kindergarten

Letter D is for Dinosaur Preschool Craft

November 3, 2015 Leave a Comment

One of my favorite letter lessons is Letter D is for Dinosaur. Fun craft, excellent hands-on activity and loads of learning fun!

Letter D is for Dinosaur paper plate craft - so cute!

This craft was one of the highlights of our D is for Dinosaur day in our preschool class, along with the ever-popular DIY Dinosaur Egg Learning Activity.

D is for Dinosaur Paper Plate Craft for Kids

The key to the success of this paper plate craft is two-fold.

ONE: Mark each plate with a pattern prior to class.
TWO: Plan the painting portion for early morning and the construction phase for afternoon when the paint has dried.
Tip #1: for a large group of children, write their names on the plate BEFORE painting so that you can tell them apart.
Tip #2: have at least one extra plate pattern handy in case someone makes a “boo boo.”

D is for Dinosaur paper plate craft pattern for cutting out the pieces.

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Plush Dinosaur Toy with tummy pouch of little dinosaurs – adorable! #Ad

Dinosaur Paper Plate Craft

Supplies

Scissors

Washable Dot Markers for kids crafts! #Ad

Directions

Step 1 Prepare. Gather your supplies – draw the pattern onto the BACK of the plates – cut the sponges into smaller rectangles for easy use.

Step 2 Have the children sponge-paint the foundation color on the FRONT of the plate.

Step 3 Using marshmallows, dot contrasting colored dots on it. Let dry.

Step 4 Cut the lines on the back of the dry plate.

Step 5 Assemble using clear tape or brass brads.

NOTE: start this project in the morning to allow plenty of drying time. Resume later in the day for steps 4 & 5.

TIP: before doing anything else, put the child’s name on the BACK of the plate where the pattern is drawn.

Wait till you see the various styles your little ones come up with!

I was tickled to see the personality that showed up in each and every dinosaur.

FUN NOTE>> The dinosaur with the white body is an example of a rescue operation. Miss E had a scissor-happy time and, when she was done, her dinosaur body was destroyed. So the teachers grabbed a white plate to cut a new dinosaur body for her to start over again and she actually made a very attractive, “designer” version that we all loved! She was one happy little 4 year old!

Letter D is for Dinosaur PAPER PLATE craft for #kids. So cute! #preschool #kindergarten #crafts #dinosaurs Click To Tweet

Be sure to check out How To Make A Dinosaur Egg. FUN!

My very important encyclopedia of DINOSAURS #ad

Enjoy!

signed from SInea

6 Classroom Rules for Preschool and Kindergarten

September 17, 2015 Leave a Comment

Preschool and Kindergarten students (ages 3-6) need classroom rules that they easily can follow.These 6 simple rules have worked very well in my prek classroom and I believe you will find they will work well for you.

Preschool, kindergarten, school rules for classroom management

Classroom Rules for Preschoolers

1. Listen – listen to the teacher
2. Walk – walk in a straight line
3. Keep – keep your hands to yourselves
4. Share – share your toys
5. Be Kind – use good words and actions
6. Quiet – use your “inside voice.”

Share the rules with your class using colorful signs. Review them starting the first day of class and every day until you are certain they have them down. If, during the year, classroom management is becoming a challenge you will want to bring them out and go over them again.

6 simple classroom rules that work for both #preschool and #kindergarten - FREE printables! #teachers Click To Tweet

I like to involve my students in presenting the rules. Each rule is on a separate page with a colorful image that supports it. My little ones are eager to show that they remember which one is next. Here are the 6 signs that I use.

classroom rules for preschool and kindergarten

Enjoy!

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Kindergarten – "Will My Child Be Ready?"

August 24, 2015 Leave a Comment

kindergarten readiness, kindergarten, children, school, preschool

Kindergarten is “Real School”

Kindergarten is fun, there is no doubt about it. But Kindergarten is no longer just an introduction to the world of school. It is real school.

Kindergarten now includes age-appropriate lessons that encompass reading, writing, arithmetic, science, social studies, foreign language, computer technology, music, physical education and art. Standardized tests and DRA’s (Developmental Reading Assessments) are the norm.

How to Get Your Child Ready For Kindergarten

Feeling a little pressure? Not to worry. Your child will be up to the task if you remember a few important points:

Keep learning fun. Children are children. They need playtime. They need to use their imaginations. They need to receive your praise and approval as they experience new things–even making mistakes. Help them enjoy the process.

Read, read, read. Read to them and with them. Mom and dad, truly you are busy. At the end of a long, overwhelming day, it is much easier to flip on the TV and chill. But don’t. Set aside a cuddle-time and homework-time with your Kindergartner. If there is no homework assignment, read together.

Be a great example. Children learn by what they see you doing. If you are an avid learner, inquisitive and insightful, they will pick up on it. Let them catch you reading, often.

Keep up on what’s going on at school. This is a big issue with the little ones. Kindergartners feel much more secure if their parents have them prepared. They aren’t going to remember on their own. They are five-year-olds!

Make sure that they have what they need before they go to school each day.

Know when there is a special event like Show ‘n Tell, a classroom party, book fair, Open House, or field trip. Being the only child in the classroom who didn’t bring in their dollar for the ice cream party can be a traumatic experience. Newsletters and calendars from the school will help you to keep on top of things, but it is your responsibility to remember it all and follow through.

What Should My Child Know?

Here are three categories of readiness that will give you an idea of what your child should know by Kindergarten.

Do not panic If there are areas that your child has not mastered. Children learn quickly. Take a little time each day to work on the area of greatest need. Be loving, kind and gently consistent. Again, it is important that your little one enjoy every bit of what he’s learning.

Academic Readiness

Kindergarteners should…

Know their ABC’s…at least in uppercase.
Count to 10.
Recognize numbers to 5.
Be familiar with cutting on a straight line.
Write their first name.
Know their colors and basic shapes.

Job Readiness (Yes, even Kindergarteners have jobs!)

Kindergarteners should…

Have a job at home so they are already learning to be responsible for something.
Learn to put things back where they got them from.
Have a “listening attention span”. Read to them so that they are building their ability to concentrate and listen.

Functional Readiness

Kindergarteners should…

Be able to follow 2 and 3 step directions such as “Go to the bathroom and then wash your hands.”
Be able to put on their coat, jacket, tie their shoes, etc.
Be able to go potty without aid and then put their clothes back on afterward-belts, snaps, hooks …
Know how to use their lunch box items: open containers, thermos, etc.

With all of that said, enjoy being the parent of a Kindergartner. It is a wonderful time in your lives. This child will only be in Kindergarten once. Make it a special time for the whole family!

“You can be sure that your child is ready for Kindergarten.”

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Enjoy!

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Photos courtesy of Pixabay
ABC image by Stuart Miles on Free Digital Photos

A is for Ant

October 26, 2013 Leave a Comment

A is for Apple but A is also for Ant. For my first preschool lesson this year, I chose to teach my students about ants. It was fun!

A is for Ant parts of an ant with labels

As we started our day, we saw live ants building tunnels in their artificial ant hill. It was fascinating to see how ants work together as a team. My class also made our own ants out of egg cartons and pipe cleaners. (ant craft) We played an ant race game and we read ant books, too ! It was a day of preschool science, reading and fun!

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