Click on the titles for story extenders for each book.
Look Closer by Peter Ziebel
A Pair of Socks by Stuart J. Murphy
One Gray Mouse by Katherine Burton
Mouse Mess by Linnea Riley
Frank and Zelda by Maryann Kovalski
The Biggest Pumpkin Ever by Steven Kroll
When I'm Sleepy by Jane R. Howard
Time to Sleep by Denise Fleming
The Doorbell Rang by Pat Hutchins
Gingerbread Baby by Jan Brett
Santa's Noisy Night by Julie Sykes
Something From Nothing by Phoebe Gilman
Dinosaur Roar by by Paul & Henrietta Stickland
Sadie and the Snowman by Allen Morgan
No Matter What by Debi Gliori
Crunch the Crocodile by Josephine Croser
The Selfish Crocodile by Faustin Charles
Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day by Judith Viorst
The Grumpy Easter Bunny by Justine Korman
Puddles by Jonathan London
Big Sarah's Little Boots by Paulette Bourgeois
The Dark at the Top of the Stairs by Sam McBratney
Are You My Mother? by P.D. Eastman
I Don't Want to Take a Bath by Julie Sykes
Harry the Dirty Dog by Gene Zion
Katie's Hand Me Down Day by Laurie Wark
The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle
Crafts
Glasses
Cut out an eye glass shape and cut out the center where the lens would be. Fill the space area with clear or coloured
cellophane paper.
Look Closer Books
Have children choose pictures from a magazine with one item on them - place a plain piece of paper with a small square cut
out on top of the magazine picture. Create these into a book so the children see the square picture, make a guess, and then
turn the page to see the full magazine picture.
Binoculars
Attach two t.p. rolls together. Cover with a band of construction paper. Decorate as desired. Punch a hole on either side
for a ribbon or string so the binoculars can be worn around the neck.
Self Portraits
Have children draw a picture of themselves using markers or crayons.
Blotto Pictures
Fold a piece of construction paper. Place small blobs of paint onto one half of the paper. Fold over the unpainted side and smoosh. Open up
and children can discuss what they 'see' in the picture. These make a great bulletin board with examples of what the children saw posted with each blotto.
Mystery Box
Have children use paper shapes to decorate a shoe box. When they are finished, cover with a layer of white glue and water to decoupage the box for
durability.
Glow in the Dark Pictures
Use Crayola glow in the dark crayons for drawing. When children are finished their pictures, take into a room without windows and activate with the light and then
turn off the lights to view the glowing art work. You can provide glow in the dark stickers for the children to use as well.
Activities
Binoculars/Microscope
Provide real binoculars for the children to explore their world with - take them on a nature walk to view birds, squirrels, trees, etc. Set up a microscope and various items for
children to view 'up close'!
Looking Box Game
Cut a small hole in the top of a shoe box. Place a different picture each day in the bottom of the box. Have the box available for the day for viewing and let the children
tell you what they think the picture inside the box is. Near the end of the day, reveal what the picture really is. Put a new picture in the box each day.
Colour Paddles
I have the plastic colour paddles that you can purchase from most Teacher Stores, but you can create them by cutting out a paddle shape and removing the center and then add different
coloured cellophane paper to the paddle. Children can use the paddles to view the world in many colours. They can experiment by placing one paddle on another to create new colours to view such
as a yellow paddle on top of a blue paddle will make everything appear green.
Braille Books
Visit the library and see if you can borrow a braille book for the children to explore. Explain how some people 'see' with their hands and how the books are read.
Detective Game
Sit in a circle and have one child move out of sight of the others. The other children need to describe the 'missing' child to you.
Mystery Box Show and Tell
After decorating a box as a group activity, the Mystery Box will be taken home by one child each evening and brought back
with an object of their choice hidden inside. We'll sing the Mystery Box song and then the child will describe what is inside the box and we will try to guess
what it is.
Explorations
Eyes
We will discuss the parts of the eye and how it works. Also discuss eye safety!
Binoculars, Microscope, Magnifying Glasses, and Camera
We will explore each of these items and how they help us see things better or things we wouldn't be able to see.
Lenses
I have lenses that are from old eye glasses. We will explore how they help people with vision problems to see better.
Reflections
Have children view their reflections in various items such as mirrors, toaster, appliances, spoons, etc. Discuss
what they see - how do their reflections change/vary depending on what they are looking at? Take time to explore their
reflections and observations about their appearance (what colour of eyes/hair, shapes, etc).
Songs, Poems, Fingerplays
My Eyes
Here are my eyes,
One and two.
I give a wink.
So can you.
When they're open,
I can see light.
When they're closed,
It's dark like night.
The Mystery Box
Sung to, "I'm a Little Teapot."
What's in the Mystery box
Who can tell?
Maybe a book, or maybe a shell
What's in the Mystery box
We can't see
It's something special for you and me.
Use Your Eyes
Use your eyes, use your eyes
You can look and see
If you have on (choose item of clothing)
Come and stand by me!
Printouts
Related Sites
Crafts
Design a Pair of Socks
Print out the pair of socks sheet and have children design their socks using markers or crayons.
Dabber Art
Cut out a large sock and have children use Paint Dabbers to decorate with dots.
Copy Art
Have children create a painting and then make a print by placing another paper on top to copy it.
Lace Sock Shape
Punch holes around a sock shape cut from card paper. Children lace wool around the sock. Children can also decorate
their sock any way they want before or after lacing.
Activities
Pairing Socks
Have a bin with various coloured/patterned socks in it for the children to pair.
Laundry
Sort laundry and discuss use of washing machine and dryer - assist with a load of laundry.
Sock Match Mat
Print the Sock Match Mats and place on a table for children to use during child directed play.
Hidden Socks Game
Print the Hidden Socks Game and place on a table for children to use during child directed play.
Explorations
Colours and Patterns
Explore colours and patterns found around us.
Printouts
Related Sites
Crafts
Stuffed Felt Mouse
Cut 2 teardrop shapes from grey felt. Glue 3/4 of the way together leaving an opening at the bottom. Stuff with cotton. Add a grey wool tail and then
glue closed. Add a small pink pompom for the nose and googly eyes. Cut 2 small ovals and attach for ears folding slightly when you glue them on to shape. Children
can place small pink ovals in the center of the ear shape before gluing onto their mouse if they wish.
Counting Books
Provide cutouts of the counted items in the book for children to create a counting book of their own...
1 grey mouse, 2 black cats, 3 orange snakes, 4 blue fish, 5 pink pigs, 6 yellow bees, 7 green frogs, 8 brown bears,
9 white ducks, 10 red snails. Older children can print their own numbers in their, for younger children, print out the
counting book and have the children add the items to the appropriate pages.
Clay Creations
Use modelling clay for children to create their own clay creations. You can also make play clay, let harden, and then
the children can paint what they created.
Activities
Number Matching Game
Children match the pictures with the correct number of items from the story to each number 1 to 10.
Number Counting Game
Children count the correct number of items for each number 1 to 10.
Colour Matching Game
Children match the correct pictures of coloured items from the story to colour coded mats.
Colour Sorting
Children sort items by colour into a sorting tray.
Feltboard
Cut out felt animals from the story and children match the animals to the correct felt numerals.
Explorations
Numbers
Explore numbers in your everyday world... house number, phone number, counting, time, etc.
Colours
Explore numbers in your everyday world... favourite colours, mixing colours, shadows and light.
Songs, Poems, Fingerplays
Ten Fingers
A fingerplay
I have ten fingers
And they all belong to me
I can make them do things-
Would you like to see?
I can shut them up tight
I can open them wide
I can put them together
I can make them all hide
I can make them jump high
I can make them jump low
I can fold them up quietly
And hold them just so.
Printouts
Related Sites
Crafts
Food Collage
Cut and paste food from magazines onto paper or a paper plate.
Sand Clay Castles
Make Sand Clay and create castles just as Mouse did with the brown sugar in the story.
1 cup sand
1/2 cup cornstarch
1 tsp. cream of tartar
3/4 cup hot water
Mix sand, cornstarch and cream of tartar in an old saucepan. Add hot water. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly
until the mixture is very thick. This will only take a few minutes. When cooled enough to handle, form clay into castles. Allow several days to dry.
Ketchup Painting
Fingerpaint with Ketchup on paper.
Activities
Mouse Mess Sequence Cards
Print the Mouse Mess Sequence Cards and place on a table for children to use during child directed play.
Food Group Matching Game
Print the Food Group Matching Game and place on a table for children to use during child directed play.
Food Sorting
Sort various plastic food items into the proper food groups.
Make Peanut Butter and Jam Sandwiches
Make sandwiches and enjoy as a picnic for lunch.
Explorations
Food
Taste the foods that mouse enjoyed in the book. Graph which ones the children liked the best.
Songs, Poems, Fingerplays
Hungry Mouse
Hungry Mouse
Sneaking in the house
What do you want to eat? (Have children choose food items for the mouse to eat.)
Hungry Mouse
Sneaking in the house
Did you enjoy your treat?
Mice
I think mice
are rather nice.
Their tails are long.
Their faces small.
They haven't any
chins at all.
Their ears are pink.
Their teeth are white.
They run about
the house at night.
They nibble things
they shouldn't touch.
And no one seems
to like them much.
But I think mice
are nice.
~Rose Fyleman~
Printouts
Related Sites
Crafts
Paper Pizza
Print the pizza printout and have children decorate their pizza using crayons or markers.
Paper Plate Pizza
Cover a paper plate with red paint for sauce then have children add construction paper toppings and top with shredded paper for cheese.
Paper Puzzle
Print out the 'whole pizza base' found on the pizza fractions game page onto card paper. Have children colour the page and then cut into puzzle pieces.
Green Pepper Stamping
Cut red and green bell peppers in half and remove the seeds. Have children dip into red and green paint and stamp onto paper
Flag of Italy
Print out the flag of italy. Have children colour the flag or use construction paper strips to make the flag.
Cut out the flag and attach to a dowel.
Activities
Restaurant
Set up the Dramatic Play area into a pizza restaurant. Add table cloths, napkins, dishes, play pizza, menu's, aprons, chef hats, cash registers, etc.
Make Pizza
Make pizza with the children and serve for lunch. You can create the pizza's on ready made crusts, English Muffins or make your own dough! Provide a variety of toppings and let the children add the
toppings they wish to their pizza.
Pizza Game
Print the Pizza Fractions Game and place on a table for children to use during child directed play.
Yeast Experiment
Demonstrate how yeast works by putting the following into an empty small necked bottle: warm water, a package of yeast and some sugar. Put a balloon over the mouth of the bottle and set aside in a warm place.
Observe periodically throughout the day.
Explorations
Wishes
Explore what wishes are. What did Frank and Zelda wish for? What would you wish for? Can wishes come true?
Italy
Explore Italy - special places, the food, and the flag.
Fractions
Use the Pizza Fractions Game as a jump start to discuss fractions. Mealtimes are a great time to explore this further.
Foods Made with Yeast
Discuss how yeast works and the foods that are made with yeast.
Songs, Poems, Fingerplays
Pizza Shop
Down around the corner in the pizza shop
There were pieces of pizza with pepperoni on top
Along came (child's name) all alone
He (or She) bought a pizza slice
And took it home.
Pizza and Pop
Pizza and Pop, Pizza and Pop
When I get started I just can't stop
The smell is delicious, The taste extra yummy,
I love it the most when it gets to my tummy!
Pizza
Sung to: Row, Row, Row, Your Boat
Roll, roll, roll the dough.
Toss it in the air
Pepperoni, cheese, and sauce
There’s enough to share!
The Pizza the Size of the Sun
I'm making a pizza the size of the sun,
a pizza that's sure to weigh more than a ton,
a pizza too massive to pick up and toss,
a pizza resplendent with oceans of sauce.
I'm topping my pizza with mountains of cheese,
with acres of peppers, pimentos, and peas,
with mushrooms, tomatoes, and sausage galore,
with every last olive they had at the store.
My pizza is sure to be one of a kind,
my pizza will leave other pizzas behind,
my pizza will be a delectable treat
that all who love pizza are welcome to eat.
The oven is hot, I believe it will take
a year and a half for my pizza to bake.
I hardly can wait till my pizza is done,
my wonderful pizza the size of the sun.
~Jack Prelutsky~
Printouts
Related Sites
Crafts
Paint Pumpkins
Provide orange paint and large paper for children to paint a pumpkin patch.
Stuffed Pumpkins
Cut 2 pumpkin shapes from mural paper. Staple 3/4 way closed leaving the top open. Paint both sides orange. When dry, stuff with scrunched
newspaper. Roll a piece of green construction paper into a stem and place in the opening at the top and staple closed.
Jack-O-Lanterns
Provide different shaped circles cut from orange paper and face shapes cut from black to create Jack-O-Lanterns. Older children can cut their own pumpkins/faces.
Trick Or Treat Bags
Paint a paper lunch bag orange - paint a face on the pumpkin if desired. Add a green construction paper handle.
Pumpkin Seed Collage
Wash pumpkin seeds and let dry; use for gluing.
Activities
Pumpkin Sequence Cards
Print the Pumpkin Sequence Cards and place on a table for children to use during child directed play.
Measuring Pumpkins
Using a measuring tape, measure the circumference of different sized pumpkins. Place in order from smallest to largest / largest to smallest.
Weighing Pumpkins
Record the weights of different sized pumpkins - before weighing, have the children discuss which they think is the heaviest/the lightest and why.
Carving Pumpkins
Carve and scoop pumpkins. Discuss what is inside and textures. Carve jack-o-lanterns from the pumpkins. Save the seeds for roasting and the collage craft.
Roasting Pumpkin Seeds
After cleaning the seeds of any pulp, soak in a bowl of salt water for an hour. Drain and pat dry then place on a cookie sheet.
Sprinkle with salt and bake in the oven at 350 degrees until browned. Cool and enjoy.
Explorations
How A Pumpkin Grows
Using pumpkins, pictures, and sequence cards, explore how a pumpkin grows.
Songs, Poems, Fingerplays
The Pumpkin I'm Saving For Me
Oh, out in the garden
Four pumpkins I found;
They were bright orange pumpkins
That lay on the ground.
I gave away three,
But now as you see,
The pumpkin that's left
I am saving for me.
I'll carve out a mouth,
And a nose and two eyes.
And when you come to visit
You'll have a surprise;
Perched high on the wall,
I hope it won't fall!
You'll see that my pumpkin's
The best one of all.
Pumpkins Have Such Happy Grins
Sung to: "Mary Had A Little Lamb"
Pumpkins have such happy grins, happy grins, happy grins
Pumpkins have such happy grins
It's Halloween at last.
Jack o Lantern
Sung to: "I'm a Little Teapot"
I'm a little Jack o lantern
Fat and Fine
They picked me off a pumpkin vine
Halloween is coming don't you know
Just light my candle and watch me glow
Five Little Pumpkins
Five little pumpkins sitting on a gate
The first one said, "Oh, my it's getting late"
The second one said, "There are witches in the air"
The third one said, "But we don't care"
The fourth one said, "Let's run and run and run"
The fifth one said, "I'm ready for some fun"
OOOOOOOWOOOOOOO went the wind
And out went the lights
And the five little pumpkins rolled out of sight.
Printouts
Life Cycle of a Pumpkin Sequence Cards
Related Sites
Storyboard of The Biggest Ever
Pump up the Curriculum with Pumpkins
Nests
Bats
Owl Puppets
Paper Bag Penguins
Pillows
Habitat Match
Edible Nests
Animal Homes
Way Up In The Sky
Raccoon Sleeps
Big Bear
Raccoon Sleeps
Great Big Owl
Penguin's Home
Animal Puppets
Fall Colours Collage
Leaf Prints
Nature Walk
Walk to the Lake
Rake Leaves
Plastic Animals, Build Habitats
Sequence Cards
Animals
Hibernation
Fall
Fall Colours
Big Bear
Big bear, big bear,
Big bear, big bear,
Snail
He cannot skip
Skunk's Hole
Well, I didn't take it out
A Turtle
Jolly Little Woodchuck
Ladybug, Ladybug
How Turtles Hibernate Through the Winter
Ladybug or Ladybird Beetle Information
Cut and Decorate Cookies
Bells
Dividing Snacks
Sharing Cookies Mat
Bake Cookies
Counting
Sharing
Down At the Corner
Continue until everyone has had a turn.
C Is For Cookie
The Sharing Song
If I have a cake to eat
It's mine but you can have some
If I have a book to read
It's mine but you can have some
Every child needs to have Raffi to dance to!
Spicy Collage
Gingerbread House
Gingerbread Men
Icing
Gingerbread Counting Game
Measurements
Run, Run As Fast As You Can
Where, Oh Where is My Gingerbread Baby?
Christmas Gifts
Christmas Cards
Paper Chains
Pinecone Trees
Santa's Journey Game
Sounds
Jingle Bells
Dashing through the snow, in a one-horse open sleigh
Oh, Jingle bells, jingle bells, jingle all the way
Must Be Santa
Special Night, beard that's white
Who wears boots and a suit of red
Cap on head, suit that's red
Who's got a big red cherry nose
Ho Ho Ho, cherry nose
Who very soon will come our way
Reindeer sleigh, come our way
Up On The Housetop
Ho, Ho, Ho
First comes the stocking
Ho, Ho, Ho
Next comes the stocking
Ho, Ho, Ho
We Wish You A Merry Christmas
Rudolph
All of the other reindeer
Then one foggy Christmas eve
Then all the reindeer loved him
Jolly Old St. Nicholas
When the clock is striking twelve
No Sew Blanket
Cutting
Material Collage
Sequence Cards
Family/Grandparents
Grandpa
Sharing and Caring Across Generations
Stuffed T-Rex
Dinosaur Stencils
Dinosaur Skeletons
Paper Maché Dinosaur Eggs
Fossils
1 cup flour
Roll the dough into a ball and then flatten slightly. Press objects such as shells/bones/leaves into the dough to create
a fossil. Let dry for a few days to harden.
Opposites Game
Herbivores/Carnivores
Ice Age
Fossils
Opposites
Dinosaurs Lived Long Ago
Dicky, Dicky Dinosaur
Dicky, Dicky Dinosaur has four legs
Dicky, Dicky Dinosaur is lots of fun
Dicky, Dicky Dinosaur’s a friend of mine
I have 3 of Charlotte Diamond's cds and they are AWESOME... I highly recommend adding them to your collection!
Literacy Matters - Dinosaur Roar
Draw a Snowman
Paint a Snowman
Clay Snowman
Snowman Frame
Bird Feeders
Button Snowmen
Build a Snowman
Feed the Squirrels
Snowman Colour Matching
Snowman Counting Game
Snowman Number Book
Snow
Melting
Animals in Winter
Build A Little Snowman
Frosty the Snowman
Frosty the Snowman
There must have been some magic
Frosty the Snowman
Frosty the Snowman
Down to the village
He led them down the streets of town
Frosty the Snowman
Thumpety thump thump
Suzy Snowflake
Here comes Suzy Snowflake
If you want to make a snowman
Here comes Suzy Snowflake
5 Little Snowmen
Continue for 4, 3, 2, 1
A Chubby Little Snowmen
Sadie and the Snowman Sequence Activity
Alphabet Snowmen Clothespin Wheels
Heart Stamping
Valentine Holders
Heart Necklaces
Red/Pink Painting
Big/Small Sorting
Heart Sequencing
Bake Heart Shaped Cookies
Valentine's Day Party
Valentines
Big/Small
I Love You
I love you
Love is Nothing
Love is like a magic penny
Love is nothing 'til you give it away, give it away, give it away
You are My Sunshine
So let the sun shine in
Everything Preschool Valentine's Theme
Crocodile Puppet
Paper Crocodile
Feed The Crocodile Game
Rhyming Words Matching Game
Crocodiles
5 Hungry Crocodiles
4 hungry crocodiles, each made a wish
3 hungry crocodiles, each made a wish
2 hungry crocodiles, each made a wish
1 hungry crocodile made a wish
5 full crocodiles, lunchtime is done
Crocodile, Crocodile
Toothbrush Painting
Floss Painting
Crocodile
The Selfish Crocodile Game
Teeth
Apple Smiles
Brushin' Around the Clock
When You Wake Up in the Morning
When you wake up in the morning it's a quarter to two
When you wake up in the morning it's a quarter to three
When you wake up in the morning it's a quarter to four
When you wake up in the morning it's a quarter to five
Literacy Matters - The Selfish Crocodile
Cereal Necklaces
Invisible Pictures
Ice-cream Cones
Shoe Prints
Toothbrush Painting
Kangaroo
Alexander Game
Counting to 20
Shoe Store
Tieing
Feelings
Australia
If You're Happy and You Know It
If you're mad and you know it
Continue with other emotions and actions
Kalamazoo the Kangaroo
Kalamazoo, the kagaroo see what I can do
Printouts for the Alexander Game were found at The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts website.
Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day
Bunny Puppets
Baskets
Egg Shell Gluing
Palette Painting Egg Shape
Dye Eggs
Egg Hunt
Easter Party
Rabbits
Peter Cottontail
Bringing all the girls and boys
There's jelly beans for Tommy
Oh here comes Peter Cottontail
Oh See the Baskets
Mr Ears
I have a little bunny
Lippity Lop
He sits up straight and wriggles his nose
Oh Lippety lop, lippety lop
Put Your Eggs in a Basket Word Family Game
Fingerpaint With Grey
Worms
Splatter Painting
Rain Pictures
Rain Sticks
Spray Pictures
Music and Movement
Mud Pudding
Measure Rainfall
The Rain Cycle
Nature Walk
Observe Worms
Explore Mud
Explore Puddles
I Hear Thunder
Puddle Play
Dr. Foster
Willie Ate a Worm
Willie ate a worm today,
The Adventures of Herman the Worm
Footprints
All About Me Book
Big/Small Sorting Game
Stretching
Growth Chart
Shoe Store
Measurement
Rain
Size
Mice
Cat Mask
Silhouettes
Counting to 12
Fears
Shadows
Pussycat, Pussycat
Mother's Day Gifts and Cards
Sequence Cards
Mother's Day
I Love You Mommy
Are You My Mother Sequencing Game
Mother's Day Preschool Lesson Plans
Step by Step Childcare - Mother's Day
Little Tiger Puppets
Jungle Collage
Peacock
Waterplay
Story Sequence Cards
Jungle
Scrub-A-Dub
Scrub-a-dub, scrub-a-dub
Scrub-a-dub, scrub-a-dub
Scrub-a-dub, scrub-a-dub
Hop, Skip, and Jump (page 25 in pdf file)
Brown Fingerpainting
Dog Puppets
Bubble Pictures
Scrubbing Brush Painting
Charcoal Pictures
Draw Harry
Waterplay (bubbles)
Story Sequence Cards
Pet Shop
Make Mud Pies
Dogs
Pet Care
Explore mud
Hygiene
Opposites
After My Bath
Down By the Station
Father's Day Gifts and Cards
Sundae Party
Father's Day
My Special Friend
DLTK's Father's Day Activities
Activity Village - Father's Day
Circle Caterpillar
Clay Caterpillars
Caterpillar Pull Toy
Stained Glass Butterflies
Tissue Paper Butterflies
Butterfly Matching Game
Nature Walk
Life Cycle of a Butterfly
Fuzzy Wuzzy Caterpillar
Little Arabella Miller
The Life of a Butterfly
A chrysalis now, sleep like me
A butterfly now, fly with me
Now all together, let's do all three.
Butterfly Song
The Very Hungry Caterpillar Story Patterns and Sequence Cards
The Very Hungry Caterpillar Story Patterns - Colour
The Very Hungry Caterpillar Story Patterns - Black & White
The Very Hungry Caterpillar Classroom Ideas
by Jane R. Howard
Crafts
Using clay, twigs, hay, wool, etc., children construct a nest.
Cut a black garbage bag and cover a small plastic bottle (chocolate milk/juice/Gatorade/pop). Secure with
packing tape or hot glue. Fold a piece of the bag in half and cut a wing pattern leaving the
fold. Place the fold over the twig and tape/hot glue in place. Tape the wings to the bottle Add ears and eyes to the bat. Poke a hole in the bottom
of the bottle to insert a pipecleaner and bend into shape for feet. Use a dab of glue to ensure they don't slip out of the hole.
Print out the Owl Puppet page. Colour and cut out the face and body. Glue onto a brown paper bag.
Stuff a paper lunch bag with newspaper, fold over the top, and staple closed.
Paint the entire bag black and let dry. Cut a white body from construction paper and glue onto the front of the penguin. Add eyes and a beak. Cut feet from construction paper and glue to the bottom of the bag.
Purchase inexpensive pillow cases and cut in half. Sew the cut end before starting. Have children place a fork in the center of their pillowcase and twirl until a tight circle is formed. Secure with
thick elastics. Soak in fabric dye for a couple of hours - have a few choices available. Remove from the dye and ring out. Remove the elastics to reveal a tye-dye swirl pattern. Wash and dry the cases. Have the children stuff with
batting and then sew the ends closed using a machine if possible for durability.
Activities
Print the Habitat Matching Game and place on a table for children to use during child directed play.
Make Rice Krispie Squares according to directions on the cereal box. Add chocolate chips to the marshmallow/butter mixture and stir before adding the Rice Krispies.
Mould into nest shapes.
Explorations
Explore and discover information about the habitats and homes of each of the animals from the story.
Songs, Poems, Fingerplays
Way up in the sky
The little birds fly
While down in their nest
The baby birds rest
With a wing on the left
And a wing on the right
The babies are sleeping
All snug for the night
Shhhhhh - the babies are sleeping (spoken)
The bright sun comes up
The dew falls away
"Good morning, good morning."
The little birds say.
Sung to: Kookaburra
Raccoon sleeps in a hollow tree
While the sun shines on you and me.
Sleep, little raccoon,
Sleep, little raccoon,
Warm and cozily.
Sung to: Row, Row, Row Your Boat
Big bear, big bear,
Resting in your den.
Sleeping through the winter
Before you're out again.
Sung to: Frere Jacques
Bats are sleeping
Bats are sleeping
Upside down
Upside down
Waiting for the night to come
Waiting for the night to come
Then they fly around
Then they fly around.
Sung to: I'm a Little Teapot
I'm a great big owl, as you can see
I live high up in a tree. |
All the other birds wake me up when they play,
Because I like to sleep all day!
The penguins' habitat
is freezing
You'll like it there
If you don't mind sneezing
I, myself, don't find it pleasing.
Printouts
Related Sites
by Denise Fleming
Crafts
Print the animals of the story characters. Colour or paint the animals and then glue to a tongue depressor. Children use the puppets to recreate/retell the story in their own words.
Cut and paste (or rip and paste) construction paper to create a collage of Fall colours.
Collect leaves from various types of trees. Dip in paint and stamp onto a large piece of paper to create leaf prints.
Activities
Take a walk around your neighbourhood and point out/discuss all the signs of Fall.
We are lucky enough to have a lake nearby in which to visit ducks/geese preparing to migrate for the winter.
Rake the leaves in your yard. Create large piles and enjoy jumping in and running through the leaves.
Use various materials to create winter habitats for the different animlas in the story. Add plastic animals for the children to interact with the various habitats.
Print the 'Animals of the Story' sequence cards. Have the children place the animal cards in the order they appear in the story.
Explorations
Discuss how each of the animals in the story prepare for winter.
Explore how different animals survive the winter.
Discuss and explore the signs of Fall. Set up a nature table with coloured leaves and pictures of animals getting ready for winter.
Explore and experiment with Fall colours. Use food colouring to dip folded paper towel sheets in - red and yellow to create orange. Experiment with paints to create the colours of Fall.
Songs, Poems, Fingerplays
Sung to: Row, Row, Row, Your Boat
Big bear, big bear,
Hunting near the trees.
Feasting on the honeycomb
Made by busy bees.
Wading in the lake.
Fish is your favourite dish
Which one will you take?
Resting in your den.
Sleeping through the winter
Before you're out again.
He cannot fly
He cannot hop
He cannot run at all
But you should see
The way he goes
Slowly up the wall.
Or race about
He has one way to go
And as I watched him
I must say
He's good at going slow.
Well, I stuck my head
In a little skunk's hole
The little skunk said
"Well bless my soul
Take it out, take it out
Take it out, remove it!"
And the little skunk said
"You'd better take it out
Or you'll wish you had
Take it out, take it out
Take it out... I removed it!
A turtle's fond of any pond
where it can swim.
turtles hide
away inside
their shells where it is dim
Turtles spy
A bug or fly
and snap it up to eat.
Turtles go
so very slow
on pokey turtle feet.
Jolly little woodchuck
Happy as can be
Sleeping through the winter
Quiet as can be
Ladybug, ladybug
How are you today?
Ladybug, ladybug
Are you going to stay?
Ladybug, ladybug
Time to go to bed
Ladybug ladybug
Rest your weary head.
Printouts
Related Sites
by Pat Hutchins
Crafts
Cut out a large circle shape from brown paper. Have children decorate with candy sprinkles.
Cut an egg carton cup from a cardboard container. Paint as desired. When dry, attach a pipecleaner loop for holding - feed through a hole and secure a metal
jingle bell to the inside of the egg cup. Children can ring their bells at the appropriate time in the story.
Activities
At snacktime, have the children help divide the snacks out equally.
Print the Sharing Cookies Mat and place on a table for children to use during child directed play.
Bake your favourite cookie recipe together or make several different types of mini cookies and graph the favourites.
Explorations
Explore numbers and counting objects. Count objects and divide into equal piles.
Explore the concept of sharing and how we can share with our friends.
Songs, Poems, Fingerplays
Down at the corner at the bakery shop
There were 5 round cookies with sprinkles on the top
Along came (child's name) with a penny to pay
She bought a cookie and went to play.
C is for cookie that's good enough for me
C is for cookie that's good enough for me
C is for cookie that's good enough for me
Oh, cookie, cookie, cookie starts with C.
It's mine but you can have some
With you I'd like toshare it
'Cause if I share it with you
You'll have some too.
If I have a tasty treat
If you come to me and ask
I'll give some to you.
With you I'd like toshare it
'Cause if I share it with you
You'll have some too.
If I have a block you need
If you come to me and ask
I'll share it with you.
With you I'd like toshare it
'Cause if I share it with you
You'll have some too.
~Raffi~
Printouts
Related Sites
by Jan Brett
Crafts
Have children spread glue onto their paper and sprinkle with ginger and cinnamon.
Cut a house shape from brown paper. Let children decorate with paper candies.
Activities
Dough
2 ¾ cups flour
1 tsp ginger
½ tsp baking soda
1 ½ tsp salt
½ cinnamon
½ cup shortening
½ cup sugar
1 egg
½ + ⅛ cup molasses
2 cups icing sugar
½ tsp. cream of tartar
4 tsp. water (approximately)
Combine dry ingredients. Cream together shortening and sugar. Beat in eggs and molasses.
Stir dry ingredients into wet. Divide the dough into four balls, wrap in plastic and refrigerate at least 2
hours and up to a week. On a floured surface, roll out to 1/4" thickness. Cut into shapes for house or cookies.
Freeze the dough for 20 minutes before baking. Bake at 350 degrees for 12 - 15 minutes.
Mix on high, all icing ingredients for 7 to 10 minutes or until smooth.
Should be thick enough to almost hold its shape.
Print the Gingerbread Counting Game and place on a table for children to use during child directed play.
Explorations
Explore measurement using teaspoons, tablespoons, and measuring cups. Have children guess how many cups it will take to fill a bowl.
Have children explore and discover that 2 half cups will make a whole etc.
Songs, Poems, Fingerplays
Run, run as fast as you can
You can't catch me
I'm the Gingerbread Man
You can run in the morning
You can run in the night
But you can't catch me
Un huh, that's right
You can't catch me
Un huh! (clap)
That's right!
Sung to: "Where, oh Where Has My Little Dog Gone?
Where, oh where is my Gingerbread Baby?
Oh where, oh where can he be?
He ran from the oven before he was done
Oh where, oh where can he be?
Printouts
Related Sites
by Julie Sykes
Crafts
Each year we make a special gift for the parents. Please visit my Christmas Gifts page for ideas.
Each year we make a special card for the parents to go with their gift. Some ideas are:
*Tree Handprint Card - Paint child's hand green and stamp onto paper fingers touching. This will create a Christmas tree. When dry, have children add a base
to the tree either with markers or by adding a brown square sticker. Add a sticker star and children can decorate the tree if they like or just drizzle glitter glue
for a pretty tinsel effect.
*Christmas Card Pictures - Recycle old Christmas cards by cutting out the front pictures and children can choose a special one to place on their card or create a collage from the cut out pictures.
*Rudolph Card - Paint the child's foot brown and stamp onto paper. Use their hands and part of their arms for the antlers. Glue on googly eyes when dry and a red pompom nose.
*Christmas Colours Card - Place a folded sheet of paper in a small box (the cases cans come in works great). Add a dab of red and a dab of green paint onto the front of the card. Place a golf ball
into the box and roll it around in the paint by tipping the box. Continue until the card has the desired design. Let dry.
Provide strips of coloured construction paper to create paper chains for their Christmas tree.
Attach 3 pinecones together using a gluegun for the base of the tree. Glue one pinecone on top of the 3 in the center; paint the tree green and allow to dry; paint the tips of the cones white (for snow) and add silver glitter while paint is still wet. These are REALLY pretty.
Activities
Print the Santa's Journey Game and place on a table for children to use during child directed play.
Explorations
Explore and identify sounds around us. Experiment and identify with loud and soft sounds.
Songs, Poems, Fingerplays
Jingle bells, jingle bells, jingle all the way
Oh what fun it is to ride in a one-horse open sleigh
Jingle bells, jingle bells, jingle all the way
Oh what fun it is to ride in a one-horse open sleigh.
Over the fields we go, laughing all the way - Ha, Ha, Ha, Ha
Bells on bob-tail ring, making spirits bright
Oh What fun it is to sing a sleighing song tonight.
Oh what fun it is to ride in a one-horse open sleigh
Jingle bells, jingle bells, jingle all the way
Oh what fun it is to ride in a one-horse open sleigh.
Who's got a beard that's long and white
Santa's got a beard that's long and white
Who comes around on a special night
Santa comes around on a special night.
Must be Santa Must be Santa
Must be Santa, Santa Claus.
Santa wears boots and a suit of red
Who wears a long cap on his head
Santa wears a long cap on his head.
Special night, beard that's white
Must be Santa Must be Santa
Must be Santa, Santa Claus.
Santa's got a big red cherry nose
Who laughs this way Ho Ho Ho
Santa laughs this way Ho Ho Ho.
Cap on head, suit that's red
Special night, beard that's white
Must be Santa Must be Santa
Must be Santa, Santa Claus.
Santa very soon will come our way
Eight little reindeer pull his sleigh
Santa's little reindeer pull his sleigh.
Ho Ho Ho, cherry nose
Cap on head, suit that's red
Special night, beard that's white
Must be Santa Must be Santa
Must be Santa, Santa Claus.
Up on the housetop the reindeer pause
Out jumps good old Santa Claus
Down through the chimney with lots of toys
All for the little ones
Christmas joys
Who wouldn't go
Ho, ho, ho
Who wouldn't go
Up on the housetop
Click, click, click
Down through the chimney with
Good Saint Nick
Of little Nell
Oh, dear Santa
Fill it well
Give her a dolly
That laughs and cries
One that will open
And shut her eyes
Who wouldn't go
Ho, ho, ho
Who wouldn't go
Up on the housetop
Click, click, click
Down through the chimney with
Good Saint Nick
Of little Will
Oh, just see what
A glorious fill
Here is a hammer
And lots of tacks
Also a ball
And a whip that cracks.
Who wouldn't go
Ho, ho, ho
Who wouldn't go
Up on the housetop
Click, click, click
Down through the chimney with
Good Saint Nick
We wish you a Merry Christmas
We wish you a Merry Christmas
We wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year
Good tidings we bring to you and your kin
Good tidings for Christmas and a Happy New Year.
Rudolf, the red-nosed reindeer
Had a very shiny nose
And if you ever saw it
You would even say it glows.
Used to laugh and call him names
They never let poor Rudolf
Play in any reindeer games.
Santa came to say:
"Rudolf with your nose so bright,
Won't you guide my sleigh tonight?"
As they shouted out with glee:
"Rudolf the red-nosed reindeer,
You'll go down in history!"
Jolly old Saint Nicholas,
Lean your ear this way
Don't you tell a single soul
What I'm going to say
Christmas Eve is coming soon
Now, you dear old man,
Whisper what you'll bring to me
Tell me if you can.
And I'm fast asleep,
Down the chimney broad and black
With your sack you'll creep
All the stockings you will find
Hanging in a row
Mine will be the shortest one
You'll be sure to know.
Printouts
Related Sites
by Phoebe Gilman
Crafts
Children create a mini no sew blanket.
Have children practice cutting skills with paper and/or magazines.
Create a collage from scrap material.
Activities
Print the sequence cards and place on a table for children to use during child directed play.
Explorations
Explore the different roles of family members. Have children share their Grandparent moments with the group.
Songs, Poems, Fingerplays
I like to walk with Grandpa,
His steps are short like mine
He doesn't say "Now hurry up!"
He always takes his time.
Most people have to hurry
They do not stop and see
I'm glad that I have Grandpa
"Unrushed" and young like me.
Printouts
Related Sites
by Paul & Henrietta Stickland
Crafts
Print 't-rex for stuffed dinosaur' image -
print as is and also a mirror image. Have children paint and let dry. Glue images onto brown kraft paper
(the type that comes in a roll and you use for wrapping parcels). Put the image together on the brown paper.
Cut out the 2 t-rex pictures. Staple 1/2 the dinosaur and have children ball up strips of newspaper to use as stuffing.
Finish stapling around the dinosaur.
Have children place dinosaur rubbing stencils under their paper and rub with crayons to see the dinosaur appear.
Print out a dinosaur shape and have children glue and shape cooked spaghetti onto the outline..
Cover a balloon with paper maché. When dry, paint the egg. For a real dinosaur surprise, place a toy dino in the balloon before covering. Carefully pop and remove the balloon when the
paper maché is dry and then cover the small hole. Let dry again and then have the children paint. They can open (hatch) their eggs to discover the baby dinosaur surprise.
Mix the following ingredients together...
1/2 cup salt
1 cup used coffee grounds
1/2 cup cold coffee
Activities
Put an opposites game/puzzle out on the table for the children to use during child directed play.
Explorations
Sort and discuss the various types and names of Dinosaurs.
Discuss what happened to the Dinosaurs and why they did not survive.
Look at pictures and real fossils. Discuss how they were created.
Have children discuss and match pictures of opposites. Discuss the opposites in the story.
Dinosaur Matching Game
Print the dinosaur matching game and place on a table for children to use during child directed play.
Songs, Poems, Fingerplays
Dinosaurs lived long ago
When the world was new
They were very big and strong
Very scary too.
Some of them had plants to eat
From the ocean floor
Some of them would rather eat
Another Dinosaur!
Dicky, Dicky Dinosaur lives in a swamp
Dicky, Dicky Dinosaur gets very damp
Dicky, Dicky Dinosaur is really neat
But she always trips on her great, big feet. THUD
Dicky, Dicky Dinosaur lays big eggs
Dicky, Dicky Dinosaur always wails
When you step on the tip of her great, long tail.
THUD...YIPES
Dicky, Dicky Dinosaur loves to run
Dicky, Dicky Dinosaur runs real fast
When Tyrannosaurus Rex is on her path.
THUD...YIPES...RUN
Dicky, Dicky Dinosaur has spikes on her spine
Dicky, Dicky Dinosaur loves to roar
But, really she’s a gentle herbivore.
THUD... YIPES... RUN... ROAR!
~Charlotte Diamond~
Printouts
Related Sites
by Allen Morgan
Crafts
Dip white chalk into water and draw a snowman on black or dark blue paper. Dipping the chalk in the water will create a
watercolour effect and let the chalk picture 'set'.
Use white paint and brushes to create a snowman on paper. When dry, older children can add details such as face, buttons, and scarf with coloured paints.
Use white clay to create a snowman; press eyes and buttons into the clay - let dry. Add a fabric scarf.
Cut a circle frame shape out of fun foam for the bottom of the snowman. Add another circle on top of it. Use funfoam to add features. When dry, place a winter
picture of each child into the frame space. Add a magnet strip to the back so frame can be placed on the fridge.
Spread peanut butter thinly onto a t.p. tube. Roll the tube in birdseed. Add a pipecleaner handle and hang outdoors for the birds.
Activities
Print template and create snowmen for the feltboard. Set up during child directed play time.
Build a snowman during outdoor play.
Walk to the forest and feed the squirrels.
Print the snowman colour cards and place on a table for children to use during child directed play.
Print the snowman counting game and place on a table for children to use during child directed play.
Print the snowman number book and place on a table for children to use during child directed play.
Explorations
Explore snow/snowflakes and how they are unique.
What happens when snow melts? Create 2 snowballs one small/one large. Have children guess which will melt faster. Place in tinfoil pans and observe throughout
the day.
Observe animals in the forest. Discuss how many left/hibernate, but some stay. How do they get food? How can we help?
Songs, Poems, Fingerplays
Build a little snowman
Starting with it's feet
Pack on lots of snow
And make it nice and neat
Then you make a big round ball
And put it up on top
Then the sun may come out
And make your snowman hot
He drips and he drips
And he drips all day
Looking for my snowman
What do I see?
Nothing but a puddle
Where he use to be!
Frosty the Snowman
Was a jolly happy soul
With a corncob pipe and a button nose
And two eyes made out of coal
Is a fairytale they say
He was made of snow
But the children know
How he came to life one day
In that old silk hat they found
For when they placed it on his head
He began to dance around
Was alive as he could be
And the children say
He could laugh and play
Just the same as you and me
Knew the sun was hot that day
So he said let's run
And we'll have some fun
Now before I melt away
With a broomstick in his hand
Running here and there all around the square
Saying catch me if you can
Right to the traffic cop
And he only paused a moment when
He heard him holler stop
Had to hurry on his way
But he waved goodbye
Saying don't you cry
I'll be back again some day
Thumpety thump thump
Look at Frosty go
Thumpety thump thump
Thumpety thump thump
Over the hills of snow
Here comes Suzy Snowflake
Dressed in a snow-white gown
Tap, tap, tappin' at your windowpane
To tell you she's in town.
Soon you will hear her say
"Come out everyone and play with me
I haven't long to stay.
I'll help you make one, two, three
If you wanna take a sleigh ride
The ride's on me."
Look at her tumblin' down
Bringing joy to every girl and boy
Suzy's come to town.
~by Sid Tepper and Roy C. Bennett~
Five little snowmen made of snow,
Five little snowmen in a row.
Out came the sun and shone all day.
And one little snowman melted away.
A chubby little snowman had a carrot nose.
Along came a bunny, and what do you suppose?
That hungry little bunny, looking for his lunch.
Grabbed that snowman’s carrot nose, nibble, nibble, CRUNCH!
Printouts
Related Sites
by Debi Gliori
Crafts
Stamp different size funfoam heart stampers onto paper.
Decorate 2 heart shapes; staple together to form a pocket. Add a handle for carrying.
Alternate lacing paper hearts and red coloured pasta onto string to make a necklace.
Provide red and white paint and brushes to create a valentine coloured picture.
Activities
Sort large and small hearts into 2 categories.
Place heart shapes in order from biggest to smallest and smallest to biggest.
Make and bake your favourite cookie recipe and use a heart shaped cookie cutter to cut the cookies. Children can decorate their hearts when
cooled with icing and sprinkles.
*Wear Red or Pink today.
*Have a valentine card exchange. Children exchange cards that they bought or made with their friends. Cards can be placed in their holders to take home.
*Play Musical Hearts. Have children dance around the room and when the music stops, sit down on a heart.
*Colour large heart shaped pieces of paper.
Explorations
Explore the meaning and origins of Valentine's day.
Explore large and small things in the world around us.
Songs, Poems, Fingerplays
I love you
You love me
We're a happy family
Here's a great big hug
And a kiss from me to you
Won't you say you love me too.
You love me
We're best friends
As friends should be
Here's a great big hug
And a kiss from me to you
Won't you say you love me too.
Love is nothing 'til you give it away, give it away, give it away
Love is nothing 'til you give it away
And you end up having more.
Hold on tight and you won't have any
Lend it, spend it
You'll have so many
They'll be rolling all over the floor.
Love is nothing 'til you give it away
And you end up having more.
You are my sunshine, my only sunshine
You make me happy when skies are grey
You'll never know dear how much I love you
Please don't take my sunshine away.
Face it with a grin
Smilers never lose and frowners never win
So let the sun shine in
Face it with a grin
Open up your heart and let the sun shine in!
Printouts
Related Sites
by Josephine Croser
Crafts
Cut 2 crocodile shapes from green felt - one will be a little more than the mouth part and the other will have a body and tapered tale. Make these large enough for a child's hand to fit in. Cut a mouth shape (oval) from red felt. Cut a strip of triangles from
white felt for teeth. Fold the mouth piece in half - for the top and bottom of the crocodiles mouth so that children can 'snap' it open and closed.
Place one strip of teeth between the mouth and the crocodile top (the part with the tail) and glue. Do the same for the bottom. Add large white pompoms to the top for eyes and glue small
black pompoms to the center of the white ones.
Line draw the crocodile shape onto green card paper. The crocodile will stand when cut out.
Activities
Create the game and use plastic bugs to feed the crocodile.
Print the Rhyming Words Matching Game and place on a table for children to use during child directed play.
Explorations
Explore the habitats and characteristics of crocodiles with the aid of books, pictures, and the internet.
Songs, Poems, Fingerplays
5 hungry crocodiles, each made a wish
5 hungry crocodiles wished for some fish
Along swam a purple fish
Help one get his wish
Snap went the crocodile - yum, yum
That left...
4 hungry crocodiles wished for some fish
Along swam a red fish
Help one get his wish
Snap went the crocodile - yum, yum
That left...
3 hungry crocodiles wished for some fish
Along swam an orange fish
Help one get his wish
Snap went the crocodile - yum, yum
That left...
2 hungry crocodiles wished for some fish
Along swam a blue fish
Help one get his wish
Snap went the crocodile - yum, yum
That left...
1 hungry crocodile wished for a fish
Along swam a yellow fish
Help him get his wish
Snap went the crocodile - yum, yum
That left...
None
5 full crocodiles, laying in the sun.
Crocodile, crocodile
Long and green,
Crocodile, crocodile
Teeth so mean.
Snapping at a fly,
Snapping at a bee,
Snapping at a frog,
But you can't catch me!
~Adapted from Alligator, Alligator by Jean Warren~
Printouts
Related Sites
by Faustin Charles
Crafts
Use a toothbrush and paste to paint on a tooth shape.
Use dental floss to dip into paint and 'string' paint with.
Cut out a crocodile face with an open mouth. Have children glue white cutout teeth to the back of the paper. Flip
over to see a mouthful of teeth!
Activities
Print out The Selfish Crocodile Game and place on a table for children to use during child directed play.
Explorations
Discuss proper care of teeth - brushing and flossing as well as regularly visiting a dentist for checkups.
Have children spread peanut butter on an apple quarter and then place mini marshmallow teeth on their smiles.
Songs, Poems, Fingerplays
Sung to: "Rock Around the Clock"
1, 2, 3 o'clock, 4 o'clock BRUSH!
5, 6, 7 o'clock, 8 o'clock BRUSH!
9, 10, 11 o'clock, 12 o'clock BRUSH!
Gotta brush around the clock tonight.
Get your toothpaste out, your toothbrush too
You know what you've gotta do
Gotta brush with all your might
Gotta brush them 'til they're sparklin' white
Gotta brush, gotta brush, gotta brush your teeth tonight!
When you wake up in the morning it's a quarter to one
And you want to have a little fun
You brush your teeth
Chchchch, chchchchchch
You brush your teeth
Chchchch, chchchchchch.
And you're looking around for something to do
You brush your teeth
Chchchch, chchchchchch
You brush your teeth
Chchchch, chchchchchch.
And your mind is humming twiddledeedee
You brush your teeth
Chchchch, chchchchchch
You brush your teeth
Chchchch, chchchchchch.
And you think you hear a knock at your door
You brush your teeth
Chchchch, chchchchchch
You brush your teeth
Chchchch, chchchchchch.
And you just can't wait to come alive
You brush your teeth
Chchchch, chchchchchch
You brush your teeth
Chchchch, chchchchchch.
(softer)You brush your teeth
Chchchch, chchchchchch
You brush your teeth.
Printouts
Related Sites
by Judith Viorst
Crafts
Add loop cereal (cheerios/fruit loops/etc) to a string to create a necklace.
Have children draw a picture on white paper using a white crayon. When finished, paint over the picture with a dark coloured paint to reveal the picture.
Stamp square frames onto a brown piece of paper with dark brown paint. When dry, roll to create a cone shape - trim excess paper. Children choose brown, pink or white tissue paper to
scrunch into a ball to place into their cone shape.
Trace each child's foot while wearing their shoes. Decorate as they wish using crayons or markers. Cut out their shoe prints.
Use a toothbrush instead of a paintbrush to paint with.
Print the Kangaroo onto card paper. Colour or paint. Use a brad to attach the leg to the body of the kangroo.
Activities
Print and play the Alexander Game.
Practice counting to 20 - discuss how Alexander left out 16.
Set up the Dramatic Play area as a shoe store. Add rulers for measuring feet, different shoes, shoe boxes, and cash registers.
Practice tieing shoes with the children.
Explorations
Print the Emotions Sorting Game and place on a table for children to use during child directed play.
Explore the country of Australia - seasons are opposite to ours, animals of Australia, the Outback, and some differences in the language.
Songs, Poems, Fingerplays
If you're happy and you know it
Clap your hands
If you're happy and you know it
Clap your hands
If you're happy and you know it
And you really want to show it
If you're happy and you know it
Clap your hands.
Stomp your feet
If you're mad and you know it
Stomp your feet
If you're mad and you know it
And you really want to show it
If you're mad and you know it
Stomp your feet.
Sung to: Old MacDonald had a Farm
Kalamazoo, the kagaroo see what I can do
I can jump as far as a motor car
You can do it too.
Oh sing a jump, jump
Oh sing a bump, bump
Everywhere a jump, bump
Kalamazoo, the kangaroo
See what I can do!
In one short week I can jump a creek
You can do it too.
Oh sing a jump, jump
Oh sing a bump, bump
Everywhere a jump, bump
Kalamazoo, the kangaroo
See what I can do!
Printouts
Related Sites
by Justine Korman
Crafts
Cut a hand puppet bunny shape from felt (white or brown). Children can add features with felt pieces.
Provide each child with a weaving mat cut from construction paper. Children weave strips through the mat. When finished, staple the
four corners for a basket shape and add a handle.
Provide disinfected and dyed egg shells for children to glue onto paper to create a collage.
Cut a large egg shape from white paper and have children decorate it with palette paints.
Activities
Provide pots of dye for children to colour their hard boiled eggs in.
Hide foil wrapped chocolate eggs and have an Easter egg hunt.
After hunting for eggs, have an Easter party:
*Children can make bunny headbands from funfoam or construction paper.
*Bunny Hop - do the bunny hop to music.
*Play pin the Tail on the Easter Bunny. Cut out a large bunny shape with only a stencil area of where the tail should be. Cut out a tail for each child with their
name on it. Add tape or sticky tack to the back of each tail. Blindfold one at a time and see who can place their tail
closest to the correct spot.
*Play Basket Bean Bag Toss. Have children toss bean bags into a large basket. You can cut egg shapes out of felt and sew egg shaped bean bags!
Explorations
Learn about Rabbits using books, pictures, and the internet.
Songs, Poems, Fingerplays
Here comes Peter Cottontail
Hopping down the bunny trail
Hippity hoppity
Easter's on it's way
Baskets full of Easter joys
Things to make your Easter
Bright and gay.
Coloured eggs for sister Sue
There's an orchid for my Mommy
And a tie for Daddy too.
Hopping down the Bunny trail
Hippity Hoppity
Happy Easter day!
Oh see the baskets of Easter Eggs
Pink and blue, purple too
With chocolate bunnies
And jelly beans
I'll share my basket with you.
I have a little bunny
I call him Mr. Ears
Because he perks his ears up
At everything he hears.
I call him Mr. Ears
His nose begins to wiggle
When Easter time is near.
Lippity lop, lippity lop
Here comes a bunny hippity hop
With ears so tall and tail so small
Hippity, hippity hop
At every sound he hears
Then scampers away as fast as he can
And suddenly disappears
Here comes a bunny hippity hop
With ears so tall and tail so small
Hippity, hippity hop.
Printouts
Related Sites
by Jonathan London
Crafts
Fingerpaint on paper with grey paint to create rain clouds.
Use plastercine to make worms.
Water down blue tempera paint and splash onto paper by flicking a paintbrush.
During a light rain, place paper with dry tempera outdoors and watch the rain create a masterpiece.
Cover one end of a paper towel tube - seal completely. Add rice. Seal other end. Children can paint their rainstick however they choose. When dry, add embelishments such as leather string and feathers. When
tipped gently, it will sound like rain.
Place crepe or tissue paper (must be the 'bleeding' kind) onto a piece of white paper. When children have covered their papers to their satisfaction, give them a spray bottle filled with water so they
can spray the picture. Put on mist as you just want to 'wet' the paper, not soak it. When dry, the crepe/tissue paper will fall right off and leave behind their picture/pattern.
Activities
Use various instruments to re-create the sounds of rain and thunder.
Make instant chocolate pudding. Create a worm pudding by adding crushed chocolate cookies and gummy worms to the top.
Measure and record rainfall for each day/the week.
Discuss the rain cycle. Create rain using a mirror and kettle - ensure that the experiment is done out of children's reach!
Explorations
We are lucky enough to have a lake nearby to walk to and observe/explore wildlife. Walk to your nearest wildlife area - forest, wooded area, or park.
Observe worms in their natural habitat.
Start with dirt and add water - explore the properties of mud. Provide buckets and containers to create mudpies! If possible, do this on a 'water day' and children
can rinse off in the sprinkler.
Walk around your neighbourhood after a rainfall. How are the puddles created? Explore and discuss the differences in sizes and shapes.
Songs, Poems, Fingerplays
Sung to: Frere Jacques
I hear thunder, I hear thunder
Hark don't you, hark don't you
Pitter, patter raindrops
Pitter, patter raindrops
I'm wet through
So are you!
Sung to: Go In and Out The Window
What loves to splash in a puddle
What loves to splash in a puddle
What loves to swim in a puddle
A duck loves a puddle, don't you
What loves to splash in a puddle
What loves to splash in a puddle
What loves to hop in a puddle
A frog loves a puddle, don't you
What loves to splash in a puddle
What loves to splash in a puddle
What loves to play in a puddle
Oh, I love a puddle, don't you
Dr. Foster went to Gloucester
In a shower of rain
He stepped in a puddle
Right up to his middle
And he never went there again
Willie ate a worm today,
a squiggly, wiggly worm.
He picked it up
from the dust and dirt
and wiped it off
on his brand new shirt.
Then slurp, slupp
he ate it up,
yes Willie ate a worm today,
a squiggly, wiggly worm.
he didn't bother to chew,
and we all stared
and we all squirmed
when Willie swallowed
down that worm.
Then slupp, slurp
Willie burped
yes Willie ate a worm today,
I think I'll eat one too.
~Jack Prelutsky~
Related Sites
by Paulette Bourgeois
Crafts
Have children step into paint and then walk on a long sheet of mural paper.
Create a book with height, weight, shoe size, and favourite things.
Activities
Print the Big/Small Sorting Game and place on a table for children to use during child directed play.
Stretch different objects - elastics, our bodies, sticky tack, balloons, etc.
Print one of the available grow charts by clicking on the links under printables. Place on the wall, measure each child
and mark their height with an arrow with their name on it. Remeasure in a few months so they can see how much they've grown.
Set up a shoe store in the dramatic play area. Add shoes for selling, cash registers, shoe boxes, seats, and rulers for measuring feet.
Explorations
Explore and examine different measuring materials and use to measure things around the room.
Explore what happens when it rains. Measure rainfall for the week with a rain gauge.
Explore Big/Small - how size can be relative.
Songs, Poems, Fingerplays
Printouts
Related Sites
by Sam McBratney
Crafts
Cut a 2 teardrop shapes from grey felt. Glue 3/4 closed, stuff with cotton or batting and add a wool tail. Glue closed. Add
felt or googly eyes to the mouse and little pink and grey ears made by small teardrop shaped felt pieces folded and glued.
Provide each child with a paper plate to paint. When dry, have them add triangle ears and cut out the eye holes. Add a little construction paper triangle nose and whiskers from wool.
Provide silhouette cutout shapes for glueing on white paper. Trace child's silhouette onto black paper - cut out and mount.
Activities
Number the inside of an egg carton 1 to 12. Have children place the correct number of counters in each numbered cup.
Explorations
Discuss fears with children.
Explore shadows using different light sources (flashlights, lamps, and the sun).
Songs, Poems, Fingerplays
Pussycat, Pussycat
Where have you been
I've been to London
To visit the Queen
Pussycat, Pussycat
What did you there?
I frightened a little mouse
Under a chair!
by P.D. Eastman
Crafts
Each year we make a special gift for Mom - please visit my Mother's Day gift page for ideas.
Activities
Print the 'Are You My Mother' sequence cards. Have the children place the cards in the order they appear in the story.
Explorations
Explore why we celebrate Mother's Day and ways families choose to enjoy this special day.
Songs, Poems, Fingerplays
Sung to: You are my sunshine
I love you mommy
My dearest mommy
You make me happy
When I am sad
I want to tell you
I really love you!
When I'm with you I am so glad!
Printouts
Related Sites
by Julie Sykes
Crafts
Paint a paper bag orange. When dry, string paint black stripes onto the bag. Let dry completely and then glue on face features, ears, and tail to the back of the puppet.
Glue strips of paper to create a jungle scene.
Glue colourful feathers onto a semi circle shape. Glue a peacock shaped body to the front.
Activities
Add plastic zoo animals from the story to the water table.
Print the Story Sequence Cards and place on a table for children to use during child directed play.
Explorations
Explore and learn facts about the various animals in the story.
Songs, Poems, Fingerplays
Sung to: "This Old Man"
Scrub-a-dub, scrub-a-dub
Washing in my big bathtub
Scrub my fingers, arms, and hands
Scrubbing fastest in the land.
Washing in my big bathtub
Scrub my toes and legs and feet
Scrubbing bubbles what a treat.
Washing in my big bathtub
Scrub my ears and face and hair
Water, bubbles, what a pair.
Washing in my big bathtub
Scrub my back and belly too
So much fun... how about YOU!
From the site: Disease Prevention and Intervention
Printouts
Related Sites
by Gene Zion
Crafts
Fingerpaint with brown paint.
Create 'Harry' paper bag puppets.
Place a container about 1/3 filled with water, food colouring, and liquid dish soap in the center of a white piece of paper. Add a straw and let the children blow until the bubbles flow out onto
the paper. Make sure the children know not to drink the solution!
Dip small scrubbing brushes (nail brushes will work) into paint and create patterns on paper.
Let children experiment while drawing with charcoal sticks.
Provide paper and crayons for children to draw their own version of Harry.
Activities
Set up bubbles in the waterplay table. Add plastic dogs for washing and scrubbing brushes too!
Print the Story Sequence Cards and place on a table for children to use during child directed play.
Set up a pet shop in the dramatic play area. Add animal carriers, dishes, stuffed pet animals, blankets, pet beds, pet toys, etc.
Add water to a soil/dirt area and make mud pies... you may want to do this on a 'water day' and children can rinse off in the sprinkler.
Explorations
When outdoors, observe dogs going for walks and in their yards. Discuss mannerisms of dogs.
When outdoors, observe dogs going for walks and in their yards. Discuss the care required when you own a dog.
add water to dirt and create mud; explore the texture and properties.
Throughout the day, explore and discuss how we keep our bodies and environment clean.
Discuss and discover opposites around you.
Songs, Poems, Fingerplays
After my bath I try, try, try
To wipe myself ‘til I’m dry, dry, dry
Hands to wipe and fingers and toes
And two wet legs and a shiny nose
Just think how much less time I’d take
If I were a dog and could shake, shake, shake.
Down by the station
Early in the morning
See the little puffer-bellies
All in a row
See the station master
Turn the little handle
Chug-chug, Choo-choo
Off we go.
Printouts
Related Sites
by Laurie Wark
Crafts
Each year we make a special gift for Dad - please visit my Father's Day gift page for ideas.
Activities
Katie and her Dad enjoyed a Strawberry Sundae at the end of the story; set up a divided tray with toppings and provide each child with
a bowl of vanilla ice-cream to create their own special sundae.
Explorations
Explore why we celebrate Father's Day and ways families choose to enjoy this special day.
Songs, Poems, Fingerplays
Sung to: Yankee Doodle
Daddy is my special friend,
The two of us are buddies.
I always like the things we do,
I'm thankful for my daddy.
Related Sites
by Eric Carle
Crafts
Have children decorate several circles cut from card paper. Attach using brads and draw the caterpillar's
face on the first circle. Add pipecleaner antennae.
Have children create caterpillars from clay. Let dry and paint.
Have children paint several egg cups. When dry, string together attaching one end to a circle for a handle. Attach pipecleaner antennae. Children can pull their caterpillar around the room.
Cut a butterfly shape from heavy black paper and cut out sections in the wings. Children add coloured tissue paper to cover the holes.
Cut a piece of tissue paper in quarters. Have children decorate with shape stickers. Paint a clothespin. When dry, place the tissue paper in the clothespin opening to create a butterfly.
Activities
Print the Butterfly Matching Game and place on a table for children to use during child directed play.
Walk in your neighbourhood or forested area and search for caterpillars. Bring a bug keeper and create a habitat from the
caterpillar's natural environment. Visit flowered areas and search for butterflies. Plant butterfly attracting flowers in your garden in the
Spring to attract butterflies to your yard.
Explorations
Using sequence cards, photo's, and a real caterpillar if possible; discuss and explore the lifecycle of a butterfly.
Songs, Poems, Fingerplays
Fuzzy wuzzy caterpillar
Into a corner crept
Spun himself a cocoon
And there he slept
Fuzzy wuzzy caterpillar
Wakes up by and by
To find he has beautiful wings
Now he's a butterfly
Little Arabella Miller
Came upon a caterpillar
First it crawled upon her Mother
Then upon her baby brother
All said, "Arabella Miller
Take AWAY that caterpillar!"
Tune: Skip To My Lou
I'm a caterpillar, wiggle with me,
I'm a caterpillar, wiggle with me,
I'm a caterpillar, wiggle with me,
Wiggle with me, my darling.
A chrysalis now, sleep like me
A chrysalis now, sleep like me
Sleep like me, my darling.
A butterfly now, fly with me
A butterfly now, fly with me
Fly with me, my darling.
A caterpillar, a chrysalis,
A butterfly - three.
Move your body like this with me.
The life of a butterfly, darlin'.
Tune: Up On The Housetop
First comes a butterfly who lays an egg
Out comes a catterpiller with many legs
Oh see the caterpiller spin and spin
A pretty chrysalis to sleep in
Oh oh oh look and see
Oh oh oh look and see
Out from the chrysalis
My, oh my
Out comes a pretty butterfly.
Printouts
Related Sites
Adventures in Literature 2
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