All About Me

This weeks theme was All About Me. The kids can learn and express there favorite things about themselves. Also this months color theme is Red. I will be throwing red into our week. One way to help kids learn colors is to put it in their activities. My sensory table has all Red objects this week. I have Red Lego blocks, red toy Indian's and army men, red dyed noodles, and red craft Pom Poms. You can also dye cotton balls.

Monday

So this week we kept all our project papers to make an all about me booklet on Friday. Today we talked about our special features on our face. We talked about our eyes, nose, ears, mouth, etc. As we named them we said what we use each part for. Also we sang the Head shoulders knees and toes song. My class likes when we sing the song really slow then faster. Also we sing it low and then we sing it loud. It keeps their interest in it a little longer.

So we moved on to our project. The front cover of our book. I searched the Internet for faces that looked kinda like the child. Then printed the words All about me. As we colored we pointed to the face features and then pointed to ours.

Tuesday

Today we talked about our hands. We have our own very unique hands. We can clap our hands, we can shake our hands, and wiggle our fingers. We talked about on our fingers we have what is called fingerprints. We each have our very own.

For our project I printed the words my fingerprints are unique. No one else has them!!

Our class used paint to make our finger prints. This was tricky because this was the first time they did their finger tips. They were use to making hand prints. So they tried to sneak in and dunk their whole hand in the paint. Next time I think we will use stamp pads instead of paint. It did not show up as well with paint.

Also I sent home a page for the parents to fill out and bring back. If you have older kids you can just ask them and they might tell you. My class could not care less about my questions. I also added this to their booklet. You can find the free printout at http://2care2teach4kids.blogspot.com/2011/09/free-all-about-me-activity.html

Wednesday

Wednesday is always show and tell day at circle time. This time they were to bring a baby picture.

The kids were excited to sit in the circle with their picture. We took turns passing around their picture. Some kids laughed because they thought it was weird to see what their friends looked like as a baby. After, we put them on display so every one can see them through out the day.

So for our lessons today we talked about something inside our body that helps us move. Our bones. This week I tried looking for books at the library pertaining to our lessons. Sad to say I could not find any good ones. I did have one book stashed in my teacher book collection. I store all my good books in my filing cabinet. I order them from scholastic. This one was a Halloween book but it still served the purpose. It was called "Skeleton Meets The Mummy" by Steve Metzger

For our project what better way to make bones than using Q-tips. I cut Q-tips in half and let the kids glue them onto a body template. I found the template on a google search. The kids love this project.

Thursday

Today our class felt a little humorous. Not sure if that's a real word. We talked about something we have (well a lot of kids have) stinky dirty feet. We talked about our feet and toes. The kids loved the project I had in store for today. We took off our shoes and painted our feet. We made stinky feet foot prints. The hardest part I found was painting the bottom of their feet without getting paint all over. Due to their screams of tickle giggles.

Friday

Still trying to over come our case of tickle giggles. (Like every Friday) Today is our review and freeday. We reviewed everything we learned this week. Reread a few books then went play outside. It was hot so we did not stay out to long. Then inside to eat a popsicle.

Thanks for stoping by this week. Next week is our Letter A week.

The Kissing Hand

The Kissing Hand, by Audrey Penn, is a story about Chester, a little raccoon who wants to stay home with his mother rather than go to school. His mom tries to ease his fears by telling him of all the fun he will have at school, and then shares a family secret called The Kissing Hand. She then kisses Chester's, palm to reassure him of her love. When Chester feels a little scared he can put his hand to his cheek and remember his mom's kiss.

Monday

To start out our first week I introduce Chester the raccoon to the class. I read the book. Of course I kinda skim over the words, because I find it a little long for my age group. After showing the book, and still have their attention. I talk about it with the class and ask them how they feel when they come to school.

For our activity we made hand prints with a poem for their mom. The poem is sweet and to the point. I love the part about this hand print is the first of many memories they will make.

It's my first day of school,

and I'm thinking of you

I made this precious hand print,

So you'll think of me, too

On my first day of school

"The Kissing Hand" is what we read

It's about a raccoon named Chester,

Who did just as his parents said.

Like the raccoons first day at school,

I was scared and a little shy.

But because I thought of you,

I was brave and I got by.

All through the year,

I'll make more things for you.

So as I learn and grow,

You can share in the fun too!

Tuesday

Today we again talked about our feelings of school. I asked about how Chester had felt. I also was happy to find another book about a raccoon. I always write my lesson plans down for the month and head over to our library in town. That way I have all kinds of books that are on the same subject. The best part is that I did not have to pay for them.

What better way to start off a Tuesday than making our own Chester the Raccoon.

We also read Timothy goes to school by Rosemary Wells

Wednesday

Well our schedule was off. Our day care was closed due to weather by Isaac. Every Wednesday we have Show and tell. They were suppose to bring an object that would make them sad if they did not have anymore. There most favorite heart warming object.

For our project we was suppose to trace our hands on paper plates. Then color and cut out leaving bottom uncut to make a pop up kissing hand. Kids then could glue a heart or a kiss on the palm. Sorry for no picture.

Thursday

Today we reviewed Kissing hand and everything we made this week. We talked about how what we made was connected to the story and our feelings. For our project we used cookie cutters as stamps to make heart patterns. My heart cookie cutters had a small heart in the middle of the big heart. So we had extra hearts. It was just a heart loving day.

He had to stop and admire his art work for a minute. I guess he was surprised cookie cutters and paint can do that.

Friday

Freeday Friday!!! Usually every Friday is review and Freeday. I also try to let the kids make a snack based on something we learned that week. Then when made we turn out the lights and put on a quick movie and dine out. We made Heart cookies like the ones we painted. Of course not with the same painting ones. I have an extra set. Sorry for no pictures. After they ate pretty much the movie was not important to them so I turned it off and we played in centers.

I called two at a time to sit with me at a table. I thought we could try our hand at cutting with scissors. It was cute to teach and watch.

To cute. She could not yet open and close her hand to open the scissors. She gave up and used her other hand to pull it open.

Now she is getting the hang of it.

He is concentrating hard.

I think I will have some good cutters this year.

Check back next week for our all about you week/the color Red.