Preschool Lesson Plans

Preschool lesson plans: Using a Digital Camera

noreply@blogger.com (Kimberley) — Sat, 30 Jul 2011 17:36:00 +0000

Why use a digital camera in the classroom? Well there are so many.
Let's see-

1) Documenting progress for the parents. They don't always see the value of the work we do because there's no visual evidence. But if we take and post pictures our lesson plan activities we inform them of the progress their child is making.

2)Including your parents in the daily routine.it's hard to leave you baby. We can make it easier by including parents.

3) organization. Cubbies, circle time spots, journals.... You name it.

The time it saves just with the "I wanna sit next to Tommy but not Sam and Isabel spit on me" argument is worth it!

Clean up- make your own picture Labels. It helps the kids to help put things away. (Translation- Less work for you!)
Have a great Day!

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It's Time to Organize Your Classrooms!

noreply@blogger.com (Kimberley) — Fri, 22 Jul 2011 12:27:00 +0000

This is a re-post of a previous one regarding classroom labels. Everyone is getting ready for the new year so it's relevant. Organize time-

We know that we need to have language every where in a preschool classroom. Kid's learn by osmosis at the preschool level, and seeing written language strengthens pre-reading skills. So a great way to advance pre-reading skills, and help promote self help skills is classroom labeling.

When you label items in your classroom it helps to have the word and picture. This helps the children understand the correlation between these symbols and the spoken word.

Another great reason to label in your classroom is clean up time. When a child can put things away on their own it gives them a sense of self sufficiency and pride. Besides it makes it easier on you. If they can pick up themselves then YOU don't have to do it all.

I found a great place to help this endeavor- Environments. They have resources for teachers that you can make up on their site and print out. You do have to register for a free membership but isn't worth it.

Here's a second website that has labels. I used those to organize my kids rooms!
http://orgjunkie.com/2007/11/organizing-kids-toys-with-cubby-storage-free-printable.html

Preschool lesson plans: dinosaur cooking activity!

noreply@blogger.com (Kimberley) — Fri, 15 Jul 2011 12:21:00 +0000

While looking for a cooking idea to pair with the dinosaur theme, found this-Martha Stewart Recipe
So this is what I decided on. It's wonderful to illustrate fossils and what they are. We read dictionary definitions of fossil, reptile and a few others. Dictionary skills are very important!
I suggest you make her cookie dough. I used sugar cookie dough and it didn't work well.
Happy cooking!

Roar roar dinosaur! Preschool lesson plans

noreply@blogger.com (Kimberley) — Wed, 13 Jul 2011 14:25:00 +0000

I know I didn't post last week for bugs- I will get that up soon!

But this week is dinosaurs! Happy two year old who LOVES to roar!!
We are in the Huntsville area and they have a dinosaur exhibit the space and rocket center. We will be heading there later this week.
Yesterday we talked about dinosaurs, What they ate, and the differences between them.
We watched some of "walking with dinosaurs" on Netflix.
Today we made a stegosaurus.

I love that Dino smile!!!
Then we worked on addition facts (1's and 2's)

Harrison worked on his motor skills with noise putty recommended by the OT. He thinks he's just making tooting
Sounds. Giggling like a big boy!

Harrison wrote a A- two years old!!

See ya next time!!!

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Happy 4th My Friends!

noreply@blogger.com (Kimberley) — Tue, 05 Jul 2011 02:51:00 +0000

I played with my kiddos today! I'll post the lesson plan later!

We made suncatchers.

We made salt art. It's like sannd art in bottles. You take chalk in a bag of salt. The friction
Rubs the chalk and colors the salt.

And the finished product-

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I know. Another absence.

noreply@blogger.com (Kimberley) — Tue, 05 Jul 2011 02:35:00 +0000

Well I've been MIA again. I'd say I'm sorry but I already did that.
We have had a endoscopy, colonoscopy, and allergy testing in the last week. I'm so glad it's over!
But my lil man is feeling lots better, and allergic to a lot of stuff. Em is being treated for really bad asthma.
But we are getting there. We have answers!
We are getting back into our routine. Yay!

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Preschool Lesson Plans- Art as a lesson in determination

noreply@blogger.com (Kimberley) — Fri, 03 Jun 2011 21:57:00 +0000

I read a post about art in the classroom, and how the teacher handled the difficulty of the lesson.
Before I go further, read This.

This spoke to me because we all try to "dumb down" to kids. Make the curriculum fit them, instead of allowing them to master the curriculum. How will they learn how to work through difficult situations if they aren't challenged to do so?
Something that comes to mind is my 10 year old nephew. You guys should be jelous. My lil man (who's not so little anymore), is sweet, loving, hardworking, and smart!
He trys so hard, but things are difficult for him. He has some learning issues, but we all learn differently.
Well anyway, he has been passed up even if he hasnt mastered the material. When asked this year why they didn't fail him, they said it had to do with "No child left behind".
But if he is being expected to do the work in the next grade, without mastering the foundation skills needed, isn't that what's happening? He's getting left behind?

My point is this- if we don't challenge our kids to figure things out in our preschool classrooms, we are doing them a great disservice. Just as passing someone without merit will not be doing him any favors.
We have to teach independent thinking, problem solving, and self reliance to form the leaders of tomorrow.
Why would we expect less?

Wonderful sweet intelligent nephew- he's totally rockin'!

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SPD and Preschool

noreply@blogger.com (Kimberley) — Thu, 02 Jun 2011 13:18:00 +0000

Today is a big day for my lil man. He, at his regular speech appointment, is undergoing an evaluation for TN early intervention so that he can receive more intensive treatment (most likely in a school setting). Prayers are needed for my baby!

On to the main subject. SPD, sensory processing disorder, has a lot of little things to deal with, but the scariest lately is chewing.

SPD kids crave sensory stimulation including orally. Lately Harrison has been chewing on inappropriate things. I had to sweep his throat for bottle caps twice. In fear of what could happen, I called his OT. She reassured me this was a good thing. It means he is maturing developmentally. He's in that stage that 6-9 month olds chew on anything. Yes I know. He's 2 1/2 but it's progress. Intellectually he is further along. He knows colors, and if he could talk he could count.
But back to chewing. I went to Walmart and bought a big assortment of chew toys. This dinosaur is his favorite right now.

But he likes them all. He goes from one to the next. But he's getting the oral stimulation he needs but in a safe way!
That makes for a happy mom!

Here's an article on SPD for more information.

http://www.kennedykrieger.org/kki_misc.jsp?pid=2146

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Reading in Preschool Lesson plans

noreply@blogger.com (Kimberley) — Tue, 31 May 2011 14:00:00 +0000

Reading. Teaching your preschooler to read can be an intimidating task. You read this method and that method and "your baby can read", you start to hyperventilate because of all the varying information.
By the way I use "my baby can read" with the boy but not to read. That's another post though;)

The basics of reading are 2 things- sight reading and phonics. I've heard teachers say phonics only or they teach using sight reading. when I was in first grade they only taught sight words. Luckily I moved to a school system that used phonics later.

I use both. I use memorization of sight words and phonics. If you don't learn phonics, and you, as an adult, are standing in front of a board of directors reading a finance report. Oops! A word you don't know is in it. A phonics reader can figure it out.
So here are a couple things I'm using and have used to practice.
DICK and JANE are back!

A great way to breed confidence in a early reader! Easy and interesting to a beginning reader.
Also, here's a little something I made to help Emily practice her words using an unused photo book and index cards.

I think that's pretty obvious.
But here's something that teaches phonics. I've used it for years in my classes and used it with Emily, singing in the car.

Really fun and lays the foundation for being a strong reader. It's sold by discovery toys and well worth the $13 I paid.
Happy reading!
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The tea party preschool lesson plan

noreply@blogger.com (Kimberley) — Sat, 28 May 2011 14:19:00 +0000

Here's this week's lesson plan. I know its very simple but my girl has been going to school all year in pre-K, and will be in kindy in the fall. a break is needed, but she (and I) need structure. She is a lot older than the other kids, and more advanced. I worry that she won't be challenged. BUT I love she is so ahead of the game.

You also see a section for Harrison. Also simple. But these are the activities that he needs to develop in his way. It is just as much a lesson plan, and curriculum.
See you next week! Have a great holiday!

Tea Party Lesson Plan

Butterfly life cycle

noreply@blogger.com (Kimberley) — Thu, 26 May 2011 19:51:00 +0000

We have butterflies!!!! We ordered caterpillars a few weeks ago.
We have watched them go from caterpillars, to big caterpillars, to really BIG caterpillars! Then we watched them build their Cacoons.
Today when we got home we had butterflies!!
Emily didn't know what to be more excited about- the signed t shirt from one of the Tennessee Tornados or the butterflies!
We have discussed the life cycle of the butterfly, used the appropriate life cycles as vocabulary words, and read books about them. Her favorite is Charlie the caterpillar. We also have been working on reading, addition, and improving handwriting!
Next week is Fancy Nancy tea party manners! I'll post a lesson plan this weekend!

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Special Needs and lesson plans

noreply@blogger.com (Kimberley) — Thu, 26 May 2011 00:24:00 +0000

As a teacher, I found it much easier to deal with special needs than as a mom. I always made it my priority that the most difficult child became my favorite or special project.
Now, don't freak out. That doesn't mean I would do this to the exclusion of "normal" kids. I felt such a love for every child that those kids easily had their needs met. But those kids who yell, scream, hit, bite, kick, throw things etc would take a bit more effort.
I've had ADHD children, autistic, sensory dysfunctional, kids born on drugs, abused, neglected and unloved children. I even had a child with severe eczema all over his body including his hands. My heart literally broke to pieces when he turned down a cupcake because he knew he would have to wash his hands. I went into the cot storage room and cried myself. I was deeply affected by all the kids trusted in my care over the years.
But my ability to handle all of those kids and just grow the love and understanding I needed to fulfill their needs makes my situation so hard.
We have discipline issues. We have issues with eating.( he's losing weight).
He can't speak on demand to tell us what's bothering him, what he wants or needs.
That combined with the SPD, in which his brain doesn't function well in his world. He doesn't feel "right" in his own skin, and he can't communicate the discomfort. I'm so frustrated and praying for an answer.
I'm working with him. And his speech therapist and OT rock. But day in and out, I just don't have what I had as a teacher to give him.
I ADORE him, beyond measure. And worry about him too. I'll let you know about his progress and mine too!

Our summer beginnings in our preschool lesson plans

noreply@blogger.com (Kimberley) — Wed, 25 May 2011 14:58:00 +0000

The beginning. We we do a garden every year, along with the plants in the yard. And we inherited a bunch of plants there.

My hubby uses the square foot method to organic gardening. It WORKS! We had tomatoes well into November last year.

But both kids love plants and gardening. We have already planted and have been tending it everyday.

We have also had visits from som e of our friends in nature. We discussed how they help us and our garden. We talk biology, ecology, and responsiblity. A awesome lesson!

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My absence

noreply@blogger.com (Kimberley) — Wed, 25 May 2011 14:48:00 +0000

I've been MIA for the last year. There are reasons, of course. One being the special needs of my son, who has minor medical problems, and in the past year has been diagnosed with developmental apraxia, and sensory integration dysfunction. With the therapies for these and problems in his health, I just haven't had the time.
Also, Emily attended Pre-k at a local elementary school this year.
But I'm back! We are going to do some summer learning activities and therapies and activities for Harrison too.
So welcome back! I miss this little diary that I can exercise my teacher muscles on!

Preschool Lesson Plans: Gingerbread Man

noreply@blogger.com (Kimberley) — Tue, 04 May 2010 16:43:00 +0000

Okay, we have started the Gingerbread Man theme. It really is keeping Emily's interest. She really likes the story, so that really helps it be a vehicle for other concepts I want to teach.
As you can see, I printed off the story and we made a book. We didn't have the book, and it was something fun for her to do. I'll post the links at the end of the post for the theme.

After reading the story, Emily played with story sequencing cards. She assembled them in the order of the events of the story, thus teaching cause and effect.

We also played a matching file folder game I made to reinforce the unit. She enjoyed it but was below he intellectual abilities. I do have trouble challenging her sometimes. I need to work on that.
But here comes her favorite part- PLAY DOUGH!!!! There are so many reasons to list to use play dough, but just a couple are eye hand coordination and stress relief.
You know those squishy stress relief balls they sell for adults? Try squeezing play dough in your hand. Its the same effect. It works on kids and for us mommies and daddies too!!!

If you have a particularly stressed kid or one going through family issues, try a little play dough therapy. It helps.
This particular play dough was made to use during the gingerbread unit. So it has the smell of gingerbread. It's not edible though.
Here is the recipe-

Gingerbread Play-Dough

1 Cup flour
1/2 Cup salt
2 tsp. cream of tartar
1 cup water
1 tsp. vegetable oil
Spices--Cinnamon, Allspice, Ginger, Nutmeg

DIRECTIONS--
Mix the dry ingredients. Use as much or as little of the spices to get
the color and scent you like.
Mix water and oil to the dry ingredients
and stir.
In a pot, cook the mixture on medium, stirring
constantly. (about 5 min)
The dough will start to pull away from the sides of the pot and
stick together in a large ball.
Take the dough out of the pan and knead the dough until it becomes soft
and smooth. Add flour as needed to cut down stickiness.
Allow the dough to cool and then store it in an airtight container.

I didn't like it at first, but after it cools, it is a great non sticky dough. And every time you roll it it lets the wonderful scent from it, like the kids are really making cookies or gingerbread....

That's what we are doing tomorrow. Wonder if ours will run away?? ;)

Links for Gingerbread man Lesson Plan

http://www.preschoolprintables.com/filefolder/gingerbread/filefolderginger.shtml
http://www.coloring.ws/t.asp?b=m&t=http://www.coloring.ws/winter/gingerbread.gif
http://www.dltk-teach.com/minibooks/gingerbread-man/index.htm
http://www.enchantedlearning.com/stories/folktale/gingerbreadman/story/print.shtml

We know young children learn best when using their five senses, especially under two so this is a great way to incorporate more senses into the same experience.

Links for Gingerbread man Lesson Plan

http://www.preschoolprintables.com/filefolder/gingerbread/filefolderginger.shtml
http://www.coloring.ws/t.asp?b=m&t=http://www.coloring.ws/winter/gingerbread.gif
http://www.dltk-teach.com/minibooks/gingerbread-man/index.htm
http://www.enchantedlearning.com/stories/folktale/gingerbreadman/story/print.shtml

See you tomorrow!!

Preschool Lesson Plans: The Gingerbread Man

noreply@blogger.com (Kimberley) — Mon, 03 May 2010 02:15:00 +0000

This week's theme- The Gingerbread Man.
I LOVE themes based on books! And last week Emily say The Gingerbread Man on "Between the Lions" and loved it. So I knew it was the right start back for she and I.

It's a theme I usually do in winter, around Christmas. But it is what SHE is interested in, so making it developmentally and individually appropriate.

So the prep work is done, play dough is made and the week is planned. Maybe the structure will help her feel secure, thus working on the behavior issues we have been dealing with.

Here is the tentative lesson plan for the week.
Gingerbread Man Lesson Plan-4

I'm Back!!

noreply@blogger.com (Kimberley) — Mon, 03 May 2010 01:24:00 +0000

I know I haven't been here in a while...Well a long while...Okay a whole year...I am ashamed of myself, but as in most things, life has a knack of getting in the way.

But because my daughter needs structure, and, well I just love doing it, I'm back. I did the preparation today, so Monday brings SCHOOL! My daughter's favorite thing in the whole world.

This week's theme- The Gingerbread Man

Preschool Lesson Plans: Zoo Fun! Next Week

noreply@blogger.com (Kimberley) — Fri, 29 May 2009 18:51:00 +0000

Next week we will start Zoo Fun! Below you will find my tenative lesson plan. This summer I may have for fun, but Monkey does better with structure so we will keep up homeschooling. See you next week!!!Zoo Fun Lesson Plan Zoo Fun Lesson Plan PreschoolLessonPlans A lesson plan for preschool based on the zoo theme

Publish at Scribd or explore others: Books Non-fiction language fun

Taking a Break from the Theme!

noreply@blogger.com (Kimberley) — Fri, 29 May 2009 17:54:00 +0000

We thought we would just work on fundamentals and fun stuff today, So................

Today's Activities

We started with a cooking activity. We made cinnamon sugar biscuits. She smelled the cinnamon. This is one benefit to cooking. You use all the senses. The more senses you use to learn, more memorable it will be.
Then we worked on letter sounds. She knows the names, but the phonics she doesn't know as well.

We then used a kit to make a necklace (great for eye hand coordination.) I found these at a business closing. They were regularly 4.99 but were marked down to $1. I always look for deals like that for school time.As you can see, she is using those fingers to bead the string. It really helps develop those muscles that control fine motor skills like writing....
And the proud girl with her work-

Finally, we played around of Animal dominoes. Matching and one to one correspondence are very important skills. Besides just having an old fashioned good time!!!

Preschool Lesson Plans: Bugs Cont.

noreply@blogger.com (Kimberley) — Wed, 27 May 2009 21:30:00 +0000

Today's Activities-

First, we painted a paper plate to make a spider. That's our bug of the day. We learned that a spider has 8 legs and 2 major body parts- the abdomen and the head (I thought cephlothorax might have been over a 3 year old's level) LOL
We then did journal time- she decided to draw the bug of the day again-
We did an S coloring sheet with spiders. Here she is looking at the spider picture with her magnifying glass. (It has been raining a lot here, so not much outside time)
We also did Hooked On Phonics both in the book and on the computer-
And finally we made juice pops for desert.

Preschool Lesson Plans: Bugs!!!! Day 2

noreply@blogger.com (Kimberley) — Fri, 15 May 2009 00:05:00 +0000

Today we continued our theme of bugs. Today the subject was ladybugs.

First, we made paper plate ladybug. She painted a paper plate with red paint. we let it dry a bit, then cut it in half and attached it to a black circle. We also glued on a head, eyes, and legs.

And then we made a book (we only did the first half, she lost interest. We will continue it tomorrow.) it is a lady bug count and graph book. I found it here.

We then worked on letter recognition with the foam letters.

Preschool Lesson Plans: Bugs!!!!

noreply@blogger.com (Kimberley) — Wed, 13 May 2009 16:30:00 +0000

Kids either love bugs or hate them. My girl was afraid of them until we started gardening. We let her know how bugs can help her grow her plants and protect them from bad bugs.

So this week we are talking about different kinds of bugs. Today we started with ants. As you can see, I have some plastic bugs I got in a kit from Target for under $10. It includes the bugs, a bug jar, magnifier and tweezers.

First we did journal time. She liked the lady bug so she decided to draw one in her journal.
I may be biased, but I think she's pretty good for three years old.

we then talked about the parts of an ant- head thorax, and abdomen. I printed out a sheet to help get that concept across- I found it here. For art we made an ant hill. I cut it out, gave her a stamp pad, and a pencil eraser. We made a head, thorax, and abdomen with the pencil eraser. I helped by drawing legs and antenna. I read that idea from Perpetual Preschool.

We then did our hooked on phonics we went over G and H. She's been gone so long we have lost a lot of ground.
We finished by playing a bible matching game. Basically we went over important people from the bible. I am going to start introducing some religious concepts into our school time. It is my job to bring up our kids in the path of God.

Preschool Lesson Plans: Recycling Ideas for the Classroom

noreply@blogger.com (Kimberley) — Thu, 23 Apr 2009 20:39:00 +0000

Hi!
I am sorry I haven't posted but my mom kidnapped my Monkey Girl for a bit so I have no one to teach. This post I really meant for yesterday, but my husband was using my laptop.

Today I want to show you how you can use everyday trash to help with projects, and organize your classroom.

This might just look like a meat tray, a muffin package, egg carton but the possibilities are endless.
Meat tray- you could use it for painting activities, craft activities like making a picture frame, or cutting out Christmas ornaments to decorate. Another thing is collages. This book is one of my favorite teacher resource books. In it the author talks about doing meat tray collages.
Just make sure they are washed well.

Egg cartons- Art projects. Example- Egg carton flowers, caterpillars, butterflies. Paint cups- use one segment for each color. Cut them in half and you get two uses out of one carton. Turn it upside down and then poke holes in the segments and you have a scissor holder that holds 12 pairs. Of course you can use it for holding small collage materials too.

Muffin Packages are great for holding collage materials or paint cups. They re close so they can store away on a shelf or in a cabinet.

So rethink throwing things away. Think about how you can turn them into great Preschool Lesson Plans.

Preschool Lesson Plans:Cheap Teaching Supplies

noreply@blogger.com (Kimberley) — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 19:04:00 +0000

With the way things are with the economy right now, you probably aren't getting a lot of supply money from you center. But you still need stuff to work with in your classroom. So what's a smart teacher to do?

The Dollar Tree!

The Dollar Tree is awesome for teachers- storage, art supplies, cleaning supplies, snacks, gifts for mothers/fathers day, craft sets, everything.

Yesterday I went to the Dollar Tree and got 3 bins, 2 baskets, calendar numbers, calendar months, preschool alphabet workbook, a kids ice pack(not shown) and two card games.

If you have ever went to a teachers supply store you know the calendar stuff is expensive!!! I spent $11 plus tax for it all!!!

And a great thing is you can buy in bulk online! Great for centers!

Preschool Lesson Plans: "Green" Play Dough

noreply@blogger.com (Kimberley) — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 18:36:00 +0000

Have you ever read the ingredients in commercial Play-doh? All I can say is, and I am a pretty intelligent person, that i have no clue whats in it. Why give this stuff to our kids when we have healthier, cheaper, and more environmentally sound options. Not to mention, more developmentally appropriate.

Why more developmentally appropriate? Well you can make your dough appropriate for the right age- oatmeal play dough for older babies/toddlers, a soft cooked dough for young preschoolers, a firmer play dough for older preschoolers, and a clay you can make and dry sculptures out of for older kids. You figure out whats right for you and go for it.
Here is the recipe I used today-

Materials

1 cup of flour

1 T. vegetable oil

1 cup water

2 t. cream of tartar

food coloring

saucepan

1. mix the food coloring into the water

2. heat all the ingredients over low heat until the mixture forms a ball

3. knead when cool

I didn't use food coloring- I am out of food coloring and find it works better without it sometimes. It doesn't matter if it gets mixed up like it does if you have several colors.

Without food coloring it can be anything. And since today's my bread baking day- you can guess what she pretended it was:)