Tuesday, February 27, 2007

Ocean Theme Lesson Plans and Activities

Ocean Theme Lesson Plans and Activities

One of my favorite books to read is "Rainbow Fish" by Marcus Pfister. It is one of the most worthwhile books to read to young children. The value of sharing and friendship is is clearly conveyed in this book. Click on the book title to read more reviews about the book. Not only is this a valuable book to read in conjunction with personal development but it certainly offers extended learning opportunities. After reading and discussing the wonderful pictures and message in the book, a predictable chart story could be used for shared reading.
Rainbow Fish learns to share.
He shares his scale with a blue fish.
He shares his scale with a red fish.
He shares his scale with a green fish.
He shares his scale with an orange fish.
He shares his scale with purple fish.
He shares his scale with yellow fish.
Sharing makes him feel happy!

In the members' area of my sister site you will find the pictures to accompany the print and a follow-up craft activity using bingo markers. Click on this link for more information Kindergarten and Preschool Activities.

Sunday, February 25, 2007

Ocean Theme Lesson Plans and Activities

Kindergarten and Preschool Ocean Theme and Activities

One book I would recommend is Swimmy by Leo Lionni to use in conjunction with the Ocean theme. This is a delightful book that not only introduces different sea creatures but effectively relays the importance working together (co-operation). Click on the book name to read reviews about it.
A follow-up to reading this book would be to discuss the importance of team work. In gym time co-operation games could be played as a means to focus on this. The game called Killer Sharks and Fish under the Ocean Theme heading in the link below would be a good game to develop this concept:
Preschool and Kindergarten Activities and Lesson Plans

Further research on the sea creatures that Swimmy sees would be a good follow-up activity. In the links below you will find photographs of these sea animals that could be used to initiate the discussion.

Jellyfish
Tuna
Lobster
Seaweed
Eel
Sea Anemones

Visual Discrimination
Each of the pictures in the photographs have their names indicated on them. Make word cards and the children try to match the word to the one on the photograph.

Related Crafts
Make a large template of a large fish. Have children sponge smaller shape fish within it to represent how Swimmy formed a team to scare off enemies.

Math
Children guess how many fish can be made within the big fish. Count them.

Click on the link for more More Preschool and Kinderplans Ocean Lesson Plans and Activities

Saturday, February 10, 2007

Bike Safety Lesson Plans and Activities

Preschool and Kindergarten Lesson Plans and Activities on Bike Safety

The book I Can Ride a Bike by Edana Eckart could be used to introduce bike safety. Although it doesn't specifically introduce bike safety, it could be incorporated with reading the book. The book discusses different parts of a bike.

Reading Follow-up Activity
A predictable text could be printed on sentence strips or chart paper with things the children can do. Example:
I can sing.
I can count.
I can play soccer.

Math Follow-up Activity
Children pretend to be pedaling their bike (moving their legs in circles. Count the number of pedals they can do).

The most effective way to have introduce bicycle safety is to have a Bike Rodeo. The link below is a wonderful resource in helping you organize a bicycle rodeo.

All About Bike Rodeos


More follow-up activities can be found in my sister website Kindergarten and Preschool Lesson Plans and Activities.

Thursday, February 8, 2007

Safety Lesson Plans and Activities


Fire Safety Lesson Plans and Activities
The book Stop, Drop and Roll by Margery Cuyler is a wonderful book to introduce the concept of fire safety. Click on the link to get a more detailed description of the book. The book introduces good safety practices in an entertaining manner that children would enjoy.

Follow-up Activity
Tape the flame in the link below to the back of children. Have them stop, drop and roll until the flame comes off (out).
Flame

Follow-up Reading Activity
Brainstorm for ideas of what causes fires and what can be done to prevent these fires. The book gives the children good ideas. Examples:
Matches start fires.
Fireplaces start fires.

Math
How many rolls did it take to cause the fire to go out? (taped on their back).
All related follow-up activities are found on my sister website preschool and kindergarten fire safety lesson plans and activities

Good Links for more fire safety activities:
Fire Safety Songs
More Safety Activities
Sparky the Fire Dog