Center Activities for the ALL ABOUT ME theme

The activities below compliment the "All About Me" theme on the Kinderplans.com website.

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All About Me Theme

Literacy Centers
1. The reproducible emergent reader retelling of the "Queen's Feet" would be compiled and colored. The children could practice reading it together with a friend.

2. Picture sorting of ones that begin with the "qu" sound (pictures found in the member's area under the heading "Alphabet Pictures).

3. Locating pictures that rhyme with the word "me" (pictures found in the theme book).

4. Practice printing the letter "q" using different methods (painting, salt tray,white eraser board, magnetic board, stamping it out with bingo markers or using the printing book found on the site).

5. Word family activity - one foot template would have the "et" word family on it and the children must find another foot with an initial consonant on it. The children would say the new word when joining the two feet together. Note: This would need to be demonstrated in class previously. This would be a difficult activity if most of the children do not know their initial letter sounds yet, however, it offers a challenge to those children who are ready for this.

6. Each child has an envelope with the letters of their name in it. These letters are in mixed-up order in boxes. They must cut the boxes and place the letters in order to make their name on a strip of construction paper (their picture could also be placed here). They can use the name printed on the envelope to guide them. Older students can also print the name below it.

7. The children could practice stamping their name using alphabet stamp letters.

8. The children could be making their name using alphabet magnetic letters.

9. As a review of letters previously learned, the children could be making letter patterns using the alphabet stamps or magnetic letters. Example: c, a, q c,a,q c,a,q. Older children could print this pattern.

10. Practice sight words (new ones and previously introduced ones) using games and activities posted on the previous blog below.

These are just a few suggestions. You would not use all of them. Pick a few that would be suitable for your class. They can be placed in bins and the children can choose which one they would like to work with. I would have all the children complete the reader as one should go home every 3-5 days.

Writing Center
The children would be drawing a picture of themselves and writing a sentence. They can use the sentence that was modeled in class time as a guide. Note: There will be a wide range of ability with completing this activity. Some children will be only scribbling, others making a few letters to a few able to print the complete full sentence.

Math Center
Traced and cut foot outlines will be placed in this center. The children will arrange them from smallest to biggest or shortest to longest. They must estimate how long each foot is using an assigned measurement tool (I like using snap cubes because they are easier to work with). They would measure the foot to see how close their estimation was. This would be demonstrated in class prior to going to the center.

Craft Center
1. The letter "q" picture mnemonic activity outlined on the website.

2. Have children pretend they are "king" or "queen" for the day by making the craft activity displayed on the website.

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All About Me Theme

Social Studies
Simple board games where children learn about cooperation and taking turns.

Dramatic Play Center
The children will be preparing for "About Me" party as outlined in the theme unit. You could also place dress-up clothes in this center.

Listening Center
A copy of the book "The Queen's Feet" (or another book on self-control) would be placed at this center along with the reading to listen to).

Library
Below you will find suggested books for the "About Me" theme. You can click on the name of the book to find where the book can be ordered. Press back button to return back to this page.
1. Queen's Feet by Sarah Ellis
2. The Nose Book Al Perkins
3. My Hands by Aliki
4. I Like Myself by Karen Beaumont
5. My Two Hands, My Two Feet by Rick Walton
6. Adventures of a Nose by Viviane Schwartz
7. Eyes, Nose, Fingers and Toes by Judy Hindley
8. The Foot Book by Dr. Seuss
9. I Like Me by Nancy Carlson
10. My Feet by Aliki
11. On the Day You Were Born by Debra Frasier
12. This is My Body by Mercer Mayer

Other Centers
1. Painting (easels)
2. Blocks (big and small)
3. Sand or Water
4. Puzzles
5. Overhead transparency (a copy of the emergent reader could be placed here and the children would model read the story).
6. Playdough center (could be making their names).

Literature Selections for Colors Theme Unit

Listed below you will find some recommended books for the "Colors" theme. You can click on each title to find a copy of the book online.

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1. Mouse Paint by Ellen Stoll Walsh

2. Little Blue and Little Yellow by Leo Lionni

3. The Big Orange Splot by Daniel by Daniel Pinkwater

4. A Color of His Own by Leo Lionni

5. Of Colors and Things by Tana Hoban

6. Leaves Change Colors by Betsy Maestro

7. What Makes a Rainbow by Betty Ann Schwartz

8. I love the book What Makes a Rainbow? My kids love the book. The illustrations are inviting, and of course the ribbons going through the book is lots of fun! THANKS CARRIE!

Click on the link for more Kindergarten and Preschool Activities related to the "Color" theme.