No Time For Flash Cards » Circle time Lesson

Top o’ the morning to you !

admin — Wed, 04 Mar 2009 18:36:00 +0000

Lucky Gold Hunt

I read on a message board that had posted my link that one mom was disappointed that I don’t have more non art activities, so here you go ! This is mess free, fun and so easy to make more challenging for older children , or easy as pie for the little guys. My son and I played this from the time he got up from nap until dinner was on the table . I have a feeling we’ll be playing it tomorrow too! Oh and if there is something specific you would like to see us try- let me know I am always open to new things .

Gather your materials. You will need some play coins, a marker and a green piece of paper. * For really little guys instead of the paper you can just use a change purse and simply have them hunt for the coins.
Trace the coins on the paper
Fill in the numbers, we are doing 10 coins but customize this for your child, more or less whatever works. Make it challenging but not impossible. Having the numbers offers up different options for how to play , you can simply hunt for the coins, and place them on the numbers. You can hunt for them then have your child specifically put them on the number you designate. I tried both and my son liked to choose which numbers to pop the coin on then count them and start over.
Hide the gold. Can you see it in my picture? Make it obvious at first, with little guys make sure it’s in plain view, the goal isn’t to be a better hider than they are a finder, it’s for them to find them feel pride in it, then tag on a little math too !
Go searching for the lucky gold .
Count your gold , and start again !

Not Quite The NBA !

admin — Sat, 04 Oct 2008 16:01:00 +0000

Weekend Re-Post
This post from February seemed perfect for the nasty weather we have today.
Have a great weekend and remember a new post will be up Monday!

Block Basketball

This simple activity is a great alternative to tv during extra early mornings, rainy days or just to have fun!

Gather your materials. I used soft blocks, with my 15 month old because they are easy to grab but don’t roll away. With little guys rolling balls can be frustrating if they roll away as they are trying to make a basket. Bean Bags are great for this too!
Get something to be the basket, I am using a small clean garbage can because my son has a slight obsession and he was in heaven , also it’s light and easy to handle. Laundry baskets, buckets and even just a target on the floor works too.
Start playing. With little guys simply fill and spill , while they are handling a certain color label it for them, encourage them and toss some in yourself! Practice taking turns , it’s a great side lesson.
For older children the sky is the limit, You can ask them to pop in a certain color, or even give them riddles to figure out. Like ” can you throw the bean bag that is the same color as mommy’s shirt?” Also you can grab a tape measure and see if you can make a basket at 1 foot away, 2 feet away…3 feet away! Or even just see who can make the most baskets in a row!

** This is a great group or circle time activity, although I would not throw the blocks or bean bags at circle time. You can have the children take the colors out, or put them in and identify them as they do. You can also use other objects that follow your curriculum such as different models of sea life or shapes! The sky is the limit and kids love this type of activity so much they forget they are learning! **

All about Seasons!

admin — Sun, 02 Mar 2008 08:22:00 +0000

Paper Bag Season Sorting

By nature most young children like to sort things, you may have noticed your child lining up blocks, or toy cars, or putting all the dolls in one place, and teddy bears in another. This activity takes that desire to sort and uses it to learn about seasons. This activity seems very bland but I have yet to have a class who didn’t love it.

Gather your materials. You will need some old magazines or catalogs, clothing catalogs work great for this. Scissors, crayons or markers, some construction or card stock paper, and tape or glue. You will need a paper bag for each season you are going to include. I suggest for children just learning about seasons to stick to Winter and Summer only.
Steps 3 and 4 can be done ahead of time or by a parent while the child is doing step 5.
Find pictures in your magazines or catalogs that show people in warm or cold weather clothing. In my experience it is easier for everyone if you do this step a head of time, or even just help things along by ripping out these pages and have the child do the cutting.
Once you have found enough pictures of both seasons, glue or tape them to the paper and cut them out.
Decorate the two ( or more) paper bags with scenes or things that represent that season. I drew pictures. Label each bag with the name of the season.
Sort your pictures into each bag. While sorting ask your child questions, and especially if they are putting something you think should go into Summer into the Winter bag, they may have a very good explanation to put you in your place!

**The subject of this activity can easily be changed to fit any theme, and length of activity lengthened by adding more pictures to sort. This is a great circle time activity for preschool and after playing it as a class you can put it on the shelf for free time and the students will enjoy re-playing it. **

Song!

Hurry, Hurry, Seasons Changing

Hurry, Hurry, Spring is coming
See all the flowers blooming
Hurry , Hurry Spring is coming
Baby animals everywhere!

Hurry, Hurry, Summer’s coming
See how the sun is shining,
Hurry , Hurry, Summer’s coming
At the beach and at the pool!

Hurry, Hurry, Autumn’s coming
See all the leaves falling,
Hurry, Hurry, Autumn’s coming
Grab a sweater it’s getting cold!

Hurry, Hurry, Winter’s coming
See all the snow falling,
Hurry, Hurry Winter’s coming
Bundle up like a polar bear!