Adventures in Literature 1, Part 2

Crafts

Heart Stamping
Stamp different size funfoam heart stampers onto paper.

Valentine Holders
Decorate 2 heart shapes; staple together to form a pocket. Add a handle for carrying.

Heart Necklaces
Alternate lacing paper hearts and red coloured pasta onto string to make a necklace.

Red/Pink Painting
Provide red and white paint and brushes to create a valentine coloured picture.

Activities

Big/Small Sorting
Sort large and small hearts into 2 categories.

Heart Sequencing
Place heart shapes in order from biggest to smallest and smallest to biggest.

Bake Heart Shaped Cookies
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.

Valentine's Day Party

• Everyone wears 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

Valentines
Explore the meaning and origins of Valentine's day.

Big/Small
Explore large and small things in the world around us.

Songs, Poems, Fingerplays

I Love You
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.

I love you
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
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.

Love is like a magic penny
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, give it away, give it away
Love is nothing 'til you give it away
And you end up having more.

You are My Sunshine
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.

So let the sun shine in
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!

Printables

Heart Size Sorting

Related Sites

My Valentine's Day Theme Page
Everything Preschool Valentine's Theme
A to Z Teacher Stuff Valentine's Day

Crafts

Crocodile Puppet
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.

Paper Crocodile
Line draw the crocodile shape onto green card paper. The crocodile will stand when cut out.

Activities

Feed The Crocodile Game
Create the game and use plastic bugs to feed the crocodile.

Rhyming Words Matching Game
Print the Rhyming Words Matching Game and place on a table for children to use during child directed play.

Explorations

Crocodiles
Explore the habitats and characteristics of crocodiles with the aid of books, pictures, and the internet.

Songs, Poems, Fingerplays

5 Hungry Crocodiles
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 each made a wish
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 each made a wish
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 each made a wish
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 made a wish
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, lunchtime is done
5 full crocodiles, laying in the sun.

Crocodile, Crocodile
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~

Printables

Related Sites

First School: Crocodile Theme
About Home: Crocodile Craft Projects

Crafts

Toothbrush Painting
Use a toothbrush and paste to paint on a tooth shape.

Floss Painting
Use dental floss to dip into paint and 'string' paint with.

Crocodile
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

The Selfish Crocodile Game
Print out The Selfish Crocodile Game and place on a table for children to use during child directed play.

Explorations

Teeth
Discuss proper care of teeth - brushing and flossing as well as regularly visiting a dentist for checkups.

Apple Smiles
Have children spread peanut butter on an apple quarter and then place mini marshmallow teeth on their smiles.

Songs, Poems, Fingerplays

Brushin' Around the Clock
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
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.

When you wake up in the morning it's a quarter to two
And you're looking around for something to do
You brush your teeth
Chchchch, chchchchchch
You brush your teeth
Chchchch, chchchchchch.

When you wake up in the morning it's a quarter to three
And your mind is humming twiddledeedee
You brush your teeth
Chchchch, chchchchchch
You brush your teeth
Chchchch, chchchchchch.

When you wake up in the morning it's a quarter to four
And you think you hear a knock at your door
You brush your teeth
Chchchch, chchchchchch
You brush your teeth
Chchchch, chchchchchch.

When you wake up in the morning it's a quarter to five
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.

Printables

Crafts

Cereal Necklaces
Add loop cereal (cheerios/fruit loops/etc) to a string to create a necklace.

Invisible Pictures
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.

Ice-cream Cones
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.

Shoe Prints
Trace each child's foot while wearing their shoes. Decorate as they wish using crayons or markers. Cut out their shoe prints.

Toothbrush Painting
Use a toothbrush instead of a paintbrush to paint with.

Kangaroo
Print the Kangaroo onto card paper. Colour or paint. Use a brad to attach the leg to the body of the kangroo.

Activities

Alexander Game
Print and play the Alexander Game.

Counting to 20
Practice counting to 20 - discuss how Alexander left out 16.

Shoe Store
Set up the Dramatic Play area as a shoe store. Add rulers for measuring feet, different shoes, shoe boxes, and cash registers.

Tieing
Practice tieing shoes with the children.

Explorations

Feelings
Print the Emotions Sorting Game and place on a table for children to use during child directed play.

Australia
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
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.

If you're mad and you know it
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.

Continue with other emotions and actions

Kalamazoo the Kangaroo
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!

Kalamazoo, the kagaroo 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!

Printables

Alexander Game
Alexander Game Pieces
Emotions Sorting Game

Related Sites

Printables for the Alexander Game were found at The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts website.

Crafts

Bunny Puppets
Cut a hand puppet bunny shape from felt (white or brown). Children can add features with felt pieces.

Baskets
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.

Egg Shell Gluing
Provide disinfected and dyed egg shells for children to glue onto paper to create a collage.

Palette Painting Egg Shape
Cut a large egg shape from white paper and have children decorate it with palette paints.

Activities

Dye Eggs
Provide pots of dye for children to colour their hard boiled eggs in.

Egg Hunt
Hide foil wrapped chocolate eggs and have an Easter egg hunt.

Easter Party
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

Rabbits
Learn about Rabbits using books, pictures, and the internet.

Songs, Poems, Fingerplays

Peter Cottontail
Here comes Peter Cottontail
Hopping down the bunny trail
Hippity hoppity
Easter's on it's way

Bringing all the girls and boys
Baskets full of Easter joys
Things to make your Easter
Bright and gay.

There's jelly beans for Tommy
Coloured eggs for sister Sue
There's an orchid for my Mommy
And a tie for Daddy too.

Oh here comes Peter Cottontail
Hopping down the Bunny trail
Hippity Hoppity
Happy Easter day!

Oh See the Baskets
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.

Mr Ears
I have a little bunny
I call him Mr. Ears
Because he perks his ears up
At everything he hears.

I have a little bunny
I call him Mr. Ears
His nose begins to wiggle
When Easter time is near.

Lippity Lop
Lippity lop, lippity lop
Here comes a bunny hippity hop
With ears so tall and tail so small
Hippity, hippity hop

He sits up straight and wriggles his nose
At every sound he hears
Then scampers away as fast as he can
And suddenly disappears

Oh Lippity lop, lippity lop
Here comes a bunny hippity hop
With ears so tall and tail so small
Hippity, hippity hop.

Printables

Put Your Eggs in a Basket Word Family Game
Egg Addition
Easter Egg Hunt Game

Related Sites

The Virtual Vine - Easter

Crafts

Fingerpaint With Grey
Fingerpaint on paper with grey paint to create rain clouds.

Worms
Use plasticine to make worms.

Splatter Painting
Water down blue tempera paint and splash onto paper by flicking a paintbrush.

Rain Pictures
During a light rain, place paper with dry tempera outdoors and watch the rain create a masterpiece.

Rain Sticks
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.

Spray Pictures
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

Music and Movement
Use various instruments to re-create the sounds of rain and thunder.

Mud Pudding
Make instant chocolate pudding. Create a worm pudding by adding crushed chocolate cookies and gummy worms to the top.

Measure Rainfall
Measure and record rainfall for each day/the week.

The Rain Cycle
Discuss the rain cycle. Create rain using a mirror and kettle - ensure that the experiment is done out of children's reach!

Explorations

Nature Walk
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
Observe worms in their natural habitat.

Explore Mud
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.

Explore Puddles
Walk around your neighbourhood after a rainfall. How are the puddles created? Explore and discuss the differences in sizes and shapes.

Songs, Poems, Fingerplays

I Hear Thunder
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!

Puddle Play
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
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
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.

Willie ate a worm today,
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

My Worms Theme Page
University of Illinois Extension: The Adventures of Herman the Worm
Museum Magnet School: Worms

Crafts

Footprints
Have children step into paint and then walk on a long sheet of mural paper.

All About Me Book
Create a book with height, weight, shoe size, and favourite things.

Activities

Big/Small Sorting Game
Print the Big/Small Sorting Game and place on a table for children to use during child directed play.

Stretching
Stretch different objects - elastics, our bodies, sticky tack, balloons, etc.

Growth Chart
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.

Shoe Store
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

Measurement
Explore and examine different measuring materials and use to measure things around the room.

Rain
Explore what happens when it rains. Measure rainfall for the week with a rain gauge.

Size
Explore Big/Small - how size can be relative.

Printables

George Shrinks Growth Chart
Flintstone's Growth Chart

Crafts

Mice
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.

Cat Mask
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.

Silhouettes
Provide silhouette cutout shapes for glueing on white paper. Trace child's silhouette onto black paper - cut out and mount.

Activities

Counting to 12
Number the inside of an egg carton 1 to 12. Have children place the correct number of counters in each numbered cup.

Explorations

Fears
Discuss fears with children.

Shadows
Explore shadows using different light sources (flashlights, lamps, and the sun).

Songs, Poems, Fingerplays

Pussycat, Pussycat
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!

Crafts

Mother's Day Gifts and Cards
Each year we make a special gift for Mom - please visit my Mother's Day gift page for ideas.

Activities

Sequence Cards
Print the 'Are You My Mother' sequence cards. Have the children place the cards in the order they appear in the story.

Explorations

Mother's Day
Explore why we celebrate Mother's Day and ways families choose to enjoy this special day.

Songs, Poems, Fingerplays

I Love You Mommy
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!

Printables

Are You My Mother Sequencing Game

Related Sites

My Mother's Day Gift Ideas Page
Step by Step Childcare - Mother's Day

Crafts

Little Tiger Puppets
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.

Jungle Collage
Glue strips of paper to create a jungle scene.

Peacock
Glue colourful feathers onto a semi circle shape. Glue a peacock shaped body to the front.

Activities

Waterplay
Add plastic zoo animals from the story to the water table.

Story Sequence Cards
Print the Story Sequence Cards and place on a table for children to use during child directed play.

Explorations

Jungle
Explore and learn facts about the various animals in the story.

Songs, Poems, Fingerplays

Scrub-A-Dub
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.

Scrub-a-dub, scrub-a-dub
Washing in my big bathtub
Scrub my toes and legs and feet
Scrubbing bubbles what a treat.

Scrub-a-dub, scrub-a-dub
Washing in my big bathtub
Scrub my ears and face and hair
Water, bubbles, what a pair.

Scrub-a-dub, scrub-a-dub
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

Crafts

Brown Fingerpainting
Fingerpaint with brown paint.

Dog Puppets
Create 'Harry' paper bag puppets.

Bubble Pictures
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!

Scrubbing Brush Painting
Dip small scrubbing brushes (nail brushes will work) into paint and create patterns on paper.

Charcoal Pictures
Let children experiment while drawing with charcoal sticks.

Draw Harry
Provide paper and crayons for children to draw their own version of Harry.

Activities

Waterplay (bubbles)
Set up bubbles in the waterplay table. Add plastic dogs for washing and scrubbing brushes too!

Story Sequence Cards
Print the Story Sequence Cards and place on a table for children to use during child directed play.

Pet Shop
Set up a pet shop in the dramatic play area. Add animal carriers, dishes, stuffed pet animals, blankets, pet beds, pet toys, etc.

Make Mud Pies
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

Dogs
When outdoors, observe dogs going for walks and in their yards. Discuss mannerisms of dogs.

Pet Care
When outdoors, observe dogs going for walks and in their yards. Discuss the care required when you own a dog.

Explore mud
add water to dirt and create mud; explore the texture and properties.

Hygiene
Throughout the day, explore and discuss how we keep our bodies and environment clean.

Opposites
Discuss and discover opposites around you.

Songs, Poems, Fingerplays

After My Bath
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
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

Home School Share: Harry the Dirty Dog Lapbook
Scholastic Reading Guide: Harry the Dirty Dog

Crafts

Father's Day Gifts and Cards
Each year we make a special gift for Dad - please visit my Father's Day gift page for ideas.

Activities

Sundae Party
Katie and her Dad enjoy 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

Father's Day
Explore why we celebrate Father's Day and ways families choose to enjoy this special day.

Songs, Poems, Fingerplays

My Special Friend
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

My Father's Day Gift Ideas Page
DLTK's Father's Day Activities
Activity Village: Father's Day
About Home: Gifts for Dad

Crafts

Circle Caterpillar
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.

Clay Caterpillars
Have children create caterpillars from clay. Let dry and paint.

Caterpillar Pull Toy
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.

Stained Glass Butterflies
Cut a butterfly shape from heavy black paper and cut out sections in the wings. Children add coloured tissue paper to cover the holes.

Tissue Paper Butterflies
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

Butterfly Matching Game
Print the Butterfly Matching Game and place on a table for children to use during child directed play.

Nature Walk
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

Life Cycle of a Butterfly
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
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
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!"

The Life of a Butterfly
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
A chrysalis now, sleep like me
Sleep like me, my darling.

A butterfly now, fly with me
A butterfly now, fly with me
A butterfly now, fly with me
Fly with me, my darling.

Now all together, let's do all three.
A caterpillar, a chrysalis,
A butterfly - three.
Move your body like this with me.
The life of a butterfly, darlin'.

Butterfly Song
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.

Printables

DLTK's The Very Hungry Caterpillar Story Patterns and Sequence Cards
Kidz Club: The Very Hungry Caterpillar Story Patterns - Colour
Kidz Club: The Very Hungry Caterpillar Story Patterns - Black & White
First School: Days of the Week Worksheets

Related Sites

Eric Carle: The Very Hungry Caterpillar Classroom Ideas

Crafts

Pete the Cat Puppet
Cut and stuff a Pete the Cat puppet from felt.

Shoes
Decorate shoe shapes cut from card paper then add a shoe lace for tieing.

Pete's Shirt
Cut a shirt shape from yellow construction paper and glue on coloured buttons.

Button Frame
Glue buttons around a frame adding the words Cute As A Button to the bottom section. Insert photos of each child into their frames.

Activities

Mixing Colours
Use primary coloured paints to create secondary colours.

Pete the Cat Button Game
Print a large Pete the Cat image and use buttons to solve subtraction problems.

Pete the Cat Shoe Matching Game
Print shoes of matching colours and use as a matching or memory game.

Lacing Cards
Put out the lacing cards with shoe laces on a table during child directed play time.

Shoelaces and Bead Stringing
Set out the beads and shoelaces during child directed play time.

Explorations

Colours
We will explore mixing colours as well as tints and shades.

Songs, Poems, Fingerplays

Songs from Pete the Cat books.

Printables

73 Pete the Cat Freebies and Resources

Crafts

Stuffed T-Rex
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.

Dinosaur Stencils
Have children place dinosaur rubbing stencils under their paper and rub with crayons to see the dinosaur appear.

Dinosaur Skeletons
Print out a dinosaur shape and have children glue and shape cooked spaghetti onto the outline..

Paper Maché Dinosaur Eggs
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.

Fossils
Mix the following ingredients together...

• 1 cup flour
• ½ cup salt
• 1 cup used coffee grounds
• ½ cup cold coffee

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.

Activities

Opposites Game
Put an opposites game/puzzle out on the table for the children to use during child directed play.

Explorations

Herbivores/Carnivores
Sort and discuss the various types and names of Dinosaurs.

Ice Age
Discuss what happened to the Dinosaurs and why they did not survive.

Fossils
Look at pictures and real fossils. Discuss how they were created.

Opposites
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
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
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 has four legs
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 is lots of fun
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’s a friend of mine
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~

Printables

Related Sites

My Dinosaur Page
A to Z Teacher Stuff: Dinosaurs

Crafts

Paper Bag Big Bad Fish
Paint a paper bag yellow then add blue stripes when dry. Stuff with newspaper and twist to create a tail fin. Add googly eyes and fins.

Sock Tadpole
Stuff the sock with batting and cut the cuff part into a triangle to create the tadpole. Seal with a glue gun. Add googly eyes.

Shape Frog
Have children create a frog using a triangle and circle shape. Older children can cut smaller triangles for feet to glue on the two tips of the larger triangle. Use egg cups for bulging eyes; glue a small black pompom in the center of each egg cup.

Paper Plate Frog
Have children paint a paper plate green; let dry. Fold plate in half and staple closed. Glue legs to the bottom cut from construction paper or fun foam. Add large googly eyes to the plate.

Activities

Sequence Cards
Print the story sequence cards and place on a table to use during child directed play time.

Frog Life Cycle Puzzle
Print the frog life cycle puzzle and place on a table to use during child directed play time.

Jumping Game
Jump like the various animals in the story.... BOING!

Leap Frog
Play leap frog during outside play time or gross motor play.

Explorations

Frog Life Cycle
We will learn about the life cycle of a frog using pictures, books, and the internet.

Songs, Poems, Fingerplays

5 Green and Speckled Frogs
5 green and speckled frogs
Sat on a speckled log
Eating some most delicious bugs - yum, yum
One jumped into the pool
Where it was nice and cool
Now there are 4 green, speckled frogs - glub, glub

4 green and speckled frogs... etc

3 green and speckled frogs... etc

2 green and speckled frogs... etc

1 green and speckled frog
Sat on a speckled log
Eating some most delicious bugs - yum, yum
He jumped into the pool
Where it was nice and cool
Now there are no green, speckled frogs - glub, glub!

There Once Was a Little Green Frog
There once was a little green frog, frog, frog
Who sat in the woods on a log, log, log
A screech owl sitting in a tree, tree, tree
Came after the frog with a scree, scree, screech
When the frog heard the owl in a flash, flash, flash
He leaped in the pond with a splash, splash, splash!

I Have a Little Frog
I have a little frog
His name is Tiny Tim
I put him in the bathtub
To see if he could swim
He drank up all the water
And ate up all the soap
And when he tried to talk
He had a BUBBLE in his throat!

Frogs Grow And Change
Sung to: Froggie Went A Courtin

Did you know frogs grow and change
Uh-huh, uh-huh
Did you know frogs grow and change
Uh-huh, uh-huh
A tadpole is a baby frog; it moves its tail to swim along
Uh-huh, uh-huh

The back legs are the first to grow
Uh-huh, uh-huh
The back legs are the first to grow
Uh-huh, uh-huh
The back legs are the first to grow; then its front legs start to show
Uh-huh, uh-huh

It climbs onto the land that's near
Uh-huh, uh-huh
It climbs onto the land that's near
Uh-huh, uh-huh
It climbs onto the land that's near; now its tail can disappear
Uh-huh, uh-huh

The frog's legs grow big and strong
Uh-huh, uh-huh
The frog's legs grow big and strong
Uh-huh, uh-huh
The frog's legs grow big and strong; it uses them to hop along
Uh-huh, uh-huh.

Printables

Word Family Frogs

Related Sites

Everything ESL: Ribbit! Ribbit! A thematic unit on frogs
Step by Step Child Care: Frog Theme

Crafts

Handprint Trees
Paint the leaves with hands and add finger blossoms when dry.

Pounding Leaf Prints
Using a rubber mallet, pound a fresh leaf between a piece of white muslin or cotton fabric.

Tree Trunk Circles
Stamp different sized circles onto a cut tree trunk shape (top view).

Puffy Paint Moon
Use puffy paint on a circle shape to create a full moon.

Activities

Parts of A Tree
Print the Parts of a Tree game and place on a table during child directed play time.

Explorations

Moon
Through the use of the internet, pictures and gravity experiments we will explore the characteristics of the moon.

Songs, Poems, Fingerplays

The Green Grass Grew All Around
There was a hole,
In the middle of the ground.
The prettiest hole,
That you ever did see.

And the hole in the ground,
And the green grass grows all around, all around,
And the green grass grows all around.

And in this hole,
There was a tree.
The prettiest tree,
That you ever did see.

And the tree in the hole,
And the hole in the ground,
And the green grass grows all around, all around,
And the green grass grows all around.

And on this tree,
There was a branch.
The prettiest branch,
That you ever did see.

And the branch on the tree,
And the tree in the hole,
And the hole in the ground,
And the green grass grows all around, all around,
And the green grass grows all around.

And on this branch,
There was a nest.
The prettiest nest,
That you ever did see.

And the nest on the branch,
And the branch on the tree,
And the tree in the hole,
And the hole in the ground,
And the green grass grows all around, all around,
And the green grass grows all around.

And in this nest,
There was an egg.
The prettiest egg,
That you ever did see.

And the egg in the nest,
And the nest on the branch,
And the branch on the tree,
And the tree in the hole,
And the hole in the ground,
And the green grass grows all around, all around,
And the green grass grows all around.

And in this egg,
There was a bird.
The prettiest bird,
That you ever did see.

And the bird in the egg,
And the egg in the nest,
And the nest on the branch,
And the branch on the tree,
And the tree in the hole,
And the hole in the ground,
And the green grass grows all around, all around,
And the green grass grows all around.

Zoom, Zoom, Zoom
Zoom, zoom, zoom we're going to the moon
Zoom, zoom, zoom we're going to the moon
If you'd like to take a trip
Step inside my rocket ship
Zoom, zoom zoom, we're going to the moon!

Aikendrum
There was a man lived in the moon
In the moon, in the moon
There was a man lived in the moon
And his name was Aikendrum

And he played upon a ladle
A ladle, a ladle
He played upon a ladle
And his name was Aikendrum

And his hair was made of spaghetti
Spaghetti, spaghetti
His hair was made of spaghetti
And his name was Aikendrum

And his eyes were made of meatballs
Meatballs, meatballs
His eyes were made of meatballs
And his name was Aikendrum

And he played upon a ladle
A ladle, a ladle
He played upon a ladle
And his name was Aikendrum

And his nose was made of cheese
Cheese, cheese
His nose was made of cheese
And his name was Aikendrum

And his mouth was made of pizza
Pizza, pizza
His mouth was made of pizza
And his name was Aikendrum

And he played upon a ladle
A ladle, a ladle
He played upon a ladle
And his name was Aikendrum

There was a man lived in the moon
In the moon, in the moon
There was a man lived in the moon
And his name was Aikendrum

~Raffi~

Crafts

Father's Day Gift and Card
Each year we make a special gift for Dad. Please visit my Father's Day gift page for ideas.

Wrapping Paper
Stamping on roll paper or paper bag to create gift wrap/bag.

Activities

Daddy Game
Print the Daddy Game and place on a table to use during child directed play time.

Daddy's Tools Patterning Strips
Print the Daddy Tools Patterning Strips and place on a table to use during child directed play time.

Campsite
Set up tent, cardboard box boat, and accessories to create a campsite for dramatic play.

Fish Matching Game
Print the fish matching game and place on a table to use during child directed play time.

Magnetic Fishing Game
Add magnets to dowels and large paper clips to fish shapes to create a fishing game.

Explorations

Father's Day
Discuss the meaning of Father's Day and what we can do to make the day special for Dad.

Songs, Poems, Fingerplays

Me and My Dad
Just walk'n along
Walking hand in hand
Just me and my Dad
On a beautiful day
Just chatt'n away
About any old thing
Cause me and my Dad
We are the best of friends.

Walk'n, walk'n down the street
Riding way up high
On my Daddy's seat
Just chatt'n away
All the day
I hope it never ends
Cause me and my Dad
We are the best of friends.

La la la la la la
La la la la la la la la la
La la la la la la la la
La la la la la la la la

Walk'n, walk'n down the street
Riding way up high
On my Daddy's seat
Just chatt'n away
All the day
I hope it never ends
Cause me and my Dad
We are the best of friends.
Cause me and my Dad
We are the best of friends.
Cause me and my Dad
We are the best of friends.

~David Weinstone~

1-2-3-4-5 Once I Caught A Fish Alive
1-2-3-4-5 once I caught a fish alive
6-7-8-9-10 then I let him go again
Why did you let him go?
Because he bit my finger so
Which finger did he bite?
This little finger on the right.

Going on A Bear Hunt
Going on a bear hunt
Going on a bear hunt
Going to catch a big one
Going to catch a big one
I'm not scared
I'm not scared

Oh look tall grass...
Can't go over it
Can't go under it
We have to go through it
I'm not scared.
I'm not scared
swish, swish, swish

Going on a bear hunt
Going on a bear hunt
Going to catch a big one
Going to catch a big one
I'm not scared
I'm not scared

Oh look a lake
Can't go over it
Can't go under it
We have to swim across it
I'm not scared.
I'm not scared
splash, splash, splash

Going on a bear hunt
Going on a bear hunt
Going to catch a big one
Going to catch a big one
I'm not scared I'm not scared

Oh look a tall tree
Can't go over it
Can't go under it
We have to run around it
I'm not scared.
I'm not scared
Tapping hands on legs to make a running sound

Going on a bear hunt
Going on a bear hunt
Going to catch a big one
Going to catch a big one
I'm not scared
I'm not scared

Oh look a cave
Can't go over it
Can't go under it
We have to go in it
I'm not scared.
I'm not scared

It's dark in here.... (feel around)
Oh no... I feel something furry
Oh no... I hear something growling
A BEAR.... RUN

Around the tree, across the lake, through the tall grass
Home at last... I was a little scared!

Printables

Daddy Game
Daddy's Tools Patterning Strips

Related Sites

My Father's Day Gift Page
Preschool Themes and Curriculum - Father's Day Theme
> Just Me and My Dad - Video Part 1
> Just Me and My Dad - Video Part 2

Crafts

Bubble Wrap Stamping
Dip bubble wrap into paint and stamp onto paper.

Bubble Bottles
Decorate bottles with foam stickers then fill the bottles with coloured water and dish soap - shake away!

Bubble Painting
Add coloured water and dish soap to a squeeze bottle and draw designs with the bottles onto paper.

Activities

Bubble Blowing
Blow bubbles using various wands and materials.

Bubble Matching
Print the bubble matching game and place on the table during child directed play time.

Explorations

Bubbles
Discuss the properties of bubbles and how to make stronger and bigger bubbles.

Songs, Poems, Fingerplays

Bubbles All Around Me
Sung to: “My Bonnie Lies Over the Ocean”
The bubbles flew over the flowers.
The bubbles flew over the trees.
The bubbles flew over the grass.
So many bubbles, I see.

Bubbles, bubbles
As pretty as bubbles can be.
Bubbles, bubbles
Popping all around me.

~Jean Warren~

There Are Bubbles In The Air
Sung to: “If You’re Happy And You Know It.”
There are bubbles in the air, in the air.
There are bubbles in my hair, in my hair.
There are bubbles in the air,
There are bubbles in my hair.
There are bubbles everywhere, everywhere!

~Jean Warren~

Related Sites

Step By Step Bubbles Theme
Everything Preschool Bubbles Theme