme Collage
You give the students a theme, such as “happiness” or “accomplishment.” They must
express that theme creatively, with any materials available. They can cut out magazine pictures,
draw something, make a painting, or whatever else might express them best.
Group Poem
Have each student come up with a line of a poem about self esteem and its importance.
Tell everyone that without their help, you would not have a complete poem, and that each of
them are special and unique.
Snack Time: Sunshine Cookies

Give students circular shaped cookies. They can frost the cookie in yellow frosting, like
the sun. Then, with twizzlers, they can create the rays of the sun. Finally, they can put a face on
their sun with M&Ms.
Music: Smile by the Blankies

This song is about emotion and its role in creating our attitudes. The message is that
smiling keeps you happy and helps make things better.
Lyrics:
Smile, smile, smile
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We want to see a happy child
Smile, smile, smile
Show me one with style
Are you sad?

Are you mad?
Were you bad?
That's no fun!
Can you show me one? One big smile.

Smile, smile, smile
Let's see a happy child
Smile, smile, smile
Stretch your mouth out wider than a mile
Are you sad?

Are you mad?
Were you bad?
That's no fun!
Can you show me one? One big smile.
Story Time: Shoulder Buddies: Helping Kids with Self-Esteem by Linda L. Lee and Jesse
Lee
This book presents self esteem, knowing what you like, confidence, and other concepts in
a safe and fun way. The information is presented so that kids will stay interested and learn.
Reasoning/Thinking Skills: Why is Self Esteem Important?

Work together with your class to express why self esteem is important for every member
of the family. Moms, dads, brothers, sisters, grandparents, etc. all want to feel good about
themselves. Talking about this and allowing them to “play house” with each other and act out
how it feels to feel good about what you can do and have it appreciated by others. If they can do
this at home it might help all of their family to be positive with each other.
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Day 3

Students should bring in an item that makes them feel good about themselves, such as the
first book they read or a ribbon from a competition. They can describe what the object is and
how it makes them feel.
Crafts: Draw Self Esteem

Give students complete freedom to express themselves in this activity. Ask them to
create a piece of art that looks like self esteem to them. It could be a picture of someone playing
a sport, a good grade on a test, a spotless bedroom, or a jumble of colors that means nothing to
anyone but the student himself. Have students explain their work when they finish.
Theme Activities
Nice Circle
Everyone should sit in a circle. You go around the circle and put one person in the
spotlight. The other people in the circle go around and each say one nice thing to that person.
Everybody goes around until they have all heard nice things about themselves.
Classroom Idol!
Have your class hold their very own “Classroom Idol” show. Every child has a talent and
this will be a fun time for them to show their special talents. You can get a cheap microphone
from the Dollar Store or even make a pretend one to use. Everyone gets a turn to perform, to
help with the “stage setting”, whatever they feel they are good at. No judges are here to
criticize—only praise and thank you’s for each person trying to show what they enjoy and do
best!
Dance Off Time

Put on some of your children’s favorite songs and hold a dance off! Have each person in
the class create a move and have everyone else follow along. Switch off so that everyone gets a
turn to lead in some fun. This is a way for everyone to get involved, to enjoy each other’s
company and have fun imitating their friends.
Snack Time: Spreading Confidence

Give students crackers or bread and let them pick between different toppings. They can
make sandwiches or just eat them open-faced, but talk to your students about spreading
confidence as easily as they do their toppings. You can mention how they can affect the people
around them by doing something nice when it is unexpected.
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Music: Big Things Come in Small Packages by Jim Rule
Students can learn all the things they can do to make other people feel good in this song!
Lyrics:
Chorus:
Big things come in small packages,
Small packages just like you!
Big things come in small packages.
Think of all the things that you can do!
You can help your mom or dad.

Listen to your friends when they feel sad.
If you're little, don't feel blue.
There's a lot that you can do!
(Who? Me? Yes, you!)
Chorus
You can illustrate a book.

You can set the table. Help mom cook!
If you’re little, here’s a clue.
You are lucky to be you.
(Who? Me? It’s true!)
Chorus
I can see.
Think of all the things that I can be!
You won’t know until you try.

Sooner than you think you’ll touch the sky.
If you're little, you should know,
there are many ways to grow.

Small packages I can see.
Small packages just like me!
Story Time: I'm Gonna Like Me: Letting Off a Little Self-Esteem by Jamie Lee Curtis
This book encourages students to look at their good qualities and embrace them. You can
talk about what students are good at or what they like most about themselves.
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Reasoning/Thinking Skills: Tell Me One Thing
As a class, go around and answer these questions. “What am I good at?” “What do I like
about my personality?” “What do I like about the way I look?” “What do I like about my
family?” You can mix and match these questions by starting out, “Tell me one thing you like
about ___.”
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Day 4

Crafts: Unique in the Universe

Give students aluminum foil and construction paper for this project. They can cut out
star shapes in different sizes (or trace them from cookie cutters or templates) from the aluminum
foil and glue them onto the construction paper. On the largest star, students should write their
names in marker. On another star, they should write these words: “I’m a special little star!” You
can write the phrase on the board so they know how to spell everything.
Theme Activities
What Am I Good At?

Call on different students to tell you what they are good at. Everyone should be able to
think of at least one thing that they do well. It could be being patient, playing soccer, thinking up
jokes, remembering puzzles, or any other talent or skill.
What Can I Do Better?

Ask the opposite question after finishing the first activity and have students list
something that they are not good at that they want to improve. Talk about ways to improve a
trait and the importance of trying and not getting frustrated. Ask each student to work extra hard
that week to improve that part of themselves that they do not like. At the end of the week, you
can ask students if they have been successful and, if so, how it has made them feel.
All About Me Book

You can use white paper or construction paper for this. Cut it into 4 squares and staple
them together. If they know how to print their first name or their initial have them put this on the
cover. Next ask them to think about themselves and what they want their book to tell about
them. They can cut out pictures, draw, put in their favorite colors, foods, holidays, shoes,
clothes, etc. This is for them to save and take home.
Snack Time: Fruit Salad Mix

Show students that everyone is important by giving them a fruit salad for a snack. They
will see that even though there are several kinds of fruit all mixed together, no fruit ever becomes
something else. They all work together to make the salad tasty.
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Music: Show Me How You Feel by Jack Hartmann
Students can express these emotions with their entire bodies as you sing the words.
Lyrics:
Chorus:
With my hands, with my arms,
With my hips and my heart,
With my eyes, with my knees,
I can show you how I feel
Show me how you move when I say

Happy
Scared
Tired
Excited
Relaxed
Sad
Silly
Friendly
Strong
Worried
Proud
Loving
Chorus:
With my hands, with my arms,
With my hips and my heart,
With my eyes, with my knees,
I can show you how I feel
Story Time: Rana, Ranita by Hilda Perera

This book is about a little frog who wants to be a bluebird. It is about learning to accept
yourself for who you are and being comfortable with the things you can and cannot do.
Reasoning/Thinking Skills: Esteemed Interviews

Have students pair up and interview each other. Give them tips on what to ask each other
such as what their favorite things are, favorite activities, etc. Next have each team tell the class
all about their partner and try to remember as many things as possible that they talked about.
Great for listening and memory skills too.
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Day 5

.
Crafts: Futuristic Drawing

Have students draw a picture of what they think they will be like in the future. This
picture should reflect what they want to be when they grow up, how they think they will look,
what hobbies they will have, and what they will be good at. It will give them a great ideal to
work toward and give you insight into what they are thinking and feeling now.
Theme Activities
What I Want to Learn

Have each student tell the student next to them what they want to learn or become good
at in the future. Then, the person who knows the information will speak on behalf of the person
with the idea. It is a fun way to teach relying on each other for accurate information and about
sharing your goals and dreams.
When I Grow Up…

Have students think about what they want to be when they grow up. They can find
pictures in magazines and cut them out to display to the class. They can talk about why they like
that job and why they will be good at it.
What Do These People Do

Make some flash cards that depict different jobs, occupations, etc. such as a teacher,
policeman, doctor, nurse, store clerk, farmer, and so on. You can make these with photos from
magazines, stickers, and print the word on the card as well. Have each child select a card from
the pile and not show it to anyone else. Ask them to “act out” what this person does and have the
others guess.
Snack Time: Petite Sandwiches

Since much of the day is focused on what students will become in the future, help them
on their way to maturity by serving them fancy petite sandwiches. You can cut three sandwiches
from a normal sized sandwich. Serve them with a very serious face and offer them to “madam”
and “messieurs.”
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Music: I Can Do That! By Jack Hartmann
Have students act out the words as they are sung in the song.
Lyrics:
Now, can you move right to the beat?
I can do that — I can do that
Can you touch head, your shoulders and your feet?
Can you shake hands with a neighbor or friend?
Can you spread on a sandwich peanut butter and jam?
Now stop, get ready, jump up high and say

Can you shoot a basketball through a hoop?

Can you throw a ball and catch it, too?
And can you really comb your hair?
And can you brush your teeth up and down everywhere?

Chorus:
And I believe it’s true (Children echo & sing)
There’s so much I can do
And I feel good inside
I can do it if I try
Can you paint a picture so very nice?

Can you steer and pedal your own bike?
Can you help out and clean up your room?
Can you show thumbs up and be proud of you?

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Chorus
Story Time: All About You by Laurence Anholt and Catherine Anholt
This rhyming book encourages children to think and talk about themselves, from their
morning and nighttime rituals to all their favorite things.
Reasoning/Thinking Skills: What Did You Draw?

Give each child a blank paper and have them draw anything they wish. When everyone
is finished they get a chance to show their art work. Rather than you giving them praise ask
them to tell you and the others about their drawing or painting. Be sure everyone is listening.
As the teacher, reflect back to them how excited they are about their picture and how proud they
sound. This helps them to internalize their good feelings themselves and it comes from within.
Self pride is so important at any age.
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Unit 12
Geography
150
Wax paper
Crayon shavings
Paper towels
Iron
String
Paper clip
Construction paper
Globe
Mini tacos or burritos
Magazines for cutting up
Brads
Geographical maps
Cookies or crackers
Hot water and tea
Red, white, and blue beads
Glue
Map of the U.S.
Bread, peanut butter, and jelly
Map of Asia
Dirt, container, water, rice
Egg rolls
African clothing designs
Plantains, sugar
Percussion instruments
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Unit 12-Geography
Day 1
Crafts: Wax World

Each student will get a piece of wax paper. Show them how to fold it in half and cut out
a circle. Because it is folded, two identical circles should come out. Then, students should take
shavings from crayons (you should do the shaving) and make a globe on one sheet of the wax
paper. They can use blue for the water and green for the land. It does not have to look like our
globe at all; it can be whatever they want. When they have arranged the shavings as they like,
they should put the other piece of wax paper on top. Then, you should cover the globe with a
paper towel and iron over it several times, until the crayon shavings are melted. Students should
leave the globes until they are dry, at which time they can peel off both sides of the wax paper
and are left with a unique globe. They can hang it if they wish by attaching a piece of string and
a paper clip.
Theme Activities
Globe Fun
Bring a globe out for students. Close your eyes and spin the globe. Students get to yell
“stop!” You put stop the globe and put your finger somewhere. Open your eyes and discuss that
place, its landforms, its geography, and anything else you might know about the location.
Landform Names
Make a list with students of all the geography terms they can name. You will have to
explain what geography means first and then start with very local terms such as street, town,
town square, river, stream, field, hill, mountain, etc. When they start to run out, suggest terms
they may not know, such as fjord and river delta. If there are terms students do not know, talk
about the new term and try to find pictures to illustrate it from a magazine. The younger the
children, the simpler the terms will be so adjust accordingly.
Magazine Cut Out

Have a race to see how many landforms and geographic items students can find and tear
out of magazines in a certain amount of time. Ideally they will be able to identify what they have
torn out. If they can’t then offer a selection of terms to them and ask them which one it is. It’s
always a good idea to make this a team effort and get assist from others as well.
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Snack Time: Mexican Snack
Serve students mini tacos or burritos for today’s snack. As they are eating, show them
Mexico on a map and ask them what they know about it. Show them the landforms in Mexico
and in the entire Latin American region.
Music: The Iguazú Falls by Sara Jordan Publishing

Keeping with the Latin America theme for the day, students will learn about some of the
culture and geography of Argentina.
Lyrics:
My name is José
And I'll sing for you today
And I'll sing about my homeland
Argentina.
Sometimes we would go
To a place you'd want to know
The most beautiful falls in the world
The Iguazú.
Chorus:
Rainbows fill the sky with many colours
275 falls - like no others
The rainforest shelters animals like a mother
The falls we share with Brazil
The Iguazú falls.
They call me a Mestizo

That's because I have mixed blood
My ancestors were Native Indian
and Spanish.
But what's special to me

Is the place I'd love to be
The most beautiful falls in the world.
The Iguazú.
Chorus:
Rainbows fill the sky with many colours
275 falls - like no others
The rainforest shelters animals like a mother
The falls we share with Brazil
The Iguazú falls.
Story Time: Two Eyes, A Nose and A Mouth by Roberta Grobel Intrater
This is an excellent book of pictures of children and people from all over the world. You
can point out the similarities and the differences of people everywhere.
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Reasoning/Thinking Skills: Follow the Instructions
Post a map of the world on the board for all to see. Cover the names of the countries with
a Post It. Ask the class if they know where their country is on the map. Let them show you or if
they don’t, you can remove the post it and show them. You can give hints to them to find their
country, the older they are the more difficult the hint. You can make this simpler by using a
local map or even a layout of the neighborhood. See if they can tell where the school is or where
their home is.
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Day 2

Crafts: Compass Rose

Preschoolers can begin to grasp the concept of north, south, east and west by observing
where the sun falls in the classroom. Point out that in the morning, the sun is so bright that the
shades must be pulled down but in the afternoon, they need to be up to allow more daylight.
Make the appropriate description for your particular setting. Students can cut out a circle in
construction paper and label it with different directions: North, South, East, West. They should
then cut out an arrow from construction paper. Using a brad, they can poke a hole through the
star and through the middle of the circle. When they open the brad’s arms, it will secure the star
onto the compass. Make sure it is not too tight or else the compass arm will not spin.
Theme Activities
Let’s Talk Tee Shirts!

Many times your students will wear a tee shirt that has a picture on it from a certain
place. This could be from another city, country, place, zoo, etc. Ask your students to wear their
special shirts this week and then ask them to tell the story of the shirt. See if everyone
understands where the shirt is from. If possible find it on a map.
Country Spotlight
Let a student choose a country (or place) they want to learn about that day. Help them
locate it on a map. Bring out a book about this country or place, show the pictures of the people,
the homes, cities, etc. It is always fun to ask them what looks the same and what looks different.
Water Geography
Get out a geographical map and work with your students on the water geography that
they see. Do they understand what a river, a lake, the ocean, ponds, and streams are? See if they
can describe what the differences are and then look for them on a globe or map.
Snack Time: Tea and Crumpets

Since your class learned about a special place of their choice earlier, serve them a snack
with tea and cookies or crackers. Tell them that this is a very English custom and talk about
foods from the place they chose to learn about today.
Music: Water and Land by Joe Crone

This song describes the seven continents and the four oceans. If you want, have a map
available for students to look on while you all sing the song.
Lyrics:
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The world is made up of water and land.
These places have names so you’ll understand
Just where in the world we’re talking about.
Get a map and a pointer, now you get to shout,
“Atlantic, Pacific, Indian and Arctic!

Atlantic, Pacific, Indian and Arctic!”
These are the names of the bodies of water
That we call the oceans,
Now you’re getting smarter.
The land is divided into continents,

Some are in the East, but these are in the West:
North America!
South America!
Now let’s go back to the East to see what we can find.

The cradle of civilization for human kind is in Africa.
I feel the rhythm of Africa! (Oh Africa!)
And Europe lies just to the North.

And Asia is beside it, the biggest one of course.
The cold one at the bottom is Antarctica.
And way down under is where you’ll find Australia.
Ooooo Australia.
Story Time: "Whoever You Are," written by Mem Fox and illustrated by Leslie Staub.
It focuses on the ways people all over the world are very much alike, in spite of the
surface differences in our lives. Children from all over the world are depicted. Their may be
differences in the color of their skin, their homes, their schools, their land, their lives, their words
but inside we are all the same.
Reasoning/Thinking Skills: Name the Country

Find pictures of children from all over the world. Hold up a picture for all to see and
begin to ask questions. Point out the clothing and if it is similar to what they wear. Are the
surroundings similar or different? If it is a picture involving a meal, is it a meal they would have
at home or does it look different? You can take this activity as far as your children know and is
so easy to adapt depending on their ability level.
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Day 3

Have students bring in their favorite item from another country. This could be something
from one of their parents’ trips overseas or something they found at an import store. If students
do not have anything to bring in, they should talk about their favorite country and why they like
it.
Crafts: Treasure Map

Let each child make their own treasure map. You can have them make a map of the
school, their home, the playground, etc. They can choose where their “treasure” will be hidden.
Then help them notice the area and what needs to be on the map so that someone can look at
their map and locate the treasure. Help them determine what needs to be on their map and where
it should be so that it looks accurate.
Theme Activities
A-Z Geography
Pick out a letter and then ask your students if they know of any place that begins with that
letter. It could be a city, state, country. You may get several answers all of which are correct.
Talk about the places that the children name. Talk about what it is, where it is and as many
things about it as you know and ask them for their help. How did they know about the place they
named? They can be the teachers in this activity!
Preschool Map Quest

Show a map of the country you live in. Ask students if they know which state they are
from on the map. Put a sticker or marker on the map to mark the location. Younger children will
need help with this. Ask them if they know where their grandparents, relatives, or friends may
live or even where their parents spent their childhood. Again, mark the location with a sticker, or
flag so that they can get a sense of location. Leave the map up all week so that they can see it.
Going on a Trip
Set up the chairs in the classroom in rows like an airplane cabin. Tell the class that you
are going to the United States or pick a city in the US. You can give out pretend tickets and then
show them on the map where they are going. Play music the people listen to in that area. Talk
about what they will see there, what kind of food they will eat, is it the same or different from
what they eat? (This is an activity which you can do over and over each time for a different
country or location. The children love their pretend trips and never tire of this activity.) Often
travel agencies have posters of countries or special places that they will give to you for free to
decorate the classroom also.
Snack Time: Sandwich Bites

There are few things more American than peanut butter and jelly and grilled cheese.
Offer small squares of these treats to children but be CAUTIOUS with peanut butter due to
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allergies. Be sure to offer alternatives such as grilled cheese. (If any children have severe
allergies you will have to offer just the grilled cheese.)
Music: Let’s Learn the 50 States by Teacher and the Rockbots

All 50 states are presented in alphabetical order in this fun and memorable song!
Lyrics:
Let's learn the 50 states.
You can learn the 50 states.
Let's learn the 50 states.
You can learn the 50 states.
Let's start the song - with A through D

Are you ready? Are you ready?
1, 2, 3...
Alabama and Alaska,

Arizona, Arkansas
California, Colorado
Connecticut and that's not all
Where, Oh where is Delaware?
(It's on the East Coast and it was our first state!)
Now you've got the first eight!
Florida's the next state

Then Georgia and Hawaii
Did you know that the next four all start with "I"?
Idaho,
Illinois,
Indiana,
Iowa.
Add 2 K's with Kansas and Kentucky
But just 1 "L"... that Louisiana's lucky
16 states start with "M" or "N"; Maine

Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan
If you know the next 4 you get a banana
Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana
Half way done and I'm really proud of ya
On to the "N's", Nebraska and Nevada
4 states with "New" forget them you're a dork
New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York
North Carolina, North Dakota, let's sing the chorus, here we go-a
3 states all start with "O"

Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon way to go!
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A B C D E F G h I j k l m n o Pennsylvania,
Q, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota
Are you getting thirsty and wanna drink a soda?
Just 9 states on the list
Let's do in ? time and you'll get the gist
Tennessee, Texas, Utah
Vermont, Virginia, Washington
3 more "W's" for you to sing
West Virginia, Wisconsin and Wyoming
Let's learn the 50 states

(Where do you live?)
You can learn the 50 states
(In the USA)
(Who are your neighbors?)
(In the USA)
(Where have you been?)
(In the USA)
(Which state is your favorite?)
50 states!
Story Time: All the Colors of the Earth by Sheila Hamanaka

This book is for ages 4-8 but all ages can enjoy this. It shows through words and
illustrations the diversity of children throughout the world. An excellent choice to teach about
the beauty of our similarities and our differences.
Reasoning/Thinking Skills: Hello/Goodbye

Find all the words for “Hello” and “Goodbye” in as many languages as possible. Begin
by saying it in your native language and then in some of the more familiar languages—Spanish,
French, Japanese, German, etc. Using your world globe or map, show the country where they
speak that language. Repeat these over and over and ask who can remember the different ways
to say Hello in a particular language.
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Day 4

Crafts: Chinese Lanterns

Give students each a piece of construction paper. Fold the paper in half, making a long,
thin rectangle. Make a series of cuts (about a dozen or more) along the fold line. Don't cut all the
way to the edge of the paper. Unfold the paper. Glue or staple the short edges of the paper
together. Cut a strip of paper 6 inches long and 1/2 inch wide. Glue or staple this strip of paper
across one end of the lantern - this will be the handle of the lantern.
Theme Activities
Homes Around the World

Show students pictures of housing in Asia. Ask for how they appear different from their
own home, and then what they think would be the same on the inside. Open the discussion to
get their ideas of what foods they eat, how neighborhoods look, etc. If possible try to find photos
of schools and classrooms to see how they compare with their own.
Asia Map
Show students a picture of a map of Asia. Identify different countries that they have
heard of and point out special things about the region.
Build a Rice Paddy

Students can work together to build a model rice paddy like the ones common in Asia.
Start with a clear container. Fill it with a layer of dirt. Fill the container with water. Do your
best to keep the dirt at the bottom and the water on top. Drop in rice. This is a great chance to
show students the very unique growing conditions that rice require.
Snack Time: Egg Rolls

Show your students one of the most common types of Chinese food in this simple snack.
Most grocery stores will sell frozen egg rolls with different fillings, depending on your
preferences. Heat them in the oven and serve with sweet and sour sauce.
Music: "It's a Small World After All" by Richard M. Sherman and Robert B. Sherman.
The name of the ride at Disneyland was originally "Children of the World". It is argued
that the song is the most performed and most translated song on earth. It was written to describe
children and people all over the world.
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Lyrics:
It's a world of laughter

A world of tears
It's a world of hopes
And a world of fears
There's so much that we share
That it's time we're aware
It's a small world after all
There is just one moon

And one golden sun
And a smile means
Friendship to ev'ryone
Though the mountains divide
And the oceans are wide

It's a small, small world
Story Time: The World Is Flat: NOT! Cool New World Maps for Kids by W. Frederick
Zimmerman
Although this is a book of maps, it is highly entertaining and educational for kids. They
can flip through different maps, learning different things about the same area. Focus on Asia for
this session, since it has been the important continent of the day.
Reasoning/Thinking Skills: Color in Asia

Have students color in the different countries in Asia. Be sure to give a key at the bottom
of their map, explaining which color goes with which country. You should have a map available
for them to look off.
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Day 5

Crafts: African Patterns

African clothing is some of the most expressive clothing of any culture. Show your
students pictures of traditional African designs and let them recreate one or produce a new
design on their papers. They can have an outline of a shirt that they can design so they know the
boundaries of their “fabric.”
Theme Activities
Alphabetical Cities
Have students search maps of Africa for cities that start with different letters. See how
many different letters the class can come up with. Talk to your class about the differences
between American geography and African geography. The distribution of cities and rural areas
are vastly different and can become an interesting point of discussion.
Desert Oasis
Engage students in theater with a drama about living in the desert. They should pretend
to be in the desert trying to survive. They can act out how hot it is to live there, what kind of
animals they see, what landforms are around, how they keep their houses clean from all that dust,
and any other aspect of daily life in the desert they can think of.
African Safari
Send your students on an African safari adventure! Take the class around the room and
have them “search” for “animals” on their safari. Ask them what kind of animals they see
running around. When they name an animal, ask them to describe it. Talk about whether it lives
alone or with a group. Mention its size and what it eats.
Snack Time: Fried Plantains

This food is common to Africa and easy to make in the States. Get a few plantains from
the grocery store, peel them, and slice them into thin slices. Fry them in hot oil until they are
soft all the way through. Then, sprinkle them with sugar and serve. You will want to make this
snack ahead of time and just reheat when you arrive at preschool.
Music: Drums of Africa

Bring in different percussion instruments or let students make their own. Have an
impromptu jam session, trying out different rhythms and tempos. Teach your students about the
importance of percussion in African music. Play them clips of traditional African music if you
can.
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Story Time: Africa for Kids: Exploring a Vibrant Continent, 19 Activities by Harvey Croze
This book is a little old for your students, but the information is interesting and accurate
and can be adapted for your students. It talks about Africa’s history, geography, animals and
plants, and other important information.
Reasoning/Thinking Skills: How Do They Live?

Showing photos of homes from around the country always provides topics of discussions
with children. Talk about the similarities and the differences. Ask them if they can come up
with ideas for the differences and offer hints such as climate, resources, and terrain.
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Unit 13
Friendship
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Unit 13-Friendship
Day 1

Crafts: Friendship Bracelet

Let students pick out different colors of yarn. They can have several colors at once, but
this works best with 3-4 colors. Go around and knot everyone’s yarn together. After knotting it,
you should tape it securely to the table so that even when kids pull on it, it will not come loose.
Then, show them 1 or 2 very simple patterns for their bracelets. They can twist the yarn, tie it in
knots, or braid it, depending on their level of maturity. When they are finished, they can go
around and give away their bracelets. You should have a few extra bracelets on hand in case a
student does not get offered a bracelet.
Theme Activities
Circle of Friends
Have all your students form a circle. Everyone should put their hands in the middle and
grab someone else’s hands. When everyone has a grasp, your class should start unwinding itself.
This will take teamwork and trust, but it can be done without breaking the circle.
A Good Friend
Talk with your class about what makes a good friend. Ask them if they are a good friend
and why, or if they have a really good friend. Why is that person such a good friend? What
makes someone a bad friend? How can we avoid becoming a bad friend?
Secret Pals
Have everyone write their names on a piece of paper and stick it in a bowl. Then, let
each student pick someone’s name out of the bowl, making sure it is not their own. That person
becomes their secret pal for the week. Students should do nice little things for their secret pals,
such as stick a flower on their desk during recess or draw them a picture. These things should be
done in secret so that no one knows who their secret pal is until they are revealed at the end of
the week.
Snack Time: Friendship Mix

Ask everyone to sign up the week before to bring in a snack material for today’s snack.
You will also want to send a reminder note home. Students can bring things that would make a
good trail mix, such as granola, chocolate chips, raisons, nuts, dried fruit, M&Ms,
marshmallows, and anything else your class can think of.
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Music: Friend Like Me from Aladdin
Your students will probably all have seen this movie before and will love singing this
catchy song. They might not understand all the words, so you can explain if you need to.
However, they will understand the friendship part, which is really more important than anything
else.
Lyrics:
Mister Aladdin, sir
What will your pleasure be?
Let me take your order
Jot it down
You ain't never had a friend like me
No no no
Life is your restaurant

And I'm your maitre d'
C'mon whisper what it is you want
Yes sir, we pride ourselves on service

You're the boss
The king, the shah
Say what you wish
It's yours! True dish
How about a little more Baklava?
Have some of column "A"

Try all of column "B"
I'm in the mood to help you dude
Can your friends do this?

Do your friends do that?
Do your friends pull this out their little hat?
Can your friends go, poof?
Well, looky here
Can your friends go, Abracadabra, let 'er rip
And then make the sucker disappear?
So doncha sit there slack jawed, buggy eyed

I'm here to answer all your midday prayers
You got me bona fide, certified
You got a genie for your chare d'affaires
I got a powerful urge to help you out
So what-cha wish? I really wanna know
You got a list that's three miles long, no doubt
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Well, all you gotta do is rub like so - and oh
Mister Aladdin, sir, have a wish or two or three

I'm on the job, you big nabob
You ain't never had a friend, never had a friend
You ain't never had a friend, never had a friend
You ain't never had a friend like me, hah!
Story Time: Friends to the End for Kids: The True Value of Friendship by Bradley Trevor
Greive
This book combines good friendship lessons with funny animal pictures to drive home
the message that friendship is about loving, caring, and having fun!
Reasoning/Thinking Skills: Friendship Words

Have students yell out words that they think of when they think friendship. Examples
can include fun, trust, laughing, and secrets. When everyone has had a chance to respond, create
a poem using your friendship words. Students can draw a picture of their best friend.
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Day 2

Crafts: Handprint Wreath

Have all your students trace their hands onto construction paper and cut them out. Have
them bring their hands forward one by one and add them to a paper wreath that you have already
cut out. The handprints should be glued together, overlapping, to represent how friends always
lend a helping hand.
Theme Activities
Random Acts of Kindness

Now that your students have made their handprint wreaths, talk to them about random
acts of kindness and how they are a great way to show someone that they are special, even if you
do not know the person. Ask them to think of some acts of kindness they could do. Then, have
students write their ideas on their handprints. Now, they will have a great list of nice things to
do for other people.
Friendship Squeeze
Have all the students sit in a circle and hold hands. Start by squeezing the hand of
someone sitting next to you. They should send the squeeze around the circle until it gets back to
you. When it makes it all the way around, stick one foot forward into the circle. Then, you can
try it back the other way to see how fast you can get the friendship squeeze to travel.
Draw the Feeling of Friendship

Give students paper and coloring supplies and tell them to draw what they think
friendship looks like. They should describe and explain their pictures when they are finished.
Snack Time: Friendship Crackers

Set out an equal portion of cheesy crackers for each student. Then, ask them to come
forward, get a snack, and give it to someone else to eat. When they receive a snack, they can eat
it, but the one they pick up must be given away. ** Be sure to monitor that they don’t actually
touch the food that they are sharing with someone else but to use the plates/napkins or whatever
is available to use for serving.
Music: Laugh with Me by Shawn Brown

This song teaches students to choose peace instead of fighting and to appreciate their
friends.
Lyrics: Laugh with me
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Laugh with me
Laugh with me
Ha Ha
No pushing,
No shoving,
No hitting,
No spitting,
No fighting,
No biting,
No shouting,
No pouting
We don’t push,
We don’t shove,
We don’t hit,
We don’t spit,
We don’t fight,
We don’t bite,
We don’t shout,
We don’t pout.
We just want to have some fun

We don’t want to hurt no one,
I thought we were all friends
Get over here and give me a hug.
Story Time: Owen & Mzee: The Language of Friendship by Isabella Hatkoff, Dr. Paula
Kahumbu, and Craig Hatkoff
This is a cute story of an unlikely friendship between a hippo and a tortoise. It has been
so popular that it made it all the way to the New York Times bestseller list.
Reasoning/Thinking Skills: Going on a Plane Ride

Arrange the chairs in the room to resemble the inside of a train or airplane. Pretend
everyone is going on a long trip and everyone will have assigned seats. Brainstorm how to get
along with each other in confined spaces for a long time and how they can help make the trip a
pleasant one. Friendship skills are stressed here.
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Day 3

Students can bring in a picture of their best friend or a gift they have received from a
friend to share and explain. Since the topic is friendship, hopefully the items will be diverse, just
like their friendships.
Crafts: Friendship Stamps

Bring in stamps that have friendship patterns on them and ink pads. Let students create
greeting cards, a collage, or whatever else they want with the stamps.
Theme Activities
Diverse Friendships
Talk to students about friendships between people of different cultures, religions,
backgrounds, or beliefs. Ask their opinions and talk about some of the difficulties between
friends with many differences.
Friendship Recipe
Pretend that you are in a kitchen with your class and you are creating a recipe to make
friendship. Ask students what the main ingredient in a friendship is, then the second-most
important ingredient, etc. Once they come up with all the ingredients, make up a way to
combine the ingredients and finish the recipe.
Class Photo
Take a class photo and have students create a frame from construction paper. If you use a
digital camera, you can print out the photo right there with a computer and color printer. You
can have students label the picture if you want so they remember everyone’s names years from
now.
Snack Time: Banana Smiles

Friendships are filled with smiles, so feed your students banana smiles made from bread,
sliced bananas, and peanut butter.
Music: A Smile and a Kind Word by Karen Rupprecht

Keep up the smile theme with this heartwarming song.
Lyrics:
When I'm feeling sad and someone asks
How can I help you?
I say what my daddy always said
Just a smile and a kind word will do
Just a smile and a kind word will do
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Chorus:
Just give a smile any kind of little smile will do
A few kind words like my daddy taught me to
Just give a smile any kind of little smile will do
A few kind words like I'm lucky to have a friend like you
So if a friend is feeling down there's something you can do

Just try a smile and a few kind words
It's sure to help them too
Chorus
Story Time: A Friendship for Today by Patricia C. McKissack

This is an older story, but it deals with diverse friendships and will enhance your earlier
conversation on diversity in friendships.
Reasoning/thinking Skills: Opposites Attract

Give students a worksheet with different terms to do with good friendship and those that
have to do with being a bad friend. Students need to circle the terms about good friendship in
each pair.
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Day 4

Crafts: Friendship Necklace

Students should get a piece of yarn or string. They should pick plastic beads to string on
the yarn to make a necklace, key chain, or other trinket they choose. They should take these
items home and give them to someone who means a lot to them as a friend.
Theme Activities
Memory Friends
Pass out note cards to students with a simple picture or word on it. There should be two
of every card. Students must find their match by asking three questions of each other before they
can describe their flash cards. They can ask things like, “What is your favorite color? Who is
your best friend?” The first group of students to match up win a small prize.
My Friend May I?
Just like Mother May I?, this game involves asking a friend for permission to take steps
closer to the friend. The friend can answer yes or no. Students should use words like tiny, big,
gigantic, baby, and other descriptors when asking their questions.
Friendship Tower
Give students building blocks and have them work together to create a tower or castle.
They must make sure that their construction does not interfere with anyone else’s, and they must
work together to make sure the structure does not fall over.
Snack Time: Chocolate Bites

Chocolate is a common gift on Valentine’s Day, a day that celebrates not only love but
friendship as well. Give students bite-size chocolate pieces that they can eat as a sign of
friendship.
Music: The More We Get Together

Include your students in this song by adding their names to the lyrics! They will be
surprised to hear their names and will pay much more attention that they might otherwise.
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Lyrics:
The more we get together, together, together
The more we get together the happier we'll be.
'Cuz your friends are my friends and my friends are your friends
With child's name, and child's name, and child's name, and child's name
With child's name, and child's name, and child's name, and child's name
Story Time: Amelia Bedelia by Peggy Parish

After reading this story to students, you can talk about whether Amelia Bedelia would
make a good friend or not and why.
Reasoning/Thinking Skills: Who is a Good Friend?

Show students a picture of everyday life, with one person acting like a good friend and
someone else acting like a bad friend. Have students describe why the good friend would be
helpful to have in your life and why the bad friend is a problem.
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Day 5

Crafts: Draw Your Friends

Let students draw their friends with paper and coloring utensils. They can draw all their
friends or just a few, but they should draw realistic hair, clothes, and faces if possible. They can
trade pictures if they like and take home a picture of themselves drawn by a friend.
Theme Activities
Trust Fall
Have students get in groups of three or four. One person should cross their arms over
their chest and let themselves fall back. They must trust the other students to keep them from
falling. The other students must make sure not to let the falling person actually fall. Everyone
must work together to keep people from getting hurt.
Balancing Act
Being a friend means balancing a lot of things, so teach students to balance by having
them place a ball of some sort on top of a spoon. They must walk from one part of the room to
another part without letting the ball hit the floor.
Bouquet of Friendship
Have students draw different kinds of flowers on a large notepad. They can color the
flowers and fill out the picture however they like. Above each flower, you should write a
characteristic of a good friend, from a list that your class generates.
Snack Time: The Taste of Friendship

Gummy worms are the perfect snack to complement the bouquet of flowers your class
just created. Worms and soil go together almost inseparably, and these gummy worms are just
so tasty and fun!
Music: Working Together by Karen Rupprecht and Pam Minor

This song encourages students to work together when they find something too difficult to
do on their own.
Lyrics:
Some things are hard for one to do
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It's more fun when there are two

It's more fun when there are two
If three four five can lend a hand

If three four five can lend a hand
Then we'll have a happy band

Then we'll have a happy band
Chorus:
Working together it's a snap
No arguments or things like that
Working together you will see
It's much more fun in harmony

Please jump in and help me too

Please jump in and help me too
If six or eight or ten jump in

If six or eight or ten jump in
All together we will win

All together we will win
Chorus
Story Time: Clifford the Big Red Dog by Norman Bridwell

They say a dog is man’s best friend, and Clifford is sure to be your students’ friend.
Read the story and talk about how a pet can be like a friend in a lot of ways.
Reasoning/Thinking Skills: Hypothetical Questions

Ask students some hard questions about being a friend. What would they do if they saw
a friend do something bad? Is it ok for a friend to tell a secret about someone else to another
friend? What happens if a friend says something bad about other people?
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Unit 14
Family
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Hard boiled eggs

Egg carton
Coloring supplies
Yarn
Glue
Animal crackers
Muffins
Pictures of different types of flowers
Construction paper
Pictures of adult professions
Magazines to cut apart
Popcorn
Cheese and fruit
Tongue depressors
Milk cartons
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Unit 14-Family
Day 1

Crafts: Egg-cellent Portraits

Bring in hard boiled eggs for your students. They should get at least two eggs each,
depending on the size of your class. They get to draw faces on their eggs to resemble their
parents or brothers and sisters. They can glue yarn to the top to represent hair. Have an egg
carton available for students to store their eggs during the day.
Theme Activities
Family Traditions
Talk to students about what traditions are and discuss what traditions they have in their
families. Ask why most traditions seem to revolve around holidays. Have them describe their
traditions and then add in your traditions. If your students are from different ethnic backgrounds,
ask them what customs they adhere to that might be different from the traditions of Anglo-
American students.
Families in Different Cultures

Ask students to describe a typical family in America. Then, talk about families in
different countries. Describe the power system in different cultures, the requirements on the
children, and the number of children. Family makeup varies vastly by culture, so your students
will be surprised to find out about some places where the father is never present. He simply is
there until the child is born and then he goes back to live with his mother’s family. Make it clear
that there is no right way to raise a family.
Why Is Family Important?

Describe a situation where someone is in trouble and is afraid to go to their family.
When they do tell their family about the problem, the family is understanding and willing to help
out. Ask students if they have ever been in a situation where they were afraid to tell their family
something, and if so, how it ended up. Chances are, your students will remember a time when
their families loved and forgave them for whatever they did, even if they got punished for it.
This is a great way to show students that families are about love and strength.
Snack Time: Animal Cracker Pets
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Give students packages of animal crackers and ask them to look through their crackers
for the animal that would make the best pet in their homes. Why is that animal a good pet for
their family? What animal would be the worse pet and why?
Music: A Family is a Family by Skip West

This song promotes the idea that there is no ideal family. Everyone’s family is different,
and that is just fine.
Lyrics:
Some, have a daughter.
Some, have a son.
Some, have many cousins.
Some, have none.
Some are very big and

Some are very small.
But it really doesn't matter at all.
Because a family is a family

When there's love in the air.
Maybe a dozen
Or maybe a pair.
A family is a family
Whether twelve or two.
We could be a family.
Just me and you.
Some, have a father.

Some, have a mom.
Some, have aunts and uncles.
Some, have none.

Chorus
Some, have a sister.

Some, have a brother.
Some, have Grandfather.
Some, have Grandmother.

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Chorus
Some, have a puppy.

Some, have a cat.
Some, have a llama.
Now what, do you think about that?

Chorus
Story Time: Arthur’s Family Vacation by Marc Brown

Your students will love Arthur’s fun and problems during his vacation with his family.
You can talk to students about when they have a problem getting along with their family
members.
Reasoning/Thinking Skills: Everybody’s Important

Write different family titles on the board, such as, mother, father, grandmother,
grandfather, sister, and brother. Then, talk about why each member of a family is important to
its success and survival. You can talk about how grandparents help parents raise children and
how parents learn from grandparents. You can talk about how sisters and brothers are fun people
to play with and good companions.
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Day 2

Crafts: Family Tree

Have students cut out a trunk from brown construction paper. Then, have them cut a
scalloped circle from green construction paper. They should glue the pieces together and draw
lines in the green to represent their family tree. At the top, they should write the names of their
grandparents. Underneath, the names of their parents, aunts, and uncles. Finally, the names of
their siblings, cousins, and their own name.
Theme Activities
Family Vacations
Ask students if they get to go on vacations with their families. What was the best
vacation they have ever taken? Where did they go? Why was it so special? Where do they want
to go on vacation?
Family Activities
Make a list with students about fun family activities that they already have done or would
like to do. It can be something as simple as take a walk in the woods or as involved as
redecorate a child’s room together.
People and Occupations

Show students pictures of different adults doing jobs. Ask students to name the
profession they see. When you have gone through all the pictures, ask students if there was a
picture of the job their parents have. If not, ask students what jobs their parents have.
Snack Time: Teacher’s Favorite Snack

Bring in your favorite snack from when you were a child and ask students what their
favorite snacks are. Ask if their family has a special meal that they make for holidays or
celebrations.
Music: Brothers and Sisters by Rosenshontz

This is a cute song about the friendly rivalries between brothers and sisters.
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Lyrics:
Brothers and sisters are perfectly nice.
We share everything, family paradise
We never fight. I tell you it's true.
I like absolutely everything we do.
But there are some times

If you want to know the truth
I'll tell you the truth.
My little sister's a twerp!

She drinks all my soda with a slurp and a burp.
She runs when she hears the phone.
When I say, "It's for me!" She says, "No one home." Click
My little sister's a, my little sister's a, my little sister's a
TWERP!
Na na na na na na
Na na na na na na
Na na na na na na
Na na na na na na
My big brother is wierd!

He looks in the mirror, thinks he's growin' a beard
He talks to this girl, a lot.
When I say, "You're in love," he says, "I am not!"
"Am too!" "Am not!" "Too!"
My big brother is, my big brother is, my big brother is
WIERD!
Na na na na na na
Na na na na na na
Na na na na na na
Na na na na na na
But there are some times

I'll tell you the truth.
My big sister's a moose!

She's strong as Godzilla when he's on the loose.
She gives me a hug and a squeeze.
When I shout, "Let me go!" She says, "Say pretty please
with sugar on it."
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My big sister's a, my big sister's a, my big sister's a
MOOSE!
Na na na na na na
Na na na na na na
Na na na na na na
Na na na na na na
My little brother is gross!

He's got funny dribbles running down his nose.
He tells me to smell his toe.
When I ask him, "What for?" He says, "I don't know." (Sniffle)
My little brother is, my little brother is, my little brother is
GROSS!
Story Time: Clifford’s Family by Norman Bridwell

Students will love learning about Clifford’s families and where they work and live.
Reasoning/Thinking Skills: Family Coloring Book

Give students several pages of construction paper or regular white paper and staple it
together for them. Tell them to label each page with the name of someone in their family and
draw a picture representing that person.
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Day 3

Have students bring in something that represents their families. They can discuss why it
means a lot to them and why it is representative of their families and relationships.
Crafts: Milk Carton House

Each student gets a milk carton cut in half. They can cover it with construction paper.
Have children add windows, doors, trees, etc. that they draw on to resemble their house. They
also get to add their family members, including pets, by drawing them on tongue depressors and
placing them into the house. Students can put their houses together to form a village when they
are finished.
Theme Activities
My ____ and I
Have students make a booklet and draw the person they will share the book with on the
front. It can be whatever family member they want. Inside, they should write things like, “My
____’s name is___,” “My ____ and I love to _____.” They should draw a picture describing
what they love to do together, etc, until they have all the blanks filled in.
Magazine Professions
Give students magazines to look through and have them create a page of the types of
professions their family members are involved in and what they want to do when they grow up.
Family Newspaper Article

Have your class work with you to create a newspaper article about family. It should start
out by talking about what a family is, why it is important, and who makes up part of a family.
Then, it can go into things like what a family can do together, how families should treat each
other, and what to do if a family member is not getting along with everyone else. When you
have created the whole article, read it to the class so they can hear their hard work.
Snack Time: Popcorn

Popcorn will always make students feel like they are ready to watch a movie, but it can
be very healthy and a fun snack for everyday.
Music: Hush Little Baby

This song shows that mothers and fathers take care of their children, which is a value
your students should learn as soon as possible.
Lyrics:
Hush little baby, don't say a word,
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Papa's gonna buy you a mockingbird.
And if that mockingbird won't sing,
Papa's gonna buy you a diamond ring.
And if that diamond ring turns brass,
Mama's gonna buy you a looking glass.
And if that looking glass gets broke,
Papa's gonna buy you a billy goat.
And if that billy goat won't pull,
Mama's gonna buy you a cart and bull.
And if that cart and bull fall down,
You'll still be the sweetest little baby in town.
Story Time: The Berenstain Bears Are a Family by Jan Berenstain and Stan Berenstain
This beloved series is a great way to talk to your students about working together as a
family and having fun!
Reasoning/Thinking Skills: Tough Family Questions

Ask students tough questions about what they would do in a certain situation. What
should they do if they find out a family member has an unhealthy habit? Who do they talk to if
they feel scared when they are at home? What happens to kids whose parents can’t take care of
them properly?
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Day 4

Crafts: Create a Family Shield

Tell your students what a family shield or crest is, and ask if they have ever seen one.
Have students cut out a shield shape from construction paper and draw things in the quadrants
that represent your students and their families. In the middle should be the first letter of their last
initial. Students can take what they know about their family history or just their current interests,
but the shield should be unique to each student.
Theme Activities
Family Tree Word Hunt

Write the words “Family Tree” on the board and ask students to use the letters to create
different words. Help students out if they have problems thinking of words. Come up with as
many words as you can.
Family Member Numbers

Ask students to go around and say the number of people in their families. They can then
break it down into parents, siblings, and other relatives. Write the numbers for each student on
the board and ask students which classmate has the most members in their family, which has the
most brothers, the most sisters, the most brothers and sisters, the most extended family members,
etc. This will work your students’ comparative and number skills.
Family Fun Skit

Assign parts where students are mothers, fathers, and babies. Tell them to act out a trip
to a restaurant or a trip to the park. The mothers and fathers should act strict but loving and the
babies should act playful and rambunctious.
Snack Time: Cheese and Fruit

Cut off hunks of cheese and provide students with different types of cheeses and fruits.
They can also have some crackers if they wish to make it a balanced snack. While this is not
necessarily related to family, it is something they might eat on a family vacation to a country like
France.
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Music: We Are a Family by Jack Hartmann
This song talks about the best parts of being a family and working together.
Lyrics:
We’re big – We're big
We're small – We're small
We’re young – We're young
And we're old – We're old
We’re all different people living together with love.
We laugh – We laugh
We play – We play
We learn – We learn
everyday – everyday
Together with love.
And we – we
are –are
a–a
family – family
living – living
Together – together
Chorus:
We are a family – family
Wherever We may go
I can feel our love – grow
I can feel love grow
We hug – We hug
We care – We care
We help – We help
and we share – We share
Together with love
We sing – We sing
We hope – We hope
We dream – We dream
and we grow – We grow
Together with love.
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And we – We
are – are
A–a
family – family
Living – living
working – working
Chorus:
Wherever we may go
I can feel our love – grow
I can feel love grow
Story Time: Families are Different by Nina Pellegrini

This book embraces differences about families and explains how we can use our
differences to become better people.
Reasoning/Thinking Skills: Relative Definitions

Give students a worksheet with the names of different relatives on the left and definitions
of how they are related to the student on the right. Students must match up the names with the
definitions.
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Day 5

Crafts: Family Flowers

Ask students to pick a type of flower that they think best describes a member of their
family. They should then draw a bouquet with each type of flower. You will want to have
pictures of different flowers available for students to look at, in case they only know one or two
types of flowers.
Theme Activities
Rock Families
Send students outside to find different-sized rocks. They should bring in several, which
will become their rock families. Let students draw on faces and personalities. Then, allow them
to play with their rock families and create stories about the families.
Divorce Discussion
Ask students about their experiences with divorce. For many of your students, they will
have already gone through this event and will have insight into its effect on families. Ask
students what they think about divorce and what they would do if it happened to them. Tell them
that many families are happy even without two parents and are still very successful at raising
children.
Play House
Let your students do what many of them will have done a hundred times already—play
house. They can pretend to cook, clean house, or do whatever they want to play house.
Snack Time: Muffins

Pretend like it is a morning at home when you serve your students healthy but tasty
muffins. You can purchase them or make them at home the night before, whichever is easier for
you.
Music: I Love Mommy (or Daddy, or Sister, or Brother, etc)

This song is about loving your family and is sung to the tune of Frere Jacques.
Lyrics:
I love Mommy, I love Mommy.
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Yes I do; yes I do.
And my mommy loves me,
Yes, my mommy loves me,
Loves me too; loves me too.
Story Time: Celebrating Families by Rosmarie Hausherr

This book celebrates families of all types: single-parent, bi-racial, non-traditional, and
any other type you can think of, to teach your children that it is ok to have a family that someone
else might see as “different.”
Reasoning/Thinking Skills: Word Part Puzzle

Give students a worksheet with different word parts on it. Ask students to match up
which word parts go together. They should be family-related words.
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Unit 15
Dr. Seuss
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Construction paper
Glue
Children’s nail polish
Jerky
Laffy Taffy or Airheads
Clear corn syrup
Painting supplies
Plastic fish toys
Blue food coloring
Green food coloring
Paper plates
Two hoops or yarn
Blue gelatin
Gummy fish
Paper cups
Egg cartons
Pipe cleaners
Tape
Eggs
Ham
Hat
Bags of nuts or crackers or chips
Tree sapling
French toast sticks
Syrup
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Unit 15-Dr. Seuss
Day 1

Crafts: Foot Convention

Have students trace their feet and cut them out of construction paper. Then, they should
pretend to draw the feet of their family members, including pets. They can use their own foot as
a model and make it bigger or smaller, depending on their family members. They should write
everyone’s names on the foot and arrange them on a sheet of construction paper.
Theme Activities
Foot Race
Tell all the students to put their shoes in a pile and have a race to see who can get to their
shoes, put them on correctly, and return to the starting point the fastest. Hopefully, your students
will be learning to tie their shoes around this time and will get to practice their new-found
knowledge.
Watch Your Step

Play a game of follow the leader, where you step in very specific places. Your students
should have to mimic your moves and step in that exact same place, so make sure they know
what you stepped on. For example, you could have a dot on the floor that you step on or a crack
in the sidewalk.
Toe Painting
Bring in children’s nail polish to paint each other’s toes with. This children’s polish is
peelable, so it can come off before going home if students want that. Draw faces on each others
toes or other pictures, like flowers. Even the boys will like it if you draw something masculine
on their toes—and as long as the polish is not pink!
Snack Time: Leather and Rubber

Since your students are talking about shoes and feet today, serve them a shoe’s main
components—leather and rubber! The leather can be jerky and the rubber, Laffy Taffy or
Airheads.
Music: The Diffendoofer Song by Jack Prelutsky

Though this song does not keep the foot theme, it is a fun Dr. Seuss song that your
students will love for its rhyming.
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Lyrics:
We love you, Diffendoofer School,
We definitely do.
There surely is no other school
That's anything like you.
You're gribbulous, you're grobbulous,
Each day we love you more.
You are the school we treasure
And unceasingly adore.
Oh, finest school in Dinkerville—

The only one as well—
We love you, Diffendoofer School,
Much more than we can tell.
You are so diffendooferous
It gives us joy to say,
Three cheers for Diffendoofer School-
HOORAY! HOORAY! HOORAY!
Story Time: The Foot Book by Dr. Seuss

This book showcases opposites and will help your students see a difference in opposite
terms.
Reasoning/Thinking Skills: Foot and Shoe Rhymes

The Reasoning and Thinking Skills for the week will all involve having the students
create rhymes of their own. You can talk to them about creating rhymes that have a consistent
meter, or number of syllables and stress of syllables. Ask them if they can identify why the
rhymes are fun to say and come up with; chances are, the meter is the reason they like the
rhymes. For today’s rhyme, have students come up with one line each that rhymes with “shoe.”
You should come up with the first line of a story or poem that ends with “shoe” and your
students’ lines will finish the story. It is even better if the lines do not make sense, so do not
have students work together when creating their lines.
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Day 2

Crafts: Fish Bowl Art

Give students clear corn syrup that you have put blue food coloring into. They paint the
food coloring onto a piece of construction paper they have cut out to look like a fish bowl. Then,
they can drop in paper fish cut-outs or tiny plastic fish toys. Warning: this project is messy!
Theme Activities
Number and Color Fish

Have students name all the different colors they can think of. Then, have them shout out
numbers, regardless of how big or small they are. Then, create your own book like One Fish,
Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish by putting in your own colors and numbers.
Venn Diagram with Fish

Have students cut out a variety of red fish, blue fish, and some that are ½ red, ½ blue.
This may mean that they have to tape parts of the fish together to make it multi-colored. Then,
put two hoops or circles made from yarn on the floor. They should be overlapping so that there
is a small space that belongs to both circles. Ask students to sort out where the red fish go (in
one hoop), where the blue fish go (in the other hoop), and where the multi-colored fish go (in the
space overlapping the two circles).
Find the Opposite

Write a word on the board and ask students for its opposite. Opposites are a common
theme in Dr. Seuss books and should be covered several times during this week.
Snack Time: Aquarium Water

Make a batch of blue gelatin and pour it into individual cups for the students. Let them
drop in gummy fish and then let the gelatin set up in the refrigerator. Serve it for a fun, theme-
appropriate snack!
Music: Five Little Fishies

This song maintains the fish theme for the day and lets children play with their hands as
they sing the fun song.
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Lyrics:
Five little fishies, swimming in a pool
(Wiggle five fingers)
The first one said, "The pool is cool."
(Show one finger, then wrap arms around body)
The second one said, "The pool is deep."
(Show two fingers, then hands measure 'deep')
The third one said, "I want to sleep."
(Show three fingers, then rest head on hands)
The fourth one said, "Let's take a dip."
(Show four fingers, then hands 'dive' into water)
The fifth one said, "I spy a ship."
(Show five fingers, then form scope with hands to peer through)
Fisher boat comes,
(Form 'V' with fingers, then move hands away from body)
Line goes kersplash
(Pretend to throw fishing line)
Away the five little fishies dash
(Wiggle five fingers away)
Story Time: One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish by Dr. Seuss
Reasoning/Thinking Skills: Swim Rhymes

Show your students it is ok to get creative when writing a poem by giving them the word
“swim” which they must rhyme. There are very few words that rhyme with “swim,” so students
should be encouraged to create their own words and make them fit into their line of story or
poetry. Again, put everyone’s lines together and see what kind of creation your class develops.
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Day 3

Let students bring in any Dr. Seuss items they might have, such as their favorite book or
a real Dr. Seuss hat. They can talk about where they got their item and why they like it so much.
Crafts: Draw a Breakfast Scene

Have your students draw the most wonderful breakfast they have ever dreamt of. It can
be of whatever food they want. They can also tear pages out of magazines and create their
picture that way if they want. Then, all the students should describe their pictures and why they
like that food so much.
Theme Activities
Egg Carton Critters

Give students each one cup from an egg carton. They can tape pipe cleaners to the inside
to make it look like a spider and decorate the front with eyes, a nose, and a mouth. Students can
walk their critters around for the rest of the day.
List Green Foods

Make a list with students of all the green foods they can think of. Find out which of those
foods students like to eat and which ones no one likes. Ask students which foods are naturally
green and which ones are made green, such as candies.
What Lays Eggs?

Ask students about different types of animals and whether or not they lay eggs. This will
be a good learning experience for students, but to make sure that it takes enough time, ask
students specific animals, such as bluebird, eagle, or frog.
Snack Time: Green Eggs and Ham

Show students that you are only using food coloring when serving their food. You can
give them hard boiled eggs and slices of ham from the deli with food coloring to make things
easier on yourself.
Music: Green Eggs and Ham by Dr. Seuss

These are some of the lyrics to the wonderful song by Dr. Seuss. Have students sing
them with you and act out trying a food and not liking it at all.
Lyrics:
I do not like them,
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Sam-I-am.
I do not like
green eggs and ham.
Would you like them

Here or there?
I would not like them

here or there.
I would not like them
anywhere.
I do not like
green eggs and ham.
I do not like them,
Sam-I-am
Would you like them

in a house?
Would you like them
with a mouse?
I do not like them

in a house.
I do not like them
with a mouse.
I do not like them
here or there.
I do not like them
anywhere.
I do not like green eggs and ham.
I do not like them, Sam-I-am.
Would you eat them

in a box?
Would you eat them
with a fox?
Not in a box.
Not with a fox.
Not in a house.
Not with a mouse.
I would not eat them here or there.
I would not eat them anywhere.
I would not eat green eggs and ham.
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Would you? Could you?
in a car?
Eat them! Eat them!
Here they are.
I woould not ,
could not,
in a car
You may like them.

You will see.
You may like them
in a tree?
d not in a tree.
I would not, could not in a tree.
Not in a car! You let me be.
I do not like them in a box.

I do not like them with a fox
I do not like them in a house
I do mot like them with a mouse
I do not like them here or there.
I do not like them anywhere.
I do not like green eggs and ham.
A train! A train!
A train! A train!
Could you, would you
on a train?
Not on a train! Not in a tree!

Not in a car! Sam! Let me be!
I would not, could not, in a box.
I could not, would not, with a fox.
I will not eat them with a mouse
I will not eat them in a house.
I will not eat them here or there.
I will not eat them anywhere.
Story Time: Green Eggs and Ham by Dr. Seuss
Reasoning/Thinking Skills: Green Rhyme
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Work with your students again on rhyming by giving them the first line of a poem that
starts with “green.” Change up the rhythm so that they have to think in different ways, but still
give them complete freedom to make up a line that works within the context set by the class.
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Day 4

Crafts: Make a Dr. Seuss Hat

Give students a paper plate and have them cut out the center. Then, they should take red
and white strips of construction paper and tape them together. The strips should be taped to the
paper plate, which will become the brim of the hat.
Theme Activities
Balancing Act
Have students balance things on their heads, just like the cat in The Cat and the Hat. You
can have them balance books, plastic cups, bowls, or whatever else you can find in the room that
will not get broken.
Balancing Relay
Have students line up in two lines. Give everyone a paper plate. On the paper plate of
the first person in line, stick a paper cup, upright. Students must balance the cup on the plate for
a certain distance, turn around, and put their plate, with the cup, on top of the next person’s plate.
If the cup falls over at any point, students must come back to the start line and try again.
Musical Hats
Have students sit in a circle. Give one student a hat and have them stick it on their head.
Instead of running around like in musical chairs, students will put the hat on, take it off, and pass
it to the next person. The person who has the hat when the music goes off has to control the
music for the next round of play.
Snack Time: Mystery Snack

Stick snack bags in a big hat and have students choose their snack for the day. You can
put in bags of nuts or crackers or chips. Students can trade one time if they like to get a snack
they like better, but only once.
Music: The Super Supper March by John Hamblin

This is a funny Dr. Seuss song that your students will love. It has imaginative scenes and
outrageous ideas.
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Lyrics:
Hungry, hungry I am hungry
Table, table here I come
I could eat a goose-moose burger
Fifteen pickles and a purple plum
I could eat three bowls of goulash

Half a pound of wuzzled wheat
I could eat a peck of poobers
Then I'd really get to work and eat
Oysters, noodles, strawberry stroodles

French fries, fish hash, one red beet
Lamb chops, wham chops
Huckleberry mish mash
Oh, the things that I could eat
Doughnuts, dump-a-lings
Blueberry bump-a-lings
Chocolate mush-mash, super sweet
Clam stew, ham stew,
Water melon wush wush
Oh, the stuff that I could eat
Deep dish rhubarb, upside-down cake

I could eat a frittered flum
Hungry, hungry, I am starving
Table, table, here I come
Story Time: The Cat and the Hat by Dr. Seuss
Reasoning/Thinking Skills: Cat Rhymes

Students will have such an easy time coming up with rhymes to “cat” that you should
make it into a story. Write the first line on the board and call on students one by one to add their
lines to the story. Since you are writing the story together, orally, students should have no
problem making their line match the line before theirs in content.
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Day 5

.
Crafts: Poster Art

Have all the students come together to create a poster that discourages the cutting down
of trees and the waste of our natural resources. They can draw pictures of healthy nature scenes
and destroyed nature scenes, and you can write the commentary.
Theme Activities
Plant a Tree
Take your students outside and plant a baby tree in honor of the book for today, The
Lorax. Make sure to get any necessary permission before planting. Free trees are given away by
most nature societies, so contact your local chapter and request their help.
Discuss Why the Environment is Important

Let your students see for themselves what happens when there is no one to take care of
the earth by showing them some pictures of the destruction of natural resources on our planet.
Ask them what they think about conservation and what we can all do to help make the planet
healthier.
Photosynthesis Discussion
Ask your students if they know how trees give off oxygen? What are the differences in
the way that humans breathe and the way that trees breathe? Talk to your students about the
process of photosynthesis and how it helps plants to grow big and strong, just like oxygen does
for students.
Snack Time: French Toast Sticks

Tell your students how syrup comes from trees before serving them French toast sticks
that you can buy in the grocery store. Perhaps this sweet incentive will make them care more
about the environment!
Music: Little Trees by Michael Mitchell

This song focuses on the importance of letting little trees have a chance to grow and
make the world a healthier place.
Lyrics:
I'd like to take a walk in the woods
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Come with me, do you think you could
We'll find a tree that we can climb
We'll have fun all afternoon
Chorus:
Little trees need a chance to grow
It takes time and care
They're a lot like us you know
So many kinds of different trees

They look like one big family
Big ones, short ones, baby ones too
I'll name this one after you
It'll be a long time before he

Is tall and strong like a grown up tree
For now he's just a kid like us
Playing out in the woods
Story Time: The Lorax by Dr. Seuss
Reasoning/Thinking Skills: Tree Rhymes

Make a poem in the shape of a tree for today’s rhyming exercise. Start the poem off with
a line that ends in “tree” and that makes up one side of the tree’s trunk. Draw a slash mark to
distinguish each line of poetry and make your poem in the shape of a tall, healthy tree.
204

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Table of Contents

Unit 1 PETS ………………………………………………………………………………….. 2

Unit 5 EARTH SCIENCE….………………………………………………………………. 56

Unit 7 PHYSICAL SCIENCE……………………………………………………………… 83

Unit 9 TEDDY BEARS…………………………………………………………………….. 110

Unit 10 FOOD & NUTRITION………………………………………………………….. . 123

Unit 11 SELF-ESTEEM/SELF CONCEPT…………………………………….…….…...135

Unit 14 FAMILY ……………………………………………………………………………176

Unit 15 DR. SEUSS……….………………………………………………………………... 191

Circle Time: Weekend in Review

Crafts: Felt Puppies

Stuffed Animal Parade

Snack Time: Puppy Chow

Music: How Much is that Doggie in the Window?

Story Time: The Poky Little Puppy by Janette Sebring Lowrey

Circle Time: Good Day, Bad Day

Crafts: Pet Collages

Caring for Pets

Write a Story about What You See

Types of Cats, Dogs, Fish, and Birds

Snack Time: Tail Mix

Music: Hey Diddle Diddle

Story Time: Little Cats by Zoobooks

Reasoning/Thinking Skills: Which Ones are House Pets?

Circle Time: Show and Tell

Crafts: Pet Mask

Label the Pets

Snack Time: Bunny Food

Music: Knick Knack Paddy Whack

This old man , he played two, (2)

This old man , he played three, (3)

This old man , he played four, (4)

This old man , he played five, (5)

This old man , he played six, (6)

This old man , he played seven, (7)

This old man , he played eight, (8)

This old man , he played nine, (9)

This old man , he played ten, (10)

This old man , he played eleven, (11)

This old man , he played twelve, (12)

Circle Time: Student Spotlight

Crafts: Finger Print Fish

Here Fishy Fishy

What Color Fish Does ___ See?

Snack Time: Fish crackers

Music: I’m a Fish and Fish Are Swimming

Fish Are Swimming

Story Time: The Rainbow Fish by Marcus Pfister

Reasoning/Thinking Skills: Compare and Contrast

Circle Time: Telephone

Craft: Cat Party Hat

Paw Print Path

Snack Time: Venus Fly Trap

Music: Siamese Cat Song by Peggy Lee and Sonny Burke

We are Siamese with very dainty claws

Reasoning/Thinking Skills: Animal Addition

Crafts: Bear Masks

Guess the Animal

Snack Time: Ants on a Log

Music: Five Little Froggies

Four little froggies sitting on a well

continue with two and three froggies then.....

One little froggy sitting on a well